You should definitely rent a car (preferably with a GPS). I found that touring around L.A. prior to my surgery was the most wonderful distraction -- we arrived the weekend before my Wednesday surgery and did as much sightseeing, etc. as possible. The Getty Art Museum (I know that's not the exact name) is lovely and we also went to Simi Valley to the Reagan Museum (if you go, be sure to have your picture taken as you board the Air Force One that's on display there). We also enjoyed driving through all the different neighborhoods and nearby university campuses. We didn't find the L.A. freeways to be as daunting as we had anticipated (admittedly my husband did all the driving, plus I don't know where you're from ... so I probably shouldn't be quite so glib about this), and the area is a bit more compact than I had expected. Beverly Hills and Hollywood are pretty close to House, for example. I have wonderful memories of everything we saw and did out there both before and after my surgery!
Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)