LA where should I go?

[lmurden]

Hi All,

I''m going to be in LA in the next two weeks for about 4 days and wanted to know what would someone suggest as a must see as far as the tourist stuff. Thanks for the input.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

It depends on what you want to do/see...if you''re star struck, then going down to Hollywood and Vine to see the Chinese Mann Theatre, El Capitan and the Walk of Stars...

If you like amusement parks, then Disneyland is the typical tourist thing...

If you like the beaches, then there''s Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade....

If you like architecture, then there''s the Gamble House in Pasadena and the Tournament of Roses House...

Maybe if you gave an idea of what you''d like to do, I could give you a plethura of ideas!!

 

[innerkitten]

I lived in L.A. for one year. I always like the third street promenande in Santa Monica, and Melrose ave near West Hollywood, and the farmers market near the Beverly Center mall. There is some really good Korean food in Korea town ( I love kimchi!), and an Etheopian neigborhood with some very popular restaurants . And whats that famous Jewish deli in Hollywood?
It would be nice to walk around by the Griffith Observatory, and laurel canyon is really pretty too.
There are some good jewelry stores there too

 

[lmurden]

Well I guess when I get there I want my stay to be some what low keyed. I don''t have to see everything insight. I don''t mind seeing some celebrity sites. I guess I don''t mind going to Universal Studio but I know I want to do a little site seeing, shopping, and eating. I''ll figure it out. Thanks.

 

[mightyred]

oooh I lurve LA....... I find you either like it or hate it without much middle ground!

My best trip ever was driving down from San Francisco to LA then trading the comfy car for an uncomfortable but cool convertable when we got there and spending a whole day just driving around.

I would take a day to just "explore". I would base myself in Santa Monica which is right on the Pacific Coast Highway. From there if museums interest you hit the John Paul Getty Museum......then take a drive through Topanga Canyon and around Mullholland Drive and down Benedict Canyon. The views are great. I''d then hit Bel Air/Beverley Hills, drive around for a bit, valet park on Rodeo Drive and walk around and window shop then do a bit of real shopping on Melrose Ave before heading to Hollywood. I''d drive along part of Sunset Blvd (sunset strip) maybe stop to eat, then Hollywood Blvd, do the whole Manns Chinese Theatre and see the stars on the pavement. Then up to see the Hollywood sign close up (drive up Beachwood Drive north of Hollywood Boulevard into the hills) or go to Griffith Park Observatory and see the sign from there. I''m a big driver but terrible navigator but I managed all that without too much difficulty!

Then....if you still had time at the end of the day I would head over to Studio City /Ventura Blvd and Matthews home to Michael B''s studio where I would drool, swoon and fawn over his creations!

Have FUN LM!

 

[lmurden]

Date: 4/5/2005 1:29:30 PM
Author: innerkitten
I lived in L.A. for one year. I always like the third street promenande in Santa Monica, and Melrose ave near West Hollywood, and the farmers market near the Beverly Center mall. There is some really good Korean food in Korea town ( I love kimchi!), and an Etheopian neigborhood with some very popular restaurants . And whats that famous Jewish deli in Hollywood?
It would be nice to walk around by the Griffith Observatory, and laurel canyon is really pretty too.
There are some good jewelry stores there too

Wow thanks for all the info!

Thanks Mightyred, you''ve given me so good ideas!

 

[lmurden]

Date: 4/5/2005 2

7

0 PM
Author: mightyred
oooh I lurve LA....... I find you either like it or hate it without much middle ground!

My best trip ever was driving down from San Francisco to LA then trading the comfy car for an uncomfortable but cool convertable when we got there and spending a whole day just driving around.

I would take a day to just ''explore''. I would base myself in Santa Monica which is right on the Pacific Coast Highway. From there if museums interest you hit the John Paul Getty Museum......then take a drive through Topanga Canyon and around Mullholland Drive and down Benedict Canyon. The views are great. I''d then hit Bel Air/Beverley Hills, drive around for a bit, valet park on Rodeo Drive and walk around and window shop then do a bit of real shopping on Melrose Ave before heading to Hollywood. I''d drive along part of Sunset Blvd (sunset strip) maybe stop to eat, then Hollywood Blvd, do the whole Manns Chinese Theatre and see the stars on the pavement. Then up to see the Hollywood sign close up (drive up Beachwood Drive north of Hollywood Boulevard into the hills) or go to Griffith Park Observatory and see the sign from there. I''m a big driver but terrible navigator but I managed all that without too much difficulty!

Then....if you still had time at the end of the day I would head over to Studio City /Ventura Blvd and Matthews home to Michael B''s studio where I would drool, swoon and fawn over his creations!

Have FUN LM!

Ok I''m sold!!!

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Oh wait!!! And there''s always the LA Jewelery District!!!

 

[lmurden]

Jewelry District, great!

 

[Libster]

Everyone has given you great ideas for a really fun trip. I''m one of those people who LOVES LA and the surrounding beaches. My favorite place to stay is the "W" in the Westwood area. It''s close to everything and has a really great vibe. If you are near the Westwood area, make a stop at Diddy Riese for awesome fresh baked cookies and very inexpensive. It''s near the UCLA campus.

My favorite restaurant is Crustacean in Beverly Hills.
http://www.anfamily.com/Restaurants/crustacean_beverlyhills/displaypages/homepage.asp
Their dungeness crab is to die for and their garlic noodles....my mouth waters just thinking about it.

I always check out this website before trips to see what is happening while I''m there.
http://www.digitalcity.com/losangeles/

Have fun, wish I was going

 

[innerkitten]

How could I forget the Museum of Tolerance and the La Brea tar pits.

 

[lmurden]

I wish I could afford to stay at the "W", but thanks.


http://aolsvc.res.travelocity.aol.com/hotel/HotelDetail.do?propertyId=13265&startIndex=0&showMap=0&sortOrder=ascName&sortAlpha=23&SEQ=1112728828893352005&hotelQKey=2185450848638957966

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Date: 4/5/2005 2:37:46 PM
Author: lmurden

Jewelry District, great!

6th and Hill in Downtown LA...We usually take the Metrolink in and make a nice day of it!!

 

[lmurden]

Date: 4/5/2005 7:18:44 PM
Author: AChiOAlumna

Date: 4/5/2005 2:37:46 PM
Author: lmurden

Jewelry District, great!

6th and Hill in Downtown LA...We usually take the Metrolink in and make a nice day of it!!

Thanks!

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Date: 4/5/2005 7:32:37 PM
Author: lmurden
Date: 4/5/2005 7:18:44 PM
Thanks!

No problem!! Enjoy!!

BTW, I've lived in CA for most of my life, so if you're looking for more things do to (although you've got a GREAT comprehensive list here!), let me know....

 

[lmurden]

Date: 4/5/2005 7:34:54 PM
Author: AChiOAlumna

Date: 4/5/2005 7:32:37 PM
Author: lmurden
Date: 4/5/2005 7:18:44 PM
Thanks!

No problem!! Enjoy!!

BTW, I''ve lived in CA for most of my life, so if you''re looking for more things do to (although you''ve got a GREAT comprehensive list here!), let me know....

Thanks for all the help!

 

[fire&ice]

Rent a bike at Santa Monica and toodle up and down the beach - go to the pier, up to Venice beach, etc. Tour one of the Studios - my favorite is Warner Bros - it''s more like stepping into time.

Yeah, if you like Architecture - go up to pasadena (as Mentioned - gamble house - a a few more private Greene & Greene house & F.L. Wright as well)

It''s really cheesy - but walk the "hollywood" thing - Max Factor building is way cool.

Museums - Getty & L.A. County - if you hit the L.A. county walk Rodeo Drive - it''s not the end all - but still fun.

Rent a convertible & go up the pacific coast highway.

And, I must be the only one who thinks watching the Sunset while having a drink on the porch of the Art Deco Georgian is something really special. And, Santa Monica is my favortite place to stay. If money is an issue there is a Double Tree there that isn''t far from the beach & 3rd Street Promenade.

If you are into flea markets - the Rose Bowl is the king of flea markets.

 

[lmurden]

Thanks Fire&Ice!

 

[lmurden]

Hey Everybody,

I''m back from Los Angeles and I had a great time! I didn''t get a chance to go to all of the recommended places but what I did see I really liked. I stayed in West Hollywood at the Hyatt West Hollywood Hotel because the first day I would be there on my own so I wanted to be able to walk around a little until I hooked up with my fiancé. The hotel was fine but nothing fancy, although the location was great because it was on Sunset Boulevard across the street from the House of Blues and there were tons of restaurants and shopping to go to. CHI Restaurant was inside the hotel and the atmosphere and food was great. The location gave me a lot of options so overall I am very glad I stayed where I did.

Saturday I was able to walk down to the Beverly Center and I really enjoyed myself. I loved the large selections of stores that they had and it was a little different from the malls in the D.C. Area because of the high end store that aren''t normally in the run of the mill malls. Sunday my fiancé and I drove up the Pacific Coast and that was so beautiful and peaceful. We drove all around town. I never really knew where the city ended and the suburbs began. Of course we went to Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hill, Santa Monica, Zuma Beach, and Malibu. We did some shopping but not a whole lot. I did a little site seeing and went to Manns Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Stars. What was great about LA is that is wasn''t over the top or pretentious like the media portrays it to be. Thanks again.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

LM...

Glad to hear you had a great time!! LA is a wonderful town...You had some great weather as well as only yesterday it began to downpour on us again!! (Like we needed more rain this year

!!) Sounds like you had the perfect blend of city and suburb life!!!

 

[mightyred]

Thanks for the update on your trip.....sounds perfect!

You have me itching to get back there! Glad you had fun!

 

[lmurden]

Date: 4/29/2005 10:26:38 AM
Author: AChiOAlumna
LM...

Glad to hear you had a great time!! LA is a wonderful town...You had some great weather as well as only yesterday it began to downpour on us again!! (Like we needed more rain this year

!!) Sounds like you had the perfect blend of city and suburb life!!!

AChiOAlumna,
Thanks for the feedback!!!

Mightyred,
u 2