~5 hrs in LAX - what to do?

[Jack_OC]

Hi all, advice appreciated: next month I'll be transiting through LAX - due to arrive in TBIT on QF93 at 6.35am, then fly out of T3 at 12 noon with JetBlue (on a Friday).

Is this enough time to leave the airport and go somewhere semi-interesting? If so any suggestions of where and how to get there? I've never been to LA other than transiting without leaving the airport.

 

[phily]

Hi all, advice appreciated: next month I'll be transiting through LAX - due to arrive in TBIT on QF93 at 6.35am, then fly out of T3 at 12 noon with JetBlue (on a Friday).
Is this enough time to leave the airport and go somewhere semi-interesting? If so any suggestions of where and how to get there? I've never been to LA other than transiting without leaving the airport.

It depends on your interests. If you're into techie stuff, then you can't beat a short cab fare to Fry's Electronics at 3600 N. Sepulveda Boulevard, a 10km ride from LAX. It's a huge place that has every conceivable gadget. Tip: cabs won't stop outside Fry's for the return journey, but Fry's staff will happily call for a cab for you.

On the other hand, if you just want a place to chill out at, and you don't have access to any airline lounges at LAX, and if traveling with someone who's not into gadgets, then catch one of the many free hotel shuttle buses outside LAX to one of the major 4* and 5* hotels in the local area, and enjoy the common hotel areas and their charming cafes, bars, etc. Any one of them is far better than any of the public areas in LAX.

 

[moa999]

Google LAX in'n'out
for a lengthy thread on another forum if you like awesome burgers.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Google LAX in'n'out
for a lengthy thread on another forum if you like awesome burgers.

In and Out opens at 1030a, usually earlier though, 930-10...Its on Sepulvada Blvd just north of the airport.
Or breakfast in Marina del Ray or Santa Monica.

 

[wingspan]

I'd have recommended Westfield Culver City if you were there during shopping hours. The mall won't open until about 10 which would leave it a little tight for getting back to the airport on time.

 

[Jack_OC]

Many thanks for all the replies. Yes, the fact that it will be early morning limits the options. The awesome burger would otherwise have been a great idea, but I'll want to be back at LAX by about 10.30am, so I don't think that will work.

So I think breakfast at Santa Monica or Marina del Rey is the best suggestion so far. Anyone know how long it will take to get to either of those places though, considering it will probably be about 7.30am by the time I get in a cab? Google Maps reckons 16 mins to Marina del Rey or 36 mins to Santa Monica, but not sure if that's realistic during morning peak hour? Either way it seems Marina del Rey would be the safer bet. If anyone has any specific recommendations of good breakfast places that would be great too, although I'd be happy enough to just go for a wander and see what I find.

 

[jetlagger]

Many thanks for all the replies. Yes, the fact that it will be early morning limits the options. The awesome burger would otherwise have been a great idea, but I'll want to be back at LAX by about 10.30am, so I don't think that will work.

So I think breakfast at Santa Monica or Marina del Rey is the best suggestion so far. Anyone know how long it will take to get to either of those places though, considering it will probably be about 7.30am by the time I get in a cab? Google Maps reckons 16 mins to Marina del Rey or 36 mins to Santa Monica, but not sure if that's realistic during morning peak hour? Either way it seems Marina del Rey would be the safer bet. If anyone has any specific recommendations of good breakfast places that would be great too, although I'd be happy enough to just go for a wander and see what I find.

Your timing specified seems about correct for both the destinations.
I drove the distance in reverse from both last week & in took me about the same, though I would allow an extra buffer.
Venice beach is also very nice for a quick jaunt from the airport & offers some lovely cafes & fresh air.
The same applies for Manhattan beach & is within close proximity to the airport.

 

[BAM1748]

I'm not so sure you'll have that much time on your hands.


A cab ride to Randy's perhaps.

 

[Jack_OC]

I'm not so sure you'll have that much time on your hands.


A cab ride to Randy's perhaps.

You mean I'm being a bit optimistic expecting to be in a cab by 7.30? Maybe so, as I said it will be a new experience for me. If it's any later than 8 I probably wouldn't bother going out.

To answer a previous question about lounge access, I'm QFF SG, but don't think lounge access is allowed on arrival, is that correct? Other than that, I have a Priority Pass card, but it seems that doesn't get access to any lounge in T3. I know it gets me into the Relax lounge landslide at TBIT, but from what I've heard that's nothing to write home about.

 

[Jack_OC]

Your timing specified seems about correct for both the destinations.
I drove the distance in reverse from both last week & in took me about the same, though I would allow an extra buffer.
Venice beach is also very nice for a quick jaunt from the airport & offers some lovely cafes & fresh air.
The same applies for Manhattan beach & is within close proximity to the airport.

Thanks for that, very helpful. I'll probably head to one of those close by spots if time permits.

 

[cove]

If you head north up Lincoln and get to Washington you turn right to have your taxi get to that IN N OUT Burger place where about $3.71 will fill you up. You would then walk over the car park to Costco with your Australian Costco card to enjoy a bit of retail.

 

[RooFlyer]

You mean I'm being a bit optimistic expecting to be in a cab by 7.30? Maybe so, as I said it will be a new experience for me. If it's any later than 8 I probably wouldn't bother going out.
<snip>.

You've transited there before, so you know LAX is an awful airport to kill time in.

Head out, even if its for 1/2 an hour of cab rides and an hour out and about. Venice Beach or Marina del Ray are my usual hang outs.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

A few of the LAX Airport Hotels have a shuttle bus to some of the beach areas eg Sheraton Four Points at LAX has one to Manhattan Beach & back for USD5.00pp each way. You could always get the free hotel shuttle from the airport to the hotel then the beach shuttle from there.

What luggage are you going to have? QF won't be able to through check it to Jet Blue & you may not be able to checkin at LAX that early so it may be worth a phone call to one of the LAX Airport Hotels to see if they'd be prepared to hang on to your luggage if you did use the beach shuttle.

 

[Jack_OC]

A few of the LAX Airport Hotels have a shuttle bus to some of the beach areas eg Sheraton Four Points at LAX has one to Manhattan Beach & back for USD5.00pp each way. You could always get the free hotel shuttle from the airport to the hotel then the beach shuttle from there.

Good tip thanks. My only concern with that is, I'm guessing I'd have to allow even more time than if I just got a cab? Or do you know how long this option would take?

What luggage are you going to have? QF won't be able to through check it to Jet Blue & you may not be able to checkin at LAX that early so it may be worth a phone call to one of the LAX Airport Hotels to see if they'd be prepared to hang on to your luggage if you did use the beach shuttle.

Good points. I hadn't really considered that - kind of assumed my luggage would be checked through. I won't have very much, but more than I'd want to lug around if I head out. I can't find a definitive answer on when I can drop my bag off with JetBlue. I know their check in/bag drop desks will be open, as there are several other JetBlue departing before my flight, but the website in one place states bags can be checked in a max of 6 hrs pre flight, and somewhere else it says 4 hrs. Even if it is 4 hours though, it would probably just about be ok.

 

[cove]

We would take a hotel bus to a West Century major hotel and check our bags with a generous tip then get a taxi to where we wanted to go.
With the baggage claim chits you are good for the hotel to get you a cab.

 

[waimate01]

Best way to use 5hrs at LAX?

Go out through immigration then back in through security - that'll take care of most of it

Beyond that, Venice Beach is a reasonably short cab ride away and will leave you feeling you've seen something out of the ordinary. Way out, as it happens.

Just be aware the freeways can get awfully cloggy, so leave yourself ample return time.

 

[erkpod]

There's a restaurant that I had recommended to me which is near T7 but I can't remember the name of it. It looked a little bit like a control tower.

You could always take the shuttle from LAX to Union Station & back for a ride which will take you downtown.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hi all, advice appreciated: next month I'll be transiting through LAX - due to arrive in TBIT on QF93 at 6.35am, then fly out of T3 at 12 noon with JetBlue (on a Friday).

Is this enough time to leave the airport and go somewhere semi-interesting? If so any suggestions of where and how to get there? I've never been to LA other than transiting without leaving the airport.

Jack,

Get a flexible ticket and go on the earlier flight.

 

[jetlagger]

There's a restaurant that I had recommended to me which is near T7 but I can't remember the name of it. It looked a little bit like a control tower.

You could always take the shuttle from LAX to Union Station & back for a ride which will take you downtown.

What's of interest downtown? :shock:

 

[ozbeachbabe]

There's a restaurant that I had recommended to me which is near T7 but I can't remember the name of it. It looked a little bit like a control tower.

You could always take the shuttle from LAX to Union Station & back for a ride which will take you downtown.

I ate there ages ago when it was called 'The Theme Room' but I believe it's now called 'Encounter Restaurant at LAX' however it doesn't open until 1100 which it probably when you'd want to leave the restaurant & head back to the terminal.

It's worth noting that you can keep your baggage with you which may be handy info for other travellers with a long transit but departing mid-arvo. It could be a good place for dinner if you've got a few hours transit before a 2230 departure LAX to Aust & even easier if your bags had been through checked from elsewhere.

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