Los Angeles for 2 days/3nights...where to stay/what to do

[tuapekastar]

I will soon (in about a week) be in LA for the period stated above. I have no particular must-sees and was looking for any ideas on where to stay and what to see (I'm fairly easily pleased in this regard, and don't need to do things at a frenetic pace). Theme parks and renting cars are not preferred options. My own fault, I accidentally had myself stay a day longer than intended...

Any suggestions for accommodation/activities from the AFF community are appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[Blackadder]

There is a hotel just behind Hollywood Bvd that is reasonable value for money, the name just escapes me however.
As for what to do, could look at the Hop on Hop off explorer buses that will cover the major sites or take a tour down to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach.


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[mhen]

If you like great modern architecture, views and gardens and some art thrown in the Getty Center is well worth a visit (and its free). The food at the restaurant is great (make your booking as soon as you arrive). There are various free tours by topic, don't miss the architectural tour, the explanations of how the design elements of the building reflect the landscape are literally eye-opening.

The Getty
Has details and a link to travel planner for public transport

 

[cove]

If you stay at Venice or Santa Monica you have 2 bus services.Look up BIG BLUE BUS as a start for getting around if you dont have a car. I am not sure what the red bus is called but you could google it.The bus is incredibly cheap to go to Staples Center and other attractions.

 

[Keith009]

If renting a car isn't an option, simply hire a driver. Lots of competing limo companies around at rather reasonable prices.

I prefer the western side of LA for the much cooler weather. Santa Monica and Venice are great to walk around in, lots to check out. Nice beaches over at Marina Del Rey and Playa Del Rey, away from the touristy crowds. Great shopping at Fred Segal, and Abbot Kinney is a nice street to browse.

Then head over to the East for more shopping on Robertson and Melrose in West Hollywood. A must-see is Kitson, a store that plays on the whole celebrity culture of Hollywood - they sell a lot of cough but a lot of it is rather quirky and entertaining (eg Team Jen and Team Brad t-shirts when the couple split up). More shopping at the Grove, a huge outdoor's shopping mall. And of course Rodeo Dr for the usual big name boutiques.

Whilst you're at Hollywood, queue up for a hotdog at Pink's! This is quite the LA institution, having been open for over 70 years. The queue can be rather long, 40 mins when we were there last Sat, but boy they're great hotdogs! (pics on my FB) There can even be queues at 3am in the morning when actors pop by for a quick snack in between takes.

I don't like theme parks either (too hot and crowded) but tours of the sets at Universal Studios (eg Wisteria Lane) can be rather good fun if it's your first time in LA.

You could then conclude the evening by schmoozing around Sunset in an open-top limo - this is better if you're with friends of course. Trousdale is a trendy, current It spot to be seen at.

Other must-eats/drinks:
- The Counter in Santa Monica - great burgers

- Cecil's in West LA - fab ribs (and look at the wine menu for a chuckle - something about a down-to-earth home food place, albeit owned by a producer, serving a $1450 bottle of wine )

- The Standard in downtown or Sunset: v good coughtails

- StK in Beverly Hills: fab steaks, followed up by great coughtails and the DJing is top class. Super trendy to boot.

- News Room Cafe in West Hollywood: for the brekky, and celeb spotting.

- Edison in downtown: some of the best mojitos, historic theme 1806 stylie (it's a refurbed early 20th century factory), generally yummy coughtails made by the best bartenders in the world

- The Other Room in Venice: good wine and beer place on Abbot Kinney

- Palomino's in Westwood: pizza and cheese

- Alibi in Culver City - Mexican/Korean fusion, try the Kogi tacos!

- Tanner's in Playa Del Rey or Culver City - reasonable coffee by Stateside standards

As for hotels, really depending on where you want to be of course. I usually stay with friends in Playa Del Rey or West Hollywood. But if I stay at hotels, it's usually the Huntley in Santa Monica, or over in the East I have 2 Ws to choose from (Westwood and Hollywood).

 

[trooper]

It would be somewhat difficult without a car.. but on two occasions I've had free time in LA I've gone to the Nethercutt Collection... It is in north LA... up near the Gene Autrey Museum of Western Heritage (also worth a look) and Universal Studios...

They have an amazing collection of "functional art" as they term it... mainly AMAZING cars (veteran/vintage/classic) but also really interesting "Orchestrions" and so forth...(think a player piano type thing.. but with a whole orchestar of instruments)

Everything in the collection works... and the cars are all driven (lucky staff members!!!) and routinely win at concours events...

The tour is free.. but you must apply in writing to be on it for a specific time and date.. e-mail is accepted.

I'll be going back there again....:mrgreen:

 

[ShaneN]

I have spent 4 or 5 days in LA without a car. Public transport is surprisingly good and very cheap. As mentioned by cove, the Big Blue Bus serves Santa Monica. The red buses are Los Angeles Metro. Metro also runs a number of light rail lines and the red and purple line underground trains.

I stayed at Hollywood (Holiday Inn, Highland Ave), which has a number of advantages. Hollywood Boulevarde itself is worth a look - Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre etc - even if like me you are not a movie nut. Most of the day tours commence in Hollywood. It is on the Metro red line, giving quick access to Downtown and many other areas.

Santa Monica would also be a good place to stay (and closer to the airport). Even if you do not stay there it is well worth a visit.

Finally, I agree with mhen's recommendation of Getty Center. The architecture and views alone are worth the price of admission (it is free). May be a bit difficult to reach by public transport - I went through one of the tour companies.

 

[tuapekastar]

Thanks all for the suggestions. After looking at the map I decided to stay in Santa Monica, but after looking at (available) hotels and prices found myself a couple of miles down the road in Marina del Rey (at the Ritz Carlton).

Now that I have a home for the stay, I'll work out what I'm going to do when I'm there.

QF009, I suspect you know LA better than you know Melbourne!

 

[cove]

Suggest you try these for local eating to get a look at the American way.
Cheesecake Factory
Chart House
Cafe Del Rey
INN N OUT BURGER

Further away is Flemings down on the south side of LAX for meat dishes like Veal,Pork and of course melt in your mouth steaks.They are the best we found in the last 4 weeks.

 

[cove]

A ferry ride to Catalina Island can be good.
Bike hire and ride north or south along the beach.North to Santa Monica thru Venice or south to Redondo is very pleasant.
There is often a "marine layer" in Marina Del Rey so it is quite a bit cooler than 30 miles east where the temperature can jump about 15 degrees F.
There is weekend trading along Venice if you need genuine junk.