A short stay in LA...Trip Report
Feb 28th, 2015, 12:03 PM
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A short stay in LA...Trip Report
Traveled to Los Angeles tagging along with my Pilot husband on a two night layover. I was on my own for a day and had a blast exploring! Thank your to the Fodorites for your ideas!! And if you would like to see many photos and a blog of the trip, check out my Laurie Kay Designs (lifestyle) Facebook Page!!! I did not have time to everything I wanted to (of course) so I hopefully will be back again soon.
We stayed at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown, upon arrival went to the revolving bar at the top of the hotel and enjoyed some snacks and drinks with a fabulous view of nighttime LA. Off to bed...yawn (East coast timers).
The next morning DH flew to Mexico so I was on my own. Walked down to grand Central Market and enjoyed an Egg Slut, bought some better Booch fermented ckombucha tea to carry among with me, and got a to go coffee shake from G&B coffee (WOW). Thank heavens I had a lot of walking planned...
On the way to Olvera Street I stopped at a Grand Park, an urban park with a lot of character. Finished up my coffee there while strolling the paths and enjoying the lavish plantings.
At Olvera Street, the oldest area in Downtown, I perused the Mexican marketplace. Many stalls, restaurants, and entertainment on this cute street. Bought myself a pair of huarache sandals, a couple small leather goods and a couple cute tops to use as bathing suit coverups. I walked to the Pueblo de Los Angeles Plaza right at one end of Olvera,and noticed many Chinese Lanterns strung...there is apparently a festival there tomorrow, March 1.. Would have gone back for that, for sure. Stopped by Union Station, very pretty.
I then took Uber to see Katharine Hepburn's Star on the Hollywood walk of fame (googled to see exactly where it was), about a 30 minute drive. If you have never Uberrd, it's absolutely the BEST. I did Uber Pool, and each ride cost me $5. No beating that!! They pick you up and drop you right where you want to go. I was very underwhelmed by the Walk of Fame. It is fun to see the Stars, but the neighborhood and area is kind of seedy and dirty. Boo.
I then walked down to the Hollywood and Higland center, an outdoor shopping mall, from which you can see the Hollywood sign off in the hills and take pictures. From there, walked down to the Chinese Theatre, not sure what all the hype is there, but if you want to see Johnny Depp, the American Sniper, Catwoman and Chawbaca, "they" are all hanging around to take a picture with, for a tip.
Uberrd back to the Hotel intending to perhaps see Chinatown and got to the Japanese Billage Plaza, but it was rush hour, would have been a Uber ride to and fro and DH was landing and would be back probably before I got back. We headed to a local place for a quick dinner, Bunker Hill Bar and Grill, walkable, food was great and service the same.
Today, having to leave by 1pm, we Uner Pooled to the Griffith Observatory for the views. I could have hiked and stayed there all day. I highly recommend putting on good walking shoes and doing just that. The area at the base of the mountain is Los Feliz, it would be beautiful to walk around there as well taking in all the beautiful mansions.
One thing I would do if I had more time is Uber Pool to the Santa Monica Beach, or even Uber Pool it to the Manhattan Beach Pier, which is very close to LAX and there is storage available for luggage if you call a company at the airport...
I sure look forward to going back to LA! Had beautiful weather and people were super friendly and helpful. A great short stay!!!!
We stayed at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown, upon arrival went to the revolving bar at the top of the hotel and enjoyed some snacks and drinks with a fabulous view of nighttime LA. Off to bed...yawn (East coast timers).
The next morning DH flew to Mexico so I was on my own. Walked down to grand Central Market and enjoyed an Egg Slut, bought some better Booch fermented ckombucha tea to carry among with me, and got a to go coffee shake from G&B coffee (WOW). Thank heavens I had a lot of walking planned...
On the way to Olvera Street I stopped at a Grand Park, an urban park with a lot of character. Finished up my coffee there while strolling the paths and enjoying the lavish plantings.
At Olvera Street, the oldest area in Downtown, I perused the Mexican marketplace. Many stalls, restaurants, and entertainment on this cute street. Bought myself a pair of huarache sandals, a couple small leather goods and a couple cute tops to use as bathing suit coverups. I walked to the Pueblo de Los Angeles Plaza right at one end of Olvera,and noticed many Chinese Lanterns strung...there is apparently a festival there tomorrow, March 1.. Would have gone back for that, for sure. Stopped by Union Station, very pretty.
I then took Uber to see Katharine Hepburn's Star on the Hollywood walk of fame (googled to see exactly where it was), about a 30 minute drive. If you have never Uberrd, it's absolutely the BEST. I did Uber Pool, and each ride cost me $5. No beating that!! They pick you up and drop you right where you want to go. I was very underwhelmed by the Walk of Fame. It is fun to see the Stars, but the neighborhood and area is kind of seedy and dirty. Boo.
I then walked down to the Hollywood and Higland center, an outdoor shopping mall, from which you can see the Hollywood sign off in the hills and take pictures. From there, walked down to the Chinese Theatre, not sure what all the hype is there, but if you want to see Johnny Depp, the American Sniper, Catwoman and Chawbaca, "they" are all hanging around to take a picture with, for a tip.
Uberrd back to the Hotel intending to perhaps see Chinatown and got to the Japanese Billage Plaza, but it was rush hour, would have been a Uber ride to and fro and DH was landing and would be back probably before I got back. We headed to a local place for a quick dinner, Bunker Hill Bar and Grill, walkable, food was great and service the same.
Today, having to leave by 1pm, we Uner Pooled to the Griffith Observatory for the views. I could have hiked and stayed there all day. I highly recommend putting on good walking shoes and doing just that. The area at the base of the mountain is Los Feliz, it would be beautiful to walk around there as well taking in all the beautiful mansions.
One thing I would do if I had more time is Uber Pool to the Santa Monica Beach, or even Uber Pool it to the Manhattan Beach Pier, which is very close to LAX and there is storage available for luggage if you call a company at the airport...
I sure look forward to going back to LA! Had beautiful weather and people were super friendly and helpful. A great short stay!!!!
Feb 28th, 2015, 12:20 PM
#2
When you get back to the area again, have breakfast or lunch at Phillipe's (1001 Alameda). http://www.philippes.com/
I'll be having breakfast there on 3/27 in between the Southwest Chief and the northbound Coast Starlight.
I'll be having breakfast there on 3/27 in between the Southwest Chief and the northbound Coast Starlight.
Mar 4th, 2015, 03:23 AM
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This is a really amazing trip I think you enjoyed. Whenever I got a chance, definitely I will go out with my family and friends.. I know you definitely enjoy the beautiful places. I also wanna try to plan to visit some places, but due to the hectic of timing, never get time to go out.
