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Best way to spend a few hours in Greater Los Angeles?

Best way to spend a few hours in Greater Los Angeles?

Old Nov 21st, 2014, 03:15 PM
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Best way to spend a few hours in Greater Los Angeles?

THE WIND-UP:

I'm scheduled to arrive into LAX at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 2, from the East Coast.

My ultimate destination is NE Orange County (Lake Forest/RSM area), but I don't need to be there until 7 PM or so. (I'm not flying into SNA because someone else made the booking for me and prioritized making the flights non-stop—that, plus I think LAX was cheaper than SNA).

I'll have a rental car (reservation is with Dollar right now, but I could change that) and am planning on having only carry-on bags, unless the airline forces me to gate-check. It sounds like it takes about an hour from deplaning to being on the road—is that accurate?

THE PITCH:

What should I do with myself for those 8 or so hours?

I am NOT interested in

* going to the beach (walking on the sand, pier, boardwalk, etc.)

* museums

* foodie experiences

* shopping

* spending a lot (i.e., more than $10) on admission fees, parking, etc. (spending money on gas while taking a scenic drive, however, IS worth it to me—see below)

I DO like

* photography, so scenic natural areas, gardens, and even architecturally-interesting urban landscapes would be great

* good (and quick) cheap eats, especially for lunch before hitting the road

* history and historic sites

THINGS I'VE CONSIDERED:

I've never been north along the coast from LA (I have been to Orange County a number of times), so I thought I might take the 101 as far as Oxnard or Ventura and then take the PCH back through Malibu. (Point Mugu, for example, looks like a fun stop.) My concern is where I would need to be, and by what time, to avoid the worst of the evening commute. (Sample advice might be something like "If you do that, you need to be getting on the 10 in Santa Monica no later than 4:00 [or 3:00, or whatever] to have a decent trip to NE Orange County.")

Another place I have considered is Mission San Juan Capistrano, which I have driven past but never visited. I don't have any desire to head any farther south than that. (I have been to San Diego.) But I'm not sure what else to combine with SJC.

I've looked at some of the gardens in Greater LA as possibilities as well but not sure which would be most scenic at that time of year (Japanese gardens, maybe?) and don't want to spend big bucks to visit one (such as paying the $20 admission to the Huntingdon). Also, I'm not as interested in hiking per se as in photographing in natural areas.

FWIW, I even considered going to watch a taping of The Price Is Right, but only with the hope that I might make it on as a contestant. I'm not a real fan of the show, though, so might be a waste of time. Late-night talk-show tapings don't hold much appeal.

Any suggestions? Or should I just go with the mission(s) and garden(s) approach and stay more or less south of the 10?

THANKS!
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Old Nov 21st, 2014, 03:50 PM
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If you must be in Orange Co. at a particular time, with traffic in mind, and in L.A. you always keep traffic in mind, you're much better off going south than north.

I've only been to 1 show taping and you have to be careful about the time, it may be impossible to leave until they finish. Then the dreaded traffic if they run late.

Regarding the Huntington, $20 seems like very little to me for one of the most interesting places in California, assuming you like gardens. Spectacular. You could combine it with a visit to the Gamble House, if iconic architecture appeals.

You'll be going very near Laguna Beach, a place I lived once but haven't been for years. In the past it was always an interesting place to just walk around. And free, except maybe for parking.
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Old Nov 21st, 2014, 03:54 PM
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Just thought of another very nice garden, in Beverly Hills, the Robinson Gardens:

http://www.robinsongardens.org/
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Old Nov 21st, 2014, 07:18 PM
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Thanks for your suggestions, MmePerdu.

It's not so much that I "must" be in Orange County at 7:00 on the dot. It's more that 7 PST is 10 EST, and because I will have been up since 4 AM EST/1 AM PST (and not knowing how much rest I will get on the flight, although at least I am able to sleep on planes), I figured I don't want to be a whole lot later arriving at my ultimate destination.

Turns out the Huntington is closed on Tuesdays, so the issue of the admission price is rendered irrelevant in this case. The Robinson looks interesting, but also like the docents keep a tight leash on you. What about Descanso or the LA County Arboretum? Or I could just go to Griffith Park, perhaps.

Laguna Beach is indeed interesting. I've been there before and might end up heading down there later in the week.
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Old Nov 21st, 2014, 07:59 PM
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Having lived in LA and a photographer of gardens, I'm particular. Huntington, Robinson and Lotusland near Santa Barbara are my favorites. At Robinson, yes, you're guided, but it's small, relatively speaking and I didn't find it a problem. It's smallness, the intimacy, is what's so nice about it. I find with gardens, the fewer people who were the makers of them, the better. I guess it's true with any art form, optimum is a single designer.
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Old Nov 21st, 2014, 10:56 PM
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Try to get to Lake Forest by 5pm. Do not leave the L.A. area anytime between 4:30 and 7:15pm, just don't.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 05:44 AM
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If you want to photograph plants and peacocks, the Arboreteum would work. It is relatively flat area and has paved walkways around the planters of labeled trees and bushes. I think it is quiet place for a casual walk and I have seen people taking pictures. Our water shortage has taken it's toll on how green the grassy areas are right now.

The jungle area has been the site of many movies. I drive past it everyday and many times there are movie trailers set up in the South parking lot,which means that part of the park will be closed for filming.

Descanso is probably more picturesque,since it is in the foothills so the terrain is more hilly, but it is also much smaller than the Arboreteum. It has a good amount of trees covering the road like walkway through the park. It has been a couple of years since I have been there,but I seem to recall there were many camellia bushes of all varieties, but of course,they would not be blooming at this time of the year.

Southcoast Botanical Gardens would be another option if you are looking for a park like setting to walk through and take pictures.

This is our winter time so there is a limited number of plants in bloom.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 07:14 AM
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Some thoughts...

Circle the Palos Verdes peninsula - Point Vicente lighthouse, Wayfarer's Chapel... down to Point Fermin in San Pedro, with its own amazing gingerbread lighthouse. Many visitors (and many locals) are unaware of the impressive scenery and impressive history of this area.

Then continue through Long Beach (right down Ocean Blvd. to Second St.) to Naples, a remarkable little enclave of lovely (mostly tiny) houses set along idyllic canals. Naples pre-dates the canal developments in Venice, and IMO it's way more pretty, if missing the boardwalk vibe and weirdness.

Then just continue south on PCH through Huntington Beach and most of Newport Beach to Balboa Island (AKA "Little Bal") - a charming little residential enclave (also tiny houses with not-so-tiny price tags). There are plenty of nice places to eat (also on 2nd in LB, next to Naples) but just strolling and taking a few pictures is lots of fun.

Then if time and daylight allow, you can continue down to San Juan Capistrano, via the coast to Dana Point. If not, you can head inland past the airport toward your destination.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 10:30 AM
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Check out this link to see if the Arboretum (in Arcadia) interests you:
http://www.arboretum.org/explore/garden-landscapes/
Open 9-5 every day; admission $9
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 11:03 AM
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I think (mainly because of traffic issues) you should head south. Gardyloo made some terrific suggestions.

But one thing . . . >> It sounds like it takes about an hour from deplaning to being on the road—is that accurate?
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 11:14 AM
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Good suggestion from Gardyloo, you could maybe visit the South Coast Botanical Garden, in Palos Verdes off of Crenshaw Blvd. Not sure I'd take PCH through Long Beach all the way to Huntington Beach, too many stoplights and no interesting scenery until you get to around Seal Beach.
Dollar is getting terrible reviews on TripAdvisor for their LA location, people waiting hours for cars, etc. Either change your car rental company or join their loyalty club. JMO.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 01:51 PM
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Not sure I'd take PCH through Long Beach all the way to Huntington Beach, too many stoplights and no interesting scenery until you get to around Seal Beach.

From Point Fermin it's just up to the Vincent Thomas bridge and the 18 freeway, then straight down Ocean to 2nd, on to Naples. From Belmont Shore 2nd leads right to PCH in Seal Beach. Remember we're talking December, not a lot of beach traffic on a Tuesday.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 08:19 PM
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Just FYI, Lake Forest/RSM are not in NE Orange County. They're in SE Orange County, 60 miles from LAX. If you drove around the Palos Verdes Peninsula and then down Hwy. 1, it would be 90 miles and probably take at least 3 hours.

There are beautiful coastal views from the Terranea Resort which sits on the former Marineland property on the Palos Verdes Peninsula (south of Point Vicente Lighthouse). A public trail runs along the coast from the north end of Terranea to beyond the south end. Free public parking at the north end of the resort, along the entrance road to the resort and in a lot just before the valet parking area in front of the resort.

www.terranea.com

You could visit the Modjeska House and Gardena in Lake Forest:

http://ocparks.com/historic/modjeska/

Other public gardens in Orange County:

http://fullertonarboretum.org/home.php

http://www.slgardens.org/

http://arboretum.bio.uci.edu/

http://www.hortensemillergarden.org/

http://www.niguelbotanicalpreserve.org/

http://heritagemuseumoc.org/garden/
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Old Nov 23rd, 2014, 09:15 PM
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Thanks everyone for your advice! Especially appreciate all the suggestions about the Palos Verdes Peninsula (I had heard of it but could not remember the name, so I'm glad to have it recommended) and the gardens in Orange County.

As to other things that were mentioned, my concern about the Robinson was that in a guided group there might not be enough time for photography. But it sounds very interesting to do as just a tour without the desire to stop and really observe things like you could in a park or other type of garden. (In other words, would the docent/guide and other participants put up with me wanting to look at certain plants for 10 or 15 minutes? I'm guessing no!)

As for choice of car rental agency, does anyone have experience with Midway? I have read some very positive reviews of them.

Jean, I think of LF/RSM as being in NE OC because of its tilted rectangle shape. Since RSM is pretty much as far N as you can go on the E side (at least for incorporated areas), it is therefore "northeast" to me. In the same way, Seal Beach is "southwest". I guess other people don't necessarily think of it the same way!
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Old Nov 23rd, 2014, 09:43 PM
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I thought Midway was mainly for exotic/luxury cars. No personal experience w/ them. I do know they don't have their own shuttles.
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Old Nov 24th, 2014, 09:39 AM
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janisj, The one near LAX has everything from economy cars on up. Looks like you ride the shuttle for Joe's Parking.
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Old Nov 24th, 2014, 11:14 AM
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NE Orange County to me is Brea, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, etc. It's more than 25 miles from Brea to Lake Forest.
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Old Nov 24th, 2014, 12:39 PM
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Jean, that's interesting. I never would have thought of YL as Northeast because it's so far west relative to most of the county (and so far north, for that matter).

Is that how locals generally see it?
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Old Nov 24th, 2014, 08:59 PM
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Another NE Orange County city is Anaheim Hills, but most non-locals don't know where that is and only think Anaheim=Disneyland (which is 10-12 miles to the west). Anaheim Hills is about 20 miles due north of Lake Forest.

Most locals think directionally in terms of the 5 and 405 freeways which don't run true north-south but are the main routes from L.A. County to/through Orange County to San Diego County.

The coastline can mess with your inner GPS. Brea is due east of LAX and due north of Newport Beach. Malibu is due west of Santa Monica.
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Old Nov 29th, 2014, 03:34 PM
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Well—

The forecast for Tuesday calls for rain all day. Looks like I will have to rethink my plans.

Or will I? Are outdoor activities a no-go for Tuesday?

Thanks!
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