Familygoboston

I know, I know! ;-)
I arrive at LAX at 8:30 PM and would like to find a hotel near some iconic sights (don't really care which so long as I get a flavor of LA for the 20 hours I'll be there.) Here's the thing, we are planning to take a cab from LAX and then back the next day for an onward flight to Tahiti. I would rather not rent a car, but would like to find a hotel near enough to a few things that we could walk to or just take in as view from the hotel. We will need to check out by 11, so I was hoping to find someplace interesting or iconic LA to have lunch and then cab back over to LAX.

Bonus Question: Any good options for a day room near LAX. We have the dreaded double red eye on the way home from Tahiti, a nap and a shower would be a good thing.

Placename

What do you consider iconic sites of Los Angeles?

There are a myriad of airport hotels. The Sheraton is generally regarded as one of the nicer ones.

tomfuller

If you are looking for pre-historic Los Angeles head about 10 miles north of the airport to the LaBrea Tar pits. http://www.tarpits.org/
You might even get a glimpse of the HOLLYWOOD sign.
Check for a hotel that is close to a bus stop.

maitaitom

Checkers Hotel downtown Los Angeles.

Near (walking):
Biltmore Hotel
Grand Central Market
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Museum Of Contemporary Art
Central Library
AND
Angels Flight
http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...s_Angeles.html

Take a short cab ride and grab lunch at the place that says they invented the French Dip Sandwich: Philippe The Original.
http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...s_Angeles.html

Walk across the street from the restaurant to famed Union Station or a couple of blocks to Olvera Street.

That should keep you busy.

NeoPatrick

Although I've been to LA many times, for a similar stopover on my way to Asia, we stayed at Santa Monica (short taxi ride each way). We walked the pier and the beach boardwalk to Venice, strolled through Santa Monica, including the Promenade, and had a great time. You can also catch a ride to the Getty at Malibu, which is fun.

dbdurand

Two other iconic sites are the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theater. These can be seen if you take the subway from downtown and get off at Hollywood and Highland. You can also get a good view of the Hollywood sign from a viewing area in the shopping complex on that corner.

I endorse maitaitom's idea of staying downtown. That and Hollywood are where the iconic places are.

Familygoboston

These are some excellent suggestions. My husband has been to Santa Monica and that would satisfy my "walking" requirement without sticking out like a sore thumb. Any recommendations for hotels in SM?
I'm also mulling the idea of taking the subway to the kitschy Hollywood Walk of Fame. We have Marriott points and could probably find one close to a subway stop downtown. Great suggestions...any more?

maitaitom

If you decide to go to the Getty.


http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...4_Entry_1.html

Tomsd

It all depends on what you want to do. Walk by the beach/Santa Monica, see some Hollywood sights, or also - if you want to see a Museum - am a big fan of the Getty Musaeum (and also - the originial/now called the Villa?) - but some also love the LA County Museum of Art. http://www.lacma.org/

stumpworks73

Renaissance Hotel Hollywood is a fine hotel and a short walk to Graumans and the Walk.
The Hollyeood sign is just above he hotel.
You could leave a little early and have the taxi take you by the Grffith Observatory.

emd3

Regarding recs for a hotel for one night in Santa Monica...what do you want budget wise? The cheapest decent clean place you can get? There are a few budget motels on Main St. and Ocean Ave. (check out SeaView hotel), and one on the beach side that I know of (Hotel CA, $200 - $300 a nite). And depending on when you go, maybe a decent rate at the Sheraton Delfina, about $230 AAA rate many nights in in May. Then it jumps up at $400 a night and up for other nicer hotels.

tracys2cents

Renaissance Marriott in Hollywood is right above the metro station, but the metro subway does not run out to the airport, it's about a two hour ordeal of waiting for the Flyaway bus, taking it downtown, and then getting the subway to Hollywood.

There are some Marriott Residence Inns not far from the airport and one of them is across the street from a metro station...still it's a long trip by metro next morning to get to Hollywood but you could also stop and visit downtown Los Angeles on the way.

Next day you really only have from maybe 8am to noon to look around since you have to catch your 4pm flight to Tahiti, so might be easier when all is said and done to just stay nearer the airport overnight, Santa Monica or Marina del Rey.

LAX Travelodge on Century or Hacienda Hotel on Sepulveda for the day rates.

Familygoboston

This is why I love the internet Great advice, but also practical advice. Thanks to all those in the know...even if something "looks" close those with experience know the real dope about how many connections on public transit are required or what the traffic will be like! Thanks!!

A lot to think about here...maybe stay at the Marriott in Hollywood(which we can do for free!) and see the Hollywood sights on our inbound, and then during our shorter layover cab over to Santa Monica (we usually carry luggage and I think if we tipped the concierge nicely at the Marriott there, with husbands status they might store the hand luggage for us??) We could also inquire about a day room.

Another question...if you can stand one more...any idea how long(worse case)the cab ride would be and how much it would cost to go from LAX to Hollywood? It sounds like its further than Santa Monica would be. TIA

PeaceOut

If you are using points, there is a Marriott at Marina del Rey, which is relatively close to LAX. From the marina, you can walk up to Venice Beach and on to Santa Monica.

We stay at the Pacifica hotel at Marina del Rey, called the Jamaica Bay Inn.