Fly out of LA 10pm, what to do that day?

Old May 2nd, 2015, 10:08 PM
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Fly out of LA 10pm, what to do that day?

Hey

I'll be in the U.S. For a couple of weeks in August and will spend a final 4 nights in LA.

I'm quite stumped to what I should do on the last day as I'm feeling a bit nervous carrying around my luggage in such a busy place as I'll be traveling alone and being an easier target for any possibly dodgy activities! (21y/o female)

I fly out on a Sunday night at 10:20pm so I'm stuck deciding whether I should keep my rental car (will be getting one for the Friday) and keep my luggage in the boot, asking the air bnb hosts if they can hold onto my luggage (one 20kg bag) until around 6:30pm, or just leaving with my luggage at checkout (12pm) and keeping it on me for the afternoon and evening.

I haven't decided on an itinerary yet as it would all come down to which option I go with. I'm staying in West Hollywood and will be doing the typical tourist things around the area, and also having a day trip to the aquarium of the pacific and Laguna Beach (hence car on Friday).

Im also looking for suggestions on what to do on that Sunday, however I'm not sure if I need to plan an itinerary for if I either have my luggage, a car, or are leaving it to pick up in the evening.
I'm happy to Uber around to places if going without a car is the best option.

My issue with hiring a car is that I would need to return it to LAX as the Budget Highland store closes at 4pm and I only need to get to LAX around 6/7pm, and I understand how busy the roads are so I can only imagine driving around the airport during peak hour (I'm a very confident driver but this one does have me a bit anxious and considering the other options!)

If anyone with a bit more knowledge or experience could let me know what they did, or what they would recommend, I would appreciate it lots.

Thanks in advance,
Ash
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Old May 2nd, 2015, 10:29 PM
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I have not done this in LA. But I have been in your situation before! Don't tote your luggage with you- it's an enormous pain. I've also done the rental car, but that was also a hassle. What I've found that works the best is to stay at an airport hotel that has shuttle service the night before. Then ask the front desk to hold onto luggage until you fly out- spend the day free of your luggage, return to hotel, pick up luggage and take the shuttle to the airport. Obviously, this plan depends on your budget. I'd ask your airbnb hosts first if they'll hold onto your luggage for you- I've done the same with hostels- but I prefer the airport hotel option simply because it involves not wrangling your luggage across town right before a flight.

Also found this through Google:
http://www.laxluggagestorage.com

That may be more economical, depending on the price of your airbnb. I dislike spending anymore time than I have to in airports, though.
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Old May 2nd, 2015, 11:40 PM
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First off, I'd check and see if you can return the car to the airport location. that will solve the 4 PM issue? Actually, you might check the price for both picking it up and returning it to the airport. By the time you pay to get to Highland and then back to the airport it may be cheaper. (even if the airport tax rate is higher).
LA is really a lot easier with a car, even if you aren't going far, and will likely be cheaper than doing Uber all day.
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Old May 3rd, 2015, 01:55 AM
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I don't understand the car issue at all. Collect a car when you arrive in LA (at LAX or anywhere else) and drop it at LAX Sunday night before flying out. That is easy/uncomplicated/solves any luggage problems.
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Old May 3rd, 2015, 07:13 AM
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I agree with Janis--just pick up a car at LAX when you arrive and drop it off when you leave. Having a car in LA makes everything easier. It will 1) give you the flexibility to go see whatever you want, whenever you want and 2) allow you to store your luggage in the trunk (boot) on your final day.

Traffic is lighter on Sundays and while the construction around LAX is a pain right now, driving to the airport on Sunday should not that bad, especially for a confident driver like you!
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Old May 3rd, 2015, 08:51 AM
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Keep the car for Sunday, it's the best day to do any driving especially before noontime. I'd avoid the beach areas on a Sunday in August due to parking problems/crowds...but you could visit Getty Center or Griffith Observatory or Lacma, or tour downtown.
Weekend rates for car rentals are usually quite low and you can often find a "3rd day free" coupon so depending on the parking situation with your rental apartment, you might want a car for the whole time as it will work out less expensive than transfers/ubers to and from the airport. Also, Budget/Avis is very easy for LAX returns, practically at the entrance to LAX. 7:15- 7:30pm will be fine.
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Old May 3rd, 2015, 12:30 PM
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I agree with keeping the car. Yes some of the beach areas will be crowded but if you get an early enough start head up to Malibu and Zuma Beach usually has a lot of parking, spend a few hours then stop for lunch or maybe brunch at Duke's (not sure how late they serve but their brunch used to be good).
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Old May 3rd, 2015, 02:52 PM
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Hey,

Thanks for that.

I will go with the majority and keep the car my main issue with the car was driving around an airport at a busier time, I didn't want to leave at a time I thought was appropriate and have it end up taking longer than I thought, then with the possibility that dropping the car off may also add a further delay but that's probably just me thinking the worst.

I will have a look at switching days around with visiting the Getty centre etc, as I didnt consider the business of beaches on weekends. Will also look at Zuma Beach, it's a long enough day so if I can squeeze both in then no complaints!

Thanks for all your help
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Old May 3rd, 2015, 03:23 PM
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I would not go north of Santa Monica on a weekend. Too much beach traffic. Consider Santa Monica or Venice beaches instead. Forget Zuma or Malibu. If you can stay near the airport the night before, leave your luggage at your hotel there. Driving in LA can be stressful because of the traffic, so build in more time than you would think you need. But drivers are polite in LA and don't honk at you. Going into downtown LA might be interesting, but I'd vote for the Getty Center or the Getty Villa (if you like Greek statues.) Or just a lazy beach day along the Venice Boardwalk.
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Old May 4th, 2015, 08:55 PM
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I agree with kleroux and go even further. I'd avoid entirely Santa Monica and points north (and west to Malibu), including the Getty Villa. Summer weekend beach traffic in the Santa Monica/Malibu area is maddening. If there's an accident on the Coast Highway, you can be stuck for a long time.

The Getty Center in West LA, on the other hand, would be great. I really dislike the Venice beach area, but the shopping and eating on nearby Abbot Kinney Blvd. is fun. DTLA (downtown) is a good idea but can be a confusing area to drive around because of the numerous one-way streets. If you have GPS, no problem. The Grammy Museum near Staples Center in DTLA is open all day on Sunday.
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Old May 5th, 2015, 08:51 AM
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"Summer weekend beach tarric in Santa Monica is maddening"....

....and this year the incline will be closed/under repair.
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Old May 5th, 2015, 05:01 PM
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And construction of the Expo light rail line through Santa Monica continues...
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