Hi! I have to be in Long Beach for work and am able to take a full day as travel day. I was planning to get a red eye, leave my lugage in the hotel (I think is Canton, near LAX) and take a cab to LA. But to where? I have never been in LA. I am a huge movie fan, so I figure I go to Hollywood Blvd. Other than that, no idea what to do. Since I will be by myself, I was thinking about takin a studio tour or maybe a Beverly Hills tour. Anything you would recommend. I do like to walk a lot. So I would love a walking tour if one is available. Any suggestions, welcome!

What is the address of your hotel? Cab fare from certain areas would be very expensive. But major hotels have tour busses that stop at the front door.

I think a walk down Hollywood Blvd., Farmers Market and CBS Studios to watch a show might be fun.

Another idea might be Universal Studios and Universal City Walk....

Lets see what others have to say

It is the Doubletree Hotel Carson Civic Plaza at 2 Civic Plaza, Carson, CA. As much as I dislike tours, I think that is going to be the only way if cab fare is too expensive. I guess I could also rent a car, but I do not really know if I want to take the stress of driving in LA!

I'd vote for Universal Studios. The rides and stuff are nice, but for a movie fan, the back lot tram tour is great. Plus, check in the morning if they are filming any shows that day (we saw an episode of That 70's Show being taped).

My favorite memory is of being on the back lot tram tour and going thru the rotating tunnel while the tour guide sang a rockin' rendition of Inna Goda Davida.

You do realize your hotel is not IN Long Beach itself, right? Carson is a completely separate town. That Doubletree is right off the I-405 freeway. That is a very commercial part of our area, devoid of charm or anything good within walking distance. Just so you know.

Having said that, I'm sure you can get a tour bus from Carson up to whatever point of interest you might want to see. I would call the concierge desk at that hotel and ask.

Or, you could just rent a car for the day. Which would be my choice.

If you avoid driving before 9:30 am and between 4:00-7pm you be okay. Freeway driving is not any different than anywhere else, just more crowded. I would rent a car. Your hotel is adjacent to the Carson Civic Center. There are restaurants (try the Filipino one) and a Ralph's market just across Carson Street and within walking distance, just so you know.

I think I am going to rent the car because I do want to do Hollywood Blvd and Universal so, I figure, I will take the challenge!

If you're really adverse to driving in LA you can take the Bus from Carson and transfer to the red line to Hollywood and Highland in downtown LA, which is the location of Grahman's Chinese Theater,the shopping complex and a pretty good view of the Hollywood sign. You can then continue on the red line to Universal Studios. It will cost $6.00 total(Including a $1.00 zone fee each way)if you get the day pass and take about an hour and a half or less to get to Hollywood and Highland, but you save on the hassle of finding and paying for parking in Hollywood and at Universal. If you need more info on the bus system go to www.mta.net.

I take this route quite a bit to the Pantages or Cinedome (a nice place to see a epic movie).

I would so definitely rent the car for the day.

Drive to the Hollywood/Sunset Blvd. area and walk around on the walk of fame with all of the stars. Just BE-ing there is exciting enough as it is...

In L.A. you almost HAVE to allow a certain amount of your time for being LOST.

Downtown L.A. itself is generally nothing to concern yourself with.

Hollywood/Sunset area is great in daylight or after dark. The ocean beaches are appealing, that is, unless you're from Rio' or somewhere.

If you're female, I'd do the Hollywood/Sunset area during the middle of the day. Plenty of people around and no worries or fears beyond the norm. You could walk for ages just tiptoeing over the stars.

Let your spontaneous side dictate where you'll eat or shop in that area. You don't need guidance for those things given the hallowed ground you'll be walking.

Driving in L.A. IS just about what you fear... but they're pretty good at going bumper-to-bumper at 55 unlike "home" where bumper-to-bumper probably means closer to 5mph.

I've been surprised at how few accidents I ever see hints of on L.A. freeways. The locals panic with a drop of rain and the stupid waves of brakelights are contageous!

Buy a map of the greater L.A./Orange County area NOW... and plot your ideal courses... and at least have the routes down so that you can concentrate on getting your bearings straight once you get lost.

Resign yourself to a few wrong turns in L.A. - it happens to everyone. The sights all over still make for memorable experiences.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks! I decided to rent a car, so I am going to buy the map and just have fun! I cannot wait to see the shops in Rodeo Dr. even if I know I cannot afford anything in there

Well, if you're a movie fan footprints in cement outside of the Chinese Theatre are a must! I've also heard that the "VIP Tour" of the Warner Brothers lot is about the most authentic in town.
If you do have the urge to see a TV show taped, I suggest "The Tonight Show," just because it's what they call "live on tape" meaning it pretty much all happens in an hour. You don't want to go to the taping of a comedy - it takes them about 3 to 4 hours to tape 22 minutes of comedy, what with mulitple takes of the same scene and all.... I think this would only be worth it if you were a huge fan of that particular show.
A good place to walk around is the park on Wilshire Blvd. The excellent L.A. County Museum of Art is there, the amazing Tar Pit museum is on the same site, and the Petersen Auto Museum is just across the street. Very L.A!