Is there any kind of quick sightseeing may wife & I can do for the extra 1 1/2 or 2 hours we have in LA at the airport? How bad are the taxi fares for a tour? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Charlie:

The outlook is bleak. If you're there between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, you might have enough time to drive through Beverly Hills or Westwood or Santa Monica, but no more than one of those. A cab would be the only way, but this isn't New York--use your own judgment with the driver. The problem is the location: just far enough from L.A. to be inconvenient for a 2-hour round-trip tour.

One alternative, though I have not tried it myself: the Encounter restaurant is located in the central non-terminal building you likely have seen in every L.A.-located movie made in the last thirty years. I've read that it's very good, but don't hold me to that.

I didn't want to sound so negative, but it's a busy, crowded, too-small airport.

I think Gary is right on the money. 1.5 to 2 hours just isn't much time at all in LA. I've had some real nail biting moments struggling to get through traffic to LAX. So unless you really don't mind the risk and stress of missing your flight, I'd just sit tight at the airport. Sorry.

actually, in 4 hrs, you'd have plenty of time to go to the downtown Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach piers, hang out, have lunch, & enjoy the views and ambience. Both downtowns are small & pedestrian oriented.

MB is about a 15-20 min drive south of the airport, HB is about another 5-10 min beyond (but HB might be pushing your time limit). Tell the cab driver to go South (right) on the Sepulveda Blvd airport exit, west (right again) at Rosecrans Blvd to the beach, then south (left) on Highland Ave (runs parallel to beach) until you get to the downtown MB area.

Beats hanging out at the smelly, drab airport.

I would only try to go as far as Marina del Rey and have the wonderful crab cakes in pink grapefruit sauce at the Cafe del Rey. You'll see the pretty boats and get some fresh air, but as all above have said, it's not the distances in LA, but the traffic--you can get in a real mess if you get caught in traffic.

I know by your message heading & post that you are allowing for time at the airport. I 2nd the previous post in which you could go to the Harbor shops at Marina Del Rey. Allowing about 15 - 30 minutes each way(depending upon traffic) that leaves you about 1 hr. It is really a nice area for shops & for watching the boats(mostly sailboats) in the harbor. It is located off of Hwy 1 (Lincoln Blvd.)maybe about 5-10 miles from the airport.My parents live in Santa Monica & when ever we fly into LAX & rent a car, we take Lincoln Blvd to Santa Monica & that takes about 1/2 hr.

Charlie:

While sitting in traffic las night, I felt bad about the negative response I gave. I then thought of Marina del Rey, and--mirabile dictu!--there were two posts already waiting. I agree with them--it's a beautiful place, and easily accessible via sidestreets.

You all have just about convinced me not to venture out into the unknown of LA traffic!!! We're on our way to Hawaii, and sure would hate to miss the plane! Is there anything to do IN the LAX terminal? Movies, etc. Anywhere to smoke (my wife would appreciate that--though I'm not sure you're allowed to smoke even outside in California). Thanks to those who responded. You've been a big help.

Charlie:

LAX consists of seven separate terminals--each having a nondescript interior.

One is indeed allowed to smoke outdoors in California, though once, while waiting for my luggage, another arriving passenger who was waiting for a taxi asked me to put out my cigarette. Whatever.

Anyway, I refer you to my previous response concerning the Encounter restaurant, which is located in the center of the airport within the building that looks like "The Machine" in the movie "Contact." There is a post similar to yours in this week's hosted post concerning Los Angeles. Look there for more information.

PS. If you manage to get a window seat on the left side of the aircraft, just after takeoff you're going to get a great view of Catalina.

Enjoy.

I would not risk going anyplace at all. Traffic around LAX is not exactly a joy most of the time. You might think about taking a shuttle to one of the nearby airport hotels, i.e. Marriott, Doubletree, Sheraton, Hilton and have lunch (or dinner ... whatever). The shuttle buses run back and forth all the time and each of these hotels is just about 5 minutes away on Century Blvd. (the main street coming in/out of LAX). LAX is not a very interesting airport, it lacks many of the things that make being stuck at for instance Heathrow not too bad (shops, places to eat, etc.) Even as a native of the LA area I can't rate it too highly. You might possibly be able to take a taxi to Manhattan Beach (about 10-15 minutes south of LAX). It's a great town, nice beach area, easy to walk about and on the pier, unfortunately you would not have a great deal of time to enjoy it. You need at least one hr. to check in for Hawaii -- don't miss your flight, it's not worth it ... Hawaii is wonderful!!!

Actually you were'nt too far off track with the Encounter restaurant. I actually went there for an Industry Party and it was a blast, terrific food, super 60's kitsch decor! And a "decent" view of the nondescript area around the airport. If I only had a couple of hours I would go there, have drinks and dinner..slightly overpriced, but you'd get a micro-sense of Los Angeles and not miss your plane to Hawaii.

I'd like to weigh in again & revise my previous post.

I don't know if it's because the schools were out last week, but I went to LAX 2 times last week, during mid-day, & traffic was some of the worst I've seen..really frustrating.

Last Thursday, airport traffic was backed out south on Sepulveda, all the way to El Segundo Blvd (!!). Took OVER AN HOUR to get from MB to LAX...my son missed his flight, & I had to drop him off curbside because 3 parking structures I tried were completely full & entrances were blocked.

On Friday I took a taxi, and it was somewhat lighter, but still took 30 full minutes...would have been 40 minutes from the MB pier.

So maybe it's the beginning of summer rush, I don't know, but it was miserable.

Regretably, I'd now advise staying put at the airport.

Tom, do you think the traffic is getting even worse in LA? That's the impression we had when we were there last month. Used to live there, but the gridlock was even worse last month. When will it end? Too bad, it's a really nice city.

To top for Kim, re: 6 hours at LAX