I'll be on a 6.5 hour layover flying in from the east coast at 5:30 pm, on my way to Sydney. My plane from LAX leaves at 11:45 pm

Do you think I could take a cab into Santa Monica after I check-in my bag, have dinner or a heavenly nutella crepe, and maybe watch a movie then head back to the airport?

If you want to eat AND see a movie, I wouldn't go as far as Santa Monica. 5:30 p.m. is still very much rush hour (unless this is Sat./Sun.), and you could easily lose close to an hour in each direction which would only give you 2 1/2 hours at most in SM. Anyway, you're looking at probably $60+tips in cab fares.

There is a creperie in Hermosa Beach (Pier Avenue) which is about 20-25 minutes from LAX, but there are no movie theaters in HB.

If you want to see a movie and eat (though not crepes), you can take a cab to the movie theaters on Rosecrans in El Segundo (Manhattan Beach starts on the other side of Rosecrans). 16 screens. Walking distance to P.F. Chang's (chinese), Taiko (Japanese), McCormick & Schmicks (seafood), Daily Grill (American), Cozymel's (Mexican), Houston's (American), Lido (Italian). The cab ride will be about 15-20 minutes and about $15+tip each way.

You'll have time to see several movies on the way to Sydney. I would follow Jean's suggestions and skip the film.

Lee Ann

Since you won't have bags to check for your 11:45pm flight, you could easily get to and from Santa Monica. But get a flat rate quote from the cab driver for your trip since you could hit lots of traffic around 6pm.
The return trip to LAX at 10pm should be a breeze, maybe 15 min?

That's right, I'll have plenty of time to watch whatever I want on my way to Sydney.

Thanks a lot guys!

15 minutes to LAX at 10 pm? I wouldn't bet a flight to Sydney on that estimate. It's 8-12 miles, depending on route. Even at 10 pm, an average of 30 mph on Lincoln Blvd. would be difficult.

Flat rate taxi quote? I'm not sure all cabs are allowed (or willing) to do that. The ones you catch leaving LAX would be particularly unwilling as they have usually waited in line a long time for a fare.

If you land at 5:30, you need to get your bags from baggage claim and then check-in for your international flight. That alone could take at least an hour. I don't know what it is like to get thru security at LAX, but I would get to security no later than 10:00 in normal circumstances, but much earlier if lines are long. So that cuts about 3 hours off your 6.5 (really 6 hr. 15 min) layover. Personally, I would NEVER leave the airport with that amount of time.

You don't have that much time. As mentioned, you will need to wait for your bag (even if your flight is exactly on time) and then probably switch terminals, then wait in line and check in. Most airlines only start checking you in 4 hours before the flight. However, if you bought your ticket as one itinerary, you may not have to re-check your bag. You may want to double-check with your airline.

Either way, seeing a movie would be best at either Howard Hughes center or in Marina del Rey. Both much closer than Santa Monica. However, I don't think you have time for that or would want to do that as mentioned already.

If you actually have at least 3.5-4 hours before you have to be back after dealing with the bag and allowing 1 hour before your onward flight, I would take a cab to Manhattan Beach or Santa Monica. I wouldn't do it if you have under 2.5 hrs.

Depending on airport logistics as everyone is mention, I think you'd have time to cab somewhere ocean-side and have dinner, but that's about it.

As an earlier poster said ... buy the time you collect luggage and check-in the international a few hours have passed by. Of course your making the assumption your plane lands on time. We met a fellow traveller who missed their Sydney flight because their plane was one of twenty on the tarmack taking off from Washington D.C. at 5pm and the cushion they thought they had went away. I would rather wait in the airport than to chance missing an international connection. Your gonna love OZ land!

So you're on Qantas flight 108 to SYD. What airline are you using to get to LAX?

I'd go to dinner at Mangiamo's in Manhattan Beach.

I would cab to Manhattan Beach and walk the bike path and get something light to eat in town. It is a l-o-n-g flight to Sydney and I think the walk would be a nice break mid trip. Enjoy!

I guess it all depends on how much time I have left after transferring to the international terminal and checking-in. My flight into LAX is on NW.

Manhattan beach sounds great since I've never actually been there. So I might just go check it out for a couple hours and have dinner then head back to LAX.

Fodorites, you are awesome!!

If it's a Thursday or Friday night, there's quite a scene at the lobby bar at Shade. Fun people watching and a good bar.

If you go to Manhattan Beach, and are in casual traveling clothes, and just want to take a walk on the pier, and have a light bite before your late flight, I have another suggestion.

The Kettle restaurant, two blocks up the hill from the Pier on MB Blvd. has a comfortable ambience. They have a long counter to sit at if you are single. To keep hydrated, try their fresh Blackberry Lemonaide. Trip Advisor rates it #1 in MB as a favorite out of 46. If you don't like that, you have 45 other places to chose from!

MBnancy, do you remember the days when the only choices were the Kettle, the Criterion, La Villa, El Sombrero, a few bars (La Paz!) and Bay 90s? Yikes! I'm dating myself...

Jean, I went to Grandview for K, and all that was there was a sand dune! Yes, I remember them all, and really miss the Bay 90s.

A Grandview family! You must remember Pancho's!

I'm planning something vaguely similar for the spring.

Obviously, getting a cab at LAX is easy. But how realistic is it to expect to find one easily at, say, a Marina del Rey or Manhattan Beach restaurant? Do I need to ensure I've got a mobile phone with me that works in the US?