Help! Visiting LA in July, clueless.
Jan 25th, 2019, 05:34 PM
#21
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Given your price constraints, mlgb's idea of Marina del Rey is a good one. I would also add Culver City as an option.
Jan 30th, 2019, 12:06 PM
#22
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You've gotten some great advice thus far. Marina del Rey is pretty much central to all of what one wants to see in the greater LA area, although it's not very tourist-oriented (lots of commercial areas, residential areas that go all over the map in relative quality); still, there are some good choices in lodging. West Hollywood is central but almost tragically hip in some parts and just tragic in others, and sometimes just where you want to set down roots and live.
I'm another Long Beach resident, and I would also say it's not a great choice for your trip for logistical reasons-- too far from what you want to see and lacking in great lodging choices. We're just not set up to be glitzy and tourist-centered, even given the proximity to tourist magnets like the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Museum of Latin American Art (a good one), Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland and what-not. We don't have a big selection of "fine dining" or on-trend "hot spots"-- and frankly I'm happy about that. It means we can enjoy some of the great restaurants we do have without tripping over tourists waiting to see a Kardashian pick at a chopped salad and "accidentally" pick an Instagram fight with someone's socialite girlfriend.
(By the way mlgb, I took my MIL to Playa Amor over in the Marketplace by the Alamitos Marina-- her first time. That place is STILL firing on all cylinders. It was packed, the drinks were strong and the mole tater tot poutine was crazy-good as always. She was over the moon for the ceviche mixto, and I had a plate of New Hatch chile spaghetti with bay scallops that was so good I just might drive there and have another plate right now. My husband had their tres mares plate-- salmon, shrimp, scallops-- and it was awesome too. All the construction doesn't seem to be keeping people away, so maybe this place will be around for a while...! Hope all is going great with you.)
I'm another Long Beach resident, and I would also say it's not a great choice for your trip for logistical reasons-- too far from what you want to see and lacking in great lodging choices. We're just not set up to be glitzy and tourist-centered, even given the proximity to tourist magnets like the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Museum of Latin American Art (a good one), Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland and what-not. We don't have a big selection of "fine dining" or on-trend "hot spots"-- and frankly I'm happy about that. It means we can enjoy some of the great restaurants we do have without tripping over tourists waiting to see a Kardashian pick at a chopped salad and "accidentally" pick an Instagram fight with someone's socialite girlfriend.
(By the way mlgb, I took my MIL to Playa Amor over in the Marketplace by the Alamitos Marina-- her first time. That place is STILL firing on all cylinders. It was packed, the drinks were strong and the mole tater tot poutine was crazy-good as always. She was over the moon for the ceviche mixto, and I had a plate of New Hatch chile spaghetti with bay scallops that was so good I just might drive there and have another plate right now. My husband had their tres mares plate-- salmon, shrimp, scallops-- and it was awesome too. All the construction doesn't seem to be keeping people away, so maybe this place will be around for a while...! Hope all is going great with you.)
Jan 30th, 2019, 12:31 PM
#23
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I'm just going to second the suggestion earlier for the La Brea Tarpits. It's really quite fascinating and there is nothing like it anywhere else as far as I'm aware. We were just in Costa Rica and mentioned they'd pulled many giant ground sloth skeletons out of the ground and our tour guide (who was talking about an intact jawbone) was amazed.
Jan 31st, 2019, 11:08 AM
#25
Hi rjw..are you enjoying the rain and thunder?
I wanted to add about Marina del Rey, it shares with Santa Monica the disadvantage of being on the wrong side of the westside traffic nightmare. So not great if you want to go to somewhere east of the 405, and by itself it isn't really a place to wander. Most people I know who stay there are really interested in a beach visit or an overnight near LAX.
Personally, I'd rather stay downtown. (Los Angeles, not Long Beach).
I wanted to add about Marina del Rey, it shares with Santa Monica the disadvantage of being on the wrong side of the westside traffic nightmare. So not great if you want to go to somewhere east of the 405, and by itself it isn't really a place to wander. Most people I know who stay there are really interested in a beach visit or an overnight near LAX.
Personally, I'd rather stay downtown. (Los Angeles, not Long Beach).
Jan 31st, 2019, 11:59 AM
#26
Here are some ideas for you.
Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
J. Paul Getty Museum - Los Angeles - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Central Library - Los Angeles - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
The Nethercutt Collection
Nethercutt Museum & Collection - Sylmar - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
The Getty Villa Visit the Getty
The Broad - Los Angeles - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
The Broad
The Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens - San Marino - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Descanso Gardens - La Cañada Flintridge - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Norton Simon Museum - Pasadena - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - Simi Valley - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Hollywood - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
J. Paul Getty Museum - Los Angeles - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Central Library - Los Angeles - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
The Nethercutt Collection
Nethercutt Museum & Collection - Sylmar - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
The Getty Villa Visit the Getty
The Broad - Los Angeles - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
The Broad
The Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens - San Marino - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Descanso Gardens - La Cañada Flintridge - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Norton Simon Museum - Pasadena - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - Simi Valley - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Hollywood - Travels With Mai Tai Tom
Jan 31st, 2019, 12:09 PM
#27
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Rain doesn't bother me any more-- I work from home at the moment and appreciate the cleaner air and greener lawn (although our potted plumerias do NOT like all the water, and we've had to dump excess water from our pool TWICE and may have to again on Sunday). However, my poor kitties do not like the thunder at all. Now, if I had to drive any great distance today, I'd be upset. We were planning a trip out to Orange (errands) Saturday, but that's the day of the BIG RAIN DUMP, apparently, so I will stay home and make soup or gumbo or pozole or some rainy-day treat. We had had plans to look at townhomes and condos (house upkeep is becoming too difficult for us with our various chronic troubles), but you know-- BIG RAIN DUMP. Whee.
I agree about the problems of the west-of-the-405 communities in greater LA. At least they're trying to get a rail line or two going from downtown to parts of the Westside. I feel for the poor OP who will be dealing with trying to get to the Dignity Health Sports Park (when the heck did they rename it?!) in Carson AND trying to get to all the far-flung tourist stuff in greater LA. There's just no way to find "central" lodging in this area...!
I agree about the problems of the west-of-the-405 communities in greater LA. At least they're trying to get a rail line or two going from downtown to parts of the Westside. I feel for the poor OP who will be dealing with trying to get to the Dignity Health Sports Park (when the heck did they rename it?!) in Carson AND trying to get to all the far-flung tourist stuff in greater LA. There's just no way to find "central" lodging in this area...!
Jan 31st, 2019, 12:51 PM
#28
I'm also having issues with too much water..At the end of the big storm, a huge and ancient Jade Plant toppled over from the roots like a tree. It was likely 80 + years old. I already have rooted cuttings from it elsewhere but still kind of a shame to lose an original planting.
No pool though!
And our problems sure are better than Polar Vortex or landslides.
No pool though!
And our problems sure are better than Polar Vortex or landslides.
Feb 1st, 2019, 08:01 AM
#30
sf is right about MR. A little more about one of my favorite restaurants ... Maccheroni Republic (below food photo) ... and the Grand Central Market (which is even further gentrified since I posted this).
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mac...-angeles-ca-2/
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/gra...t-los-angeles/
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mac...-angeles-ca-2/
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/gra...t-los-angeles/
Feb 1st, 2019, 09:52 AM
#31
A good source for DTLA restaurant reviews and "Things to Do" is Downtown News
I'd definitely go to Grand Central for some atmosphere and there are still some of the old places left (such as Roast to Go) or you can try one of the yuppie ones (love the name Egg Slut). Nearby are Angel's Flight and the Bradbury Building (you should be able to peek into the lobby). Uphill from Grand Central you'll find Bunker Hill with skyscrapers and the central Library, "Spanish Steps" and a few blocks away re Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry and then the new Cathedral, which IMO is worth seeing inside. Lots of 1% for art sculptures around. If you click around on the Los Angeles Conservancy website you'll find lots of info and links for tours. Broadway is interesting,especially if you can get on a tour of the theaters. I've also heard that the mural of on the Victor Building is recently restored. Pope of Broadway A lot of these sights are "Instagrammable".
If I were bringing a friend downtown, (and we would be hitting old-school restaurants.. do hipsters do that?) we'd make a stop at Phillipe's (either breakfast or lunch), or Olvera Street and Cielito Lindo. Also worth looking around at gorgeous Grand Central Station (there is a new bar there now) Imperial Western Beer Company | Union Station, Los Angeles
On Olvera Street see the restored Siquieros Mural American Tropical and the Chinese-American Museum in the old Garnier Building.
https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/b...-story-la-icon
Wander down toward First Street in Little Tokyo and the Civic Center. Worth going up the elevator to the top of City Hall (anticipate airport-like screening).
In Little Tokyo,
Mochi to go from Fugetsu-Do and Suehiro Cafe for old-school snacks or lunch special but they have a weekday happy hour and full menu and stay open very late (used to be one of the only places to do that).
Always some good exhibits at Japanese American National Museum.
The big sight downtown is The Broad Contemporary, although it isn't really my thing everyone seems to want to go there.
I'd definitely go to Grand Central for some atmosphere and there are still some of the old places left (such as Roast to Go) or you can try one of the yuppie ones (love the name Egg Slut). Nearby are Angel's Flight and the Bradbury Building (you should be able to peek into the lobby). Uphill from Grand Central you'll find Bunker Hill with skyscrapers and the central Library, "Spanish Steps" and a few blocks away re Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry and then the new Cathedral, which IMO is worth seeing inside. Lots of 1% for art sculptures around. If you click around on the Los Angeles Conservancy website you'll find lots of info and links for tours. Broadway is interesting,especially if you can get on a tour of the theaters. I've also heard that the mural of on the Victor Building is recently restored. Pope of Broadway A lot of these sights are "Instagrammable".
If I were bringing a friend downtown, (and we would be hitting old-school restaurants.. do hipsters do that?) we'd make a stop at Phillipe's (either breakfast or lunch), or Olvera Street and Cielito Lindo. Also worth looking around at gorgeous Grand Central Station (there is a new bar there now) Imperial Western Beer Company | Union Station, Los Angeles
On Olvera Street see the restored Siquieros Mural American Tropical and the Chinese-American Museum in the old Garnier Building.
https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/b...-story-la-icon
Wander down toward First Street in Little Tokyo and the Civic Center. Worth going up the elevator to the top of City Hall (anticipate airport-like screening).
In Little Tokyo,
Mochi to go from Fugetsu-Do and Suehiro Cafe for old-school snacks or lunch special but they have a weekday happy hour and full menu and stay open very late (used to be one of the only places to do that).
Always some good exhibits at Japanese American National Museum.
The big sight downtown is The Broad Contemporary, although it isn't really my thing everyone seems to want to go there.
Last edited by mlgb; Feb 1st, 2019 at 10:02 AM.
Feb 1st, 2019, 10:05 AM
#32
Arts and Fashion District have some great restaurants ... Factory Kitchen, Officine Brera, Manuela, Bestia and Dama to name a few.
Another upscale (and delicious) restaurant is Redbird (in the old St. Vibiana Cathedral). There are plenty of others.
Another upscale (and delicious) restaurant is Redbird (in the old St. Vibiana Cathedral). There are plenty of others.
Feb 1st, 2019, 09:46 PM
#33
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Just for the record, you do not have to have a car to visit LA. To do so, though, you need to:
-stay someplace convenient to a Metro stop.
-plan your trip with some care, making sure you group the sights together and plot out the route you’ll take.
-don’t overload your sightseeing day.
I know because I did just that. A car can make things easier, though given how bad traffic can get, it’s likely not going to be any faster.
There are of course some attractions that that are not conveniently reached this way.
-stay someplace convenient to a Metro stop.
-plan your trip with some care, making sure you group the sights together and plot out the route you’ll take.
-don’t overload your sightseeing day.
I know because I did just that. A car can make things easier, though given how bad traffic can get, it’s likely not going to be any faster.
There are of course some attractions that that are not conveniently reached this way.
Feb 2nd, 2019, 08:32 AM
#34
If relying primarily on the Metro, before choosing your lodging, make sure you check for service interruptions/closures, mostly on the Blue Line which is undergoing renovation of stations, road crossings, etc.
https://www.metro.net/projects/new-b...e-closed-when/
https://www.metro.net/projects/new-b...e-closed-when/
Feb 11th, 2019, 08:12 PM
#35
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Do they still have the collection of old street lights in front of the La Brea Tar Pits and LACMA? I haven't been over there for a couple of years. If so, it is a great photo op.
Love the Huntington Library, but not easy to get to without a car.
Love the Huntington Library, but not easy to get to without a car.
Feb 13th, 2019, 08:54 AM
#38
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An off-beat place to visit is The Museum of Jurassic Technology
