LA activities
 

I will be in Los Angeles for the first time visiting a friend for the week of Feb. 16. She will be taking a few days off to show me the usual "tourist" things, however will also be working during the week. Does anyone have any unique ideas I can do by myself during the day aorund the LA area? How about a day trip to San Diego. Is it possible, and if it is, any recommendations? Thanks!

It depends entirely on your interests, where your friend lives, and whether you will have a car. With some more information, others might be able to give you some meaningful recommendations.

Woody

Amy, A drive to San Diego is possible. It will take you about two hours each way (depending on traffic). Personally, I would check out Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Belmont Shores. These places would be a lot of fun to explore on your own. Have fun!

You're right, a little more info is good. I've never done this message board before. My friend lives in Northridge and I will have access to a car. As for interests, I'm really open to anything interesting. I've never been there before so any ideas would be helpful. Thanks for the advice!

If you enjoy art, architecture or gardens, I recommend a visit to the Getty Center.

As for museums, it depends on your tastes (the L.A. County Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum have general audience appeal and are nice. There are many other museums with a specific focus -- such as the Museum of Contempory Art, the Gene Autrey Western Museum, and the Petersen Automotive Museum).

If you enjoy people watching or just spending the day, I would recommend Venice Beach, the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Old Town Pasadena, or Rodeo Drive.

Again, it really depends on your interests.

Personally, I would find a one day round-trip drive to San Diego alone on a weekday exhausting, so I would not recommend it. You might look into the Amtrak train from Union Station to San Diego. Sit on the west side of the train for a fantastic ocean view during much of the ride.

Woody

I've done a day trip to San Diego from LA, but by train. That's a convenient and relatively easy way to do it. I used to live in LA a long time but have since moved away, but unless traffic has really really changed around there, I can't imagine you can drive from there to San Diego in two hours except maybe in the middle of the night, as it's about 125 miles. Sometimes it would take me an hour just to get across town.

If your friend doesn't take you up to Santa Barbara, you can go yourself one day on the Amtrak train from Chatsworth. She could drop you off at the station, theres a 9:45 am train that gets to SB at 11:30am. It's a pleasant, scenic ride. If the weather's nice you can walk the beach and visit the Wharf (shops and restaurants). State Street has enough shops to keep you occupied most of the afternoon, and there's a 7pm return train that gets to Chatsworth around 8:30
. After her day at work, your friend will probably appreciate having a few hours to herself...guests can kinda throw you off a bit when they stay for a whole week!


I wouldn't recommend weekday driving down into LA from Northridge for a novice, but the Ronald Reagan Library/Museum is an easy drive from Northridge if that interests you. And depending on where your friend works, some attractions might be an easy bus or metro ride for you from her workplace.

A day trip to San Diego would be difficult if you wanted to get back when your friend gets off work as the drive can be a few hours with traffic.

Some ideas:

1) Go the the Getty Museum, look around and have lunch on the patio. Great views, beautiful gardens, art is ok. Then drive through Beverly Hills, see the beautiful homes. Maybe have a late afternoon snack on Beverly Drive and look at the shops.

2) Go to Santa Monica and walk around the Third Street Promenade. Maybe take a walk down the pier, enjoy the sunshine (hopefully!). If you like, you could go to Venice Beach and get some cheap sunglasses and take in some LA culture.

3) Go to Pasadena which has some lovely museums. Go to the Norton Simon and have lunch in Old Town. Or, go to the Hunnington Gardens/Library and have tea in their cafe.

4) The LA County Museum of art is fun. You can go to the Farmer's Market on Fairfax/Third after for lunch--one of my favorite places in LA.Their is a huge shopping center attached called the Grove with some nice shops.

As your friend is in Northridge you may hit some traffic getting home from these places but they are nice day activities.

You could also do a studio tour. Santa Barara is a great idea--and an easier day trip than San Diego.

Give us some clues as to your age and interests and I can give you more specific ideas.

Thanks to everyone for their help. I'm actually in my late 20's and am really excited about going to LA and exploring on my own. As for interests, I'm really open. I definitely like the idea about the train to Santa Barbara. I've also heard a lot about the Getty museum. What's the weather like in February? I'm from the North East. Any other ideas for activities would be grateful. Thank you all for your help!

February is generally our rainiest month, but not our coldest (leave that for January). Expect temperatures anywhere from the mid-50's (factoring in wind chill) to mid-70's. We could have a heat wave, where temperatures will go to the '80's, but you never know. This last weekend, for example, it was in the mid-70's and definitely shorts weather. At night, though, you do need to wear a jacket.

I would reccomend Santa Barbara. You can do it in a day, it is easy to see and beautiful. I would recommend driving up yourself if you do not have to be back to pick up your friend from work. I would drive up in the am, take a long walk down the pier and grab some breakfast at Sambo's (an old California coffee shop-this is the only one left. If you don't know of it, you could eat somewhere else).

I think the SB Zoo is great and you can do it in a couple of hours. Then, walk up and down State Street, grab a latte and browse the shops. You should also see the Santa Barbara Mission which is lovely.

Back in LA, I would definately see the LA County Museum of Art and then go to the Farmer's Market for lunch.

Maybe do a studio tour. Universal Studios is the big one but their are other studios that do smaller, more personal tours.

The weather may be a bit chilly or it could be warm. Bring a jacket and throw in a pair of capris-you will bne fine. And, we have plenty of shopping. BTW, if you are driving to Santa Barbara you could stop by the Outlets in Camarillo.....