LA To do and See
Feb 15th, 2011, 07:45 PM
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LA To do and See
I have been tasked with planning an LA weekend (thursday to sunday), in early June. Its a group of about 10/14 people, ages 21 to 45. Only 2 have every been to to LA so I'm looking to plan a fun mix of LA sights and off the beaten track fun. (No amusement parks though) So maybe its a lunch at the Ivy and then trapeze school. Or a Rodeo Drive or the Grove shopping tour, and a sushi making class or a fish taco dinner on the beach. Its a super fun group who are up for anything and I want them leave with a real taste of west coast culture. Thoughts??
Feb 16th, 2011, 04:21 AM
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I think LA is more fun if you are not criss-crossing town in traffic so consider what you most want to do and then arrange activities for the day in that area.
For example, you could arrange your arrival day as a beach/westside day and explore Santa Monica Pier, Getty (the villa in Malibu or the center off the 405), explore Beverly Hills - consider a beach hotel or west LA. Have a great dinner on the westside or at the beach.
You could do Friday in Hollywood, studio tours, hiking in the Hollywood Hills - Mt Hollywood or Freyman Canyon, see a show at the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek (depending on who is performing), ride horses in Griffith Park (they used to have a sunset ride) or visit the LA Zoo and Gene Autry Western Museum, go to the LA Farmer's Market and enjoy shopping/lunch at the Grove, visit La Brea Tar Pits and LACMA.
You could do Saturday in the Pasadena area (often overlooked as a destination but it has lots of activities) - Huntington Library and Gardens, Gold Class Cinemas in old town, and museums (Norton Simon, Asia Pacific) and cool architecture (tour Gamble House). It is also within 30 minutes of the studios in the valley, Griffith Park and downtown. In addition to museums, downtown LA also has Union Station (great architecture), Olvera Street (a Mexican style plaza), Chinatown, explore downtown museums (Science Center, Natural History, LA Live), MOMA (modern art).
On Sunday, your departure day, you could do the westside & beach activities you didn't pick up on the first day.
have a great trip.
For example, you could arrange your arrival day as a beach/westside day and explore Santa Monica Pier, Getty (the villa in Malibu or the center off the 405), explore Beverly Hills - consider a beach hotel or west LA. Have a great dinner on the westside or at the beach.
You could do Friday in Hollywood, studio tours, hiking in the Hollywood Hills - Mt Hollywood or Freyman Canyon, see a show at the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek (depending on who is performing), ride horses in Griffith Park (they used to have a sunset ride) or visit the LA Zoo and Gene Autry Western Museum, go to the LA Farmer's Market and enjoy shopping/lunch at the Grove, visit La Brea Tar Pits and LACMA.
You could do Saturday in the Pasadena area (often overlooked as a destination but it has lots of activities) - Huntington Library and Gardens, Gold Class Cinemas in old town, and museums (Norton Simon, Asia Pacific) and cool architecture (tour Gamble House). It is also within 30 minutes of the studios in the valley, Griffith Park and downtown. In addition to museums, downtown LA also has Union Station (great architecture), Olvera Street (a Mexican style plaza), Chinatown, explore downtown museums (Science Center, Natural History, LA Live), MOMA (modern art).
On Sunday, your departure day, you could do the westside & beach activities you didn't pick up on the first day.
have a great trip.
Feb 16th, 2011, 04:09 PM
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Huntington Beach is good for surf school. I've never done but sounds like a blast. It is a little south of where you will be. Malibu may also have a school or two but the shore break is a little more wicked. Any surfers out there? They may also have some ideas about trendy nightlife but back in the day it was the clubs on Sunset and Melrose is pretty funky (is that still trendy)? Venice is a classic (and you can usually find some fun newish restaurants on Abbott Kinney). Consider taking a bike ride along the beach through the beach communities, you can go quite a ways just watch for little kids who like to cross the path without looking. Me, I hate to bike ride so I am probably eating fish tacos at Wahoos in Manhattan Beach.
Feb 16th, 2011, 05:32 PM
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If you go to The Grove, don't miss out on the LA Farmers' Market which is adjacent. Wonderful food concessions and lots of inexpensive choices for everyone. It's an LA institution and has been around since the 1930s. Also, a good place for an occasional celebrity sighting. Personally, I prefer it to the Grove for eating; the Grove is mostly typical corporate places.
Feb 16th, 2011, 05:45 PM
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I love the Lotto (Mexican), Moishes (Mediterranean), Tesquidillas (fish) and the French Crepe places. My husband like the Brazilian concession, too. There's a pastry place at the far end near the Cajun place that has great cheese cake. All at the LA Farmers' Market plus a lot more choices at very reasonable prices. Everything is comfortably crowded and there's a nice friendly vibe to the market. People share the refurbished 1930s tables frequently.
Feb 16th, 2011, 06:48 PM
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So LA Farmers Market and the Grove will have to be on the itnerary. What about classic beach meals...any restaurants on the beach to get fish tacos, margaritas, SoCal mexican? Also any funky tours? Haunted Hollywood? Backlot on Segways? Its movie town...what spots really make you feel Hollywood?
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