LA Trip Report
 

Went to LA this week with my 21 year old daughter and her 21 year old girlfriend. Everything you hear about the traffic is true. Not once did I see a speed limit sign on the 405. I maintained 65 to 70 mph and I felt like I was standing still. One word comes to mind about California driving and that is DANGEROUS. Be on your toes at all times.

Stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn in El Segundo 5 min. from LAX. Nice, clean hotel with good service. Would stay there again but the next time I will take my laptop. Have never stayed in a hotel that didn't have either a Business Center or a laptop in their lobby for guests to use. This hotel had neither.

Every restaurant we ate at was good. Rock 'n Fish in Manhatten Beach, Duke's in Malibu, Cozymel's in El Segundo, Il Forneao (?) off Rodeo Drive, Cafe Crepe in Santa Monica. Also had lunch at a sidewalk cafe on Sunset Blvd. but don't recall the name. It was across the street from Just Cavali and next door to BCBG. Again, never had a bad meal, but service in most of these restaurants was just so-so.

Had read about Hollywood and Melrose Ave and Sunset Blvd being dirty and a disappointment. Yes they are, but you have to do them at least once. I also heard that Rodeo Drive was a disappointment, but I loved it. I thought it was clean, elegant, and classy.

My girls wanted to visit Chateau Marmont and the Playboy Mansion. They were able to enter the lobby of the CM, but understandably so, they didn't get past the gates at the Playboy Mansion! Security, however, was very nice to them on the speaker and confirmed it was the Playboy Mansion.

We enjoyed Santa Monica and the 3rd St. Prominade. Earlier in the day, we stopped at Venice Beach. Yikes! This place is like a freak show. But again, you gotta do it just to say you did.

Will not rent from Advantage Rental Car again and the next time I visit Manhatten Beach, I'll think twice about where and how I'm parking. I got a $35 ticket for not turning my wheels in on a hill. I thought engaging the emergency brake was enough. I heard from others that MB is good about preying on tourists in rental cars.

Any questions, let me know.

Trust me, they weren't preying on you because you're a tourist. They are very egalitarian in their ticket giving.

Even worse than MB are the parking rules in West Hollywood. Every street poll has more text to read on what you can and cannot do than Tolstoy's War & Peace. They give you tickets for just sitting in your car trying to read the sign.

LOL, This must be the first report I have ever seen complaining about going too FAST on the 405. :)

Hi Brodge,

That's why CA drivers do so well in Italy!

Ciao

Sound like you had a good time despite not being comfortable with driving. It's true, there is an unofficial speed limit on freeways that is 10 mph over the posted. Whatever you do. stay out of the left hand lane if not speeding or you will get run over.