Layover in LA Where to stay. What to see.
 

We are en route back to Sydney in early October from NYC. We have from 1105 hrs till 2120 hrs the following day to spend in LA. One of us has fatigue issues, so a comfortable quiet modestly/reasonably priced hotel with good airport access would be a priority.

What would be the unmissable sights for first timers to your city?

Thanks very much for any advice you can give.

The airport isn't near tourist sites so you'll have to decide which is more important to you.

Your 2120 departure puts you headed for the airport at a very bad time traffic-wise, so you would probably want to stay near the airport and take a bus tour that day that would pick up at your hotel. (The bell desk will watch your baggage for you after you check out of the hotel.) There are 3 hour and 5.5 hour tours, so consider the fatigued person when choosing.

If it is a Saturday or Sunday you might not have to worry so much about traffic to the airport and could stay elsewhere. But you still have baggage to consider handling all day as check-out time at your hotel is probably 12noon.

LAX is not my city but we've had a few stopovers there on the way to/from Hawaii from Europe. We've stayed at La Quinta LAX which is very inexpensive and convenient to the airport, have also stayed at Residence Inn Manhattan Beach, again not too far from the airport. There is no airport shuttle to that hotel so we rented a car but found some areas difficult to park, especially if you don't have correct change. Manhattan Beach is really nice too, with restaurants and shops. We ate in a Mexican restaurant which is quite well known in the area but I can't remember the name. The interesting sites if you'v never been is Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, also Santa Monica is really nice too. But the traffic can be horrific so don't go too far.

There are scads of hotels in all price ranges near LAX, most all of them with free shuttles to/from the airport. That's your best bet. As noted this is not a touristic area but you can take the trolley to Manhattan Beach or book a tour that picks up at the hotel if that's your style. You can check out and store your bags with the bellman, then retrieve them on the way to the airport.

I am reading this to say that you arrive around noon on one day and leave around 9:00 p.m. the next day. Is that correct?

There are three large hotels in Culver City, which is about 10 minutes from the airport. They are Radisson, Four Points Sheraton and Courtyard by Marriott. They are all pleasant and have easy access back to the airport.

I would think that the Getty Center would be a good place to visit. There is some wonderful art, a great view of the coastal section of LA, and good food. Parking is $15, but museum admission is free. It's something you could do even if all you have is from noon to 9 p.m. on one day.

What about a studio tour? Sony is in Culver City. Not sure if this one is mostly walking, or if you get to ride around part of the time in cart.

The Hacienda Hotel just south of the airport is very convenient - European feel and inexpensive. They also shuttle you to/from the airport, or around the immediate area if you want to go to the mall or the beach. If you stay there, ask for a 'south tower' room as they are a lot nicer <http://www.haciendahotel.com/>. The Beach Massage and Day Spa across the street is fabulous and where I always go for massages - you'll get every kink relaxed! <www.beachmassage.net>

I would second The Getty. It is really lovely and a nice, relaxed way to spend the day. It has incredible 360 degree views. <http://www.getty.edu/visit/>. You could have the hotel shuttle you to the LAX City Bus Center, just a few blocks away and from there you can take the bus to and from the Getty and avoid having to 1. rent a car and 2. hassle L.A. traffic. Here are directions on doing that:

From the LAX City Bus Center (Bus Bay 10), take Culver City Bus 6. When you get on, ask for an inter-agency transfer to the next bus. The #6 bus goes towards UCLA/Westwood and you get off at Westwood Blvd./Lindbrook Drive (approximately 1 hour) - ask the driver to let you know when you are there if you are unsure.
Get off that bus and change to Metro Rapid Bus 761 (goes towards Pacoima) to the Getty Center stop (approximately 20 minutes).

The Hacienda Hotel just south of the airport is very convenient - European feel and inexpensive. They also shuttle you to/from the airport, or around the immediate area if you want to go to the mall or the beach. If you stay there, ask for a 'south tower' room as they are a lot nicer <http://www.haciendahotel.com/>. The Beach Massage and Day Spa across the street is fabulous and where I always go for massages - you'll get every kink relaxed! <www.beachmassage.net>

I would second The Getty. It is really lovely and a nice, relaxed way to spend the day. It has incredible 360 degree views. <http://www.getty.edu/visit/>. You could have the hotel shuttle you to the LAX City Bus Center, just a few blocks away and from there you can take the bus to and from the Getty and avoid having to 1. rent a car and 2. hassle L.A. traffic. Here are directions on doing that:

From the LAX City Bus Center (Bus Bay 10), take Culver City Bus 6. When you get on, ask for an inter-agency transfer to the next bus. The #6 bus goes towards UCLA/Westwood and you get off at Westwood Blvd./Lindbrook Drive (approximately 1 hour) - ask the driver to let you know when you are there if you are unsure.
Get off that bus and change to Metro Rapid Bus 761 (goes towards Pacoima) to the Getty Center stop (approximately 20 minutes).

After the Getty, just reverse directions and when you get back to the LAX City Bus Center, you can get a taxi back the few blocks to your hotel and pick up your luggage, the the hotel will take you back to the airport.