Museum of Tolerance / Getty
 

Hello,

My sister and I are planning on going to L.A. I know she will love the Museum of Tolerance. I went there about 10-11 years ago and couldn't believe how moving it was. Since that is the main point of our trip, can anybody recommend and nearby hotels and/or restaurants?

Can you see the entire museum in one day, or do we need to plan two days?

What about the Getty Museum? I think I'd also like to go there.

The Museum of Tolerance I find to be a draining experience, so I don't think I'd try to do it two days in a row. One day will be sufficient, although you'll need activities to cheer you up afterward. The MoT is a short hop from Westwood, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, so there are literally hundreds of choices all over the map in cuisine, price and quality. So, the question is: What do you like?

As far as the Getty: It's worth the trip up the hill for the architecture (Richard Maier), the gardens and the breathtaking views (when haze isn't literally taking your breath away). The restaurant at the Getty is also excellent. However, the art is definitely secondary to the fantastic setting (although they do occasionally have worthwhile exhibitions). Still, a great place to visit.

In L.A., you go to the Getty for the setting (as rjw mentioned) and you go to LACMA for the art. The Getty's exhibition space is miniscule compared to LACMA.

4-5 hours is enough time at the Museum of Tolerance-it is not a large museum.

Do go to the Getty. It is lovely and the other posters are quite right--the art is secondary to the scenery.

My suggestion would be to go to the Museum of Tolerance in the am when it first opens. Then grab a late lunch. Give us an idea of your food and lodging preferences--I know that area well.

Go to the Getty on your second day.

The reason we will be going to LA is to celebrate my sister's graduation from college. She plans on teaching high school history and is very excited about the Museum of Tolerance. There is no such thing as *too* emotionally draining for either of us. I know she wants to go and hear a survivor, so we will have to check and see what days they speak.

I didn't realize the LACMA was that nice of a museum. I guess the "County Museum" part through me. I'll mention that to her.

We would prefer a smaller hotel with a nice spa. We would like to be able to treat ourselves to a few spa treatments at our hotel. We will only be staying 3-4 days, but we will need to keep our costs down if we can.

As for food, we are up for almost anything. I like "California cuisine", Italian, or ecclectic restaurants. She likes fancier restaurants than I do, and a good wine list is important to her. I don't like sushi - she hates Mexican.

She likes the idea of going to the Farmer's Market. Is that a good idea?


Thank you,

I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed the Getty and would recommend it (haven't been to the Museum of Tolerance but am adding it to my list.)

The Getty is just a fascinating building to experience as it is very exciting to explore. It seems that around every corner there is something new and different to see and it made me much more interested in architecture than I was before.

Kathryn,

Did you eat at any restaurants you can recommend?

No, sorry. We were with our children and were more in the mood for "quick and convenient." Perhaps if you started another thread regarding L.A. +good restaurants you will hear from the foodies.

By all means go to the Farmer's Market. It is close to LACMA which is a nice museum, so you can combine the two.

Hotels-I do not know where you are coming from but you might consider staying in Santa Monica. Loew's, Miramar, Casa Del Mar. I am assuming you will have a car. Let us know how much you want to spend.

Burke Williams is a spa in Santa Monica which is popular. Also Spa Mystique in Century City is lovely.

Restaurants- look up LA restaurants on this site--lots of good ideas. You might drive from the M of T to Beverly Drive or into Beverly Hills and walk around. There are many good restaurants in the area.

Alisa's advice is all good, as usual (hi, Alisa!). Another spa possibility in Santa Monica is the relatively-new Aqua Day Spa on Second Street (south of Santa Monica Blvd). I'm a guy, so I'm not exactly a spa aficionado, but one of my secretaries used to go there often and loved it (she's since left the firm). Her hotel recos are good too-- I put special weight behind the (Fairmont) Miramar, due to its rich history and its special level of service (I send clients there all the time, and they rave about it). The hotel's restaurants, however, are not outstanding. Luckily, Michael's, one of THE Cal-cuisine pioneers, is a block away on Third; it's still outstanding.

Alisa hit on another good idea that I was tossing around last night: After the MofT tour, head up to La Ciénega Blvd. Block after block of good restaurants-- some great. Matsuhisa is the eatery that started the Nobu Matsuhisa empire, and it's still great. Farther up La Ciénega is L'Orangérie, a superb French resto. Lawry's is just north of Wilshire, and if you like prime rib and Caesar Salad (prepared at table, the way Caesar Cardini did it in Tijuana), this is THE place.

Too many possibilities to list here, however. Give us some price ranges, and recommendations will follow.

Hi there RJW! Do you think anyone has followed our advice and stayed at the Miramar? I love that hotel.

Another thought. Let us know how long you will be in town and what your interests are. If you want to do a museum trip, you could spend a day in Pasadena and go to the Norton Simon....

And, price range is essential with regard to hotel choice.

Thanks for all of the advice. We are trying to iron out a budget.