Three days in LA
 

Just discovered I have three days spare at the end of a conference in Los Vegas in January. The last time the wife and I were in LA we had the kids in tow and as such we did the theme park thing. This time we are looking at some of the more adult activities we can enjoy. Happy to hear thoughts on where to stay...we were thinking Beverly Hills. Also is it worthwhile getting out of town for a day? Which direction ?
cheers

PS budget is not a worry !
;)

I always enjoy a day up in Santa Barbara on a clear winter's day. It's a pretty drive up the coast (take the PCH out of Santa Monica rather than the 101 through the San Fernando Valley) to get there. Santa Barbara itself is interesting, with a nice little art museum, a mission and a presidio to represent California history, a good shopping street and a wharf to walk out to enjoy the scenery. If it's cold and rainy, don't bother.

It's funny. When I see the word "LA" in a title, I always check to see if the person means Los Angeles or Louisiana! Being Los Angeles, here are my questions and thoughts.

Questions: What interests you and what is your general age group? On dining, are you "we have to eat at the most expensive place in town", a "let's grab some street food to keep us going", or somewhere in between?

I ask these questions, because my idea of a fun 3 days in L.A. and dining choices may not be yours. Having said that, I probably have the most eclectic and broad tastes on this board, so I can probably help tailoring it according to your interests and tastes.

If you like art -- we have a number of art museums. Most on this board rave about the Getty. Not me -- I find Getty's taste in art, for the most part, to be poor. The grounds are nice, but kind of boring to me. LACMA has a bunch of good stuff and often has really interesting exhibits, but for me, and I guess it's because I have such a passion for impressionism, my absolutely favorite museum is the Norton Simon in Pasadena. So, my first recommendation would be to spend one entire day, or most of it, in Pasadena. Go to the Museum and pass the rest of the time hanging out in old town Pasadena. Some great bars and restaurants in that area, and obviously walkable. January is a great time to be in Pasadena, even if it's raining -- so long as it's not on January 1st -- then it's crazy with the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl.

If you like bars and rock n roll, I'd try to find one rock or pop concert to go to. The Greek Theatre & Hollywood Bowl will be closed for the season, but lots of great music venues, from giant Staples to the mid size Palladium or Wiltern, to the smaller Sabin in Beverly Hills, to the tiny Whiskey A Go Go and Troubadour Club. Dinner at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on Sunset Strip to finish off the whole rock experience.

Interesting new "speakeasy" style bars also cropping up all over Hollywood, such as No Vacancy or The Writer's Room behind Musso & Franks.

On a clear night, Yamashiro restaurant off of Franklin above Hollywood Blvd. is a great, old time restaurant to go to. Great cocktails, decent food, view of all of L.A. Best time to go is just before sunset.

Once we get info from you re: interests, we can provide additional help -- so this is really just a start.

Surfergirl, thank you so much for your thoughts!
Because our time is reasonably limited we are keen to try some of the top end dining choices for our three dinners we will be there. Lunch can be anything.

We have spent at afternoon at the Getty a few years ago and it was interesting if variable. We do like the modern end of the art spectrum. We hadn't thought about the music aspect!! I will do some research on who is playing !

We are either side of the 50 mark . :)
We also have quite eclectic tastes so let your head go !
cheers.

OK, top end dining -- meaning formal or casual with great food?

Great extremely high end fish place is Providence, where all the movie people go, since it's around the corner from half a dozen movie studios. Reservations long in advance are mandatory.

Cool, hip places include the relatively newish Church & State downtown (French bistro to die for!), newly opened Rustic Canyon Wine Bar in Santa Monica that can't seem to cook a bad meal using farm fresh, relatively local ingredients with a twist, and Fig & Olive on Melrose Place.

We also have a very long "places to eat like a local" if you google.

Either side of 50 -- ok, that means '80's music?!?

More info later -- bar time!!!

You are on the right track! ;)

Can anyone recommend a car and driver service ? Someone who will drive us around, not necessarily a guide.