What can I do on a 3 hour lay over in LA?
 

We have 3 hours betwen flightsFrom Missouri to Hawaii. Would it be possible to grab a cab and have lunch somewhere in LA.None of us have ever been to LA before and would love to see something, but don't know if we would have time. Would it be better to skip eating and see something else in the 3 hour block? What? Where? Ideas Please. ( if 3 hours it too short of a time to leave the airport, please be honest, I have no idea!) Thanks!!!

Personally I would stay at the airport. Three hours isn't really all that much. With delays and long security lines, it doesn't leave you with much time. And LA is a driving town.

In the middle of the airport is a restaurant, don't know the name, someone else will. I have "heard" that the food there is good. Others can also help with that.

I always get a good book and look forward to layovers and long flights to finish a book by the time I return home. There is also pretty good people watching in the airport. Hard to believe, but it is really an interesting place. And most of them have pretty decent food now.

Anyway, that is my two cents.

HI--3 hours is not really 3 hours if you are talking about arrival and departure times. Your arrival time needs to have 30 min added to it for how long it takes to empty the plane and get to the cab stand. Then your departure time is the take off time minus the 30 minurtes for boarding all the passengers. All in all, you probably have only time to explore LAX--which if you pay careful attention, you may see some celebrities!! :)

A lot kinda depends on what day and what time. Traffic can be a huge factor. Personally i would just find the terminal that has a Wolfgang Puck restaurant and enjoy a good meal. There's a shuttle bus from terminal to terminal.

However, if you arrive a little early and you don't mind hustling, a cab to Marina Del Rey might only take 10-12 minutes and you could have nice cocktails and appetizers at The Cheesecake Factory near the water.

I wouldn't risk in on weekdays between 8am-10am or 4pm to 6:30pm however.

The restaurant in the middle of LAX that looks like a space ship is Encounter, it is pretty good but not cheap. I personally think it would be too short a time to risk leaving.

I would stay at the airport. 3 hours is no time if you have to get back into security lines and get to the gates. If you get caught in traffic you are in big trouble. Could you change your plans and fly to LA a day early?

It would be nuts to leave the airport. On a weekday afternoon it can take 45 mins or more just for security. Depending on taxi time, if your plane gets a gate immediatly or not, and the time it takes to deplane it could take you 1/2 an hour just to get into the terminal. 3 hours might not even leave you enough time for a leisurely meal at Encounter.

Hi,
I agree with all of these replies. I work in El Segundo just south of LAX and live 10 miles further south near the beach. It's a nice area to explore, but you'd need a longer lay over to relax and enjoy any of the beach cities. Traffic can vary so much and add in the lunch hour traffic from locals, waits at restaurants,etc., you'd probably just have time for a fast sandwich or burger and a quick drive by the beach.
Since security lines can be a pain, I also recommend staying at LAX.

Thanks very much to all of you. I will eat at the airport and people watch! ;-)