getting to LAX early afternoon and staying one day before flight out next morning what is the one thing I should try to see (would I have time)

You should probably repost. Put Los Angeles in the subject line and include what you like to do in your message. You will get a lot more responses.

Two questions: Is your hotel in the LAX area (I would assume so, but then again, you never know?) Also, will you have a car? If so, I'd suggest driving to Third Street in Santa Monica (closer than Hollywood, but you can still stroll, have dinner, etc.) With your limited time, I wouldn't suggest trying to do anything too strenuous or sight-seeing heavy (although if you REALLY want to, I'm happy to give you more options.) If you won't have a car, then I'd say head over to the Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach area. You can walk the pier(s), shop and have a nice dinner there as well. By the way, just a polite suggestion, but you'll probably get more responses in the future if you make your heading more specific

It totally depends on what interests YOU. You could go to Santa Monica or Venice beach to see the beach-funky scene in Venice. Or the Getty Museum-open til 6pm but Fri-Sat til 9. Or shopping on Melrose? Or take a drive to Malibu.

Looks like Cerlaurie beat me to the punch!