What to do?
 

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!