3 days in LA...what to do?
Replies: 15 - Last Post: Feb 7, 2010 1:17 PM Last Post By: wahinekat
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3 days in LA...what to do?
I'm staying in LA when I arrive in August, after having previously stayed in Anaheim the past 4 occasions I've been to the US.Hotel is 3 blocks from the Walk of Fame (Holiday Inn Express Walk of Fame).
Need some suggestions on what to do. We arrive about 2pm and probably by the time we get to our hotel, will be around 4pm, so there's a whole day gone.
I'd like to go down to Santa Monica, Farmers Market/The Grove and maybe Universal Studios.
Any other suggestions on what we can do? Where is good shopping? Any good dining recs? Nothing overly expensive though.
I'm relying on public transport, so things have to be easily accessible or within walking distance.
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Your in a good location for the places you want to go, though Santa Monica will be a longer trek. Take the metrorail red line to Universal Studios. I think there's a free shuttle from the metro station in Universal City to Universal Studios. The grove is a short hop from Hollywood Blvd. Take the bus or taxi. Use www.mta.net to plan out your bus and metrorail trips.In Santa Monica, rent some bikes and ride down to Venice and beyond. You can do 35+ miles (roundtrip) on the bike path.
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Griffith Observatory has nice views of LA, especially at night. You can also try the Getty Museum north of Santa Monica. It's free, and you can get there by bus. Great city views from there.4
Santa Monica while in the area might as well visit Venice Beach. There is a neighbourhood in Venice beach where the area is "flooded" making it look like in Venice where there are foot bridges and people can go around using kayaks and paddle boats, quite a charming neighbourhood. There are photo ops in the area. Nice neighbourhood really. In Santa Monica the obligatory Boardwalk and the Promenade will keep you busy, shopping dining and drinking. As mentioned here the Getty Center is worth a visit and has nice views IF free from smog but the whole Getty Center with its architecture, gardens, museums, sculptures is well worth a side trip. If you rent a car going to Orange County is also worth an hour drive particularly Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and the Huntington Beach area5
The Griffith Observatory is Awesome! And can easily be accessed without a car. Since you are staying in Hollywood, you'll want to take a bus and be dropped off near the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park, it's just a short hike up the hill from there. I would go earlier though, so at least one leg of the walk it in daylight.I've got to be honest, I would pass up Universal Studios. It's not a great park, and not much fun. If you want to head over that way though, I would suggest taking a tour at the Warner Brother's Lot. It's a cool tour, with a bunch of set pieces and walk-thoughts of current show soundstages.
Edited by: bchristian
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If you are a meat eater I would recommend Korean barbeque, where you grill pieces of meat on a grill in the middle of your table with lots and lots of kim chi and other sides. Koreatown is not far from where you'll be. I like Soot Bull Jeep (old school, with charcoal grills and lots of smoke and large tables so you sometimes eat with other parties) or Chosun Galbee (more upscale with gas grills). I also second the recommendation for Roscoe's. The Farmer's Market is a good place to get lunch - there's something for everyone there.9
Los Angeles County public transportation site.There is a limitless number of places you could consider, though you give almost no info on your interests or what resources you've consulted so far. You can certainly get to downtown (some interesting historical and architectural sites), Universal Studios and mid-Wilshire, and probably Burbank area (e.g., Warner Brothers tour) easily by public transportation. You'd need to take a bus to get to the Getty Center (art museum). I'm guessing Hollywood is a priority since you're staying there rather than more pleasant environs such as Santa Monica. Contact your hotel for ideas. And consider a half-day guided tour to give you an overview. There are also guide books (and Internet sites, I imagine) for self-guided tours. "Good shopping"? You need to define what you mean. You can find upscale shopping in Beversly Hills. Discount shops in downtown L.A. and elsewhere, though being limited to public transportation (and having to carry your purchases on such) limits your practical choices. http://golosangeles.about.com/od/losangelesshopping/Los_Angeles_Shopping.htm is one of many sites on shopping opportunities in the L.A. area. There are also lots of sites, including Tripadvisor.com, that have lists of restaurants.
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Universal Studios, Santa Monica and Rodeo Drive. If you have time, try and get to Disneyland. Its great! Especially for kids!11
I've already done Disneyland and Universal Studios (4 times) and Santa Monica was only a fleeting visit on a bus tour of LA. Also did Knott's Berry Farm in 2008 as Six Flags wasn't open the days we wanted to go.I've previously only stayed in Anaheim (1990, 2001, 2004 and 2008) so myself and my cousin wanted to base ourselves in LA this time around.
Was considering a tour of the WB lot and am desperate to try and score tickets for Ellen Degeneres (which I think is filmed at WB, yes?)
Shopping wise, I've heard about Citadel but it's nothing to rave on about.
I've been to Venice Beach (also on bus tour) several times and have seen the canals, though only passing on the bus.
I'd prefer not to rent a car in LA, as tempting as it is though as I've heard it's easier to get around.
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Places that you want to visit, Santa Monica, Farmer's Market, The Grove, are not the easiest to navigate on public transportation. The Red Line Metro is accessible from your location, and an easy ride to Universal Studios. You might also be able to get the Big Blue Bus to get to Santa Monica. I'm not sure about getting to the Grove though.Three days is not a lot of time for what you want to see. I live in LA,and to get the biggest bang for your buck, you might consider renting a car and visiting all of the places you want to see during those 3 days.
