Going to be in LA soon. Help/Suggestions?

[atomicfox]

Looks like I'll be in LA for towards the end of the month for work. My destination is pretty close to LAX. I didn't know if any locals could recommend someplace to stay or what traffic is like. I would just stay right by the airport but it looks like the hotels aren't the greatest near by, though if traffic is horrible I might as well.

I lived near Chicago for a while so I'm used to that type of driving, wasn't sure how LA compared.

[tokenuser]

Looks like I'll be in LA for towards the end of the month for work. My destination is pretty close to LAX. I didn't know if any locals could recommend someplace to stay or what traffic is like. I would just stay right by the airport but it looks like the hotels aren't the greatest near by, though if traffic is horrible I might as well.

I lived near Chicago for a while so I'm used to that type of driving, wasn't sure how LA compared.Area around LAX is a dive ... but you are really close to Redondo Beach and places around there. Can't recommend anywhere to stay - sorry ... I stay in the Pasadena area when in town mostly.

[Heyseuss]

Looks like I'll be in LA for towards the end of the month for work. My destination is pretty close to LAX. I didn't know if any locals could recommend someplace to stay or what traffic is like. I would just stay right by the airport but it looks like the hotels aren't the greatest near by, though if traffic is horrible I might as well.

I lived near Chicago for a while so I'm used to that type of driving, wasn't sure how LA compared.

All hotels near all airports are fine hotels, because of the airport staff and convention crowd bizness. However, it's a terrible area. You are a hop and a skip from the beaches though, if you want somewhere nicer (likely more expensive) to stay. Traffic is horrible because, a) the city was designed by money hungry morons, b) the streets are populated by morons.

There is an In'N'Out right next to the airport though, you've got to get you some of that.

Token, Redondo Beach is a bit more than a 15-20 min drive on the freeway.

[tokenuser]

Token, Redondo Beach is a bit more than a 15-20 min drive on the freeway.Not by surface streets (PCH), and I guessed he was actually going to be in El Segundo (confirmed via PM).

Suggested avoiding Torrence and Gardena (which a Hotels.com search would probably suggest as nearby). Of the beachside areas, Hermosa is OK, by Redondo is pretty good.

BTW - Hotels around LAX are a real mix of good (spot on for the flight crews) and bad (cheap, because of location).

[atomicfox]

I ended up booking a room Seraton Pasadena. I'll probably just plan on leaving at 6:30 for my 8:30 class. Blah.

Now if only a live TRS could happen in LA during the last week in August...

[tokenuser]

I ended up booking a room Seraton Pasadena. I'll probably just plan on leaving at 6:30 for my 8:30 class. Blah.

Now if only a live TRS could happen in LA during the last week in August...I stayed there last month :) ... rooms are comfortable. Suggest you register for "Starwood Rewards" program - it will get you an upgraded room.

There are some great bars in the area. the hotel is right behind Paseo Colorado (an upscale shopping mall), but if you head through the mall (it is open air) to Colorado, turn left and head towards Old Town Pasadena, you will find some great food and nightlife (esp thurs/fri night).

[lavahot]

Dress down, don't carry more than $40 in cash, don't look anybody in the eye, and don't stop moving. Have fun!

[broderboy]

I stay in the Pasadena area when in town mostly.

same here

[tectec]

I always recommend Philippe's to new LA visitors for some really tasty french dip sandwiches, cheesecake, etc... http://www.philippes.com

Olvera Street is just a few blocks away from Philippe's and its where you can see a lot of cool stuff related to Mexican culture and the founding of Los Angeles. http://www.olvera-street.com

If you've got a Friday or Saturday night free, you might like to see Point Break Live......a live adaptation of the classic Keanu hit where every show someone from the audience gets to play the part of Keanu. Its SOOOOOO much fun. Sit as close to the action as you can. Wear something you won't mind getting a little bit of "blood" on. And buy the $1 survival kit at the door. http://www.myspace.com/pointbreaklive

[joymarie]

Dress down, don't carry more than $40 in cash, don't look anybody in the eye, and don't stop moving. Have fun!

Haha... lavahot, he's in Pasadina. Filthy rich 40-somethings don't rob tourists ;)

[esophagus]

Haha... lavahot, he's in Pasadina. Filthy rich 40-somethings don't rob tourists ;)Then how did they get to be filthy rich? Isn't robbing tourists how everyone makes a living?

[Heyseuss]

Haha... lavahot, he's in Pasadina. Filthy rich 40-somethings don't rob tourists ;)

What tourist goes to Pasadena anyway ?

Then how did they get to be filthy rich? Isn't robbing tourists how everyone makes a living?

Only media moguls, but they don't live in Pasadena.

[atomicfox]

Ok, I'm here now. So where's all the fun stuff?

[ohhoe]

Ok, I'm here now. So where's all the fun stuff?

back in Columbus!



lolz. jk.

Idk I have no desire to ever go to los angeles.

Uh go to pinkberry. We have those here in nyc, they're pretty good.


Other than that, I'd say leave.

[spades]

Dress down, don't carry more than $40 in cash, don't look anybody in the eye, and don't stop moving. Have fun!

This is moronic. Perhaps in Vegas? LA is a great city, too large to be defined or simly characterized. Anyone who passes the city through the freeways and makes judgement doesn't know LA. LA developed as group of hundreds of smaller communities, each with it's own charms and some with problems. LA is the second largest city in the US - soon to be largest. Please don't bash out of stereotypes, it makes you look like a douche.

Friends and family who have never been here cannot wrap their heads around how large the valleys and basin that make up 'la ciudad' really is. Please don't think in New York terms when thinking of scope, or Berlin or Paris - these are the wrong scale - too small. Think junior Tokyo or 1/3 sized Mexico City - but with the richest diversity anywhere on the planet. Many just see brown - as in skin color and find it ugly. Some see gray - as in the concrete and find it ugly. To me the diversity is our strength, and we do have the largest urban park in the nation that is ten times the size of Central Park in the middle of the city - Griffith.

LA is working on her problems - geesh, which city doesn't have problems? But there is much to be proud of in the City of Angels, three of which are the TRS guys - that's RAD!

If you're in Pasadena and close to Old Town and the Gold Line you can do ton of stuff without a car. Head to Union Station and get on the Red Line into Hollywood (Highland) or the Valley (Universal). You can also go into Chinatown and Olvera Street from Union Station. The only advice is don't do or act differently than you would at home - you'll be fine.

Edited: Because I don't want to go to my meeting. The Red Line is our Subway system which is second largest only to New York. To emphasize the size of LA we have something like 15 stops total. Vote for the Subway to the sea so we can connect to the westside. Speaking of politics, also vote for the Bullet Train proposal that connects the entire state this coming November. First phase - LA to SF in less than two hours.

[spades]

Ok, I'm here now. So where's all the fun stuff?

Define fun, you can do most anything legal here you can imagine. And if you can't find that fun, Vegas is only a 4 hour drive, or a quick flight over from Burbank (about a 30 minutes from Pasadena, and what 45 minute flight). For those who don't know, Vegas is an LA suburb. Just kidding to the Vegas proud, but you know what I mean.

Edited: I drive slow, so you can get to Vegas a lot faster than 4 hours. ;) Just be careful out there.

[Heyseuss]

Ok, I'm here now. So where's all the fun stuff?

Take me out for my birthday tonight.