1 rad dude needs your help, where should he go while in LA?

[primeone]

Hey everyone,

So I am in Santa Monica staying at the Hostel International one block from the beach. I'm wondering while I'm here what I should do? I got a rented car for the week and I'm like hmmmmm where should I go. I'm gonna be going to the live show on Wed But today and then Thursday and Friday I got nothing.

Any Suggestions?

Feel free to twitter me about the @plan8ts

oh also for your help here is a funny snippet of interview i posted on my youtube channel of Chris Pirillo from Macworld 2009


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrPBt1JGo30

[vegan]

Everyone always says there's nothing to do in their town, but in the case of L.A. it seems like it's true. I always struggle to come up with things to do when family is in town.

Here's a couple of suggestions though.

The Getty Center. It's a free art museum that only charges for parking. The permanent exhibit has some pretty famous painters, and every now and then there'll be a temporary exhibit that's especially good. I like the medieval books, personally. They also have a cactus garden and a traditional garden/pool that's pretty good for picnics and such.

Griffith Observatory. That's also free. It's a bit on the small side, but you can blow through a couple of hours there. The actual planetarium show is kinda hokey, it's the only thing that they charge for. The highlight of going there is definitely the view.

The Chinese Theater. I don't care what's playing there, you should see a movie there at least once in your life. Just try to ignore the tourist CIRCUS going on out front.

Don't go to Pink's. It's really not worth waiting in line for however many hours.

[poltah]

I heard L.A has some awesome theaters? Maybe that's something worth investigating?

[vegan]

The Arclight is worth going to, but only if you see something in the actual Dome.

[tectec]

You'll find the Santa Monica Farmers Market just steps away from your hostel. The Wednesday market is right on 2nd street. The Saturday market is on 3rd. Check it out, even if its just for some free samples and a fresh pastry or something. It's one of the best farmers markets in the country.

http://www.smgov.net/farmers_market/


If you're up for seeing something from the olden days, you could check out the San Gabriel, San Fernando, or Santa Barbara Missions. It's been years since I've been to any of them, so you'd have to look up hours and stuff, but the admission isn't too much and it's a good way to spend a few hours in some pretty historic places.

http://sangabrielmission.org/mission_giftshop_and_museum.htm

http://www.santabarbara.com/points_of_interest/mission

http://www.ci.san-fernando.ca.us/for_visitors/local_attractions/mission.shtml

[scoobydiesel]

I have never been but i really do want to go check out the theaters.

[heyseuss]

Red Rock Bar & Grill on Sunset. Best food, drink and people in the area.

[tokenuser]

I'll second The Getty. If nothing else, the buildings are amazing, and on a clear day you have some of the best views of Los Angeles you will find.
Huntington Library in Pasadena is worth a look as well ... not a hugely exciting place, but amazing gardens, and rotating exhibits.

Given that you are in Santa Monica, you are literally next door to Venice Beach. Being mid week, mid winter, it wont be the zoo it is famous for mid summer, but its worth checking out.

Head further north, and you hit Malibu. Again, worth the drive to check it out. Go watch the kite surfers.

Theres the obvious Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm theme parks (Knotts is actually reasonably priced for entry, Disney will have you sign over your first child), Magic Mountain (I think they close mid week over winter though), and Universal Studios. Universal is worth a look. Entry is not too bad, and lines will be short. Attached is City Walk - lots of neon, but really just an upmarket restaurant strip.

A neat thing about Universal is that if thee timing is right, you can get free tickets to pre-release movie screenings. Movies are not 100% complete, and they are looking for feedback before public release, or trying to find an angle for best advertising.

You might like to think about tickets to a TV show taping. Tonight Show is in Burbank, Jimmy Kimmel is in Hollywood.