Am going LA to visit a friend in not too long, she lives in Newport Beach about an hour south of LA. I haven't been to LA before and am unsure on where to go. Obviously being in cali is great in itself, but I would like to see as much as possible while I'm there. She has a car and we've discussed doing various things, driving to mexico/san diego, maybe even san francisco - but I've already been to San francisco once before and it's quite a drive as far as I can tell. I'd love to go surfing and maybe go on a boat trip down the coast.
Would really appreciate any advice and tips on bars, restaurants, shops, landmarks etc.
cheers
The category of the prosumer commodity does not signify a democratization of the media towards participatory systems, but the total commodification of human creativity
The bar at the chateau marmont The Standard downtown - roof bar El Prado in Echo Park Union Store American Rag CIE Good Luck bar is nice Bowling at Shatto 39 Griffith Park observatory Don't go to Venice beach
Fat Burger In n out burger (ask for animal style fries) Umami burger Alexander's Brite spot Get a Vons card if your friend hasn't got one, then go nuts in the craft beer section. Sierra Nevada for 75c a bottle.
I went about 5 years ago with the missus. We flew into San Francisco and drove down to San Diego via Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Hearst Castle, Monterry, Carmel (taking Highway One for that leg), Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Big Bear Lake (deliberately missed out LA as we'd been before). Then flew back to San Francisco for the return flight to the UK.
We didn't book anything in advance and just rolled up in each place apart from Vegas, where we booked a couple of days before arriving and stayed in a Deluxe Suite at the MGM Grand for about $69/night (it was midweek).
I'd just work out exactly what you want to see and where you want to go, and see how that fits into the time you have over there. Depending on time you may just want to do either Northern Cali or Southern Cali. Either way its a fantastic place with loads to do...
I went to LA last year and stayed at Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica. Great location for Santa Monica which is very nice indeed. Very good steak house called Boa on the seafront, great food. LA is very spread out, you need a car really to explore a lot of it. Venice Beach was worth avoiding, okay if you want legal highs or rastafarian hats.
As others have said, you really need to plan it out as LA is so big, you cant just hop on a tube or walk it like you can in New York, London, etc.
I really liked LA though, good feel about the place.
Quote: wbacph wrote in post #1Am going LA to visit a friend in not too long, she lives in Newport Beach about an hour south of LA. I haven't been to LA before and am unsure on where to go. Obviously being in cali is great in itself, but I would like to see as much as possible while I'm there. She has a car and we've discussed doing various things, driving to mexico/san diego, maybe even san francisco - but I've already been to San francisco once before and it's quite a drive as far as I can tell. I'd love to go surfing and maybe go on a boat trip down the coast.
Would really appreciate any advice and tips on bars, restaurants, shops, landmarks etc.
cheers
the lowrider music scene that started in LA is well worth checking out if there is anything on while you are there.
its loosely based around downtempo soul group harmony records and old low rider cars.
Cheers for all the advice fellas - truly appreciated. As some of you have said it seems impossible to see all of la and not really sure if we even need to go into town, at the time I think my main priorities are going south down towards san diego etc, see some of the nature and beaches and hopefully go surf. I'm there for ten days so should have time to see a variety if things.
Would also love to see some of the 1950's style-houses and mansions, some of those should be in the hills somewhere I guess
The category of the prosumer commodity does not signify a democratization of the media towards participatory systems, but the total commodification of human creativity
If bored with the driving south from LA, north is always an obtion ;) Said before, but I would also recommend a coastal drive up to SF, and especially a visit to Hearst Castle near San Lois Obispo. That "crazy billionaire made a private museum/ castle in the hills" is California to the core. Made a lasting impression on me at least. Oh, and plenty of great surf up that way too. Good spots at Santa Barbara. Well, whatever you decide, the whole state has a lovely "feeling" to it. Must go back one day ... Have a blast!
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Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:01 pm
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