"Must See's" in LA

[ErieBear]

Hey Guys,

 

Next week, I'll be in Los Angeles and will have 2 free days to site-see. Any suggestions on things to see? I'm thinking of doing the Paramount Studio tour one day, but it looks like it's only 2 hours. Any other suggestions?

[bootdad]

So much to see . . . So little time !!!

 

Since the late 70's I have been to LA and the surrounding suburbs more than 50 times (probably work related about 2/3 of the time - but always took an extra day or 2 even when on business to do something interesting) the only significant challenge with LA is everything is SOOOOOOOO spread out and I do mean spread out ... which makes it much more of a challenge to explore than San Fran, Chicago, South Beach, New York, Boston, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, London, Paris or Berlin, Barcelona or Rome - anyway I think you get my drift. Now my problem is everything interests me - but I am quite ADD that way ... as for LA - determine what blows your skirt up / the touristy white trash things, the gay bits and bobs, the art community, galleries, photography, (LA is North America's leader in contemporary collections) beach community, great retail both shopping centres and street front, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, the antique and design markets, the list is really enormous. Truly the best thing to do is rent a vehicle as it is virtually impossible to get around any other way, make a plan of attack based on interests and plan a methodical itinerary using mapquest or any similar app - realize that your not seeing any city at it's best in January as it is typically a huge month of transition for retail, shopping centers and galleries and they gear up for spring - ENJOY !!! Also - use this an opportunity to fall in love with a very interesting city, realize you can't see everything in a couple of days and give yourself a compelling reason to visit again in a year or two !!!

[+ azdr0710]

history is my bag....do you have any interest in that, Erie?....

[bootdad]

I am history or at least it feels that way as I approach 60 ... you start feeling ageism is most definitely setting in ... even though I still feel and act 20 years younger (that is the reason we keep telling the client that 60 is the new 40) I notice that the world is progressively more youthcentric and that has little to do with being gay !!!

[+ Charlie]

If you like museums, go to LACMA, or the Getty (very hard to get to at the moment because of road work), or the Peterson Auto Museum on Wilshire. For architecture, the Schindler Studio House in Hollywood was a recent eye-opener for me (I hadn't realized how much of the detail on my own house in Palm Springs came from Schindler's ideas), or the Hollyhock House (Frank Lloyd Wright). For shopping, the Grove, or Third Street in Santa Monica. For celebrity graves, the small Westwood Memorial Park is free and easy to walk around, but street parking is hard to find. On a nice day, the Santa Monica Pier can be amusing, or for peace and quiet on a weekday, go to Malibu. For sex, well.....

[+ deej]

Since I moved to the LA area I've come to appreciate January as my favorite time of year. We've generally had enough rain that everything has greened up a bit and most of the tourists have gone home. But the weather can vary a lot. For tomorrow's Rose Bowl parade and game, the temperature will likely be in the mid-80s and there won't be a cloud in the sky. It could easily be dark, cold, and rainy. The current 10-day forecast calls for chilly and some partly cloudy days. (Note: chilly in LA means highs under 70 degrees.)

 

It would help to know your interests. If you're not into art it wouldn't do you any good to recommend LACMA or the Getty Center.

[+ azdr0710]

this may not be of interest to you, but an escort I met with a year ago recommended this place....I have no religious beliefs, but it was a nice spot to relax amid the LA hustle and was a contrast to the multi-million dollar homes in Pacific Palisades....it's just a half-mile or less east of the PCH on Sunset.....go to the lake area of the complex and walk around it....all free.....directions are within the site....

 

http://www.lakeshrine.org/

[ErieBear]

I definitely have a bent towards history. Not so much into art or architecture. It's one of those things that I can appreciate in others, just don't have it in myself. I know that Wicked is in town, and was thinking of seeing that. Just not sure what else. I'm a big guy, so the beaches aren't really my thing either.

[+ purplekow]

For me, the best part of being in LA is leaving. Head in any direction and it is, for me, more interesting. That includes heading west.

[robberbaron4u]

My "routine" at Los Angeles also includes a Sunday morning drive along the coast road to Geofffrey's at Malibu for "brunch"; be certain to arrive at the restaurant to get a table on the terrace overlooking the ocean. On occasion, Kyle Gibson "at the wheel" is an additional delight.

[Epigonos]

I was born in Los Angeles and have spent most of my life in the area. A previous poster made the VERY valid point that if you want to see several different places you MUST have a car. Assuming that you have one here is my list.

 

Huntington Library & Gardens/San Marino – Some wonderful original documents pertaining to U.S. History. The gardens are magnificent although a bit bleak this time of year.

 

The Getty Villa/Santa Monica – If you are more interested in history that art this is a wonderful place to visit. It was built as a copy to Hadrian’s Villa and houses the Getty’s collection of antiquities. You will need to call before visiting to make parking reservations.

 

Descanso Gardens/La Canada-Flindridge – Wonderful collections particularly of immense camellia trees, also a great water garden.

 

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)/Los Angeles – If you visit only one art museum this is the one to visit; actually one of the best in the country. If you visit make sure to see its collection of pre-Columbian Mexican Art; the best outside of Mexico.

 

Philippes Restaurant/Downtown L.A. – Supposedly the place where the French Dip sandwich was visited. This place is a Los Angeles institution. It is fun and costs about $8.00 to $10.00 for a sandwich, potato/macaroni salad and a drink. Coffee costs $.10 a cup NO REFILLS.

 

Pink’s Ho Dog Stand/L.A. – Another Los Angeles eating institution – great if you like hot dogs. You line up on the street and there is a small side room with lawn tables and chairs if you want to eat there. The walls of the room is covered with the signed photographs of celebrities who have and many still do eat there

 

Disney Hall & Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of the Angels/Downtown L.A. – Both buildings are by world famous architects and are interesting.

 

These should keep you going for a while. Have fun and enjoy!!!!!

[jackboy48]

A Hokey Day Trip

 

I have only been to LA for conventions and have never wanted to have the adventure of renting a car and driving about in a city so famous for their crazy traffic. Instead, I have taken some very "hokey" bus tours, including a day trip to Disneyland. I also took a tour with an "on and off" bus where you have a pass and get off at various sites like Grauman's Chinese Theater, hang out with a guidebook (Lonely Planet) and walk around, then get back on the next bus to another site. You could just stay on the bus for a narrated tour of the city or get off and on as much as you want. I know this kind of thing would freak some people out, but I had a wonderful time, went window shopping on Rodeo Drive, had lunch at The Ivy, saw some movie star homes and hangouts, checked out the walk of fame and some really cheesy shops that sold iconic movie star photos, etc. Some routes included the studios, some of the museums and the observatory. I think the hotel put me on a shuttle bus to the tour bus depot. At night I went out to the Abbey and felt very comfortable, totally enjoyed the eye candy. I'm sure an LA production of Wicked would be great.

[EZEtoGRU]

I agree with the comments on going to the Getty. Just the location is facinating......and that is before viewing any of the artwork. I also echo someone elses comment about visiting cemeteries for celebrity graves. I did the grave tour one day with a friend of mine from SoCal and we spent half a day visiting various cemeteries with endless celebrity graves. Quite facinating. One star after the other.

 

To all the suggestions, I would only add that getting a drink in the bar of the restored Millenium Biltmore downtown is a treat. Lovely hotel bar in a historic building. Wear nice slacks and black leather shoes. We went for a drink and ended up staying for 3 drinks and having a light dinner right in the bar. We loved it that much.

[GoodFella69]

Eric,

Consider skipping the usual tourist destinations and set your sights on Kristian, Donny or AJ instead! I guarantee you'll want to return to LA for another taste ASAP. Hope you have a fun trip.

 

Goodfella

[Rod Hagen]

My "routine" at Los Angeles also includes a Sunday morning drive along the coast road to Geofffrey's at Malibu for "brunch"; be certain to arrive at the restaurant to get a table on the terrace overlooking the ocean. On occasion, Kyle Gibson "at the wheel" is an additional delight.

 

The good news is you don't have to suffer the notoriously horrid food at Geoffrey's ever again; walking distance south of the Malibu pier and the Adamson house, David Geffen's hotel is RIGHT on the ocean and has spectacular views. The ocean is literally beneath your feet, and the food is quite good, not gourmet, but good. Are the waiters DG's castoffs? You decide. Have fun.

[Decatur Guy]

I've only been to L.A. once and only for five days, but my favorites were the Getty Museum and just walking all around Santa Monica.

[zeferrelli]

since u like history; i would also recommend some of the old cemeteries such as Hollywood Forever