Folks in West LA - Places to stay?

[Grinchy]

Hey - I'm going to be visiting LA over the New Year's weekend for a family reunion and need a place to stay. I don't have much money, so was wondering if you knew of any good places? Even better, could any of you help a fellow AT'er out and let me sleep on your floor? I have a sleeping bag and ground pad from backpacking, and would only require a shower in the morning!

Thanks a bunch. PM me if you have questions or recommendations, or of course reply to this thread.

The reunion is near I-10 on Genessee (in the La Brea/Fairfax area), and I'm trying to get close to that to maximize my time there.

 

[jlee75]

You can find some decent low priced hotels/motels in that area. Just check with Motel6 or Best Western or something. I wonder if anyone would have you sleep on their floor.

 

[pulse8]

Well, La Brea and Fairfax are parallel streets that are very long.

Do you have a cross street that you know of?

 

[Grinchy]

Yeah, I know its a lot to ask of a complete stranger! The best I can do is offer my floor in return if anyone wants to check out Yosemite. I live in about the last bastion of civilization to the park (ok, the closest place one can get a tech job), about 2 hours exactly from being parked and at a trailhead in the valley.

This wouldn't be a problem normally, but I'm driving down and all the house space is reserved for the folks without cars that are flying in from WA state and TN. Its a big deal, as I haven't seen all these people together since Thanksgiving of 1992.

I could get a room, sure, but then I wouldn't have a chance to meet some cool new people, and my spending for the weekend would be reduced by the cost of the room.

I'm not a reprobate or anything!

If you do volunteer - you're invited expenses paid to the Casablanca Bistro on Saturday night. I've been there and it is the closest to the Mediteranean any of us Californians will ever get.

 

[Grinchy]

Sorry, LA is a maze to me. I know that it is about 5 minutes on surface streets from the Fairfax exit on 10 to the reunion location. That is on Genessee. It is another 5 minutes to the Trader Joe's on La Brea from the house. Damn, wish there was room in the house, but I told them I could make arrangements and not to worry about trying to squeeze me in.

You guys (and gals), really are cool.

 

[pulse8]

Well, there aren't really any hotels near there, but you're not *too* far from the airport. There are a lot of hotels around there and they are usually cheaply priced. The only other place that would have a good amount of hotels around there would probably be further north, near Wilshire Blvd. If you want to go even further north, there are some really nice places in Hollywood that aren't too expensive.

Hope this helps!

 

[Harvey]

La Brea Bl. and Genessee Av. are both north-south streets. La Brea is a major boulevard, and Genessee is a small, nearby side street. Farfax Av. is another nearby major n/s street. The I-10 (aka The Santa Monica Freeway) is south of Pico Bl.

You should be able to call the toll free number for any of several the low priced chains (Motel 6, Easy 8, Best Western, etc.) and get some help locating something near the area. Your best bet may be to phone some of your family, there, and ask their help finding a good place.

Hope you have a great time. If you're from a place where it snows in winter, you'll probably enjoy the weather. The California state motto is, "Snow is something you visit."

Here's a side recommendation while you're in L.A. You will find great Mexican food, and the best maragita I have found in North America, at a small restaurant on the east end of Hollywood, called El Chavo. It's on the north side of Sunset Bl., just east of where it crosses Hollywood Bl. (both n/s streets) at Hillhurst.

 

[jlee75]

<< Here's a side recommendation while you're in L.A. You will find great Mexican food, and the best maragita I have found in North America, at a small restaurant on the east end of Hollywood, called El Chavo. It's on the north side of Sunset Bl., just east of where it crosses Hollywood Bl. (both n/s streets) at Hillhurst. >>



And since you'll be in that general area (Miracle Mile) be sure to head to Pinks. Awesome hot dogs for a really low price . I know pretty much where you'll be and it's within 10 minutes local driving to Pinks. Its off of La Brea if I rememeber correctly.

 

[Harvey]

Pink's is a funky hotdog stand on La Brea, north of Melrose Av. It's pretty far north of Pico. If you're into real funky historical L.A. stands, don't miss a chili burger at the original Tommy's at Alvarado and Beverly. Neither of them is "classy" food, but they are legendary spots. OTOH, El Chavo is not your typical Mex taco/ehchilada stand. It's a real sit down restraurant with a more diversified menu and excellent food.

 

[gregshin]

i say you check out Spearmint Rhino

 

[Croton]

I'd let u stay at my house, but i am over 35 miles from LA, and i will be in San Francisco those days for my New Year's plans!

Good luck man!

 

[HamSupLo]

just don't venture too far south of the 10 freeway towards USC.

 

[Grinchy]

Croton, thanks so much! Maybe some other time or way that'll happen. Hope you don't have to face the 6 hour drive to San Fran alone. I'm going to be driving down alone and that is not so much fun. Burn some tunes and drive. But no one to talk to. I was down to rock climb last month and got a ticket on the Grapevine - so be careful.

 

[Croton]

no worries man.

i am going up north w/at least 2 other people.
and i just fixed up my car audio so i am VERy happy...i'm looking to put in DVD in my car just because it's geeky

ning

 

[Grinchy]

Cool. Good that you have road company. I got a new to me car 3 months ago and have been working on the stereo. Part of the reason I'm pseudo-strapped right now! Built a box and my new sub gets here tomorrow (not for boom boom but for fidelity). Looking for some good components for the front to match it. Only problem is the factory head unit is like din 1 2/3, so nothing is going to fill that gaping hole. Kinda would like one of those XM radios, if it had MP3 all the more bonus.

Looking at these components PartsExpress, #265-368 - easily $100 less than anything else, and specs seem good. They'd also match the Platinum sub I got at partsexpress.

Also ordered up a 12" dvc to make a sub 20 hz home subwoofer with - coffee table form factor. Should be sweet. The only problem is that damn MDF dust in my 2 bed apt. Gets everywhere and the cats track it even more everywhere.

 

[Croton]

check out www.sounddomain.com
thats where i get my stuff.

they do a 105% pricematch too

also, i've dealt with www.ikesounds.com or is it www.ikesound.com

call them up, talk to ike, and he may hook u up

also, www.thezeb.com is a good place too - gregshin hooked me up w/that url.

 

[Grinchy]

Croton, will definitely look into those url's before I pull the trigger on the components. My car's a convertible so road noise is just atrocious and something has to be done!

Come on folks - your living room floor is a plush overnight bed for me!

Some PM have asked why I don't just get a hotel. Guess I can explain. It isn't about the money, I'm not wealthy, but I could swing it (of course I'd rather spend the $$$ on memories or objects rather than lodging, but that's an aside), it is about the adventure. Doing things the same old way really got me in a pretty good rut, and I'd like to break out of it sooner rather than later.

The reunion is a known commodity, but who knows what could come from a new friend or friends. I really believe that people don't stretch there comfort zone often enough in the US. It is so different in other countries, the boundaries are completely different, relationships are different - and that is both good and bad.

So this is really about me trying to do something a different way - I thought this forum would be a good place to start - and it has been. I've got some great recommendations are places to eat, and 'met' some new people which is great.

If you need references, I'm sure my two cats will vouch for me

 

[KevinH]

OMG Harvey! Pinks rocks! Those hot dogs are SOOOOOOOOO good.

BTW, I didn't know that Tommy's was the original. Man I love hanging out around Melrose/Hollywood area.

 

[jlee75]

<< OMG Harvey! Pinks rocks! Those hot dogs are SOOOOOOOOO good.

BTW, I didn't know that Tommy's was the original. Man I love hanging out around Melrose/Hollywood area. >>


Damn.... all this talk about pinks makes me wanna go out there..... But i'll go for Tommy's anyday! Chili cheese fries.... you can see the grease congeal on top!

 

[Grinchy]

Okay Okay, Pinks and El Chavo are must eats.

Floors? Any Floors?

I'll give this one more day and then let it die in peace and get a motel.

 

[apoppin]

If you are just looking for "adventure", hang around Santa Monica Blvd in WLA. If you are young and male, you will likely find "adventure" and a place to stay.



But maybe not the adventure you are looking for.

I hate to be the party-spoiler, but you are asking a lot of strangers. Even though we are "cyber-family", it is a very unusual request . . . and not altogether "safe".


If you have the money, a hotel is the logical choice.

 

[Gimpy]

There are a couple of youth hostels in the santa monica/venice area that are pretty nice. The santa monica youth hostel is located on 2nd street and appears to be very nice and clean. I work in the area, so i see a lot of nice looking euro babes coming out from there. the hostel in venice is a little bit older, but in an artsy part of town so it isnt that bad. you should try to look up some info on both of these places. I dont know their names, but im sure that there is some sort of youth hostel registry out there.

hope that helps.

 

[Grinchy]

Hostels are a good idea, and perhaps the 'adventure' I'm looking for. Wonder what kind of party will be going on there Monday night dec 31?

Good point, we're all safe behind the keyboards basking in the glow of our crt's, which makes real world encounters mostly superfulous and certainly dangerous. I've actually never had any problems with strange people/strangers, so perhaps am a bit nieve. I tend to think other people are decent 'WASexP's like me, and forget about the lurkers, stranglers, and other bad elements that pervade our society and take advantage of, well, me.

I spent my youth in a small church social structure, where it was common for members of groups that were visiting the church or in the area to stay at church member's (my) house, so am pretty used to having the unknown bunk on 'my' floor. Guess that thinking kinda carried over. I'd contact the local church of that denomination, but don't want anything to do with them - not even to take advantage of their hospitality. Of course those people weren't potential security risks like I guess I am, being a stranger to all of you. Of course the only security risk to me is that damn Hot Deals! forum.