LA area trip... help

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vegetation

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
4,270
2
0
Originally posted by: Ophir
Originally posted by: amnesiac
Originally posted by: Ophir

If I were visiting for 3 days (w/o kids) I would stay 2 days on the westside, and one in downtown.


Why?

All the attractions can be reached within 1 hour of driving regardless of where in LA you're staying.
I live as far as possible from any major tourist attraction (Palos Verdes Peninsula) and it takes 35 minutes downtown, 45 minutes to Irvine, 40 minutes to Anaheim, 35 minutes to Santa Monica, and an hour to the Valley.

If they stay on the Westside their farthest drive might be about 1 hour to get to Orange County, but that's about it. 30 minutes to downtown, 40 to Universal Studios (less if no traffic), etc.
All those numbers are not accounting for traffic. PV is far away, but it's just about equally far from everything. Driving from Santa Monica to Pasadena can be a serious pain in the ass if there's any traffic.

Read: Leave early, come back late.

Also, if you live there, you know the routes and which to avoid/take, what times to avoid, minimize time in the car. A tourist doesn't have a clue, because if they did, they wouldn't be asking where to stay.


 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
Originally posted by: Ophir
Originally posted by: amnesiac
Originally posted by: Ophir

If I were visiting for 3 days (w/o kids) I would stay 2 days on the westside, and one in downtown.


Why?

All the attractions can be reached within 1 hour of driving regardless of where in LA you're staying.
I live as far as possible from any major tourist attraction (Palos Verdes Peninsula) and it takes 35 minutes downtown, 45 minutes to Irvine, 40 minutes to Anaheim, 35 minutes to Santa Monica, and an hour to the Valley.

If they stay on the Westside their farthest drive might be about 1 hour to get to Orange County, but that's about it. 30 minutes to downtown, 40 to Universal Studios (less if no traffic), etc.
All those numbers are not accounting for traffic. PV is far away, but it's just about equally far from everything. Driving from Santa Monica to Pasadena can be a serious pain in the ass if there's any traffic.

Read: Leave early, come back late.

Actually, it DOES include traffic. I'm just assuming they're not going to blunder onto the 405 at 5pm or something stupid.
I drive to woodland hills every monday morning from PV. I commuted from Torrance to Downtown every day for six months. Commuted from Downtown to Buena Park for another six. Probably a total of 160,000 miles driven on LA streets in the past 8 years. I know my way around.
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
Ok here's what to avoid or factor into your travel times:

AM: (7-9AM)
405 North anywhere south of the 10 (after that it frees right up)
101 North
10 East
110 North
105 West
105 East

PM: (3-5PM)
405 South
10 East
105 East

PM: (5-7PM)
110 South
405 South
10 West
91 East
105 East

I'm pretty sure those are the major ones.
 

Ophir

Golden Member
Mar 29, 2001
1,211
4
81
Originally posted by: amnesiac
Originally posted by: Ophir
Originally posted by: amnesiac
Originally posted by: Ophir

If I were visiting for 3 days (w/o kids) I would stay 2 days on the westside, and one in downtown.


Why?

All the attractions can be reached within 1 hour of driving regardless of where in LA you're staying.
I live as far as possible from any major tourist attraction (Palos Verdes Peninsula) and it takes 35 minutes downtown, 45 minutes to Irvine, 40 minutes to Anaheim, 35 minutes to Santa Monica, and an hour to the Valley.

If they stay on the Westside their farthest drive might be about 1 hour to get to Orange County, but that's about it. 30 minutes to downtown, 40 to Universal Studios (less if no traffic), etc.
All those numbers are not accounting for traffic. PV is far away, but it's just about equally far from everything. Driving from Santa Monica to Pasadena can be a serious pain in the ass if there's any traffic.

Read: Leave early, come back late.

Actually, it DOES include traffic. I'm just assuming they're not going to blunder onto the 405 at 5pm or something stupid.
I drive to woodland hills every monday morning from PV. I commuted from Torrance to Downtown every day for six months. Commuted from Downtown to Buena Park for another six. Probably a total of 160,000 miles driven on LA streets in the past 8 years. I know my way around.
That was my point exactly. This guy will not be a seasoned LA driver, such as you or me. We know all the nooks and crannies, and all the shortcuts. I've delt with many a complaint from drivers (even LA drivers) who are completely awestruck by the complexity of the freeway system - and end up getting lost or frustrated.

Also, outsiders don't know that they're not supposed to, for any reason, hit the 405, 101, 110, or 5 freeways at anytime close to rush hour. Traffic gets pretty bad during the day, even on weekends. That's why I suggested something a bit closer to his destinations, aside from the fact that the Downtown hotels are very nice.

If you want to stay on the westside and see anything in OC or in the San Gabriel Valley, leave early, come back late. Even on weekends

 

all168

Senior member
May 16, 2001
500
0
0
If you want the safest place to stay, consider simi valley and irvine, both are about 1 hour from downtown without any traffic jam.
 

kermalou

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2001
6,237
0
0
Originally posted by: all168
If you want the safest place to stay, consider simi valley and irvine, both are about 1 hour from downtown without any traffic jam.

this guy said he wants to come to LA not die of boredom, please do not ever recommend to anyone those two cities.

it all depends on how much you want to spend.....

for your safest bet to be close to everything, try the Renaissance(sp?) that is next to the Highland and Hollywood Project.

it is smack dab in the middle of the city.
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
Originally posted by: all168
If you want the safest place to stay, consider simi valley and irvine, both are about 1 hour from downtown without any traffic jam.

Wonderful. Have him stay in the absolute dullest area of Orange County. Also, the 405 is ONE BIG traffic jam. I don't know what you're thinking.
 

Harvey

Administrator<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
35,059
73
91
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
I have heard that Compton is nice.
Sure, if you like an area where a good part of the city government is under indictment for wrongdoing in office. :disgust:

Tell me you were j/k. ;)
 

kermalou

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2001
6,237
0
0
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
I have heard that Compton is nice.

especially the corner of Florence and Normandie, lots of sights there..........


(anybody remember Reginald Denny)
 

DainBramaged

Lifer
Jun 19, 2003
23,454
41
91
Originally posted by: Harvey
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
I have heard that Compton is nice.
Sure, if you like an area where a good part of the city government is under indictment for wrongdoing in office. :disgust:

Tell me you were j/k. ;)

Yes I was kidding. I was thinking Eazy-E's type of nice.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Damn ... and it's just... "take the train everywhere" for NYC tourists...

I think we'll have to settled somewhere in Beverly Hills and roam from there. Another member in the past mentioned a nicer Chinatown in Monterey Park(?) or was it something else with an "M" ? I know the old folks with me will want to check it out...

Thanks for all your suggestions so far... I'll have to sit down with a compiled list... or something.
 

bolido2000

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
3,720
1
0
Originally posted by: rh71
Damn ... and it's just... "take the train everywhere" for NYC tourists...

I think we'll have to settled somewhere in Beverly Hills and roam from there. Another member in the past mentioned a nicer Chinatown in Monterey Park(?) or was it something else with an "M" ? I know the old folks with me will want to check it out...

Thanks for all your suggestions so far... I'll have to sit down with a compiled list... or something.

Chinatown is friggin ghetto and I've known a lot of Asians who have been jumped there.
Nicer chinese communities are in San Gabriel Valley. The cities are
Monterrey Park, San Gabriel, Alhambra: To get there take the 10 freeway and any of the exits between Atlantic blvd to Rosemead will take you to those cities. The main streets that run parallel to the 10 freeway (east-west) are Garvey (south of 10) and Valley (north of 10). I like the plazas on Valley blvd more. There is a big shopping center on Valley and Del Mar. To get there take the Del Mar exit on the 10. There is a REALLY famouse taiwanese restaurant that opened in Arcadia (north of Monterrey Park) called "Tin tai fong" (mandarin). I think you take the Baldwin exit and keep going north (not very sure on this one). If you are looking at a map these cities are between the 710 and 605 freeways.


Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights: Take the 60 freeway and take any exit between Azusa and Nogales ( or Fullerton). The main street were everything is at is Colima, which is south of the 60 freeway. these cities are between 605 and 57 freeway. They are much closer to the 57 freeway but you can get an idea. Also there is huge azz Fry's right on 605 and 60 Freeways. I believe the exit is Barranca Parkway. Is right by the exit. Can't miss!! :)



Hope that helps