Things to do in LA for upcoming trip

Mxylplyx

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2007
4,197
101
106
So me and my wife are flying into LA for the BCS national championship game next month. This will be our second time going, the first of which we did alot of the typical touristy stuff (Hollywood Blvd, Santa Monica pier, Tar pits, etc).

What advice could anyone give for the second go around? We're staying in Beverly Hills. I'm thinking hike to the top of Runyon Canyon, and maybe universal studios. I also want some good authentic sushi that's not too terribly expensive, and a chill bar to grab some drinks and not have to fight my way to the bar or yell at my wife so she can hear me. Thanks for any input.
 

SamQuint

Golden Member
Dec 6, 2010
1,155
45
91
You do know that Beverly Hills is not really close to Pasedana right?

If you are going to spend stupid money on a hotel that is not close to the games site at least find one close to the ocean. Beverly Hills is just a pain with all the traffic you have to deal with to get there.
 

Mxylplyx

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2007
4,197
101
106
You do know that Beverly Hills is not really close to Pasedana right?

If you are going to spend stupid money on a hotel that is not close to the games site at least find one close to the ocean. Beverly Hills is just a pain with all the traffic you have to deal with to get there.

I'm not interested in staying close to the stadium. We are there 5 nights. I'm there to experience LA in addition to the game. If I were only interested in the game I'd just save the money and watch it on TV.

Also I found an apartment to rent on airbnb. Only $750 for 5 nights.
 

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
mexican food, vietnamese food, chinese food, taco trucks, dirty dogs, dim sum, pho^, K BBQ in korean town. (sorry, these are nothing you asked for but i think those are good food ;p )
 

SamQuint

Golden Member
Dec 6, 2010
1,155
45
91
I'm not interested in staying close to the stadium. We are there 5 nights. I'm there to experience LA in addition to the game. If I were only interested in the game I'd just save the money and watch it on TV.

Also I found an apartment to rent on airbnb. Only $750 for 5 nights.


There really is nothing great about LA. There are a bunch of cities in Southern California that are better destination spots. San Diego, Santa Barbara, La Jolla, even Ventura and Palm Springs are better locations.

If you want a nice drive go to Santa Barbara. Lots to do there and only a couple hours at the most from down town.

You can go to Exposition Park in downtown LA by the Coliseum. Lots of museums and they just opened the Space Shuttle exhibit at the space museum.

Also go to The Grove/Original Farmer's Market on 3rd and Fairfax. Nice place to spend the day. Shopping, movies, lots of places to eat. This will be very close to Beverly Hills where you will be staying.

Also eat at Pink's. Best chili dog's in Southern California. It is on Melrose and LaBrea.
 

Mxylplyx

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2007
4,197
101
106
Getty villa sounds awesome. I think we'll do that. I'll have to try pinks as well.
 

Chrono

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2001
4,959
0
71
Eat at In n' out. Hit up the beaches. Go snowboarding. Eat some awesome kbbq.
 

dud

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,635
73
91
So me and my wife are flying into LA for the BCS national championship game next month. This will be our second time going, the first of which we did alot of the typical touristy stuff (Hollywood Blvd, Santa Monica pier, Tar pits, etc).

What advice could anyone give for the second go around? We're staying in Beverly Hills. I'm thinking hike to the top of Runyon Canyon, and maybe universal studios. I also want some good authentic sushi that's not too terribly expensive, and a chill bar to grab some drinks and not have to fight my way to the bar or yell at my wife so she can hear me. Thanks for any input.



After 20+ trips to LA ... my one piece of advice would be to stay off the Interstate!
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,320
126
Pinks is very polarizing among locals. Take that comment how you will.
Yes but I happen to Love Hot dogs with all kinds of stuff on them!!

For a one time visit....I think it is worth it!! :)
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,116
10,931
136
take a trip down mulholland highway or angeles crest highway - both very beautiful :)
 

IkebotXP

Member
Apr 19, 2006
25
0
0
Check out Santa Monica as well. The shops and piers are nice to visit once, and it gives you one of the iconic views of the city.
 

Ophir

Golden Member
Mar 29, 2001
1,211
4
81
Huntington library for sure, a hike down to the beach from the bluffs in Palos Verdes, the Getty, a trip to Newport Beach, Griffith Observatory is also fun.

Haven't lived there in 10 years, but we used to love going to the Cat and the Fiddle - a very laid back English Pub. I have I'm sure it's probably overrun by hipsters now, which would be a shame. There were also many fun bars in the Silverlake area.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,418
1,599
126
What advice could anyone give for the second go around? We're staying in Beverly Hills. I'm thinking hike to the top of Runyon Canyon, and maybe universal studios. I also want some good authentic sushi that's not too terribly expensive, and a chill bar to grab some drinks and not have to fight my way to the bar or yell at my wife so she can hear me. Thanks for any input.

Okay here's your serious response:

LA nightlife right now is pretty ridiculous. Depends on what your preferences are; cocktails are very hot. Downtown LA is very hot.

LA eater is actually a great resource for things like this:
http://la.eater.com/archives/2013/04/30/where_to_drink_in_la_right_now_spring_2013.php

Some other oldies (but goodies) - edison, next door lounge, la descarga, harvard & stone. Also depends how much you like hipsters/how you want to dress. Post up a little more about what you're looking for and I can help steer you in the right direction.

Sushi - define "expensive"?

In your neck of the woods, there's kiyokawa, mori, shunji. Kiyokawa has fixed price options and you can probably get out of there for 50-75pp if you don't do omakase. Mori/Shunji are top tier sushi joints and will run you 100-200pp if you do omakase. Mori/Shunji also do a lot of cooked foods, so it's not a 100% sushi experience (unless you want it to be). These are traditional sushi joints - if you want hollywood-esque sushi, Katsuya is probably your place.


If you got a day, I would suggest you park at the Universal Station and get a day pass for the red line ($5). From there, you can go into Hollywood and check out the BS tourist crap. Then, go down to the next exit and hit up thai town - great thai foods/massage/stuff. Down a few more exits @ Alvarado is Langers, the best goddamn pastrami ever. Yes, Langers > Katz by a mile IMO. Then, take it into DTLA and you can check out the resurgence there - LA Live, Grand Central Market/Angels Flight, then back on the red line into Union Station. You can check out Olvera Street/China Town, then off to Little Tokyo. Check out the shops/food there, and the arts district is right by if that's your type of thing. Finally, take the line all the back to your OG destination.

Oh yeah, the line connects to Koreatown too. kbbq, k-nightlife, everything korean. it's crazy.
 

Mxylplyx

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2007
4,197
101
106
Okay here's your serious response:

LA nightlife right now is pretty ridiculous. Depends on what your preferences are; cocktails are very hot. Downtown LA is very hot.

LA eater is actually a great resource for things like this:
http://la.eater.com/archives/2013/04/30/where_to_drink_in_la_right_now_spring_2013.php

Some other oldies (but goodies) - edison, next door lounge, la descarga, harvard & stone. Also depends how much you like hipsters/how you want to dress. Post up a little more about what you're looking for and I can help steer you in the right direction.

Sushi - define "expensive"?

In your neck of the woods, there's kiyokawa, mori, shunji. Kiyokawa has fixed price options and you can probably get out of there for 50-75pp if you don't do omakase. Mori/Shunji are top tier sushi joints and will run you 100-200pp if you do omakase. Mori/Shunji also do a lot of cooked foods, so it's not a 100% sushi experience (unless you want it to be). These are traditional sushi joints - if you want hollywood-esque sushi, Katsuya is probably your place.


If you got a day, I would suggest you park at the Universal Station and get a day pass for the red line ($5). From there, you can go into Hollywood and check out the BS tourist crap. Then, go down to the next exit and hit up thai town - great thai foods/massage/stuff. Down a few more exits @ Alvarado is Langers, the best goddamn pastrami ever. Yes, Langers > Katz by a mile IMO. Then, take it into DTLA and you can check out the resurgence there - LA Live, Grand Central Market/Angels Flight, then back on the red line into Union Station. You can check out Olvera Street/China Town, then off to Little Tokyo. Check out the shops/food there, and the arts district is right by if that's your type of thing. Finally, take the line all the back to your OG destination.

Oh yeah, the line connects to Koreatown too. kbbq, k-nightlife, everything korean. it's crazy.

Very helpful. Thank you