LAX - What to do?

[Decker]

Mrs D and I will have a long weekend in LA at the beginning of May on our way to a conference in LAS via AKL so we can either head straight over to LAS or hang around LA. We're thinking Universal as we've done the Mouse before now. Any recommendations for things to do and places to stay welcomed!

Long Beach, and the Queen Mary!!!

And don't forget the great beaches in Orange County!

Hotels, I'd look to the Renaissance Hollywood, next to Grauman's Chinese Theatre, for a change from Beverly Hills staples. This is a more staid and formulaic option, in a way, though rooms have a nice fifties decor. If you want the rock'n'roll hollywood experience, go for the Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood, across the road. A year or two ago its pool bar was quite the scene.

The area's Hollywood tacky - pretty much where Richard Gere picks up Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, though it is much nicer now than it was 20 years ago. It is also very convenient for going to Universal Studios. Note that the latter is decidedly smaller scale compared to the whole Disney hoopla in Anaheim.

Or you could try Le Merigot in Santa Monica - nice, right on the ocean. In Beverly Hills, you could try the Raffles L'Ermitage or The Peninsula Beverly Hills.

If you are into restaurants, and Italian food, go for Mozza.

On a nice day, i love walking around Venice Beach and the canals.

I also really recommend a trip to the Getty Museum complex right by the UCLA campus - even if you don't set foot in any of the exhibits. It's a pretty stunning building, and the views of the area are unparalleled, especially if by some freak accident you actually stumble upon a smog-free day.

Six Flags Magic Mountain [^]

SFMM is great for scary rides, if you do Universal I highly recommend doing one of the VIP tours, it's not too costly, you great treated like a (cliche alert) star, and you don't have to line up for anything.

[Decker]

Booked VIP thanks MM - now we have to wait for the tix to arrive before we can book anything else. Juliet - done the QM couple of years back . Tinks - deffo tho' I'll be riding alone - Mrs D isn't big on roller coasters . MM thanks for the suggestions - anodyne as it is I might just do the Hilton Universal - think that'll requalify me Diamond until May 2010. Mozza looks lovely - Osteria presumably?

Originally posted by Decker
Booked VIP thanks MM - now we have to wait for the tix to arrive before we can book anything else. Juliet - done the QM couple of years back . Tinks - deffo tho' I'll be riding alone - Mrs D isn't big on roller coasters . MM thanks for the suggestions - anodyne as it is I might just do the Hilton Universal - think that'll requalify me Diamond until May 2010. Mozza looks lovely - Osteria presumably?

Might I be terribly rude and ask how much the VIP tours are as DL the Elder has expressed a desire to 'do ' Universal but hates the whole queueing malarky (cites old age, but will happily go on the scariest of rides once at the front of the line in the regular parks we've taken her too[:D]). VIP tour might be the answer to my problems.

[Decker]

They do a line jumper ticket for about $99 but the VIP is $199 pp. Sounds great though :>

Visit some open houses in Hollywood Hills for an entertaining few hours on a weekend to check out what a couple of million buys you - sadly not much at all! And if the smog isn't too bad, The Standard on Sunset (not far from House of Blues and Chateau Marmont) has great views of the city and is worth a visit just to see the real live human in a glass box installation behind the reception!

For restaurants, some personal favourites:

The Little Door - on 3rd Street, nice vibe and people and an open air dining room (note no liquor, wine only and a good list)

Koi - wonderfully mouth melting sushi

Dolce - Italian on Melrose, very nice

La Dolce Vita on Santa Monica Blvd - for a bit of old Hollywood

Cut at the Regent Beverly Wilshire is supposed to be one in current fashion / rage - not been yet and will try it in early May

Places really disliked include Mastros - hideously noisy and full of tourists (!!!), and the steak didn't live up to expectation plus bookings are all a mess so lots of waiting at the bar. Spago is good, but again once you get over the noise and busy-ness of it, also the dining room is large and there are nice areas and not so nice areas to eat.

I see you arrive on the 9th, shame, the no. 1 and I will be resident at the Peninsula from the 4th till the 8th. We are also doing the Universal VIP tour so will send any useful tips.

Also agree with others about the Getty centre - the new one not the original (which is a nice drive up the coast but unless you like statues very disappointing on arrival). The new centre itself is amazing and does have great exhibits, especially photography and as mentioned grat views!

Other things not mentioned: I like motoring up to Malibu for lunch by the sea (the Chart House), going up to Hearst Castle (which is a day trip at the very least, so maybe better saved should you ever drive from SF down to LA), Rodeo Drive is a pleasant walk but the Grove is better really for shopping, also like people watching and walking in Venice Beach area ... and yes, open houses are a real fun way to spend a few hours, cruise around Beverly Hills and just drop in!

Dupar's at the Fairfax Farmer's Market is where I used to read the footy news every Sunday morning.

You're quite right about The Little Door. Superb.

Also Locanda Veneta on 3rd and Dan Tana's on Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood.

Pink's on La Brea if it's 2am.

GJ

If you feel like using shank's pony to get around for a while Santa Monica is worth a visit. Easy to get to / from Venice Beach and that area's colourful beach front life.

Paul

glad my advice was of use. I've stayed at the Hilton Universal City, very nice it is too (and features in Season 2 of Curb Your Enthusiasm if you're a big Larry David fan!) Lovely little pool area and a 3 minute walk from the gates to the park and Universal City which has some decent shops and restaurants... you're also not far from the freeway but it's not too loud.

I echo the comments on the Getty Museum, also advice a visit to the LA farmers market for some good food shopping, bit of star spotting and unique gift finding. The Grove is also a rather cool spot. If you're really into movies or tv you might want to do a 'real' studio tour at Warner or Sony, the Universal Tour is part of a visit to the theme park and really good fun, but these ones are more in depth. Go see the dodgers play or if you're in Anaheim for Disney or Knotts at any point see the Angels, their stadium is much better imho.

Finally if you go to Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia the near by town is really rather lovely, especially for shopping, google hollywood hills dog park, and go explore near it with a car, you'll find you get very VERY close to the Hollywood sign. It's always worth checking if you like theatre what shows are on at the Pantages, they normally have some good stuff, I saw The Producers there... oh and if you love Entourage (the tv show) get the book and you can see all the cool places they drink, eat and shop at, then you can go visit them.. it's very good for restaurant picks.

Have fun

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by Decker
They do a line jumper ticket for about $99 but the VIP is $199 pp. Sounds great though :>

VIP does look good - they didn't have any of those when Sarah and I last visited in Dec 2005. We did buy the Front of Line Pass at $99 though, which worked a charm as the parks were very busy given it was close to New Year. I seem to remember that there was an offer with AmEx too that it came with a free 1 year pass to the park for use the next year, not that we got round to using them.

There were a few bits about hotels in that area in the Christmas Vipond Trip planning thread

Quite a few FHR propertieskicking around too [:)]

Originally posted by mediamonkey
It's always worth checking if you like theatre what shows are on at the Pantages, they normally have some good stuff, I saw The Producers there...

Saw the Producers there too!! [^] Wicked was still playing there when I drove past it a few weeks ago

We did VIP at US a few years ago. It was a really good day out and well worth the money. Make sure you get you pictures taken with all the actors you meet for all the rides as this will serve as a good memory jogger in a few years time.

Our favorite hotel in LA is Le Merigot in Santa Monica but for this trip we stayed in a suite on the top floor of the Hilton Universal which also added to the glitz. It's also just a short walk from City Walk so you can enjoy the nightlife there and walk home.

Miopyk [8D]

[ChuckC]

Decker,
Well, I have to put a recommendation in for anything in Santa Monica. The city has lots to offer and is close to everything. Lived there 20 years ago and really enjoyed the 'beachy' atmosphere. Of course, now it has become expensive and crowded (isn't everywhere?), but it's still a great place to visit.

I will be in Palm Springs the weekend of 5/10, so if Mrs. D. and you would like to motor down for the day (about a 2-hr drive from LAX) I'll show you around and we'll grab dinner at Johannes, a well regarded bistro.

Chuck-

[Decker]

Sounds fun Chuck, thanks! Let me see how the weekend pans out - we can't plan anything until we see when we can book the Universal stuff

See you are just up the road from me at the moment.We were in LA last month we stopped at the Hotel Bel Air and I have to say it was fabulous.We also had a couple of days at the Beverly Hilton which was also very good just 10 minutes walk to Rodeo Drive.There is a VIP tour of Warner Brothers studios which maybe of interest as this was where the street locations in Blade Runner were filmed.For something a little different I would highly recommend Scott Michaels tour, he is a great bloke.

Originally posted by Decker
Mozza looks lovely - Osteria presumably?

Foodie pizza tacked on to more traditional restaurants is pretty popular these days. You'd do pretty well either way. Not to mention with many of the other places mentioned; do love the farmer's market on Fairfax too, less overbearing than the Ferry Plaza in SF, as much as I love that place.

If clubbing is your thing Decker why not head over to Les Deux in Hollywood. If your lucky you may even get yourself on the MTV show The Hills!!! [:w]

I had some friends who did this, they didn't get on the show but did get to celeb spot and said it was a pretty cool evening.

I think I would be lured by the thought of seeing/meeting Audrina Partridge![;)]

The very best place for celebrity spotting is the bar at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills on Friday or Saturday between 6pm and 10pm. Many people have spotted me there then.

I saw Theda Bara there once.

GJ