Los Angeles tips?

[Archetype]

I've been considering a 10-14 day getaway in the upcoming weeks, and the west, coast, particularly Los Angeles, has been really grabbing my interest. I really want a change of scenery from my small Pennsylvania town. I've been to Russia, England, Finland, Estonia and the United Arab Emirates, but I've never made it west of the Mississippi River here in the states That's the appeal for the west coast now.

I know some of you are from the west coast area. Could you give me any tips or recommendations? Particularly places to seek out and places to avoid in Los Angeles (hotel location, etc.) Is it a city worth visiting and spending that much time in?

I was also considering Seattle, but flights and hotels seem a lot more expensive, and vacancy seems to be pretty rare. Is there a big event going on there soon or something?

Is there anywhere on the west coast that would be a better visit than Los Angeles?

[Liam]

West coast = Liberal hippie douchebags.

[The Sushi Hunter]

San Diego is the best, in LA you can pretty much see what needs to be seen tourist wise in 3 or 4 days. If at all possible I'd try hitting Grand Canyon if the Gov is open by then, it's truly something to behold. LA is just a big ass place with way too many cars and is way overrated IMHO. Santa Monica is cool and a quick drive up the PCH to Malibu is fun. At the Malibu Supermarket, forget the name right now, we saw Mrs. Cunningham from Happy Days and Wojo from Barney Miller. We were told that was the best place to possibly see some stars. Supposedly we just missed Ozzie and Sharon that day. Rodeo Drive is cool, and cruising Sunset is even cooler but like I said, a few days is enough as the traffic is horrendous, especially when they close a street for filming which apparently happens all the time. Btw, I never got on the Freeways there, stayed on Sunset, Wilshire, Hollywood Blvd etc for the most part, only took the 5 when it was time to head down to San Diego, which was the best part of our trip except for the stop at Grand Canyon on the way out there. Oh yeah, we took the Amtrak from Cincy out there and flew back from SD. What a trip, I think we took 12 days and we saw a lot of stuff, including Pikes Peak which was visible out the train window on a beautiful clear morning.

Agree. San Diego is way better than LA IMO.

[slucero]

fuck L.A., if you want to people-watch go to Vegas.. cheaper and the women are wearing less.

I'd go to the Grand Canyon, then go to Yosemite... Then go to Carmel, and Monterey (hit up Cannery Row), and the Monterey Aquarium.. Then Head to San Francisco, spend the nite, have some great food. Then Fly to Seattle, check out the EMP Museum. Maybe go to Vancouver too..

[Memorex]

fuck L.A., if you want to people-watch go to Vegas.. cheaper and the women are wearing less.

I'd go to the Grand Canyon, then go to Yosemite... Then go to Carmel, and Monterey (hit up Cannery Row), and the Monterey Aquarium.. Then Head to San Francisco, spend the nite, have some great food. Then Fly to Seattle, check out the EMP Museum. Maybe go to Vancouver too..

I am from So Cal and I totally agree with this. Stay north if you want to have relaxing enjoyment. Go to LA if you want to stare at shit that is only interesting if you fantasize about the movie world. There are some cool things around there, but is it worth dealing with the insane volume of people? All the things Fact mentioned are cool and possibly everyone should experience that once, but since you have been to all those other places, So Cal will likely leave you feeling empty afterward.

I always loved going north.

[verslibre]

West coast = Liberal hippie douchebags.

Fuck you, Tejano!

San Diego is the best

I can't agree more. The whole of San Diego is a fantastic place, and the traffic can get thick in places, but it's never as bad as L.A.

If you go to San Diego, you have to go to the Gas Lamp Quarter / Downtown, Little Italy, Point Loma, Coronado, Pacific Beach, La Jolla...pretty much everywhere EXCEPT east of La Mesa (El Cajon is too much like L.A., with the most crime, and it looks shitty) and south of Chula Vista. Everywhere else is great, especially Harbor Blvd. all along the harbor (a lot of area to cover) and the weather just rocks.

[verslibre]

Went to the Hard Rock at Beverly Center in our rental car. I stepped outside for a smoke and was chating with a cabbie. I asked the guy the best way to drive to the Hollywood sign on the hill and the fuckhead would not tell me. Seriously, he wanted $10 bucks to give me directions, told him to piss up a rope. I thought he was kidding at first....nope.

NEVER ask a cabbie for directions. They think they're on the clock.

[Memorex]

the Gas Lamp Quarter.

Wow. I just had a flashback. Though it's fuzzy.

[verslibre]

That Point Loma night print is awesome. I just might order it!

[DrFU]

FF, you need to credit Ben Franklin for your sig ...


LA' and San Diego are not that far apart; in 10 days you can easily do both.

[Archetype]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions everyone. Still haven't arranged anything, but I'll be taking it all into consideration.