Ok. I couldn't find a thread for this, even searching, but I figured this thread would help everyone else going to Los Angeles. I am going to Los Angeles for Christmas to visit my friend's extended fam, and I was wondering what L.A. was like? Sure, I might get a lot of jokes on this, but I'm serious. What restaurants should I hit up? What places should I go see? I'm not going anywhere near Skid Row, so don't suggest it. Let me know with some knowledgable input.

Oh yeah, I'm only going to be there for four days if anyone is wondering how long I'm staying.

12/4/2006 12:58:51 PM

BRING MONEY.

12/4/2006 1:06:28 PM

By that first response, I'm guessing L.A. is mad expensive.

12/4/2006 1:18:30 PM

its not THAT expensive if you are going to be there for 4 days
depending on what days you are going to be there, you should try to get on the tonight show
tickets are free but you need to be there pretty early to get a ticket

IMO, LA is over rated.....its very crowded and busy
busy, busy, busy
expect to see traffic jams all day and night if you plan to drive on the highways, esp. I-5

12/4/2006 1:27:11 PM

LA is a huge place. If your visiting firends and family, ask them what's good. Given that they actually live in LA, their opinions are going to be more relevant.

12/4/2006 1:29:16 PM

In and Out burger dude!

and no most things in LA are not that much more expensive than things around here if at all

granted i stayed with a friend and had access to a car, but that aside, food clothing ect are not more expensive and i was even surprised gas prices werent that much higher, but that was back in MAy of this year

[Edited on December 4, 2006 at 2:09 PM. Reason : ]

12/4/2006 2:08:43 PM

LA isn't really a fun place to visit if you don't know where you're going.

12/4/2006 3:47:27 PM

I hear if you head south from the center of the city it's a nice place this time of year.

12/4/2006 3:52:35 PM

what kinds of things are you looking to do? there's just about every kind of restraunt you can imagine, from the very affordable to the insanely expensive. all types too, and i've noticed there's always a ton of tourists there, no matter what time of year you go. i've been to six flags out there in the desert twice, that place is awsome if you like rollercoasters and such. some of the best in the country. also, you can take tours of the universal studios lot, paramount lot, and warner brothers lot. about 10 years ago or so, i got to go on the set of Friends and even ran into keenan ivory wayans (remember him?). anyways, to sum up, tons to do but be prepared to sit in A LOT OF TRAFFIC!!!

12/4/2006 4:19:54 PM

IT WOULDN'T BE LA WITHOUT MEXICANS

12/4/2006 4:33:14 PM

Head out to the coast - the city of LA is meh.

And if you don't eat at In-and-Out at least twice in 4 days you're wasting the trip...unless you substitute Fatburger for one of those.

12/4/2006 4:35:47 PM

i ate at an in-and-out burger in vegas and wasn't impressed

12/4/2006 5:05:35 PM

Well, I want to at least go to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles before I head back here. That's one thing. Um, I wanted to go to an NBA game out there, but all of the CA teams (Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Warriors) are on the road at that time. The Walk of Fame or the Playboy Mansion would also be fun to go to. I know I won't be able to go inside the Mansion, but to actually see it would be cool.

12/4/2006 5:06:12 PM

I hear a lot of celebrities hang out in Los Angeles

12/4/2006 5:07:22 PM

^^i agree that in-and-out is overrated. it was good...i'd eat it again, but for all the hype it gets i was expecting better.

and i agree with whoever said travel south and hit up the beaches. newport beach, huntington beach, and laguna beach are all awesome and about an hour south of LA (this time can vary greatly with traffic and your position in the city). but you should take a day to hit up those beaches.

santa monica and the third street promenade are worth a visit as well.

12/4/2006 6:04:32 PM

the kings and warriors are nowhere near LA...

the beaches in orange county are nice (newport, laguna, etc) but i wouldn't bother going all the way down there if you're only in LA for a few days (traffic can be a nightmare, seriously), if you do you should just keep on going to san diego... and stay there -- just go to santa monica instead

and in-n-out is not overrated, but LA is

12/5/2006 2:54:05 AM

san diego was my favorite part of Cali that i went to
we went to anaheim, la, studio city to meet my2cents, sylmar, San Bernindo, temecula and san diego

12/5/2006 9:25:00 AM

^ i agree, san diego is amazing. my grandparents used to live there and i always had a great time spending time with them out there.

12/5/2006 11:53:31 AM

^ cool, where do they live, i'll hit 'em up

12/5/2006 12:00:13 PM

San Diego is incredibly nice. I wouldn't want to live there because I prefer seasons and cold weather but for those who like year round beautiful weather it's great. I also love how people group everything in CA together. The Warriors and Kings are as close to LA as Raleigh is to Philadelphia and New York City respectively..

I personally didn't like LA or Orange County. My sister lived in Orange, CA and now lives in LA city and hates it. I mean there is plenty of stuff to do and see but everything is so fucking spread out that it takes 3-4 hours to get from place to place..

[Edited on December 5, 2006 at 12:25 PM. Reason : mass transit is non-existent for the most part too..]

12/5/2006 12:23:32 PM

^^ unfortunately my grandfather died and my grandmother moved to Florida to live near my uncle (her son) and his wife...

12/5/2006 3:18:44 PM

I found out that we're going to East L.A., and I just found out that my cousin is living in North Hollywood. If that helps on anything about this trip that I'm going on, there you go.

12/5/2006 3:50:22 PM

Universal Studios is in Hollywood. Go there, not only are there cool attractions but also good shopping if you're looking for gifts. The Hard Rock Cafe is also located in the same area as Universal Studios.

12/5/2006 4:02:38 PM

Go to San Bernadino and say hi to the wonderful Manion family, some of my favorite people ever.

But serioulsy, the Valley isn't so bad.

LA sucks otherwise.

12/5/2006 4:06:06 PM

There is really nothing in North Hollywood except the small part called the NoHo Arts District on Lankershim. Universal Studios is located in Universal City which is between Hollywood, Studio City and North Hollywood. Yes a lot of celebrities hang out in Los Angeles because they live in Los angeles. When I get home from work I'll post some things to do in LA along with some addresses to things like the Playboy Mansion, which by the way all you will be able to see is the front gate.

12/7/2006 7:30:08 PM

For some good food, check out Rainbows Bar & Grill
9015 W Sunset Blvd

but be prepared to pay out the ass

damn that steak was great

I went for the first time in Oct...being able to get around with someone who lived there helped A LOT...

12/7/2006 7:35:43 PM

^ just curious, what does "out the ass" mean

12/7/2006 9:21:57 PM

when I went to LA, i expected a lot more.

Also, I had it in my head that beverly hills and hollywood would be nice.

but the entire fucking city looks like Capital Boulevard, but with more exotic cars.

12/7/2006 9:25:26 PM

wow that sounds crappy, if i went to the other side of US only to see capital Blvd. i'd be pissed
did you see any celebrities?

12/7/2006 9:39:57 PM

If you want to check out the walk of fame, it's on Hollywood Blvd. It starts at Hollywood and La Brea and goes East from there and ends at the Pantages Theatre. Right Before the Pantages the stars continue down on Vine for about 2 blocks and North on Vine one block where the Capitol Records building is. Also on Holywood and Highland (h&h)is where you'll find the Kodak Theatre (oscars are held there), The El Capitan Theatre (it's a disney movie theatre and I'm pretty sure where the Kimmel Show is taped, if it's not there, it's next door.), next to the Kodak you'll find the Grauman's Chinese Theatre (where the hand & foot prints are), there is a great little Happy Hour near the h&h intersection. The place is called The Snow White Cafe, they have a little patio on the walk of fame and between 2 and 7 every day you can get two 34oz drafts for $10.

Hollywood Blvd, Sunset Blvd, Santa Monica Blvd, Melrose Blvd run parallel to one another in that order from North To South.

The Sunset Strip (you'll find the Rainbow, House of Blues, whiskey, viper room, the roxy and others in the strip.) is located on Sunset starting around Sunset and crescent heights and it heads West towards Beverly Hills, Bell Air, UCLA, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and Sunset Blvd. Runs into the PCH highway 1 at the Ocean. It's probably about 18 miles from Hollywood to the beach on Sunset.

If you turn South and head down the PCH there from Sunset you'll run into Santa Monica and Venice Beach, followed by Marina Del Rey, Manhatten, and Redondo Beaches. If you head North on the PCH at sunset you'll end up in Malibu.

The Playboy Mansion is off of Sunset at 10236 Charing Cross Road.

I suggest picking up a free LA Weekly when you get out here to find out about any music shows, sketch comedy, plays or anything else like that.

If you are guy and don't get Tom Leykis on the radio or never heard of him, I say you should listen to his show when you are out here. It's on 97.1FM m-f 3-8.

If there is anything you need to know, go ahead and ask, I may be able to help you.

12/7/2006 9:41:00 PM

I remember reading that skid row is undergoing heavy renewal.

12/7/2006 9:44:51 PM

Quote :

"did you see any celebrities?"

We ate at some posh cafe and there was a dude parked right outside sitting in a DB7. Some tourist looking women at another table were pointing at him and talking so i assume he was someone famous, but I'm bad at identifying celebrities. Jerry Seinfeld could be in front of me at a store and i'd be like, why's this fucking jew taking so long?

12/7/2006 10:13:46 PM

Well, my trip is tomorrow, and I just wanted to see if anybody has any last minute advice before I head on out there? I'm watching the colors that I wear too, just in case.

I might be taking a one-day trip to Vegas while I'm there. Not sure, but it'll be cool. Anyway, let me know if I have any more things to think about.

12/21/2006 2:58:40 PM

be sure to look up Tremain Hall

12/21/2006 3:09:45 PM

i'm glad you specified CA or else we might have thought you meant Los Ángeles, Chile

12/21/2006 4:17:51 PM

if you have access while you are out here and have any questions let me know. I live in Hollywood.

12/21/2006 6:06:40 PM

Definitely have Sushi at Miagis- you can eat rolls off naked women.

Party at The Garden of Eden, and Forbidden City in Hollywood. Hyde is nice if you can get in, i'd suggest being there around 6:00, or making a reservation for a table.

Go to Culver City and try Tito's Tacos, and Johnnie's Pastrami.

After late night drinking you MUST check out Canters- it is the best bagle place EVER! Jerry's also!

If you need any other ideas I have a million and one. I used to live there.

The Grove Center, The Beverly Center, and Santa Monica are IT for shopping. Venice Beach has awesome head shops and little skeezy places that can be fun.

Visit the Getty, the art changes constantly, and I LOVE IT!

[Edited on December 21, 2006 at 6:24 PM. Reason : More]

12/21/2006 6:23:35 PM

Unless you go to the regular touristy spots it's not really that expensive of a city (ok and like Hollywood restaurants for celebs..). So Cal is filled with immigrants who know how to cook authentic food and they sell it cheap. Entertainmentwise I guess your hosts will give you a tour of the city themselves. I can't say too much for LA itself but i grew up in so cal so I guess my fave place that we used to take people when they visited were Santa Monica Peer and this place called Fisherman's Wharf (ok, lol, I have no idea where it is, somewhere north of LA I think. It's not the one in San Fran though). Oh, and eat In N Out.. it kicks Cook Out ass.

12/22/2006 1:20:56 AM