LA for the afternoon

[zanzibar138]

Hi there

We now have most of our trip planned, except for the last day. We have just booked flights from Vegas to LA at about 10:30am, and our flight back to Australia leaves LA at about 11pm. My question is, what can we do for the afternoon? We won't have a car, so everything will need to be walking/easy public transport. We will also have our suitcases, which I expect to be very full and heavy by the end of our trip! Any suggestions greatly appreciated

Lana

 

[Tigger girl]

I would not suggest walking anywhere around LAX, not a good area, not even the public transportation. Might be a good idea to rent a car and go to a tourist area in LA, there are so many that would be a close drive.

 

[GrandBob]

Where are you going to be the night before that? Disneyland? If so, you have plenty of time for a nearly full day at DL, leaving around 7PM to catch a shuttle or taxi for LAX. You could leave your luggage at the hotel you've just checked out from.

-Bob

 

[zanzibar138]

Is it easy to drive around LA? I'm not good in cities at the best of times (I won't even drive in Melbourne), let alone having to drive on the wrong side of the road

Bob we'll be coming into LAX from Vegas, so I don't think there'll be time for any more Disney

 

[woody73]

. . . We have just booked flights from Vegas to LA at about 10:30am, and our flight back to Australia leaves LA at about 11pm. My question is, what can we do for the afternoon?

I live in L.A.

If I had a 12-hour layover at LAX, I would store my luggage then go to Manhattan Beach. There are shops and restaurants, and even a small aquarium on the pier that's worth a visit.

Depending on how many are in my party, I would either take a taxi or the Ocean Express trolley service (hop on/hop off for $5). Schedule and Route Map. Over the years, I've seen the trolley many times, as recently as last Sunday. (Since I can walk to Manhattan Beach from home, I do not need the trolley). That day we had lunch at Pasta Pomodoro -- terrific Italian food on Manhattan Beach Blvd, just a few blocks from the pier.

There are luggage storage places near LAX. Because I have not used or seen them, I will not name them. You can find them by doing a Google search for "left luggage at LAX"

Woody

 

[OTVSP]

You'll have roughly 8 hours to kill so I would take Woody's advice and go to the beach areas of Manhattan, Redondo and Hermosa OR take a taxi to Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier for the afternoon. The wildlife is more exotic in Venice.

 

[zanzibar138]

Thanks for all the suggestions - getting some good ideas Will definitely have to check out the luggage storage options!

 

[woody73]

. . . OR take a taxi to Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier for the afternoon. The wildlife is more exotic in Venice.

LOL! When we take out-of-town guests to Venice, I tell them it's where Skid Row meets the sea.

Woody

 

[mecllap]

Is it easy to drive around LA? I'm not good in cities at the best of times (I won't even drive in Melbourne), let alone having to drive on the wrong side of the road

Bob we'll be coming into LAX from Vegas, so I don't think there'll be time for any more Disney

No, it is not "easy" -- especially if you're not good/comfortable at/with city driving. L.A. is huge and spread out -- it takes a long time to get from one place to another. It is very common for the traffic to get clogged up in jams, even at times other than commute times. If you're good with maps, or have a good GPS, it's not hard to find your way, but there's a complicated multi-freeway system (4-6 lanes each side) that can be intimidating. Sometimes it's better to use surface streets -- the grid system is pretty good (if you have good maps). Once you get the hang of it, it can be okay, but allow yourself plenty of time.

 

[zanzibar138]

We have decided thus far... We will definitely NOT be hiring a car. We don't need the headaches of traffic, getting lost, and trying to negotiate ridiculously large freeways on the last day of our holiday lol!

We checked out luggage storage and that is very expensive - aside from the $7 storage fee for each item, there's a $5 pick up fee and separate drop off fee for each item! That makes storing our 2 suitcases and 2 carry on bags nearly $70!

So, as crazy as it might sound, the logical explanation seems to be to book a hotel room for that night. I found a hotel for around the same price as luggage storage (lol!) which also includes a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. As an added bonus, Nick and I will be able to have a nap or freshen up before we head back to the airport.

We still haven't decided what we're going to do for the afternoon, but Nick is keen on a museum. And I'm keen on at least seeing the Hollywood sign or something iconic, even if it's just from the car. Any suggestions? We'll probably just take a taxi wherever we decide to go from the hotel.

 

[lcasa]

The Hollywood sign isn't that close to LAX. The Getty museum is about 14 miles north of the airport - straight shot on the 405. It's beautiful and offers great views of LA - http://www.getty.edu/visit/
You'd want the Getty Center, not the Villa I'd think.

How are you getting to the aiport hotel from DL without a car?

 

[zanzibar138]

Yeah I thought about Getty, or maybe the Natural History Museum? That looks like its got a few interesting exhibits.

We're not coming from DL - we'll be flying from Vegas that morning into LAX. The only part of our trip we're hiring a car for is the drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon and back. I'm hoping once we're out of Vegas it will be a straight forward country drive!

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

Absolutely do the Getty Centre if you are umming and aahing. It's FREE (always a bonus), and you can spend 1 hour or 5 hours there and still not see it all.
Hands down the best "underutilised" tourist attraction in LA.

 

[woody73]

The Getty Center would be a very good choice.

Woody

 

[Tanzanite]

Have you asked at hotel some can arrange bus tour to different places Santa Monica lots nice restraunts walk on the pier we love taking bike rides Santa Monica to Venice nice ride.