OT-LAX Strategy?

[.snow.white.]

Hi all,

Cross post from DL board. Hoping for some advice on a 4+ hour layover at LAX. I was thinking that I might be able to take the kiddos on a quick LA adventure, ride into Hollywood just to see the HOLLYWOOD sign or drive down Sunset, even if it means McDonald's in the back of a car. We are willing to rent a car or hire a driver, it's just been so long since I've been to LA I can't remember if it's possible timewise.

Any other suggestions more than welcome.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[safetymom]

You would only have about 2 hours to do something. You need to allow time to get through security at LAX.

 

[barkley]

You would only have about 2 hours to do something. You need to allow time to get through security at LAX.

that would be my concern as well.

figure you need to allow at least an hour to get through security, and if you are going to rent a car, another 30 minutes minimum at the car rental desk (even if you prearrange the rental and do as much as possible over the phone it's rare that it does'nt take that long), then returning the rental and getting back to the airport from the rental drop off site), so that's about 2 hours right off the top.

also, don't forget to factor in what time you have to be at the actual gate for loading. it seems like every flight we've taken recently has had us boarding at least 20 minutes prior to departure.

 

[MoniqueU]

While it sounds like a good idea it really isn't. That two hours you are likely to have can be spent in traffic the likes of which most people have never seen. Security lines at LAX in most terminals are tedious. Not as bad as Ft. Lauderdale or Newark but pretty bad. Just getting a car and getting on the freeway will take awhile. As a native I guess I am blaze about the whole thing but the sign and especially sunset BLVD aren't really much to see either IMHO. When I have out of town guests that ask to go to LA I explain to them that it isn't NYC and we don't have the whole downtown effect other big cities do. I hate to be a debbie downer but even with more time i don't think I would do it.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I highly doubt you would have time to do that even if you happened to be lucky enough to be in LA when there wasn't ANY traffic (and that never happens except maybe super early Sunday mornings). LA traffic is as bad as DC traffic - it takes hours to go just a few miles - and if you don't know where you are going then simply missing an exit can take you an extra hour to get back to where you need to go.

LA is also very spread out so the areas you are wanting to go aren't necessarily close to or easily accessible from the airport.

If you have an international flight then they recommend being at the airport 2 hours before your flight so if you leave security then you have to go back through all of the process to get back in with security all over again.

Have fun on your trip but I wouldn't risk missing your connection.

 

[dis-happy]

LA traffic is as bad as DC traffic

No way, DC traffic is worse!!!

At least in LA they build multi-lane freeways to handle the traffic and have lights on the on-ramps to disperse the traffic. And stoplights on streets that are synchronized. I"ll take LA over DC/NoVA any day.

 

[DebbieB]

Traffic each way could be 60 to 90 minutes, LAX is south of Downtown LA, Hollywood is north. I wouldn't risk not getting back in time for your next flight.

 

[disfan07]

No way, DC traffic is worse!!!

At least in LA they build multi-lane freeways to handle the traffic and have lights on the on-ramps to disperse the traffic. And stoplights on streets that are synchronized. I"ll take LA over DC/NoVA any day.

OT: I completely disagree. I lived in NoVa/DC for 20 years and now I live in SoCal. It took me 3 hours to get about 45 miles last thursday

I have to drive from Irvine CA to Beverly Hills every friday. Always takes at least 1 1/2 hours to get 45 miles. It used to take me the same amount of time to get form Herndon to Baltimore (Johns Hopkins hospital) and that was 60 miles.

Personally, I would take driving 495 adn 95 over the 5 and 405 anyday. But it also doesnt help that they are currently doing a ridiculous amount of construction right now.

OP: i wouldnt do it.While 4 hours sounds liek a lot of time, you have to go back through security adn at LAX that is very unpredicatble. I have been through security in 15 minutes and other times it has taken a hour to get through security. You really dont have enough time.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

How about going to "The Encounter" Restaurant instead? It's right there at the airport. We just went through there last weekend (flew to LA and drove to Yosemite). I agree with other posters that 4 hours may seem like a lot, but it isn't! Consider that the flight times are "departure" and "landing" not when you get to the gate and get off the plane. Our experience was that while our flight landed at 10:30, we didn't get off the plane until closer to 11 And, while our flight left at 12:30, we were boarded at 12:10.

So, while you may think you have 4 hours on the ground, you really have about 3 hours and 20 minutes. When you take into account going out and then coming back through security, you only have 2 hours total -- at most!

Also, if you rented a car or driver and there was a traffic jam and you missed your flight, what would you do then? Bear in mind, you would likely have to pay full cost for your flight from LA to your final destination.

BTW, it took us 35 minutes to get from an airport hotel on W. Century to Terminal 3 on Monday via hotel shuttle. Yes, traffic was that bad!

K

 

[diznygirl]

I definitely would not recommend a trip to Hollywood. But there is an In n Out Burger close to the airport.....

 

[goodeats]

Hollywood would not really work, or be worth it even it was possible. What about going down to the beach and having lunch on the pier? Manhattan Beach is a lovely little town. Hermosa is a little more 'rustic', but is beautiful too.

They are both less than 30 minutes from the airport on sidestreets (no freeway traffic).

 

[amyren]

I had an epic 13 hour layover at LAX in June when I flew from Atlanta to Australia. There is a free shuttle that runs from the airport to a major hotel... (I think it is a Hilton) that is right off Venice beach. When we checked in for our flight the ticket agent told us about it BUT since we were traveling with approximately 80 high schoolers we passed. Instead I wandered around, ate at Chilis and took a nap. IF you stay at the airport the international terminal has a big food court and several shops!