L.A. May 7th - 9th

May 3, 2005 10:54 PM

Hail Mefites! My buddy and I - on our way to Buenos Aires - have a layover in Los Angeles from May 7th (this Saturday) to the 9th. Neither of us has ever been before. We need a CHEAP PLACE TO STAY! Any reccomendations? (+ any advice on quirky must-see L.A. shit?) Thanks!
posted by punkbitch to Travel & Transportation around Los Angeles, CA (14 answers total)

Venice Beach

The Museum of Jurassic Technology

posted by euphorb at 11:06 PM on May 3, 2005

...on our way to Buenos Aires.

My heart aches in jealousy. I love that place and those people.
posted by Witty at 5:31 PM on May 4, 2005

What counts as "cheap"? Under $100? Under $50?

I heartily second the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Weirdest place in LA, and that's saying something.

Farmer's Market at 3rd and Fairfax is worth a visit, and if ~$100 a night is in your price range, you can stay across the street at the legendary Farmer's Daughter Hotel, discussed previously in an AskMe thread (which I can't track down for some reason right now).

Amoeba Records is one of the greatest record stores on the planet.
posted by scody at 5:47 PM on May 4, 2005

I second Venice Beach; it was my favorite place to go when I lived in L.A. And if you stay at the Farmer's Daughter, Farmer's Market is pretty cool as well.
posted by Doohickie at 5:57 PM on May 4, 2005

You should go see Watts Towers – I’m not by any means an anti-tourism snob (for example I always take out-of-town visitors to see Hollywood Boulevard, it’s great) but the Towers are mind-boggling, totally sublime, and unfortunately neglected. If you’re a carnivore and you want one of the best cheap meals in town – better than most of the fancy ones, in fact -- go to Versailles and order the garlic chicken (there’s one branch at the corner of Pico/La Cienega and another one, a little bit west of there, on Venice Blvd.).
posted by sophieblue at 6:25 PM on May 4, 2005

(neglected as a visitors' destination, that is ...)
posted by sophieblue at 6:30 PM on May 4, 2005

I came in here to insist you go to the Museum of Jurassic Technology but I was beaten to it. Ignore the website - it doesn't do the place justice at all.
posted by CunningLinguist at 6:47 PM on May 4, 2005

You could play an all-night poker session at the Hustler cardroom which is a free stay (or less if you play poker) and I guarantee you'd sleep like a baby on the upcoming flight.
posted by foraneagle2 at 7:12 PM on May 4, 2005

Venice Beach Hostel (directions from LAX)
posted by schyler523 at 8:11 PM on May 4, 2005

Seconding, thirding, and millioning both the Museum of Jurassic Technology and The Watts Towers -- two one-of-a-kind, only-in-LA experiences. Really amazing stuff.

Also, do not miss the fish tacos at Siete Mares on Sunset at Descanso in/near Echo Park. Excellent cheap eats.
posted by Dr. Wu at 9:43 PM on May 4, 2005

You should also maybe check out the Getty Museum, it's free ($5 to park a car), and the view is pretty nice...here's a metro trip planner to help get around by bus, if you'd like.
posted by schyler523 at 11:45 PM on May 4, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks Mefites! This is the exact sort of info we wanted. . .

Does anybody know anything about homemade slurpees (slurpista?) at a beach next to Venice Beach???
posted by punkbitch at 1:13 AM on May 5, 2005

You can get a smoothie in Venice at JJ Chill which Britney Spears bought for her dad.

Now, let me be serious. Eating in Venice, I highly recommend Mao's Kitchen for some of the best Chinese food in town. Also caters to Vegan to Carnivore diners. Mao's also lets you bring in your own booze, I even sat next to a group of Russians once who brought in their own bottle of Vodka. If you bring beer or wine, they give you an opener and tea cups to pour in.
posted by jonah at 8:05 AM on May 5, 2005

*double thumbs up to mao's kitchen*
posted by schyler523 at 12:26 PM on May 5, 2005