L.A. for 5 days. What not to miss?
September 6, 2011 4:18 PM Subscribe
I'm going to Los Angeles for 5 days. What should I do there?
Going to LA tomorrow until the following Monday afternoon. Planning on doing a day or two by myself (likely Friday and Saturday; I will be visiting friends otherwise). What's something fun to do on my own?
I will have a rental car and am not opposed to driving a couple hours out of the city. I love hiking and nature stuff (like hot springs) way more than going to bars, tourist attractions, and such.
Thanks!
Going to LA tomorrow until the following Monday afternoon. Planning on doing a day or two by myself (likely Friday and Saturday; I will be visiting friends otherwise). What's something fun to do on my own?
I will have a rental car and am not opposed to driving a couple hours out of the city. I love hiking and nature stuff (like hot springs) way more than going to bars, tourist attractions, and such.
Thanks!
You could go hiking in Topanga, or check out some of the events happening in the canyon.
You could go to the Getty and check out their badass gardens and architecture!
You could go to the Botanical Gardens at The Huntington! (That's my personal fave).
You could also check out Ojai, that's not too far of a drive and I think there are hot springs there... Ojai is really beautiful! I think it's closer than palm springs, but I can't say for sure.
posted by pazazygeek at 4:36 PM on September 6, 2011
You could go to the Getty and check out their badass gardens and architecture!
You could go to the Botanical Gardens at The Huntington! (That's my personal fave).
You could also check out Ojai, that's not too far of a drive and I think there are hot springs there... Ojai is really beautiful! I think it's closer than palm springs, but I can't say for sure.
posted by pazazygeek at 4:36 PM on September 6, 2011
As pazazygeek suggests, Topanga Canyon (take a look at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum) and the Huntington gardens are great choices. (If you do go to the Huntington gardens, be sure to visit the museums...)
For more flowers, the Exposition Park Rose Garden, or maybe the Arboretum.
If you like horses and don't mind a drive, there's the W. K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at CalPoly Pomona.
posted by thomas j wise at 4:46 PM on September 6, 2011
For more flowers, the Exposition Park Rose Garden, or maybe the Arboretum.
If you like horses and don't mind a drive, there's the W. K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at CalPoly Pomona.
posted by thomas j wise at 4:46 PM on September 6, 2011
Vasquez Rocks Park, the nature stuff that's also a tourist attraction. Home of the Sci-Fi Rocks. You know which ones I'm talking about.
Also the Huntington Gardens.
Too bad you're going to miss the Euchre meetup later this month...
posted by infinitewindow at 5:03 PM on September 6, 2011
Also the Huntington Gardens.
Too bad you're going to miss the Euchre meetup later this month...
posted by infinitewindow at 5:03 PM on September 6, 2011
Rim of the World Highway is a spectacular drive, and hiking opportunities in San Bernadino National Forest abound.
posted by drlith at 5:06 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by drlith at 5:06 PM on September 6, 2011
Stay in town and take advantage of one of North America's largest urban parks, Griffith Park. My personal favorite is hiking the Ferndell trail to Griffith Observatory, where you can catch a planetarium show or just see the city from a great vantage point. Then hike back down the way you came and stop off for a bite at the delightful Trails Cafe.
More about hiking Griffith Park in general.
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:16 PM on September 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
More about hiking Griffith Park in general.
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:16 PM on September 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Seconding Vasquez Rocks. The scenery is amazing, and after you visit you'll see them on TV every two seconds and then can say, "Hey, I've been there!"
posted by something something at 5:43 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by something something at 5:43 PM on September 6, 2011
Unless you really want the hot springs (and it's gonna be plenty hot out there as it is), then you really don't need to drive that far for some sweet hiking.
For really short drives (ie still in the city), the aforementioned Griffith Park is pretty great for day hikes of a variety of lengths. I like to do a longer one where I start on trails near the Greek Theater, wrapping around the valley side of the park (passing through the old zoo) and then climbing again towards Mt Hollywood before ending back near the Greek. All sorts of changes in elevation. Look at a map and figure out how much of a hike you want.
A shorter but still interesting route is the Portola trail in Elysian Park.
The rainforest trail in Franklin Canyon is also lovely.
I'll also put a plug in for this ~7 mile public stairway walk someone I know is leading this Saturday from Vermont/Santa Monica red line station. Seeing the city this way is all kinds of fun.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 5:51 PM on September 6, 2011
For really short drives (ie still in the city), the aforementioned Griffith Park is pretty great for day hikes of a variety of lengths. I like to do a longer one where I start on trails near the Greek Theater, wrapping around the valley side of the park (passing through the old zoo) and then climbing again towards Mt Hollywood before ending back near the Greek. All sorts of changes in elevation. Look at a map and figure out how much of a hike you want.
A shorter but still interesting route is the Portola trail in Elysian Park.
The rainforest trail in Franklin Canyon is also lovely.
I'll also put a plug in for this ~7 mile public stairway walk someone I know is leading this Saturday from Vermont/Santa Monica red line station. Seeing the city this way is all kinds of fun.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 5:51 PM on September 6, 2011
One thing to consider is that it's going to be very hot (90-100+) over the next few days and the coolest place will be on the coast. There are miles and miles of bike path that will take you from The Palisades all the way down to Redondo, and if you can't borrow a bike there are places you can rent them all along the way. (The Santa Monica/Venice portion is also something you'll see on tv or in movies all the time.)
posted by Room 641-A at 6:27 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Room 641-A at 6:27 PM on September 6, 2011
Richard Simmons teaches a Saturday morning aerobics class in Beverly Hills.
It costs $12, and it will change your life.
posted by roger ackroyd at 6:37 PM on September 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
It costs $12, and it will change your life.
posted by roger ackroyd at 6:37 PM on September 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
Drive west on the 10, the Santa Monica freeway until it ends, then follow California 1 up the coast, past Malibu, to Sycamore Canyon, and either hike up to the left, which will give you a killer view of the ocean, or go up the canyon itself on the fire road.
On the way, you will pass Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and then the surf spots Secos (Leo Carrillo State Beach) and Ventura County Line (featured in a Beach Boys lyric).
You can eat at Neptune's Net on the way back, which is in itself a popular destination.
As a bonus, download the Decemberists California One and have it on as you drive up the mentioned highway.
(It is not mentioned in any tourist guidebooks as of yet, but Sycamore Canyon is the site of many a youthful Danf acid and peyote trip. . .there could be a commenmorative plaque one day, though.)
posted by Danf at 6:50 PM on September 6, 2011
On the way, you will pass Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and then the surf spots Secos (Leo Carrillo State Beach) and Ventura County Line (featured in a Beach Boys lyric).
You can eat at Neptune's Net on the way back, which is in itself a popular destination.
As a bonus, download the Decemberists California One and have it on as you drive up the mentioned highway.
(It is not mentioned in any tourist guidebooks as of yet, but Sycamore Canyon is the site of many a youthful Danf acid and peyote trip. . .there could be a commenmorative plaque one day, though.)
posted by Danf at 6:50 PM on September 6, 2011
Yeah, it's supposed to be crazy hot (triple digits) this week, so I'm not sure how enjoyable say, Vasquez Rocks may be, though normally I'd recommend it.
If you want something unique, not touristy, but cooler (indoors) consider the Museum of Jurassic Technology. It's really weird, like being in a real life game of Myst and the cursed video from The Ring at once. It has weird days/hours though, so check that first. I've been maybe four times, it's cool if you like unnerving and strange things.
posted by Nattie at 8:39 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you want something unique, not touristy, but cooler (indoors) consider the Museum of Jurassic Technology. It's really weird, like being in a real life game of Myst and the cursed video from The Ring at once. It has weird days/hours though, so check that first. I've been maybe four times, it's cool if you like unnerving and strange things.
posted by Nattie at 8:39 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't know how you could go wrong with the Natural History Museum's new Dino Hall. It opened in July and boasts T-rex fossils at three different stages of growth, the only collection in the world!
Also, the Hollywood Bowl is winding down its season, and that means fireworks. See Tchaikovsky with Fireworks this weekend! Park your rental car at one of their lots and take the shuttle up. It's a spectacular time and the weather is ideal for an evening outside. If it gets too hot during the day, check out the rock pools up in Malibu for a great day hike. Be prepared for crowds on the weekends.
Eat well!
posted by therewolf at 9:06 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, the Hollywood Bowl is winding down its season, and that means fireworks. See Tchaikovsky with Fireworks this weekend! Park your rental car at one of their lots and take the shuttle up. It's a spectacular time and the weather is ideal for an evening outside. If it gets too hot during the day, check out the rock pools up in Malibu for a great day hike. Be prepared for crowds on the weekends.
Eat well!
posted by therewolf at 9:06 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I think there is a pretty bad ass fire burning out by Vasquez Rocks right now. Check that before you go.
posted by SLC Mom at 10:34 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by SLC Mom at 10:34 PM on September 6, 2011
My hairstylist was showing me pics of her Richard Simmons workout experience and it looked quite memorable.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 6:49 AM on September 7, 2011
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 6:49 AM on September 7, 2011
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Coachella Valley Preserve
Whitewater Preserve
Cabots Pueblo Museum
Palm Springs Indian Canyons
posted by buggzzee23 at 4:30 PM on September 6, 2011