Will I love L.A.?

October 26, 2006 12:51 PM

I am going to be in Los Angeles from mid-day November 6 thru mid-day November 10th for a conference. Since I've never been there before, what should I make an effort to see in my spare time after 5pm? Also, should I rent a car or rely on public transportation (cabs)?

I am going to be in the Millennium Biltmore (downtown). I will be on my own after 5pm each day, and I would like to squeeze in as much as I can. I would hate to come back to Atlanta and have someone say "You mean you went to L.A. and you don't go/do/see such-and-such??"

posted by tadellin to travel & transportation (21 comments total)

The J. P. Getty museum, if you have any interest in art.
posted by allelopath at 12:55 PM on October 26, 2006

Rent a car.

3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica.
posted by clh at 1:01 PM on October 26, 2006

the MOCA is downtown, check it out. maybe catch a concert at the Disney Hall, it's downtown too.

farther from your hotel -- check out the Strip and Rodeo Drive, or simply drive around Beverly Hills, it's a touristy thing to do but it's fun the first time you visit

you like music? check out Amoeba

there are a lot of great movie theatres, the Arclight is right next to Amoeba

and yes, I'd try to rent a car
posted by matteo at 1:04 PM on October 26, 2006

more museums: the LACMA is awesome, and if you like photography there are plenty of excellent galleries, Fahey/Klein, Paul Kopeikin, there's a lot of them

anche check out the subway, it's crazy
posted by matteo at 1:08 PM on October 26, 2006

Tadellin, where are you from? It might help in recommending interesting places. I wouldn't go see a place just because people expect it of you. Go somewhere you want to go.

I've had friends from Taiwan and China who came to visit. One of their must-see places was Pinks Hot Dogs. Go figure, but I guess I'm just a jaded-LA native.

It might not be possible for you to see the Getty since it closes on the weekdays at 6pm.
posted by Cog at 1:14 PM on October 26, 2006

Rent a car.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is a must-see. It's open Thursdays until 8 pm, so you could go on the 9th.

When I travel, I like to go to places that are unlike anything I might see in another town. The MJT is definitely unlike anything you will ever see in another town.
posted by jesourie at 1:20 PM on October 26, 2006

Stop by an In-n-Out and order a 4 by 4.
posted by jaimev at 1:37 PM on October 26, 2006

Second the Museum of Jurassic Technology, and suggest the Watts Towers.

There are a bunch of similar AskMe threads. Here's one about seeing LA without a car.
posted by rajbot at 2:00 PM on October 26, 2006

Go and see some improv. Longform, not the stuff they do on Whose Line Is It Anyway. It will blow your mind.

iO West does shows seven nights a week, and they have free shows all night on Wednesday nights starting at 8pm. Full bar too.

Oh, and I'll chime in with the "rent a car" crowd. Just be prepared for (possible) vehicular assholery. And stay off the 405 if you can help it.

Otherwise, have fun!
posted by Shecky at 2:00 PM on October 26, 2006

Yes, you really need to rent a car. Cabs are not readily available in all parts of the city and they can get pricey quickly because the city is so vast. Buses/metro are complex and ineffecient.

For dinner, I highly recommend Angelini Osteria and The Lobster.

For safer night time touristy things, I recommend: Universal City Walk which is part of Universal Studios or The Grove which is attached to the historic Farmer's Market.

You may also enjoy a drive down Sunset Boulevard which begins at PCH and takes you through Hollywood.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is rapidly becoming a Los Angeles hallmark.

And speaking of hallmarks, you may want to check out the very cool theme restaurant/cocktail lounge at LAX: Elements.
posted by GIRLesq at 2:02 PM on October 26, 2006

yeah, gotta rent a car.

one frustrating thing about living in L.A. is that it's such a great city to live in, but most tourists tend to go away with a bad impression. For instance, steer clear of the Hollywood and Highland area at all costs- its an absolutely appalling tourist trap. And the Walk of Fame is stars embedded in a dirty and often urine-soaked sidewalk- really nothing to "see" at all.

if you're looking for something a little more "authentic" than the Citywalk type of thing, check out Melrose Ave. or the Los Feliz/Sunset Junction area.

And I know you said you weren't free during the day, but if you can somehow find the time, why not drop by the beach at David Geffen's house?
posted by drjimmy11 at 2:14 PM on October 26, 2006

Oh, and mainstream comedy clubs here are a circle of hell. Someone mentioned IO above, I have mixed feelings due to personal experiences there. But that or UCB (upright citizens brigade) theatre is a good option for hcomedy sans 2-overpriced-drink minimum and reasons why black folks aredfiferent from white folks.
posted by drjimmy11 at 2:17 PM on October 26, 2006

Definitely rent a car. Cabs are very expensive and not easily available to flag down off the street.

Seconding the Getty Center (which is open until 9pm on Fridays) and Amoeba for music. Almost next door to Amoeba is the Arclight theater, which is a great place to watch movies - prices are higher than regular theaters, but the crowd is more respectful (no screaming kids, talking teenagers, ringing cellphones) and you can grab a bite at the bar before or after too.

If you go back to Atlanta and someone is shocked you didn't go to Hollywood to see the Chinese Theater and the walk of fame, don't worry about it. As DrJimmy11 says, its a hellhole there. Not worth the trip.
posted by Joh at 4:15 PM on October 26, 2006

I'm going to preface this with the assertion that I'm not that hip. Given that, here are my suggestions:

Rent a car but know that you don't have to use it every day. You're staying at the Biltmore so the Pershing Squre Metro stop is just across the street from you. However, everyone is right that having a car in LA gives you FREEDOM. Braveheart style Freedom.

From the Metro you can do the following:
Take the Redline to Hollywood and Vine. The Henry Fonda Theater is one block east of the Metro and Joan Jett is in concert with the Eagles of Death Metal on Tuesday the 7th. Great place to see a show. Rawk!

Take the Redline to Wilshire and Western to see The Petshop Boys at the Wiltern. Another great venue. A bit bigger than the Fonda but quite like the Fox theater in Hotlanta (i've been told). They play two nights, the 8th and the 9th.

Take the Redline to Union Station and transfer to the Goldline. The Goldline will take you to Old Town Pasadena (Holly St. exit) with bars and food.

You can drive to any of the above but remember you have to find parking. Pasadena won't be a problem but Hollywood and Miracle Mile can try your patience if you don't want to pay for parking lots.

---

When I go to conferences, I like to eat my way around the towns I'm in. Options for you are:

Shabu Shabu or Ramen noodle houses in Little Tokyo

Fancy Mexican food in East LA

Korean BBQ in Koreatown

Chinese food in Monterey Park

Thai food in East Hollywood

Fancy Steaks near Macarthur Park

Late night munchies at The Pantry in Downtown

Burgers at Pie N Burger in Pasadena

Chicken and Waffles at Roscoes in West LA (warning: flash and embedded music)

The Griffith Park Observatory (website currently not working) opens back up on November 3rd after 6 years of renovations so if you can, try to check that out.

If I can think of more stuff, I'll post again.
posted by inviolable at 4:45 PM on October 26, 2006 [1 favorite]

Since you're staying at the Biltmore, you're already in an infamous location -- the last known (living) sighting of the Black Dahlia. Hang out in the bar. It's fantastic. Order some really expensive Scotch. Do NOT order the Black Dahlia cocktail (blech).

I always take visitors to the Museum of Jurassic Technology (as mentioned above). Musso and Frank's restaurant on Hollywood Blvd, and the Tiki Ti bar (order the Blood and Sand).

The Chateau Marmot hotel bar is cool. The've got a new chef in the dining room and their new food menu is supposedly good.

And, if you're into that sort of thing, there's also Jumbo's Clown Room
- a strip club like none other in town.
posted by Kloryne at 4:51 PM on October 26, 2006

A trip into LA isn't complete until you've eaten at El Tepeyac in East LA.
posted by buggzzee23 at 4:52 PM on October 26, 2006

you may want to rent a car, but your hotel is a block away from a red line stop, which makes it really easy to get to hollywood or universal city. it only runs until about midnight, but i suspect you aren't looking for late-night partying. (you can also take it to amoeba and the arclight, but it's a bit of a walk on the other side. i've done it many times.)

on november 8, david mamet will be appearing as part of the aloud series at the los angeles central public library (across the street from the biltmore). they've stopped taking reservations, but my experience is that you can always just show up between 6pm and 7pm, get a standby number, and get in. (earlier is better, but i have never seen them actually turn anyone away.)

there's another event on november 9, but it's not david mamet.

(and i wouldn't call hollywood and highland a hellhole. the food at lucky strike is pretty amazing, and it is certainly not an area to be ashamed of wanting to take in. it's not really any worse than the touristy area of any other place i've been.)
posted by jimw at 4:59 PM on October 26, 2006

I've lived in LA for 23 years, and my favorite restaurant experience has been at AOC.

Go there in your rented car.
posted by anonymoose at 4:59 PM on October 26, 2006

The Bradbury Building. And it's downtown.

That said, you absolutely must rent a car; do not consider not renting a car for a single nanosecond.
posted by bingo at 9:09 PM on October 26, 2006

Just out of curiosity, what conference are you going for and where in the LA area is it?
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 7:07 AM on October 27, 2006

Thanks for all the really great suggestions!!! I really wish I had more time now!!

I am going to be in town for VMWorld, the VMWare conference at the LA Convention Center.
posted by tadellin at 8:35 AM on October 27, 2006