Airport Fun in 2 Hours or Less...
July 9, 2010 2:04 PM Subscribe
Quickie Tourist Query: I have a 2 hour layover at Los Angeles/LAX this Sunday, 7/11. Is there anything I must not miss while there? Never been there before, and likely will never be again...
I have to change planes at LAX and have never been there before. I've heard so much about LA that I feel I must make the most of my 2-hour visit, lol. Any good celebrity sighting areas? Is there anything in the terminal that is worth seeing while I am walking to my connecting flight (to Seattle)? I'm on Alaska Airlines, if that helps, and my connecting flight is on Alaska as well. I'm not checking bags, either.
I have to change planes at LAX and have never been there before. I've heard so much about LA that I feel I must make the most of my 2-hour visit, lol. Any good celebrity sighting areas? Is there anything in the terminal that is worth seeing while I am walking to my connecting flight (to Seattle)? I'm on Alaska Airlines, if that helps, and my connecting flight is on Alaska as well. I'm not checking bags, either.
I was just going to say that going to the In-N-Out is probably the only thing you could do during that window.
posted by zsazsa at 2:13 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by zsazsa at 2:13 PM on July 9, 2010
LAX? It's an airport. A big one. But there is really nothing all that special inside it.
posted by kindall at 2:13 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by kindall at 2:13 PM on July 9, 2010
Two hours is not much to work with.
LAX has nothing much in the way of interesting stuff internally.
In-and-Out is probably the best option, if you are in the mood for a great burger.
There is also a Trader Joe's nearby if you want to shop for some treats.
posted by SLC Mom at 2:21 PM on July 9, 2010
LAX has nothing much in the way of interesting stuff internally.
In-and-Out is probably the best option, if you are in the mood for a great burger.
There is also a Trader Joe's nearby if you want to shop for some treats.
posted by SLC Mom at 2:21 PM on July 9, 2010
I'm sorry, but you're not going to have time to do anything fun or neat or whatever outside the airport. The airport itself is kind of neat, with its distinctive Theme Building, designed by Paul Williams, being a great example of Googie architecture, of which not much survives, so maybe find yourself a neat view of that or possibly even have a "space age" cocktail or snack in the historic Encounter Restaurant, which was designed by Disney Imagineers.
posted by infinitywaltz at 2:21 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by infinitywaltz at 2:21 PM on July 9, 2010
Maybe you'll have time for dinner at The Encounter which is on airport grounds and looks like a UFO.
posted by mkb at 2:22 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by mkb at 2:22 PM on July 9, 2010
Actually, it looks like the observation deck on the Jetsons-esque Theme Building is reopening on the 10th. That'd be worth checking out. You'll have to go outside of security, though.
posted by zsazsa at 2:23 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by zsazsa at 2:23 PM on July 9, 2010
This is LAX from above. Notice how it is HUGE and surrounded by nothing you've ever heard of. Say you want to get to the broad Hollywood area, that's about 30 minutes without traffic, over an hour with traffic, as Google Maps estimates it.
The greater Los Angeles Area is REALLY HUGE, and if you've never been there before and that 2 hour lay-over sounds like forever, walk around the terminals or check out that restaurant between the terminals. I've never been there, it looks interesting and somewhere you could go to and return from with enough time to catch that next flight.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:24 PM on July 9, 2010
The greater Los Angeles Area is REALLY HUGE, and if you've never been there before and that 2 hour lay-over sounds like forever, walk around the terminals or check out that restaurant between the terminals. I've never been there, it looks interesting and somewhere you could go to and return from with enough time to catch that next flight.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:24 PM on July 9, 2010
leaving security at LAX with only two hours is probably not a good idea.....
Take a good book!
posted by HuronBob at 2:25 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Take a good book!
posted by HuronBob at 2:25 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
How about... watch the final game of the World Cup? (Not sure what time your layover is, though...)
posted by StarmanDXE at 2:26 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by StarmanDXE at 2:26 PM on July 9, 2010
Yeah, seconding the Theme Building, because you really don't have time to do anything else. But the restaurant has been closed for a few years because of the building's structural problems. Allegedly the top deck is reopening starting tomorrow, but only on weekends during the day. Read more here.
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:26 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:26 PM on July 9, 2010
that's about 30 minutes without traffic, over an hour with traffic, as Google Maps estimates it.
Please also notes that this is Los Angeles, meaning that the "without traffic" period lasts roughly from 2:30-5:30 am, which is of course when they close down all the freeways for road repairs.
posted by infinitywaltz at 2:31 PM on July 9, 2010 [3 favorites]
Please also notes that this is Los Angeles, meaning that the "without traffic" period lasts roughly from 2:30-5:30 am, which is of course when they close down all the freeways for road repairs.
posted by infinitywaltz at 2:31 PM on July 9, 2010 [3 favorites]
If you want to see the beach, you can always hop in a cab and head to Dockweiler Beach which is at the end of the airport runways. Not sure you'd have much time to twiddle your toes in the sand and water, but it's there. Course you'd probably have to have the cab wait for you...
posted by cecic at 2:40 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by cecic at 2:40 PM on July 9, 2010
There is a Gladstones in the Alaska terminal area. Seafood. . .not bad for airport food.
But security in this terminal is a nightmare. You stand in line downstairs in order to have your documents checked BEFORE they let you on the escalator, and then the (long and winding) line starts for the actual security process. Two hours hardly enough time to go out to the street and back, let alone see anything.
So free wi-fi in LAX either. Nthing a good book or mag.
posted by Danf at 2:42 PM on July 9, 2010
But security in this terminal is a nightmare. You stand in line downstairs in order to have your documents checked BEFORE they let you on the escalator, and then the (long and winding) line starts for the actual security process. Two hours hardly enough time to go out to the street and back, let alone see anything.
So free wi-fi in LAX either. Nthing a good book or mag.
posted by Danf at 2:42 PM on July 9, 2010
Checking out the Theme Building is your only real possibility. Security in LAX is like a gut-churning game of Efficiency Roulette, and the airport itself is not near anything interesting or touristy. You could always hang out near the baggage claim carousels in the event you spot a random celebrity waiting for their luggage, though. (I'm not actually kidding; I've had a few good sightings at baggage claim over the years.)
posted by scody at 3:02 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by scody at 3:02 PM on July 9, 2010
I'm with everyone else: given the time-frame, the the only "must not miss" will be your outgoing flight.
posted by thebrokedown at 3:09 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by thebrokedown at 3:09 PM on July 9, 2010
Yup, an In-N-Out double-double burger (animal style) with an order of fries (well done) and a milkshake (neapolitan) seems like the best thing you might be able to do in that 2 hour window. There's one practically at the airport, on Sepulveda Blvd. Your cabby will probably know how to get there.
I personally wouldn't even remotely test traffic in L.A., especially near the airport.
posted by jabberjaw at 3:16 PM on July 9, 2010
I personally wouldn't even remotely test traffic in L.A., especially near the airport.
posted by jabberjaw at 3:16 PM on July 9, 2010
Nth-ing In-n-Out Burger. I may go get one right now.
Sadly, you're a few months too late to catch Nude Nude Nudes.
posted by killy willy at 3:30 PM on July 9, 2010
Sadly, you're a few months too late to catch Nude Nude Nudes.
posted by killy willy at 3:30 PM on July 9, 2010
Getting in and out of LAX is a complete nightmare. Sadly, I don't think two hours is enough time to do anything interesting. If you are really committed to doing something maybe you could get a cab to take through the In-N-Out drive-through, but it would be a very expensive and stressful hamburger. And if it's a bad traffic day you could still miss your flight. Sorry to be a downer! LAX just sucks.
posted by mandanza at 3:39 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by mandanza at 3:39 PM on July 9, 2010
I've been there. You have time for a bathroom break and a snack.
Maybe.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:21 PM on July 9, 2010
Maybe.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:21 PM on July 9, 2010
Response by poster: All-righty then! Free Wi-fi and a Starbux Grande decaf wins. Thanks for all of the suggestions. And especially for the advisories regarding traffic/security. Maybe next time with a longer layover...
posted by mnb64 at 4:27 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by mnb64 at 4:27 PM on July 9, 2010
I grew up in LA, and I miss it.
Then I fly into LAX. It is a source of some wonder how quickly whatever fond feelings I may have had are crushed. The airport itself is a mess, even when measured against other big international hubs. The surrounding environs are ugly and depressing. Even now, 20 years after they started Metrolink, you can't take a train out of the airport. You've gotta take a bus, then transfer to the train (and then to another train, probably). Driving out means hitting instant traffic in all directions.
I love LA, but I can't stand LAX.
posted by lex mercatoria at 4:52 PM on July 9, 2010
Then I fly into LAX. It is a source of some wonder how quickly whatever fond feelings I may have had are crushed. The airport itself is a mess, even when measured against other big international hubs. The surrounding environs are ugly and depressing. Even now, 20 years after they started Metrolink, you can't take a train out of the airport. You've gotta take a bus, then transfer to the train (and then to another train, probably). Driving out means hitting instant traffic in all directions.
I love LA, but I can't stand LAX.
posted by lex mercatoria at 4:52 PM on July 9, 2010
Clarification: there in no free wi-fi at LAX that I know of.
It is probably my least favorite airport. Stuck in one of the least interesting parts of town.
Sorry my city's airport sucks so bad.
posted by jabberjaw at 4:59 PM on July 9, 2010
It is probably my least favorite airport. Stuck in one of the least interesting parts of town.
Sorry my city's airport sucks so bad.
posted by jabberjaw at 4:59 PM on July 9, 2010
LAX is one of the few airports (probably the *only* airport) that I have been in over the last several years that does NOT have free Wifi. WTF?
posted by 6:1 at 5:19 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by 6:1 at 5:19 PM on July 9, 2010
There was free wifi in the international terminal food court when I was there in February. Dunno if it's still there.
posted by ctab at 5:53 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by ctab at 5:53 PM on July 9, 2010
If you arrive early, or if your outbound is delayed, or if you just want to risk it, you can get to the In-N-Out for free. Go down to the curb by the luggage claim, and wait for the shuttle run by the company The Parking Spot, for their Sepulveda garage.
Maybe it has changed, but their drivers don't usually ask to see your parking ticket before letting you on the shuttle. The Sepulveda Parking Spot is immediately adjacent to the In-N-Out.
Hop back on the airport-bound shuttle after your burger.
posted by hwyengr at 2:51 AM on July 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
Maybe it has changed, but their drivers don't usually ask to see your parking ticket before letting you on the shuttle. The Sepulveda Parking Spot is immediately adjacent to the In-N-Out.
Hop back on the airport-bound shuttle after your burger.
posted by hwyengr at 2:51 AM on July 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
When I flew out of LAX this spring, security took 50 minutes. Factor this in.
posted by ColdChef at 8:30 AM on July 10, 2010
posted by ColdChef at 8:30 AM on July 10, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I am not sure you really have time to get out of security and get anywhere and back in 2 hours... MAYBE you could go eat a hamburger at the IN-N-OUT by LAX and watch the planes land.
posted by outsider at 2:07 PM on July 9, 2010