My fiancee and I are beginning to piece together our big Australia trip (next September, still 10+ months away). Today I realized one little bit of the tour that hadn’t even crossed my mind: we’ll be in Los Angeles for a day or so before we head off to Oz. Neither of us has been to LA before, but obviously a day isn’t really enough time to see all the typical touristy highlights.
So, what would you folks recommend for an exceedingly short first visit to LA? I’m not so much looking for the must-see spots as much as something to enjoy our day besides hanging out at the airport hotel.
Rent a car (if you’re not already). Then drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, up through Malibu and beyond. It’s not quite as nice as the PCH stretch up north, through Big Sur, but it’s not exactly hard on the eyes! Have a casual lunch at Malibu Seafood. Park at one of the beaches; I like El Matador, but there are plenty of nice ones to stop and enjoy for a while. Keep driving up to Santa Barbara. Walk around, enjoy the town, shop. Find a great restaurant there for dinner (won’t be difficult to find one). Then head back down to L.A.
I think I’ll go against the grain, here, a little. Presumably you’ll get hotel room somewhere near LAX, right? Thinking of renting a car? For a day or two, you might get by without one, other posts notwithstanding.
The thing is, LA’s fledgling subway/light rail system has a stop not too far from the airport. (No, why should we have a stop covenient to the airport? But we’re not bitter. Much.) Check with the hotel desk for how best to get to the station. Um, the lightrail does go through some crummy neighborhoods, but it’s probably safe enough, and you could use it to get to downtown LA, to Universal Studios, and other places. Downtown LA - in places - has got beautiful architecture and shopping.
You can actually cram quite a lot into a day in L.A. – trust me, we’ve done it with guests before, so it can be done.
Start in the morning with a visit to the Getty Center. The art is actually secondary to the architecture, gardens and view. Entrance is free, you just pay $5 to park.
From the Getty, head just a little further north up the 405 freeway to Mulholland Drive. Head East, and take the time to stop at some of the viewing areas – there are a couple of great spots where (weather permitting) you’ll have great Hollywood sign photo ops.
Then, make your way into Hollywood proper and visit Mann’s Chinese Theater to see all the foot and hand prints of the old-time Hollywood stars. Across the street is the infamous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which is the one-time home of Marilyn Monroe (her first ever modelling shoot was on the diving board of their pool) and the newest hot spot for today’s young Hollywood elite.
Check the schedule for either the House of Blues, which often brings great artists in (we saw John Legend and the Black Eyed Peas last time we were there), or the Hollywood Bowl, which is another Hollywood landmark and brings in some awesome artists and entertainment.
I’d say that should round out your day and night quite nicely.
Hmm, PCH on the one hand, Getty Center etc. on the other. Both excellent suggestions! I’m sure by the time the day is over we’ll regret not having more time.
Back to the beach scenario. First you should be warned that the beach season is largely over. We have cold water here, and this time of year the temperature at the beach rarely passes 72F, with cloudy skies. So you can probably leave your swimsuits at home. Still, the Malibu beaches are pretty just for walking along. Paradise Cove is another spot worth visiting, and the restaurant there is very pleasant.
If at all possible, don’t stay at an airport hotel. You might try the Radisson Huntley in Santa Monica, which is just north of the 3rd Street Promenade. If you like blues and jazz, you can also check out Harvelle’s, on Fourth Street while you’re there.
ALMOST the perfect single day - you were so close! But why, oh why, would you send someone to Malibu Seafood (cough overpriced cough not that good) when you could send them to Neptune’s Net? Sure it’s a little further up the coast, but you’re driving PCH for the fun of it anyway!
So my advice is, follow Anamorphic’s advice - except forgo Malibu Seafood and head up to Neptune’s Net. Guzzle down a Pacifico and eat some fried seafood - then schlep across the highway to watch the surfers at County Line.
