Suggestions for Visiting Los Angeles?

[Rake2204]

A road trip this summer may be taking me through L.A. I know virtually nothing about the city aside from the popular things I always hear thrown around (Venice Beach, Hollywood, Burbank, etc.) and my experiences on Grand Theft Auto V (joking, but kind of not....)

Anyhow, with this stop being one of many, a couple of questions:

1) In terms of cutting costs, are there any reputable hotel or camping locations near L.A. that won't break the bank? For instance, I imagine Hollywood itself probably has one price point - is there a nearby locale with a lesser-but-still-nice-place price? I've heard Joshua Tree National Park has great camping but if we're spending a few days, we're thinking of a real place to stay for a few.

2) Runyon Canyon was thrown out by a friend as a semi-funny suggestion in terms of it being a hike rife with erosion and out-of-work actors in matching workout outfits. Is it really that bad? Or worth a shot? What about Los Liones?Is one better than the other? Griffith?

3) Any primary in-city suggestions? Because I'm a tourist, I admit I'm intrigued by Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Are there open basketball courts in the area? Or are there always serious runs and whatnot? After driving dozens of hours across the country, I fear the "Oh man, my legs are so stiff" card will appear with the quickness. Is Hollywood and things like the Walk of Fame overrated? Mulholland Drive?

Lastly, as someone from metro Detroit but still quite familiar with the misconceptions that often come regarding the city itself - if we found ourselves on the south part of L.A. - Compton, Watts, Long Beach, Inglewood - is it really as rough of a place as media has suggested over the years? Admittedly, a touch of my familiarity with L.A. over the years stems from that particular region - in movies and obviously music, so there's a curiosity there, but I fear being "that guy".

[ApexPredator]

I hear they cancelled the Hall of Clippers Western Conference Finals, so you can scratch that one off the list.

[warriorfan]

If you don't have a friend that lives there ask some other friends if they know anyone that lives there that will offer to show you around. I don't think you will have that much fun driving around LA by yourself. If you are with someone you know that can take you to some familiar places and introduce you to some people it would be a lot better.


Theres cheap hotel/motels all around. You shouldn't have a problem finding a place to stay. If you are tight on money you could try taking my above suggestion and crashing with someone you know.

[Bandito]

Bring a bulletproof vest.

[Levity]

Look into an airbnb. really dont know what the prices are for those over here, but hotels in LA will cost you both of your nuts, anyway. If youre looking to do all the touristy stuff in la, hollywood is your go-to.

ive said it on here plenty of times, but im an orange county guy through and through. so if you decide to make a trip down that way, let me know and ill suggest what i can.

[Rake2204]

Look into an airbnb. really dont know what the prices are for those over here, but hotels in LA will cost you both of your nuts, anyway. If youre looking to do all the touristy stuff in la, hollywood is your go-to.

ive said it on here plenty of times, but im an orange county guy through and through. so if you decide to make a trip down that way, let me know and ill suggest what i can.I've heard a ton about Airbnb lately but haven't given it a shot yet. I'm sure my fears are unfounded, but it's a safe system and whatnot, right?

Regarding Orange County, we might be coming in from around Phoenix, so we could be heading through that area, no?

[gts]

Stay out of hollywood, it's a mess.. visit for a day then blast off, no ned to try and find a place to stay

what kind of camping? RV or tent?

[rezznor]

take a boat to catalina island, check out santa monica, hike/run at runyon or griffith park, eat in ktown, rent a harley and cruise up the coast to santa barbara, san diego is pretty fun as well.

[Rake2204]

Stay out of hollywood, it's a mess.. visit for a day then blast off, no ned to try and find a place to stay

what kind of camping? RV or tent?Tent. But again, since we'll have been camping for numerous nights as we make our way west, we were considering a non-tent stop in L.A.

I have a friend that lives in what looks like maybe West Hollywood so despite the potential mess, it seems we might be headed that way in some regard. And we tinkered with your suggestion, or just stopping in for a day and continuing through, but I'm tempted, due to the city's relative grandiosity and reputation, to at least give it two nights worth, but I don't know.

[JohnnySic]

I liked Hollywood. :confusedshrug: I stayed there too.

[Rake2204]

Question: how far is it from Santa Monica to Venice along the beach?


I liked Hollywood. :confusedshrug: I stayed there too.Good. I like hearing the positives too. What'd you do there, if I may ask?

[Akrazotile]

Question: how far is it from Santa Monica to Venice along the beach?

Good. I like hearing the positives too. What'd you do there, if I may ask?


A pretty quick bike ride.

[Rake2204]

A pretty quick bike ride.Good stuff. Thank you, sir.

[Patrick Chewing]

Check out Skid Row.

[Mr. Jabbar]

stay somewhere in sunset blv near the intersection with la cienaga is a good start. not sure about your budget, but book with time. other than the usual, do yourself a favor a go eat to the brazilian restaurant at the farmers market. you can thank me later

[gts]

Tent. But again, since we'll have been camping for numerous nights as we make our way west, we were considering a non-tent stop in L.A.

I have a friend that lives in what looks like maybe West Hollywood so despite the potential mess, it seems we might be headed that way in some regard. And we tinkered with your suggestion, or just stopping in for a day and continuing through, but I'm tempted, due to the city's relative grandiosity and reputation, to at least give it two nights worth, but I don't know.

West Hollywood is different, it's a different city so to speak... Mostly residential, nice middle income area for the most part, kind of hipsterish in an ok way... Hollywood is sleaze city :lol

Depending on what you want to see determines where you want to stay.... LA is so big so it helps if you have a plan on what sites you want to get to... then plan where you'll stay so you're central to the sites...

[aj1987]

Question: how far is it from Santa Monica to Venice along the beach?

It's like a 5-10 minute drive.

Went to LA a couple of months ago. Stayed at Doubletree in Santa Monica. Have lunch at one of the beach restaurants in Malibu. Went to a place called Moonshadows. Was pretty good. Drove around all over LA. Mulholland Drive, Rodeo Drive, etc.. Some of the places have amazing views.

[Nick Young]

Everything in LA is pretty close and it won't take long to drive places-IF THERE'S NO TRAFFIC. The problem is, there will always be traffic, especially along the beach. Be prepared to experience the worst traffic of your life.

If you can afford it, stay in Malibu.

As someone who grew up in LA-but not a cool part-Malibu is to me the best part of the city. It has the best beaches.

Stay away from the valley. That's where I'm from. It's nothing but endless strip malls, shopping malls and weed dispensaries. Nothing worth seeing there, don't waste your time.

[JohnnySic]

Good. I like hearing the positives too. What'd you do there, if I may ask?
I mainly did touristy things. Tours, museums, Universal Studios. Went out to the local bars and stuff. I did visit other parts of the city like downtown and Santa Monica/Venice beaches.

Hollywood is gritty, maybe that's not your thing. Being a Northeast guy, I like it.

[mlh1981]

Go to a taping of the Price is Right. It's not the same with Drew Carey, but I'm sure it's still fun.

[Rake2204]

It's like a 5-10 minute drive.

Went to LA a couple of months ago. Stayed at Doubletree in Santa Monica. Have lunch at one of the beach restaurants in Malibu. Went to a place called Moonshadows. Was pretty good. Drove around all over LA. Mulholland Drive, Rodeo Drive, etc.. Some of the places have amazing views.I was wondering about Mulholland Drive. Pretty legit?

[ThePhantomCreep]

Bring a bulletproof vest.
Funny coming from a Puerto Rican. Wanna compare the crime/homicides rates of Los Angeles and San Juan?

[ThePhantomCreep]

Take advantage of our transit system if you can. It's pretty threadbare, but it hits a few points of interest that would be a pain the ass to get to by car.

Red Line: DTLA, Hollywood, Universal City
Gold Line: Old Pasadena
Blue Line: DT Long Beach, Queen Mary

Unfortunately, the Expo Line (which links DTLA to Santa Monica) won't be completed until the end of the year. There's lots to see and do in LA, but the traffic is as bad as advertised, so keep your trips short. If you go to Santa Monica, keep your day confined to that area. DON'T make a sudden trip to Disneyland, you'll be hating life. Hollywood/WeHo/Beverly Hills can be done in a day, DTLA can be done in half a day, etc.

[Shade8780]

Bring me with you. I've played a decent amount of GTA V also.

[ApexPredator]

Go to a taping of the Price is Right. It's not the same with Drew Carey, but I'm sure it's still fun.

You know, I think a taping of any show the OP likes would be fun.

[aj1987]

I was wondering about Mulholland Drive. Pretty legit?
Driving around that part might take ~2 hours at the most if you're near Santa Monica. Worth a visit if you want some good views. If you're near Malibu, head over to Moonshadows for lunch (a bit expensive, but worth it), drive along the hills in Malibu. That's worth the time as well. Venice beach was fun. It's like 10 minutes for my hotel. Don't miss out on the Santa Monica Pier.

It was my first time in LA and was there for 3 days before driving to Death Valley and Vegas. Went to a couple of local bars, but don't remember the names. Tried out Umami Burger (was really good) and another super expensive Japanese place in Santa Monica (don't remember the name).

Maybe the locals might be able to help you out better, but this is what I did. Hope it helps.

[gts]

I was wondering about Mulholland Drive. Pretty legit?For? mostly residential, winding road that sits atop the hills that separate the valley from los anegles proper, nice drive "the rock store" is worth the stop, probably best if you concentrate on the western half of Mullholland

what do you like to do?

[Rake2204]

For? mostly residential, winding road that sits atop the hills that separate the valley from los anegles proper, nice drive "the rock store" is worth the stop, probably best if you concentrate on the western half of Mullholland

what do you like to do?I'm not huge on food and nightlife. I'm a fan of the interesting, semi-unique, and outdoors type of things I suppose. Pretty open, really. I wasn't particularly intrigued with visiting studios or wax museums or other things like that though.

We were looking at staying at a locale near Koreatown. Is that an alright spot?

[gts]

I'm not huge on food and nightlife. I'm a fan of the interesting, semi-unique, and outdoors type of things I suppose. Pretty open, really. I wasn't particularly intrigued with visiting studios or wax museums or other things like that though.

We were looking at staying at a locale near Koreatown. Is that an alright spot?

Well you have a wax museum in hollywood...lol, La Brea Tar Pits, near Korea Town...Melrose for shopping, If you're a Harry Potter fan there's a place near Korea town called Whimsic Alley which is a small store that speacializes in Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and something else, i forget...
Getty Center Art museum (it's free!, pay for parking ) on the hill overlooking it all...

I know you said you don't want it but you can tour Warner Bros studios, it is pretty cool because it's not a tourist trap it's the real deal you'll need to make reservations in advance, do it soon...

Queen Mary down in Long Beach

then you have the beaches, you can head west from Korea town and that puts you in Santa Monica, Malibu is north and Venice is south.. north of Malibu are the more natural beaches and tend to be less crowded...

to the east is downtown LA and China Town, Phillipes french dip sandwiches is right there and a must eat, huge menu good prices... waitresses make up your food behind a counter, they all look like they came from a 40's diner.. place has been there for like a 100 years or something... right across the street is Union Station a really great looking train station that you'll recognize from numerous moives and TV shows

[ThePhantomCreep]

I'm not huge on food and nightlife. I'm a fan of the interesting, semi-unique, and outdoors type of things I suppose. Pretty open, really. I wasn't particularly intrigued with visiting studios or wax museums or other things like that though.

We were looking at staying at a locale near Koreatown. Is that an alright spot?

So you're not into food, nightlife, museums, or attractions unique to LA (like movie studios). Yikes.

Hang out at the beach, I guess.

[Rake2204]

So you're not into food, nightlife, museums, or attractions unique to LA (like movie studios). Yikes.

Hang out at the beach, I guess.Haha, when you put it like that...

I'm not adverse to museums, I've just never been particularly intrigued when I see people visiting wax museums in particular. The art museum gts mentioned seems like it could be a solid choice. And maybe a Warner Bros. tour would be alright too.

While not knowing what was worthwhile and what wasn't, I've been initially intrigued by a fews things, ranging from obvious to random, like Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Watts Towers, Los Liones, perhaps the Drew League if it's live, Griffith Park, even the tar pits seem kind of interesting to me.

[Nick Young]

Best part of LA is the beaches. I'd stay away from tourist shit if I was you, especially grimy hollywood.

[Canelo_Griffin]

I think that downtown Long Beach/Shoreline/The Pike is very underrated. At night you get an awesome view of the Queen Mary from shoreline plus there's plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance. You don't get the snobby feel of Hollywood, Downtown or OC.. You can actually chill and admire the surrounding beauty.

Disclaimer though: this is coming from someone who hates big loud crowds therefore by default really dislike Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood...felt overwhelmed the times ive been, even as a local (though as a tourist you should hit those spots)

[gts]

I think that downtown Long Beach/Shoreline/The Pike is very underrated. At night you get an awesome view of the Queen Mary from shoreline plus there's plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance. You don't get the snobby feel of Hollywood, Downtown or OC.. You can actually chill and admire the surrounding beauty.

Disclaimer though: this is coming from someone who hates big loud crowds therefore by default really dislike Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood...felt overwhelmed the times ive been, even as a local (though as a tourist you should hit those spots)I'm with you on that... race shop used to be in signal hill... loved going down that way for lunch

i hate it when family comes to town

so what do you want to do?

lets go to hollywood!

:facepalm

you go ahead i'll draw you a map..lol

[Canelo_Griffin]

I'm with you on that... race shop used to be in signal hill... loved going down that way for lunch

i hate it when family comes to town

so what do you want to do?

lets go to hollywood!

:facepalm

you go ahead i'll draw you a map..lol

I've straight up refused to take visiting family to Hollywood :lol

Funny thing is people visit LA, go to Hollywood and then go back to their states saying how angelinos are all weird and fake when the truth is that the vast majority of the "crazy/weird/freaks" walking the streets aren't even originally from California :facepalm

[Norcaliblunt]

Venice Beach
Malibu - Pointe Dume
Hollywood Hills - Hike Runyon Canyon
Downtown LA/Korean Town

[Norcaliblunt]

In reality you should go to some of the more obscure spots like...

The old Spahn movie ranch where the Manson family lived on the Santa Susanna pass.

Murphy Ranch in the pacific palisades.

Any dive strip club or bar in the San Fernando Valley. Lol.

Ventura

[gts]

I've straight up refused to take visiting family to Hollywood :lol

Funny thing is people visit LA, go to Hollywood and then go back to their states saying how angelinos are all weird and fake when the truth is that the vast majority of the "crazy/weird/freaks" walking the streets aren't even originally from California :facepalm

true story a friend of my wife's comes to the usa from singapore.. she has a 7 hour layover in LA before flying to new york then she'll be back in a week for a longer stay.. so instead of hanging out in LAX for several hours we pick her up.. she wants to go to hollywood :facepalm no you don't i tell her, it's dirty crowded and nothing like you think it is, she insists so off we go

we fight traffic on the 405, pay though the nose for parking then go here and there, walk the blvd have lunch and the usual nonsense

take her back to the airport, tell her we'll see her in a week and head home

get home, wife is looking at facebook and her freind made a post.. LA is so gross don't know if i want to go back next week..... :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Norcaliblunt]

true story a friend of my wife's comes to the usa from singapore.. she has a 7 hour layover in LA before flying to new york then she'll be back in a week for a longer stay.. so instead of hanging out in LAX for several hours we pick her up.. she wants to go to hollywood :facepalm no you don't i tell her, it's dirty crowded and nothing like you think it is, she insists so off we go

we fight traffic on the 405, pay though the nose for parking then go here and there, walk the blvd have lunch and the usual nonsense

take her back to the airport, tell her we'll see her in a week and head home

get home, wife is looking at facebook and her freind made a post.. LA is so gross don't know if i want to go back next week..... :roll: :roll: :roll:


I've never seen so many people afraid of one city as they are of LA. Even the people who live in SoCal are scared shitless of Los Angeles. Lol. Hollywood is not that bad. It fact the Hollywood scene can be fun as hell. My buddy was a bouncer at the Troubadour, lived around the corner off of Santa Monica Blvd, and I have hella great stories hanging out there.

[Norcaliblunt]

These clowns wont even take visiting family members to Hollywood. Lol, What the hell do you do? Just sit in the Valley all day? What a life, glad I'm not related to yall. Lol.

[Rake2204]

Best part of LA is the beaches. I'd stay away from tourist shit if I was you, especially grimy hollywood.The hipster part of me wishes I'd want nothing to do with the touristy stuff but since I'm a tourist, I know it's going to be relatively unavoidable to some degree. I like a good mix; I've realized some things are touristy for a reason - because they're cool - but driving right up to a location then joining a mass of picture-takers kind of bums me out too.

Murphy Ranch in the pacific palisades. I'd never heard of that until just now. Googled... is that even safe, haha? Reminds me of the run down Packard Plant in Detroit. Looks and sounds interesting though, in a "I might end up missing" kind of way.

Also, is Runyon cooler or better than Los Liones?

[Canelo_Griffin]

true story a friend of my wife's comes to the usa from singapore.. she has a 7 hour layover in LA before flying to new york then she'll be back in a week for a longer stay.. so instead of hanging out in LAX for several hours we pick her up.. she wants to go to hollywood :facepalm no you don't i tell her, it's dirty crowded and nothing like you think it is, she insists so off we go

we fight traffic on the 405, pay though the nose for parking then go here and there, walk the blvd have lunch and the usual nonsense

take her back to the airport, tell her we'll see her in a week and head home

get home, wife is looking at facebook and her freind made a post.. LA is so gross don't know if i want to go back next week..... :roll: :roll: :roll:

:oldlol:



I've never seen so many people afraid of one city as they are of LA. Even the people who live in SoCal are scared shitless of Los Angeles. Lol. Hollywood is not that bad. It fact the Hollywood scene can be fun as hell. My buddy was a bouncer at the Troubadour, lived around the corner off of Santa Monica Blvd, and I have hella great stories hanging out there.

I grew up in Compton homie so **** out of here with that being scared shit. GTS' example shows exactly why I wont take family to Hollywood, they go hoping to spot their favorite celebrities walking down the street but really all they take home from the trip is their stories about all the trannys and homeless walking up and down the grabage littered streets...but you come off as a grimy ass dude so no surprise you enjoyed Hollywood that much.

[ThePhantomCreep]

Runyon Canyon is an urban park posing as a hiking trail. Don't expect much in the way of nature there, though the views of the LA Basin are awesome at dusk. Nice looking girls there too. It's just a few blocks away from the touristy shit in Hollywood. You can combine the two.

Also, I'd find out who's playing at the Hollywood Bowl the days you're visiting. It's an awesome venue for live music.

[Norcaliblunt]

:oldlol:




I grew up in Compton homie so **** out of here with that being scared shit. GTS' example shows exactly why I wont take family to Hollywood, they go hoping to spot their favorite celebrities walking down the street but really all they take home from the trip is their stories about all the trannys and homeless walking up and down the grabage littered streets...but you come off as a grimy ass dude so no surprise you enjoyed Hollywood that much.


Compton? lol. And you're talking shit about Hollywood? Just stfu with your social anxiety ass.

[BasedTom]

The airport.

[gts]

I've never seen so many people afraid of one city as they are of LA. Even the people who live in SoCal are scared shitless of Los Angeles. Lol. Hollywood is not that bad. It fact the Hollywood scene can be fun as hell. My buddy was a bouncer at the Troubadour, lived around the corner off of Santa Monica Blvd, and I have hella great stories hanging out there.:facepalm

Trubadour is in west hollywood.. completely different area, different scene.. in fact earlier in this thread i talked about how nice it is there

the hollywood we're talking about near the kodak theater or whatever the fu*k they call it now is a tourist trap... nothing to see, "oh look harrison fords hands are the same size as mine" overpriced and dirty...
get outta here.. you clearly know nothing

[Levity]

I think that downtown Long Beach/Shoreline/The Pike is very underrated. At night you get an awesome view of the Queen Mary from shoreline plus there's plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance.

:applause:

my go-to. + 2nd street, 4th street (sadly littered with hipsters and the artsy crowd) and seal.

[Canelo_Griffin]

Compton? lol. And you're talking shit about Hollywood? Just stfu with your social anxiety ass.

Except no one is telling OP to visit Compton, dumbass...it's not social anxiety to hate crowds and loud places, that are loud and crowded just for the sake of being loud and crowded. You'll learn when you mature.

And :roll: @ you thinking West Hollywood & "i paid a left nut to park just to take a picture with a fat guy in a Incredible Hulk costume" Hollywood are the same . :facepalm

[Canelo_Griffin]

:applause:

my go-to. + 2nd street, 4th street (sadly littered with hipsters and the artsy crowd) and seal.

Nothing wrong with shagging up a cute artsy chick. Just brush up your Jackson Pollock factoids :lol. Seriously tho, i think there's someone for anyone in that area, that's why I prefer it. :cheers:

[rezznor]

for an authentic LA experience head into the valley and participate in a gang bang porn movie.

[Norcaliblunt]

:facepalm

Troubadour is in west hollywood.. completely different area, different scene.. in fact earlier in this thread i talked about how nice it is there

the hollywood we're talking about near the kodak theater or whatever the fu*k they call it now is a tourist trap... nothing to see, "oh look harrison fords hands are the same size as mine" overpriced and dirty...
get outta here.. you clearly know nothing


:roll: Other than the Troubadour, and a couple of the other historic venues, West Hollywood is the gay/homosexual part of Hollywood, so that's no surprise you'd like it much more there than the rest of the area. Lol.

And :roll: at you acting like West Hollywood is North Hollywood in some completely different geographic region. West Hollywood and Hollywood blend into each other, so if you visit one, you are likely going to visit the other. When you cruise Sunset from Downtown you go through it all. Silverlake through East Hollywood to Hollywood and on into West Hollywood or even further through Beverly Hills, Brentwood, the Pacifica Palisades to the ocean. It may be more "grimy" but most of the chill local none touristy/none elitist spots, and bars that aren't gay, are to the East. What do you have some sort of strict "I don't ever go east of Laurel Canyon" policy like you are Alicia Silverstone in Clueless?

So you've never seen a show at the Hollywood Bowl? Been to the Hollywood Farmers Market? Hiked the Hollywood Reservoir? Been to the Hollywood Cemetery? Ate at Roscoes? Seen the Magic Castle? Hiked Runyon? Bought some tunes at Amoeba? Ate at the legendary Musso and Franks? Stood in the legendary Pink's Hotdog line to get a bacon chili cheese dog? Took a tour of the hills to see where some stars live? If you can't have fun doing at least a couple of those things, especially with visiting friends and family, then you are just a miserable person. Point blank period end of discussion. Or you are the one who "clearly knows nothing" since all you can figure out to do is go to the Kodak Theater. Lol.

I also used to hang out on Wonderland Ave in Laurel Canyon, the heart of the Hollywood Hills, and I'll say it once again, the Hollywood scene can be fun. Well unless you're an anti social old foagie like GTS and Canelo who hate large crowds, and have sheltered idiot friends who have never seen a bum before.

There is more to Hollywood than Highland and Hollywood blvd people. Even than that's still worth seeing if you've never been.

[Norcaliblunt]

Except no one is telling OP to visit Compton, dumbass...it's not social anxiety to hate crowds and loud places, that are loud and crowded just for the sake of being loud and crowded. You'll learn when you mature.

And :roll: @ you thinking West Hollywood & "i paid a left nut to park just to take a picture with a fat guy in a Incredible Hulk costume" Hollywood are the same . :facepalm


Lol at how you rather be kicking it in gay bars in west hollywood than taking your family from out of town to see the actual sites.

And Lol at these sheltered peoples families who have never seen a homeless person before.

[Norcaliblunt]

Except no one is telling OP to visit Compton, dumbass...it's not social anxiety to hate crowds and loud places, that are loud and crowded just for the sake of being loud and crowded. You'll learn when you mature.


I'm mature enough to actually take my out of town relatives to see the popular touristy stuff, and not be a grouch and a kill joy. I'm also mature enough to understand LA is a huge city, and Hollywood isn't going to be all perfect pristine beauty. You will see homeless people and large crowds, yes. Just like any large urban area. I'm sorry that both you, and your visiting friends are ****ing stupid.

[daily]

OP stay away from Hollywood. It's like going to a zoo where homeless people and runaways are the main attraction.

[Norcaliblunt]

OP stay away from Hollywood. It's like going to a zoo where homeless people and runaways are the main attraction.


Lol. I'd hate to see you guys in San Francisco with this homeless people phobia.

[Norcaliblunt]

Lol at these clowns afraid of large crowds. HAHAHA!!!!!!!

What you've never been to Times Square? Vegas Strip? The French Quarter?

[Rake2204]

Ignorance time: I've heard Watts is not necessarily a great place. Is that so? Or is that an incorrect stereotype?

I ask because I've always been interested in seeing the Watts Towers. Is that doable?

[gts]

Ignorance time: I've heard Watts is not necessarily a great place. Is that so? Or is that an incorrect stereotype?

I ask because I've always been interested in seeing the Watts Towers. Is that doable?yes it's doable but you're not in a great neighborhood, it's not a stereotype you're right near some of the toughest parts of LA but it's more than doable...

[Rake2204]

yes it's doable but you're not in a great neighborhood, it's not a stereotype you're right near some of the toughest parts of LA but it's more than doable...Thanks, man. It's tough for an outsider to get a feel for what's legit and not legit on safety front (things tend to get sensationalized on many occasions).

If we drove there in the daytime, would that catch things at the low point of its sketchiness? I've done a little reading of folks saying visiting the Towers via car and/or taking the tour isn't too shabby in that regard if done during the daytime. My only concern would be parking; if it's as sketchy as advertised I suppose I'd like not to walk a ton in such a locale.

[gts]

Thanks, man. It's tough for an outsider to get a feel for what's legit and not legit on safety front (things tend to get sensationalized on many occasions).

If we drove there in the daytime, would that catch things at the low point of its sketchiness? I've done a little reading of folks saying visiting the Towers via car and/or taking the tour isn't too shabby in that regard if done during the daytime. My only concern would be parking; if it's as sketchy as advertised I suppose I'd like not to walk a ton in such a locale.

I don't know bout parking... a quick look on google earth looks like there's a pretty big lot :lol

And yeah daytime is best

in the words of Cheech and Chong

"You must not be from around here because it's night time and night time ain't no time to be in this here neighborhood"

[Rake2204]

I'm tentatively interested in visiting Venice Beach. Are the courts there always live?

[Charlie Sheen]

yes it's doable but you're not in a great neighborhood, it's not a stereotype you're right near some of the toughest parts of LA but it's more than doable...

Now, I'm not trying to pick at you here but... I don't get the feeling that you live in the LA metro area at all and probably somewhere in the distant valleys or orange county with how much you've been preaching caution and avoidance.

The inner city isn't a war zone. You have to go actively looking for trouble to find it.

[rufuspaul]

The Getty Center in Brentwood is a pretty cool place. Interesting grounds and architecture, some fantastic works of art and some great views of the city. It's also free. You just have to pay for parking.


http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/m/images/museu_meier.getty.lg.jpg

[Rake2204]

The Getty Center in Brentwood is a pretty cool place. Interesting grounds and architecture, some fantastic works of art and some great views of the city. It's also free. You just have to pay for parking.


http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/m/images/museu_meier.getty.lg.jpgI kind of hate that I only know what that is because of GTA V.

But still, thank you. Free is good in this particular situation. Is Griffith Observatory similar?

[warriorfan]

LA...good times...just dont get caught up by the po

[Rake2204]

I've been meaning to bump this thread up and thank all you guys for your suggestions so... thank you. We made our way through Los Angeles in July and it was incredible, much better than I expected.

Traffic was a little rough coming in from Phoenix but manageable otherwise. This may sound ridiculous but we came in on the 30th anniversary of the release of Back to the Future, so I actually dragged my friend up to the original McFly house because I'd heard it looked virtually identical. The owner happened to be a former Michigander and gave me a photocopy of Marty McFly's driver's license, haha.

We ended up staying in Koreatown and that spot worked out pretty well. Griffith Observatory traffic was too insane for us so had to skip out on that. But we did hit up Watts Towers. Really fascinating stuff, glad we stopped. The area didn't feel too sketchy, though apparently an AK47 was found in the bushes a block away later that afternoon.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g423/Rake2204/Watts1.jpg

Otherwise, we just tried to make the most of a limited time schedule. We rented some roller blades in Santa Monica and bladed to the edge of Venice Beach and back, which is something I randomly always wanted to do, so that was fun. Predictably, it was very crowded, being the Fourth of July and whatnot, but I didn't mind - kinda added to the atmosphere. Post-blading, we walked to Santa Monica Pier and later closed things out with a Fourth of July party in North Hollywood and fireworks over the Hollywood Reservoir.

We caught the Hollywood sign the following morning then began our way up the Pacific Coast Highway, which was also absolutely incredible.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g423/Rake2204/FullSizeRender%2014.jpg

There wasn't even close to enough time to do everything we wanted, and it was but a small portion of a larger trip, but it was incredible nonetheless. Once again, I appreciate your guys' help in making things happen.