Los Angeles, CA + Add a trip

LA isn't that scary if..

It's important to treat LA as a series of different cities strung together. If you think that you can have meetings in Burbank and Long Beach on the same day, you'll go completely nuts sitting in traffic. Each mini-city has its own central walking area but most visitors only see the highways. Also, don't forget the beach. Walking the beach really is lovely any time of year.

Rent a Car

It's generally inexpensive and cabs to/from LAX or BUR can be exorbitant. In the past I've been able to score a hybrid Civic from Fox Rent a Car for only $30/day.

No matter where you rent from, if you have time to explore LA, you'll be happy you did. There's plenty more to offer than just Hollywood or just downtown and traffic isn't so bad if you're smart about it.

Airport Transportation

I used to spend $45 going from Lax to my home near UCLA, typically a 15 minute drive without traffic. Now with LAX's FlyAway charter buses I spend $4 flat. Don't let the price fool you, the bus is cleaner, more comfortable, and just as fast as any cab. Don't forget to tip, the bus drivers are extremely friendly and will help you with your travel questions. FlyAway's system of buses have routes to Downtown, Van Nuys, Burbank and more and buses depart every 15 to 30 minutes except between the hours of 1am and 5 am. Visit their website at http://www.lawa.org for more info. You can thank me later when you get stuck in unexpected traffic and you can enjoy looking out the window instead of starring at a stupid taxi fare meter.

@Salim Flyaway is great Union Station->LAX but not reliable outbound from LAX

I've found the Flyaway service to be very timely and efficient *outbound* from Union Station, but exactly the opposite outbound from LAX back to Union Station, and have confirmed this with several other frequent travelers, including one LAX employee who uses the service daily and swears the outbound LAX service is late almost every Wednesday. I wish I could count on this service. Waiting on the curb over an hour after a redeye an 5am arrival is a real bummer.

Would love to hear about other's experiences and comments on the reliability of other routes.

Think Blue

see a game in Chavez Ravine at Dodgers Stadium. It's one of the oldest stadiums left in America.

MOCA

I've been to LA a few times over the years, but this is the first trip I ever made downtown. Given I don't drive LA is generally a bit of a challenge for me, but downtown it was great to wander the streets and check out the architecture. MOCA was really impressive - a small gallery, but a great collection of all the "hits" of the 60s through to now. Across the street is the beautiful and awe inspiring Gehry designed Disney Hall. There is a handy metro station then to take you back into Hollywood, or a slow bus back to Beverly Hills

Golf @ Los Feliz

As seen in Swingers...a short par-3 course, perfect for your first round of golf or, if you haven't hit the links for a few years, getting back in the groove of things. It's a pretty safe bet in either case that you won't be the worst golfer here, so relax, bring a few beers, and enjoy.

Movies in the Cemetery - Saturday nights in the Summer

Coolest anything ever. Pack a picnic, some wine and a blanket. Show up early or ride a bike to skip the line. The best $10 you'll ever spend.

Spend a day at the Getty museum

You have to drive there, parking costs eight bucks but then it's free entry for everyone in the car. It's huge, has loads of permanent and temporary exhibitions, amazing outdoor spaces including some cool gardens.

Norton Simon: Great Collection

Having lived in LA for 3 years, I discovered the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena during the latter part of my tenure here. One of the most impressive collections I have ever seen housed in a pretty decent space. This should be a stop if you're ever in Pasadena.

Go to the Getty - both of them

Go to the Getty Center any day; just pay $7 to park and enjoy the wonderful gardens and art free. To go to the Getty Villa, book in advance, online; again you only pay for parking. There may be same-day tickets online for the Villa, but i's best to book some days or weeks in advance.

Surfing the bu

Take a big phat long board or supa thick fish and find your line at the bu

Don't skip Venice Beach/Santa Monica areas if you're looking for an atypical LA experience

I was never much of an LA fan until I spent a bit of time in these neighborhoods. I love the dining and entertainment options, the proximity to the canals and ocean and the non-Hollywood feel. Two great restaurants to hit: Joe's and La Vecchia. Finn Mcool's is a good pub/bar if you're looking for the less glitzy or polished evening but seriously it doesn't seem like one needs to dress to the nines for these areas anyways. Which, being from NorCal, I love.

a visit to the Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia

the Santa anita Racetrack is one of the prettiest horseracing venues in the country. the facilities are beautiful as well as the surrounding foothils in Arcadia.

the Din Tai Fung Dumpling House is quite close, as well, at 1108 S Baldwin Ave Arcadia, CA 91007.

Go to Silverlake for live music, Spaceland is a solid venue. Check our Hermosa and Manhattan Beach for the epitome of So Cal beach culture. The Getty Museum is top notch. I'd stay away from Santa Monica since its a toursit trap.

renting a car -from- LAX adds an additional 10% surcharge daily, i believe - so might be worthwhile researching a rental close/r to where you are staying and take the pub trans or flyaway from LAX -to- your car rental spot ;D.

bring sunglasses!

Old Town Pasadena is awesome for walking around - great food and lots of shopping. If you end-up there, be sure to check out Miller Alley / One Colorado; one of my favorite places to go and hang out when I lived there.

If you are venturing more in to touristy areas, Sunset Blvd is always great to check out, and Rodeo Drive is great to walk around too. Drinks at the Four Seasons, in Beverly Hills can be cool - and be sure to hit-up an In-N-Out burger if you can...

Good ole' LA.. I've lived here for 24 years and love it!!! Things to check out include the below:

1) Hike to Hollywood Sign 2) Melrose Ave. 3) Rodeo Dr. 4) Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu 5) Hollywood Blvd. 6) Sunset Blvd. on Friday/Saturday night. 7) Amazing restaurants throughout the city [Melisse, Baby Blues BBQ, etc.] 8) Art Galleries in Downtown Los Angeles 9) Disney Concert Hall 10) Farmer's Market & The Grove 11) Canter's Deli on Fairfax 12) Bronson Caves/Hike [where Batman was filmed] 13) Koreatown -- excellent Korean BBQ

I hope this helps... I could go on forever. lol.

Santa Monica Beach is the best choice if you are seeking a beach vacation in LA.

The Gemini Manor The Gemini Manor is a funky cool house where your eyes never get bored. It's an off beat unoffical museum of stuff -- toys, art, collectibles and at events people :P Gemini Manor has different events throughout the year and also provides personal tours. www.GeminiManor.com

Called LA's favorite place for food lovers, the Los Angeles Farmers Market is the best place to eat breakfast or lunch. Hornblower offers elegant brunch and dinner cruises. West Hollywood is LA's most diverse culinary scene where Wolfgang Puck's famed Spago is located as is Robert DeNiro's Ago. The World Famous Whiskey Bar on the Sunset Marquis is a beloved watering hole for celebs and locals alike. If pastrami on rye or a great kosher dill is to your liking, you will drool over the abundance of Jewish delicatessens. Medieval Times is a dining adventure with excitement for the whole family. http://www.themodernman.com/

Definitely worth a pilgrimage to see "Irises" by van Gogh!

Observatory is amazing, go on the weekend and look through the telescope, its free!

Definitely have to come if you love soda's

getty villa is awesome

Louis Bottega , downtown is my new favorite eatery

West Hollywood is LA's most diverse culinary scene where Wolfgang Puck's famed Spago is located as is Robert DeNiro's Ago. The World Famous Whiskey Bar on the Sunset Marquis is a beloved watering hole for celebs and locals alike.

If you think that you can have meetings in Burbank and Long Beach on the same day, you'll go completely nuts sitting in traffic. Each mini-city has its own central walking area but most visitors only see the highways. Also, don't forget the beach.

Joe's and La Vecchia. Finn Mcool's is a good pub/bar if you're looking for the less glitzy or polished evening but seriously it doesn't seem like one needs to dress to the nines for these areas anyways. Which, being from NorCal, I love.

"Basically, the nightlife overlords of SBE (MI-6) realized that the club last known as Area had run its course—possibly due to the outdated notion that dance floors were no place for juicy red meat on a bun. But the total overhaul has created a modern swirl of blue-hued mayhem that includes private rooms, champagne cocktails, an enclosed patio, Cucumber Watermelon Margaritas...and a walk-up burger bar slinging Pastrami Burgers, Falafel Burgers and, for the truly forward-thinking dancer, a Chili Cheese Burger." -urbandaddy.com Saturdays at Industry are by far the best night to checkout this ultra plush venue! more info at http://www.jbpentertainment.net

jamie barren presents Saturdays at Industry Nightclub

hosted by THE LADIES OF SPEARMINT RHINO (we'll be FINALLY putting those poles to use at Industry, making them more than just decor!) ... presented and sponsored by... SPEARMINT RHINO DOWNTOWN LA SPEARMINT RHINO TORRANCE SPEARMINT RHINO CITY OF INDUSTRY

Saturday, September 18th 2010 doors open 10:00pm - 2:00am

music by DJ FIVE STAR it's also DJ FIVE STAR'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

VIP ENTRY + NO COVER FOR LADIES ALL NIGHT Simply RSVP on JAMIE'S VIP list at jbpresents@yahoo.com

VIP TABLES AVAILABLE WITH BOTTLE SERVICE (highly recommended) RSVP and info at jbpresents@yahoo.com VIP tables at 310.749.9029

Visit us online at: http://www.jamiebarrenpresents.com/ Be our friend on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jbpevents

Industry is located at 643 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles 90069 (just north of Melrose)

view flyer online at- http://a.imageshack.us/img716/2396/industryspearmint082810.jpg

Los Angeles Museums: California Science. Hugely popular, educational and extensive, the California Science Museum will take you on a journey of discovery.

Los Angeles is more than 100% the city to be celebrating New Years Eve 2011 in, well at least one of the top five cities! What's there to do on December 31st 2010 in Los Angeles? How about partying at the W Hollywood for New Years 2011? or at Voyeur Nightclub, labelled "The Most Saught After Nightclub and Celebrity Hangout in Hollywood" or maybe at one of SBE's venues, such as Industry Nightclub! Of course there are numerous other places to party in LA for nye 2011, but are they even worth mentioning with the above three places, nope!

Interested in finding out more info, purchasing presale tickets or reserving a vip table - and for those not even interested in finding out how to get into these parties... how about just checking out sexy party pics - maybe after viewing, you'll change you mind! Visit www.facebook.com/jbpevents or www.myspace.com/jbpevents to view event info, party pics and more!

You should definitely try going to the Downtown Art Walk. It takes place the second thursday of every month in downtown LA! This art walk was recommended to me by a website called Area-Daily.com. You should check out the rest of their recommendations for discerning travelers!