Visiting LA next weekend!

12/30/2005 Anita "the young man's momma" L. says:

A fun thing we like to do is visit downtown LA when we're in the area. It's got lots of shops and outdoor stalls where lots of things are for sale. It's fun and has a vibrant energy. The main strip is called Santee Alley and is located on Santee around the Fashion District. The closest address I can give you is around 9th and Santee.

Good luck!

12/31/2005 janel a. says:

Cool, that sounds interesting! Thanks Anita.

01/02/2006 Brian B. says:

If you like museums, I'd recommend checking out both the Museum of Jurassic Technology and the Ecstasy exhibit at the MOCA, both are unique and interesting. For nightlife, if you want a truly "LA" experience, try the rooftop at the Standard Hotel in Downtown. You'll go home with stories, I guarantee it.

01/03/2006 Jason D. says:

The Standard roof is a must do, also, venture over to Santa Monica for some great views, shopping, etc. If it is  a sunny day, maybe check out the Abbey for a mid-afternoon cocktail and people-watching.

01/06/2006 Allison B. says:

I was just in LA and the highlights were: the Getty, La Brea Tar Pits and El Capitan Theater (now playing Narnia).  I enjoyed the hell out of them and all 3 come with my highest recommendation.  If you're looking for an AMAZING restaurant, check out Luna Park.

01/06/2006 cherie c. says:

The Getty and the Tar Pits are good suggestions.  So is the Fashion District/Santee Alley.  Check www.fashiondistrict.org for details.  Watch your purse, though; pickpockets are everywhere down there.  Also downtown is Grand Central Market, Phillipe's (for the original French dip sandwich), and the Bradbury building across from the market.  Oh, and Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax is good, too.  Best food is at Doughboys, or Atlacatl if you want to try Salvadorean food.  Hotel Cafe is good for live music, and I second the Museum of Jurassic Technology recommendation.  Look at my profile for info on all these places and more.  

Have a great time in LA!

01/12/2006 Mike V. says:

The Getty, absolutely.
Venice Beach (for the grunge, Manhattan or Hermosa for the sun, Leo Carrillo up the PCH for some beautiful vistas)
There is a secret spot off sunset, sort of a trail head stuck between multi-million dollar houses, up a long hill which allows you to look over everything from the Malibu and the Pac. Palisades to the whole of LA.
The Echo for music (for the hipster crowd)
Try The Standard Downtown for some more "LA" types.
Tito's Tacos, Pinks, The Apple Pan for the unhealthy but irresistible grub.
So many places to eat, sort of depends on what kind of food you are looking for but Versailles is great (Cuban) and Natalee Thai is also incredible.
The strip can be fun, depending on your age and dress you may like the sky bar, maybe not.
Main St. in SM on your way toward Venice is a nice spot for a pub crawl.
If you make it out to Pasadena and like sushi I have a great place with a personal sushi chef who is unmatched.
So much to do, just make sure you avoid the freeways, map you route out ahead of time, remember that everyone drives (so everyone is looking for parking) and rush hour lasts from 7 am to 10:30, then you get the lunch rush, then it starts up at around 2:30 and doesn't really end if you are anywhere near downtown, the staples center, the 405/10, the Harbor Freeway/longbeach etc until way late at night, don't get caught.
Have fun.

01/13/2006 Mitzi "DVNO" Y. says:

go here: http://www.yelp.com/bi...

and get breakfast - crepes.

01/13/2006 jen "miss OCD queen" m. says:

definitely go to the getty for the view and the building. then head on over to the moca for the ectasy exhibit. it's really good! i've been twice already. bars -- the standard downtown roof bar is cool but hard to get into if you go too late and $20 cover. some other cool bars i like are little bar and the roost. check my reviews so you know where they are located. zankou chicken is a good local fast food place. not like mcdonald's fast food. but not like a restaurant. other good places to eat: doughboys, mani's, bossa nova, and fred 62 (24 hour diner). hit up fred's after some bars. go to venice/santa monica if the weather is nice to take in some sun. and show your friend how crazy the venice beach can get. have fun!

01/14/2006 Geo M. says:

If you're on the west side, check out both Abbot Kinney and Main st in Venice, much less touristy than Santa Monica.

Midtown, the Farmer's Market on 3rd/Farfax is great place for breakfast, as is Larchmont Village.   Shopping on Melrose ain't quite what it used to be, but it's still cool if you've never seen it.

If you want to venture east, downtown Pasadena is nice, and the Huntington gardens are not to be missed.  Great little museum and acres and acres of amazing gardens.

I know a lot of people are suggesting the Standard downtown, but I find the Sunset one to be a little less "velvet rope" and much more casual.  You can have a meal in the little "diner" then go hang out by the pool for drinks..

01/17/2006 Harsh K. says:

Depending how long you're here, do it in neighborhoods, there's too much to see all in one day and you'll hate life if you find yourself trying to drive cross-town at rushour

venice: hit the beach and check out the boardwalk, then hit main street and abbot kinney for cafes, shopping and a bite

Santa monica: super touisty, but a nice big beach, tons of shopping, and of course the pier with overpriced everything.  for bars hit gotham hall, renees, and temple bar.  latenight snack afterwards hit toi(mediocre thai),   swingers ( diner fare plus some healthfood), or izzy's deli.

West LA: hit the Getty, UCLA,  and the comic book exhibit at the Hammer museum.  For bars you've got father's office, liquid kitty, the arsenal.  Hit sawtelle for japanese food ( sasabune for edo style sushi, Hide Sushi, for the cold rice style) , and of course, giant robot :)

Melrose: like the haight only cleaner and more expensive worth checking out just to soak up the hipster style

Miracle Mile/ mid town: Tar pits, LACMA, lunch at the farmer's market/grove, drinks at little bar, dinner

Downtown: disney hall, moca, the cathedral, tons of restaurants ( I like engine  28 for american food in a cool location)and of course:  the bar at the standard hotel. The standard has unbelievable downtown views, waterbed cabanas by the pool, and of course the obnoxious beautiful LA types.  For a little older/ milder crowd, head a block away to the bar at the bonaventure.  still great views, but completely enclosed and an eaqually rich and beautiful, but slightly older mellower crowd

Pasadena: Old town, huntington gardens, the norton simon.  Lots of little expensive stores, a good art house theater, tons of sports bars, and a great little gelato place in the courtyard near il fornaio.

And if you want to go for natural views it's tough to beat hiking in will rogers ( off sunset near the palisades), the drive up PCH into malibu then going over topanga or malibu canyon ( I highly recommend the overlook at piuma canyon), then drive along Mulholland  from the 405 to around laurel  to get views of both the valley and the west side

and then there are the obvious that everyone hits: hollywood, beverly hills, sunset strip, universal city, disneyland.  but i'd recommend the list above before the others.

01/28/2006 janel a. says:

To everyone: Thank you so so much for your suggestions! I will be going back to explore LA again in the next month or so, and your suggestions will be an awesome resource!

You guys are the greatest!

01/29/2006 Michelle "Ninja" Y. says:

If you are up for walking, I really enjoy visiting Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Olvaro Street (like Little Mexico).  They are all very close to each other and in walking distance.  It's fun to try different foods.  Little Tokyo is my personal favorite.  They have great bakery options as well as Korean BBQ.  Another option is a GREAT but secret Italian restaurant in Westwood.   I'm a big fan of authentic Italian and often cook it myself at home.  I've tried all kinds throughout CA and New York and think this place is the best.  I don't recall the name right now although I eat there multiple times a week...lol.  Feel free to contact me later on if you like Italian.  I'll pay attention to the name next time I go.

01/30/2006 Joan "of Yelp" S. says:

Glad you are enjoying LA, Janel !

02/01/2006 Yan M. says:

Janel, check out the Melrose neighborhood and Melrose Ave is the main street. http://www.seeing-star... Reminds me of Haight/Ashbury neighborhood but Melrose definitely has more interesting/vintage stores, lots of cafes and eating places in the Melrose area as well.

02/01/2008 G "waxin' & milkin' all of your square heads" Y. says:

You should check out the Time Travel Mart: http://www.yelp.com/bi...

02/01/2008 Robert "Gay Guerrilla Gardener" H. says:

What everyone else mentioned is great, but I'm surprised that no one mentioned the Griffith Observatory. Its perfect to visit in either daytime or evening.