Los Angeles - Looking for the best spot in LA

I am looking for the coolest place to stay in L.A. I plan on only being there one day. I want to do touristy stuff during the day and then hit up the night life. But it is my birthday and I am looking for a great place to crash! Please let me know if you have ANY suggestions, I know this is more of a vague questions but I know nothing about Los Angeles Thanks

You're probably going to need to provide some more details in order to get the answer you want. What kind of touristy stuff do you want to do? Where do you want to spend your day? Will you have a car? It's a big town, so if you've only got one day, there is only so much of it than you can/should cover. Is price an issue?

The two areas that immediately come to mind for me are the West Hollywood/Sunset area and the Venice/Santa Monica area. It all depends on the vibe you want.

Added to the questions iapetus asks...

What's your budget?

Added to the questions iapetus asks...

What's your budget?

Plus your age, and your definition of "cool." And where you'll be staying. And your mode of transportation (a big factor in Southern California). Are you looking for nightclubs? Upscale bars? Trendy restaurants? Someplace to spot celebrities? Based just on posts here, I might suggest the In-N-Out Burger franchise near LAX, but it's possible that's not what you're after. If you look at the Los Angeles Times Web site (www.latimes.com) and others, and look up reviews of clubs and restaurants, you might get some ideas.

There's certainly no way to cover all of even the main tourist sites in Los Angeles (a term often used not just for the City of Los Angeles, but the larger County of Los Angeles and even adjoining counties, such as Orange) in one day. Maybe you'll want to take a tour? Or at least scan a guide book? Either could give you ideas of where you want to hit for your birthday.

Yes, I will have a rental vehicle. I am only staying there the one day which is my 21st birthday, but I will be going back there several days later.. I am taking a long road trip and flying in and out of San Diego. So I was thinking the first day in LA(my bday) I would go see the hollywood sign and walk of fame. Maybe look for some celebs too ;) . And at night go to a nice dinner and then possibly a night club. Money is not a big issure because it is my birthday I am being loose with it. But Im not going to spend $400 bucks for a stay at one hotel for one night.

After several days of road tripping and driving the coast, I will be back in LA and plan on doing the beach thing and having more of a relazing time.

One of the "trendy" hotels near Sunset Strip is probably what you are looking for:

W Hollywood (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1789)

SLS Beverly Hills (http://www.slshotels.com/)

The Standard West Hollywood (http://www.standardhotels.com/hollywood/)

The Mondrian Sunset Strip (http://www.mondrianhotel.com/en-us/#/home/)

Grafton On Sunset (http://www.graftononsunset.com/hotel.php)

Yes, I will have a rental vehicle. I am only staying there the one day which is my 21st birthday, but I will be going back there several days later.. I am taking a long road trip and flying in and out of San Diego. So I was thinking the first day in LA(my bday) I would go see the hollywood sign and walk of fame. Maybe look for some celebs too ;) . And at night go to a nice dinner and then possibly a night club. Money is not a big issure because it is my birthday I am being loose with it. But Im not going to spend $400 bucks for a stay at one hotel for one night.

After several days of road tripping and driving the coast, I will be back in LA and plan on doing the beach thing and having more of a relazing time.

You may see the Hollywood sign from afar, but actually getting to it takes a bit of work (do an Internet search). As I said, don't expect too much from the "Walk of Fame" (either the stars in the sidewalk, over several blocks, or the area immediately in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where stars used to put their handprints, etc. in cement). There's just not that much there. Maybe a tour (even a self-guided one, using a map) of stars' homes??? There are books and Web sites about different places in L.A. where famous movies have been filmed, and several are accessible by public transportation as well as car (e.g., Union Station, Griffith Park Observatory (good view of the Hollywood sign plus a statue of James Dean!), Bradbury Building, City Hall). There are tours of almost every type you can imagine. One, Esoteric Tours, has some interesting-sounding tours (e.g., Raymond Chandler's Los Angeles), but I have not taken one.

When choosing a hotel, check parking fees (they can be as high as $40 in some places). For just seeing Hollywood and environs, a car isn't necessary, but it sounds like you'll already have one.

Have a great birthday. Even if you don't stay at a "trendy" hotel (which could be expensive), you can still find a nice one (or even a hostel, or something you get through Priceline or Hotwire), and then go splurge on your dinner and dancing.

It sounds like the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel is the right mix of cool, trendy, located near what the OP cares about, and affordable. A more unique option would be the Magic Castle Hotel and celebrating the 21st birthday at the Magic Castle (let me know if you need an invite).

A more unique option would be the Magic Castle Hotel and celebrating the 21st birthday at the Magic Castle (let me know if you need an invite).I never noticed that place before until Saturday. Happened to be heading eastbound on Franklin and just happened to look left at just the right time. Looks interesting, to say the least.

You may see the Hollywood sign from afar, but actually getting to it takes a bit of work (do an Internet search). As I said, don't expect too much from the "Walk of Fame" (either the stars in the sidewalk, over several blocks, or the area immediately in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where stars used to put their handprints, etc. in cement). There's just not that much there. Maybe a tour (even a self-guided one, using a map) of stars' homes??? There are books and Web sites about different places in L.A. where famous movies have been filmed, and several are accessible by public transportation as well as car (e.g., Union Station, Griffith Park Observatory (good view of the Hollywood sign plus a statue of James Dean!), Bradbury Building, City Hall). There are tours of almost every type you can imagine. One, Esoteric Tours, has some interesting-sounding tours (e.g., Raymond Chandler's Los Angeles), but I have not taken one.

When choosing a hotel, check parking fees (they can be as high as $40 in some places). For just seeing Hollywood and environs, a car isn't necessary, but it sounds like you'll already have one.

Have a great birthday. Even if you don't stay at a "trendy" hotel (which could be expensive), you can still find a nice one (or even a hostel, or something you get through Priceline or Hotwire), and then go splurge on your dinner and dancing.

Thanks for the input. It sounds like great advice.

I will definetly take a look at the Magic Castle Hotel, sounds like the right place to be. Thanks

i would recommend the strip of hotels in santa monica right near 3rd street and the pier. it's in west la so it's a centralized location and plenty of things to see and walk to.

i would recommend the strip of hotels in santa monica right near 3rd street and the pier. it's in west la so it's a centralized location and plenty of things to see and walk to.Centralized??? :confused: Convenient to Santa Monica, California, and Venice, sure. But I wouldn't exactly call that location centralized. ;) YMMV.

Standard Hotel, either location (although I like the Hollywood one better).