We have a short stop over between flights on our way to The Cook Islands.
July 2nd YYZ - LAX 08:30 - 10:40
July 3rd LAX - RAR 23:00 - 05:45 + 1
I booked the Sheraton Gateway @ LAX for the night of the 2nd on priceline.
Just wanted to run some stuff by some LA experts
I am planning on picking up a rental car and heading to the hotel to check-in. Then we would like to tour LA.
Here are the things we would like to see. I have never been to LA and have no idea how much time it would take to see these sights but would like to get as much in a possible.
Saturday
Santa Monica and the Pier (possibly a pacific coast highway drive)
Rodeo Drive (A must my wife claims)
The Hollywood sign
Hollywood walk of fame
Sunday
Universal Studios VIP package
Park is open 09:00 - 21:00.
So in the morning what time should we checkout and be out of the hotel to be at Universal Studios @ 9:00.
I would like to be back at LAX @ 20:00 so we can drop off the rental, check in, and hit up the Koru Club lounge for showers and relax before catching our 23:00 flight to RAR. Would 2 hour travel time be too much to make it back to LAX. I do not want to miss this weekly flight LOL.
Thanks
FB
JimboM1391
May 25, 11, 9:44 am
We have a short stop over between flights on our way to The Cook Islands.
July 2nd YYZ - LAX 08:30 - 10:40
July 3rd LAX - RAR 23:00 - 05:45 + 1
I booked the Sheraton Gateway @ LAX for the night of the 2nd on priceline.
Just wanted to run some stuff by some LA experts
I am planning on picking up a rental car and heading to the hotel to check-in. Then we would like to tour LA.
Here are the things we would like to see. I have never been to LA and have no idea how much time it would take to see these sights but would like to get as much in a possible.
Saturday
Santa Monica and the Pier (possibly a pacific coast highway drive)
Rodeo Drive (A must my wife claims)
The Hollywood sign
Hollywood walk of fame
Sunday
Universal Studios VIP package
Park is open 09:00 - 21:00.
So in the morning what time should we checkout and be out of the hotel to be at Universal Studios @ 9:00.
I would like to be back at LAX @ 20:00 so we can drop off the rental, check in, and hit up the Koru Club lounge for showers and relax before catching our 23:00 flight to RAR. Would 2 hour travel time be too much to make it back to LAX. I do not want to miss this weekly flight LOL.
Thanks
FB
Pre-welcome to LA!
Saturday, you're going to be doing a LOT of driving. Just a heads-up, traffic will be horrible from the pier to Rodeo. Santa Monica Boulevard is a parking lot most of the time, especially through Beverly Hills. However, the pier and surrounding Santa Monica Beach is pretty awesome. I would recommend Venice Beach (about 10-15 minutes south of Santa Monica) for an eclectic/hippie beach experience, too.
Rodeo Drive is ok. If you like high-end shopping with plastic women, go for it. If not, just drive down it and snap a couple pics.
Hollywood Walk of Fame - you have to see it once in your life. Just be warned, that Hollywood is a traffic nightmare and parking can be a little difficult if you don't want to park in the Hollywood & Highland parking structure. While you can technically SEE the Hollywood Sign from Holllywood Boulevard, it's not the best. I would recommend taking a drive up to a pretty decent viewpoint to get a great shot of the sign. From Hollywood & Highland, head east on Hollywood Blvd, make a left on Gower St., right on Franklin and left on Beachwood - follow Beachwood until the street turns to dirt, (easy) hike up the hill and you'll get a great view of the sign and a panoramic view of the city. While you're in the Hollywood area, I would recommend catching a Groundlings act (on Melrose) in the evening. HILARIOUS improv troupe. Always a good time.
Regarding Universal... It's just not that great, to be honest. If you've been to the one in Orlando, you can't compare the two. Orlando is WAY better. If you decide to head there, give yourself about an hour to get there. Traffic should be light on a Sunday morning. You might even make it there in less time, but just play it safe. On the way back... Traffic could be pretty heavy, especially on the 101 & the 405 (depending on the route you go), so I'd give yourself a good two hours to get back to LAX, especially if you're dropping off the rental car. The rental car lots are about a 10-15 minute shuttle ride back to the terminal complex.
Hope you enjoy your couple days in LA. Feel free to message me if you have questions.
FB_
May 25, 11, 11:57 am
Thanks for you comments
I have been to Orlando but never Universal Studios. The VIP experience is a lot of money but it sounds like something that might be pretty cool to do.
I don't mind driving and I am pretty used to traffic in Toronto. Although I've heard LA is much worse.
Is it worth a drive up the pacific highway. It all pretty much looks the same on google street view.
JimboM1391
May 25, 11, 12:11 pm
Is it worth a drive up the pacific highway. It all pretty much looks the same on google street view.
There's nothing like a drive up the PCH. Google Street View does not do it justice. If you have the time, I highly recommend it. El Matador State Beach is amazing - it's not too far north of Malibu.
FlyMeToTheLooneyBin
May 25, 11, 12:19 pm
Thanks for you comments
I have been to Orlando but never Universal Studios. The VIP experience is a lot of money but it sounds like something that might be pretty cool to do.
I don't mind driving and I am pretty used to traffic in Toronto. Although I've heard LA is much worse.
Is it worth a drive up the pacific highway. It all pretty much looks the same on google street view.
Another pre-welcome to LA. While I haven't been to either studio in a while, I hear Paramount is better if you want a more realistic movie set tour because they show you parts that are still being used.
LA is really a very big and spread out city, so two days definitely won't be enough. You'll just barely get a glimpse, if that, of parts of the lifestyle here.
You can drive up PCH quickly and make it back, but traffic could be bad, especially on the weekends, and that would also not be in the spirit of PCH, which is supposed to be a lazy relaxing drive. Just don't be the one driving 40mph in front of me! :) I drive up PCH everyday and I love the view. It calms me as I go to work.
Santa Monica Pier is also worth seeing. The beach/westside culture really is different from the rest of LA, so you have to spend time with each to soak them up. Don't forget sailboats! You can park by the marina and walk around and see tons of sailboats in Marina Del Rey.
Rodeo drive is overrated. It's really just a strip with high-end shops and lots of traffic. Drive through if you want to say you've been there, but getting there could mean lots of driving time.
The Hollywood stars are probably something you should see, being in LA and all. The sign can be seen from a lot of places, but the best places are probably on high vantage points.
wdogg
May 25, 11, 2:33 pm
plan looks good but i'm going to second that rodeo drive is overrated. it's just a street in a very nice neighborhood with very expensive shops. there's not much to do or see walking around that you wouldn't see from the car.
if you have time to squeeze in the getty center is close to santa monica and is a great place to go if you've never been to la before. it's free but parking is $15.
http://www.getty.edu/
JimboM1391
May 25, 11, 2:34 pm
if you have time to squeeze in the getty center is close to santa monica and is a great place to go if you've never been to la before. it's free but parking is $15.
http://www.getty.edu/
Agreed. Getty is great. Parking is free after 5, FYI
FB_
May 25, 11, 7:58 pm
Rodeo drive is one of two things my wife really wanted to do in LA. She claims to want to buy something from one of the shops and I'm like "NO"..... "not even lip gloss" Not for anything more than $2.99 LOL
FlyMeToTheLooneyBin
May 25, 11, 8:00 pm
Rodeo drive is one of two things my wife really wanted to do in LA. She claims to want to buy something from one of the shops and I'm like "NO"..... "not even lip gloss" Not for anything more than $2.99 LOL
Heh. Enjoy that $50 lip gloss...
Actually, I wouldn't know. They'd probably kick me out as soon as I enter.
The only good thing about that area is Mastro's. :)
tentseller
May 25, 11, 8:19 pm
Thanks for you comments
I have been to Orlando but never Universal Studios. The VIP experience is a lot of money but it sounds like something that might be pretty cool to do.
I don't mind driving and I am pretty used to traffic in Toronto. Although I've heard LA is much worse.
Is it worth a drive up the pacific highway. It all pretty much looks the same on google street view.
IMHO If you can handle 401 between 400/404 during rush hour 405/101 will be a piece of cake.
SWCPHX
May 25, 11, 8:22 pm
A couple of thoughts. I can not express to you how bad traffic will be around the SM beach/pier area over 4th of July weekend. Everybody wants to be at the beach on summer weekends and traffic going to the beach in the morning is a nightmare and leaving the beach near sunset is an equal nightmare.
I would also personally skip Universal Studios, it will tie up the entire day and traffic to and from Universal City from your hotel will also likely be very heavy. But if you're set on it, then definitely do it on the Sunday. I would do Hollywood, the Hollywood Sign, and Rodeo Drive on the Saturday you check in. Go first to Hollywood and do your thing there then head West to Rodeo Dr. and Beverly Hills. Then depending on the time continue going West towards the beach on Sunset Blvd. You can either hang a left at Temescal Canyon and take that to the Pacific Coast Hwy or stay on Sunset for a little bit longer of a drive to PCH. Alternately you can hang a left at Allenford and take that to San Vicente Blvd. This is a pretty tree lined street that is the Northern border of Santa Monica. From here you can go West on San Vicente or down to the Montana Ave. area and then go West to Palisades Park. If you're up for a walk, park somewhere along the top of the bluffs and take the stairs over to the beach and walk down to the Pier from there. This route will take you opposite of the traffic flow to the beach for the most part and give you perhaps a nice drive through some of the nicer parts of LA.
FB_
May 26, 11, 7:56 am
IMHO If you can handle 401 between 400/404 during rush hour 405/101 will be a piece of cake.
I am on the 410/401 for 2 hours every day.
FB_
May 26, 11, 8:17 am
A couple of thoughts. I can not express to you how bad traffic will be around the SM beach/pier area over 4th of July weekend. Everybody wants to be at the beach on summer weekends and traffic going to the beach in the morning is a nightmare and leaving the beach near sunset is an equal nightmare.
I would also personally skip Universal Studios, it will tie up the entire day and traffic to and from Universal City from your hotel will also likely be very heavy. But if you're set on it, then definitely do it on the Sunday. I would do Hollywood, the Hollywood Sign, and Rodeo Drive on the Saturday you check in. Go first to Hollywood and do your thing there then head West to Rodeo Dr. and Beverly Hills. Then depending on the time continue going West towards the beach on Sunset Blvd. You can either hang a left at Temescal Canyon and take that to the Pacific Coast Hwy or stay on Sunset for a little bit longer of a drive to PCH. Alternately you can hang a left at Allenford and take that to San Vicente Blvd. This is a pretty tree lined street that is the Northern border of Santa Monica. From here you can go West on San Vicente or down to the Montana Ave. area and then go West to Palisades Park. If you're up for a walk, park somewhere along the top of the bluffs and take the stairs over to the beach and walk down to the Pier from there. This route will take you opposite of the traffic flow to the beach for the most part and give you perhaps a nice drive through some of the nicer parts of LA.
I was thinking of doing Venice beach first but maybe you are correct and doing the reverse might be the best way to go.
Not sure if this link works well but what about doing something like this
So we would hit up the Hollywood sign first, then off to the walk of fame, rodeo drive, then a scenic drive over the top and down the PCH while the sun is going down and finish the day off @ Venice Beach for dinner and a walk on the beach. Would that be way too much for one day. By the time we get the rental and check in to the hotel it would probably be at least noon before we start out for the day. Plus our clocks will be 3 hours ahead.
Or same as above but cut out the scenic drive over the top and head both north and south on the PCH depending on the time.
LA being famous for traffic does have a good network with many alternative routing along with abundance of carpool lanes.
401 is our only east west option in the city.
FlyMeToTheLooneyBin
May 26, 11, 10:58 am
I am on the 410/401 for 2 hours every day.
Ouch! With that kind of patience, you should be able to handle LA traffic. :)
Wait, that's round trip or one-way?
FB_
May 26, 11, 11:13 am
Ouch! With that kind of patience, you should be able to handle LA traffic. :)
Wait, that's round trip or one-way?
Round Trip.
It's 36km/22mi to my work. Each way takes about an hour.
JimboM1391
May 26, 11, 4:18 pm
Ouch! With that kind of patience, you should be able to handle LA traffic. :)
Wait, that's round trip or one-way?
Round Trip.
It's 36km/22mi to my work. Each way takes about an hour.
When I still worked in LA. it took me 45-60 minutes to drive 11 miles one-way.
SWCPHX
May 26, 11, 6:20 pm
I was thinking of doing Venice beach first but maybe you are correct and doing the reverse might be the best way to go.
Not sure if this link works well but what about doing something like this
So we would hit up the Hollywood sign first, then off to the walk of fame, rodeo drive, then a scenic drive over the top and down the PCH while the sun is going down and finish the day off @ Venice Beach for dinner and a walk on the beach. Would that be way too much for one day. By the time we get the rental and check in to the hotel it would probably be at least noon before we start out for the day. Plus our clocks will be 3 hours ahead.
Or same as above but cut out the scenic drive over the top and head both north and south on the PCH depending on the time.
Personally I would do the 2nd of the two routes. I haven't driven over Benedict Canyon before but that first route puts you at a pretty far East point in the San Fernando Valley area.
And if you take the 105 to the 110 during your day out, don't get off and wander too much through the neighborhoods along the route. While you're likely to see some interesting local color, they're not really good parts of town to get lost in.
SWCPHX
May 26, 11, 6:21 pm
When I still worked in LA. it took me 45-60 minutes to drive 11 miles one-way.
I think it's taken me that long to crawl through the 10/405 interchange :mad:. I don't miss that.
FlyMeToTheLooneyBin
May 26, 11, 7:52 pm
I think it's taken me that long to crawl through the 10/405 interchange :mad:. I don't miss that.
Yeah. The 10/405 can be bad during the weekends, too, especially during sunny days.
PTravel
May 26, 11, 9:23 pm
So we would hit up the Hollywood sign firstI'm not quite sure what you mean by this. You do know that you can't go up to the Hollywood sign, right? You can drive up Beachwood Canyon in Hollywood to get the best view, but you still won't be within a 1/2 mile of it.
I'd also suggest doing something other than Universal Studios. It's just a theme park -- if you're going because you're interested in how films are made, it has absolutely nothing to do with the reality of production. There are a couple of excellent studio tours (Paramount and Burbank Studios) that require advance reservations, but I guarantee that you won't see anything at Universal that remotely approaches a "backstage look."
FB_
May 27, 11, 7:45 am
Thanks for all the tips everyone.
corky
May 27, 11, 10:18 am
Speaking from a woman's point of view, I am with the Mrs. I love walking down Rodeo & window shopping or even daring to go in a few shops. And I almost always see a celebrity. Plus the Beverly Hills area around there with the beautiful homes is really special--take a drive along Sunset.
On the other hand, I hate Universal.
bzcat
May 27, 11, 12:28 pm
I was thinking of doing Venice beach first but maybe you are correct and doing the reverse might be the best way to go.
Not sure if this link works well but what about doing something like this
So we would hit up the Hollywood sign first, then off to the walk of fame, rodeo drive, then a scenic drive over the top and down the PCH while the sun is going down and finish the day off @ Venice Beach for dinner and a walk on the beach. Would that be way too much for one day. By the time we get the rental and check in to the hotel it would probably be at least noon before we start out for the day. Plus our clocks will be 3 hours ahead.
Or same as above but cut out the scenic drive over the top and head both north and south on the PCH depending on the time.
Do the 2nd route. You have limited time, why waste it sitting in traffic on the 101 freeway (as in the 1st route)?
The only change to your 2nd route I will suggest is to stay on Santa Monica Blvd from Beverly Hills to Santa Monica. Don't get on the freeway... that's a amateur mistake :D
Also, I think you have vastly under estimated our traffic gridlock. My daily commute is 7 miles each way and it takes 45 minutes. The July 4th weekend will be traffic nightmare near all the tourist spots and the beach area. You will spend a lot of time in your rental car. Make sure you get something comfy.
On your way back to hotel from Santa Monica, take Ocean Blvd to Main St instead of Lincoln Blvd. This way, you can check out Abbott Kinney Dr and Venice Beach as well.
PTravel
May 27, 11, 1:18 pm
Do the 2nd route. You have limited time, why waste it sitting in traffic on the 101 freeway (as in the 1st route)?
The only change to your 2nd route I will suggest is to stay on Santa Monica Blvd from Beverly Hills to Santa Monica. Don't get on the freeway... that's a amateur mistake :D
Also, I think you have vastly under estimated our traffic gridlock. My daily commute is 7 miles each way and it takes 45 minutes. The July 4th weekend will be traffic nightmare near all the tourist spots and the beach area. You will spend a lot of time in your rental car. Make sure you get something comfy.
On your way back to hotel from Santa Monica, take Ocean Blvd to Main St instead of Lincoln Blvd. This way, you can check out Abbott Kinney Dr and Venice Beach as well.All of these are excellent suggestions.
FB_
May 27, 11, 2:20 pm
Do the 2nd route. You have limited time, why waste it sitting in traffic on the 101 freeway (as in the 1st route)?
The only change to your 2nd route I will suggest is to stay on Santa Monica Blvd from Beverly Hills to Santa Monica. Don't get on the freeway... that's a amateur mistake :D
Also, I think you have vastly under estimated our traffic gridlock. My daily commute is 7 miles each way and it takes 45 minutes. The July 4th weekend will be traffic nightmare near all the tourist spots and the beach area. You will spend a lot of time in your rental car. Make sure you get something comfy.
On your way back to hotel from Santa Monica, take Ocean Blvd to Main St instead of Lincoln Blvd. This way, you can check out Abbott Kinney Dr and Venice Beach as well.
I am taking notes. thx
FlyMeToTheLooneyBin
May 29, 11, 5:55 pm
If you stay in Santa Monica, there is a shuttle bus that goes back and forth between downtown (promenade area) Santa Monica to Main St. It's called the Tide Shuttle and it's really cheap (25 cents when I last took it). I think it still runs. It's a seasonal shuttle, but July 4th should be right in the middle of summer.
bzcat
May 31, 11, 12:33 pm
I am taking notes. thx
I updated your route: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Los+Angeles+International+Airport+(LAX),+1+W orld+Way,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90045,+USA&daddr=34.13007,-118.32134+to:34.1016296,-118.348927+to:34.06707,-118.40091+to:34.0671666,-118.4175399+to:34.05601,-118.45149+to:34.0414147,-118.4708028+to:34.03409,-118.47992+to:34.02445,-118.50455+to:34.02064,-118.7992+to:34.0216459,-118.8102089+to:34.0170694,-118.8180083+to:34.0175461,-118.8174617+to:34.00808,-118.49095+to:34.00289,-118.48445+to:33.99325,-118.47497+to:33.9899419,-118.4638202+to:33.98504,-118.47008+to:33.98109,-118.46676+to:33.98137,-118.45994+to:33.9845159,-118.4554919+to:Unknown+road&geocode=FefvBQIdKTrx-Cm1T7IT0rDCgDHxrYtpV3uodw%3BFZbICAIdRI_y-CnDLh5rdb_CgDGm2gZ8FGicAA%3BFX1ZCAIdgSPy-Cnr1qqw377CgDFMbik35mKApg%3BFX7SBwIdcljx-CmTsBce-bvCgDF3EKTTGDSDcQ%3BFd7SBwIdfRfx-Cm_0pFNdLzCgDGGfVh39gVqtQ%3BFUqnBwId3pLw-Ck1oKqzYrvCgDHqD-ig_udQwA%3BFUZuBwIdbkfw-Ckn79zLRLvCgDGi3b2OdsOePQ%3BFapRBwId0CPw-CldiJxMSbvCgDFYmPwdxZE1-A%3BFQIsBwIdmsPv-CnPTKiyuKTCgDHgZ5oPo-xJ1g%3BFSAdBwIdoETr-Cmf6AF87xjogDEKxgiN5divWA%3BFQ0hBwIdoBnr-ClR5nIv9hjogDGBKFPK3RupyQ%3BFS0PBwIdKPvq-Cl1q2mZWRjogDFkH4bp4FmC3g%3BFQoRBwIdS_3q-Ck3GtKRWRjogDH-4BW0fAcduQ%3BFRDsBgIduvjv-CltYhPJ1aTCgDEZDTCkxg8Szw%3BFcrXBgIdHhLw-CmJOAOW1LrCgDF6cUZT-pL4gw%3BFSKyBgIdJjfw-CnBjn26yLrCgDELVLwxe__mBA%3BFTWlBgIdtGLw-CmhNqLNv7rCgDFUZfPCiKanNw%3BFRCSBgIdQErw-Clzuerlu7rCgDFw9yqvfA0WMQ%3BFaKCBgIdOFfw-Ckb_AEzo7rCgDGja7ml-nmiGw%3BFbqDBgId3HHw-Cll5JmzmbrCgDEMOJdHEC-TPg%3BFQOQBgIdPYPw-Cnb-92hkLrCgDEpxuf4800LGg%3BFfz2BQIdfFPx-A&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrsp=12&sz=19&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,1 9,20&sll=34.017033,-118.81764&sspn=0.002009,0.00284&ie=UTF8&ll=33.997173,-118.43708&spn=0.181883,0.363579&z=12
Couple of quick notes:
1. Wilshire Blvd is the more iconic thoroughfare in LA so I suggest you take this road to Santa Monica instead of Santa Monica Blvd. But either one is fine.
2. Parking is free for 2 hours at most of the underground garage in Beverly Hills, including the valet parking at the famous "2 Rodeo Drive" building (where Tiffany & Co is located). The garage entrance is on Dayton Way.
3. If you drive all the way to Zuma Beach, there is a pretty convenient place to turn around... just don't go into the parking lot gates (unless of course you want to visit Zuma Beach, it is pretty nice).
4. PCH will be a slow slog on July 4th weekend so be patient. You may want to pick a few spots where you can stop to visit instead of just driving to Malibu and back. For example:
Santa Monica Beach House (to see the coast and use the "facilities"... it has very clean public restrooms :D ): http://beachhouse.smgov.net/
Getty Villa (nice place to relax for a hour or two before getting back on the road): http://www.getty.edu/visit/
Or consider stopping at a place to eat.
FB_
Jun 4, 11, 1:10 pm
I updated your route: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Los+Angeles+International+Airport+(LAX),+1+W orld+Way,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90045,+USA&daddr=34.13007,-118.32134+to:34.1016296,-118.348927+to:34.06707,-118.40091+to:34.0671666,-118.4175399+to:34.05601,-118.45149+to:34.0414147,-118.4708028+to:34.03409,-118.47992+to:34.02445,-118.50455+to:34.02064,-118.7992+to:34.0216459,-118.8102089+to:34.0170694,-118.8180083+to:34.0175461,-118.8174617+to:34.00808,-118.49095+to:34.00289,-118.48445+to:33.99325,-118.47497+to:33.9899419,-118.4638202+to:33.98504,-118.47008+to:33.98109,-118.46676+to:33.98137,-118.45994+to:33.9845159,-118.4554919+to:Unknown+road&geocode=FefvBQIdKTrx-Cm1T7IT0rDCgDHxrYtpV3uodw%3BFZbICAIdRI_y-CnDLh5rdb_CgDGm2gZ8FGicAA%3BFX1ZCAIdgSPy-Cnr1qqw377CgDFMbik35mKApg%3BFX7SBwIdcljx-CmTsBce-bvCgDF3EKTTGDSDcQ%3BFd7SBwIdfRfx-Cm_0pFNdLzCgDGGfVh39gVqtQ%3BFUqnBwId3pLw-Ck1oKqzYrvCgDHqD-ig_udQwA%3BFUZuBwIdbkfw-Ckn79zLRLvCgDGi3b2OdsOePQ%3BFapRBwId0CPw-CldiJxMSbvCgDFYmPwdxZE1-A%3BFQIsBwIdmsPv-CnPTKiyuKTCgDHgZ5oPo-xJ1g%3BFSAdBwIdoETr-Cmf6AF87xjogDEKxgiN5divWA%3BFQ0hBwIdoBnr-ClR5nIv9hjogDGBKFPK3RupyQ%3BFS0PBwIdKPvq-Cl1q2mZWRjogDFkH4bp4FmC3g%3BFQoRBwIdS_3q-Ck3GtKRWRjogDH-4BW0fAcduQ%3BFRDsBgIduvjv-CltYhPJ1aTCgDEZDTCkxg8Szw%3BFcrXBgIdHhLw-CmJOAOW1LrCgDF6cUZT-pL4gw%3BFSKyBgIdJjfw-CnBjn26yLrCgDELVLwxe__mBA%3BFTWlBgIdtGLw-CmhNqLNv7rCgDFUZfPCiKanNw%3BFRCSBgIdQErw-Clzuerlu7rCgDFw9yqvfA0WMQ%3BFaKCBgIdOFfw-Ckb_AEzo7rCgDGja7ml-nmiGw%3BFbqDBgId3HHw-Cll5JmzmbrCgDEMOJdHEC-TPg%3BFQOQBgIdPYPw-Cnb-92hkLrCgDEpxuf4800LGg%3BFfz2BQIdfFPx-A&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrsp=12&sz=19&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,1 9,20&sll=34.017033,-118.81764&sspn=0.002009,0.00284&ie=UTF8&ll=33.997173,-118.43708&spn=0.181883,0.363579&z=12
Couple of quick notes:
1. Wilshire Blvd is the more iconic thoroughfare in LA so I suggest you take this road to Santa Monica instead of Santa Monica Blvd. But either one is fine.
2. Parking is free for 2 hours at most of the underground garage in Beverly Hills, including the valet parking at the famous "2 Rodeo Drive" building (where Tiffany & Co is located). The garage entrance is on Dayton Way.
3. If you drive all the way to Zuma Beach, there is a pretty convenient place to turn around... just don't go into the parking lot gates (unless of course you want to visit Zuma Beach, it is pretty nice).
4. PCH will be a slow slog on July 4th weekend so be patient. You may want to pick a few spots where you can stop to visit instead of just driving to Malibu and back. For example:
Santa Monica Beach House (to see the coast and use the "facilities"... it has very clean public restrooms :D ): http://beachhouse.smgov.net/
Getty Villa (nice place to relax for a hour or two before getting back on the road): http://www.getty.edu/visit/
Or consider stopping at a place to eat.
Great thanks
number_6
Jun 4, 11, 9:13 pm
The Getty Villa on PCH is great esp. if you have out-of-state DL then you can get in without a reservation most days (otherwise have to book weeks ahead, for CA residents). Great ocean view as well as an amazing Greco-Roman collection all in what was the Getty residence (amazing opulence but also remarkably modest by modern standards). Pretty good food at their cafe.
The Getty Museum is a few miles away, and quite different (modern, purpose built museum in a stunning location with maybe the best collection in the world; certainly up there with the Louvre and British Museum, and better than any museum in NYC or Toronto). Admission is free but parking is expensive and strictly limited. Dont think there is a preference for out of state visitors.
Personally I find Manhattan Beach charming (just south of LAX, almost like a village with some great restaurants). Fry's (for electronics) and Trader Joe's (for liquor) are must visits, all near LAX with little traffic. You can get superb vodka at TJ for $10 per liter (vs. $30 in the LAX duty free store!!!!), also they have chocolate covered edamame that is to die for (along with salted chocolate caramels). Might be worth stocking up on these delicacies for the Cook islands.
PTravel
Jun 4, 11, 9:25 pm
The Getty Villa on PCH is great esp. if you have out-of-state DL then you can get in without a reservation most days (otherwise have to book weeks ahead, for CA residents). Great ocean view as well as an amazing Greco-Roman collection all in what was the Getty residence (amazing opulence but also remarkably modest by modern standards). Pretty good food at their cafe.
The Getty Museum is a few miles away, and quite different (modern, purpose built museum in a stunning location with maybe the best collection in the world; certainly up there with the Louvre and British Museum, and better than any museum in NYC or Toronto). Admission is free but parking is expensive and strictly limited. Dont think there is a preference for out of state visitors. Though I agree about the settings of the Villa and main museum, I could not disagree more about the quality of the collection. LACMA's collection is far better and comparing the Getty to the Louvre and the British Museum (or, for that matter, the Metropolitan in NY) is rather surprising (also surprising is that, though the Getty has the largest endowment of any art museum, it's collection is so mediocre).