Poker anyone?
 

Commerce Casino is close by (great poker room), but so is Vegas! If you like to play, book a RT to LAS and you'll have no problem passing the time!

I had looked at this thread but I will be dealing with more late afternoon hours so the beach isn't as appealing. I don't need botox. I'm not into strip clubs and I'm not sure that I want to get 3 burgers. I was interested in the Getty museum until I saw the cab fares (this is after vaction $'s for me) I posted in UA basically to find out what I could do without leaving. Can you go between terminals there? Is it horribly uncomfortable? Glad to see my inbound flight will probably be delayed!!

Thanks all.

Although the thread Paubri cited above gives you a plethora of choices, I always suggest to transiting colleagues of mine -

1. Take a taxi to Santa Monica - go for a nice walk along the pier and/or beach. Then....

2. Walk to 3rd St Promenade and have lunch "alfresco". Then...

3. Walk and catch a movie at AMC Loews Broadway Cinemas (1441 3rd Street Promenade) or at Mann Criterion 1313 3rd Street Promenade or at AMC Theatres Santa Monica 7 1310 3rd Street Promenade.

While you can pass freely between the United terminals (6,7, and 8) at LAX, there is really nothing of interest there, nor is it a very pleasant place to spend any length of time.

I'd either Priceline a car and drive around to some places or be prepared to take a cab or the limited public transportation in the area.

Well what I was afraid you would all say I have to leave to keep my sanity. I've been to all the suggested places before - who ever suggested LAS would definately not get me to my plane in time - but thanks for the thought. I will not drive though. My last trip out I got the hard sell for extra insurance which I always decline. I saw two horrible accidents in my first 5 min on the road would have returned to get it except it was to scary to go back! Very strange vehicles + stuff they tow in CA. Guess I'll have to just wait for the weather forecast to see which direction the wind blows me.

12 Hours in LA Leaves You Plenty of Time To....
 

Hire an agent
Test for your first leading role
Make your first movie (to critical acclaim)
Make your second movie (which bombs)
Fall back into obscurity

msv, it sounds like you're just looking for a comfortable way to kill some number of hours in the afternoon/evening without incurring significant costs and having to worry about getting back to the airport. So, there are a number of cost-sensitive, closeby alternatives.

You can head down to Manhattan Beach- $25 cab fare. Lots of boutique shops, fine restaurants, MB Pier, and a small mall. So, you could head down there and grab a bite, wander around the town, see a movie, window shop (if that's your thing) then grab a nice dinner before heading back to LAX.

Just north of LAX is the Howard Hughes complex. Shops, restaurants, IMAX theater, etc. So, you could do the In-n-Out run straight off, and head down to the HH center and take in an IMAX movie or two. Then, heading back toward the airport, have a nice relaxing dinner at The Buggy Whip restaurant on La Tijera Blvd at the 405. Classic, old style steak and seafood place. If you've never had a Green Goddess salad, this is the place to try one. It's the house salad.

In any event, you'll find something to do. But I'd definitely budget to get out of the airport. Nothing quite takes the glow off of a nice vacation than schlepping around an airport for 10-12 hours.

When you arrive at LAX you can ask if there are any flights you can get confirmed standby on. $25 for 12 hours quicker home would be worth it, especially after such a long trip!

Otherwise, plenty of good suggestions in this thread already.

I was fully prepared to try some of the suggestions offered until I found out that UA would not check my suitcase more than 4 hours before my scheduled flight. Some how a suitcase and a carryon wouldn't even allow access to a bathroom and forget the beach. So I booked an earlier flight with a stop over (heck I wanted to see Denver anyway) and the $50 change fee at least got me to an exit row for the final leg. If other airline policies are the same for checking in luggage it sure makes a long layover a nasty situation.

Which is why you get a cheap car rental....rather than trying to get somewhere off-airport by cab/bus. That rental will have a trunk to lock your luggage in...

I just love to drive - except in Los Angeles, & Boston. I've been there several times too and still can't remember what the name equivalents for the rte numbers are either. My first trip out in 70's had 2 major crashes 5 min from the airport and I don't think I'll ever get over those sites. Usually I fly into Long Beach so I can start in "friendlier" territory and build up my confidence when I have to pass LA going north.

Am I correct to assume that we can just walk there? Will be arriving in on AA and out on Air Tahiti Nui. Got quite a long layover (arrive at 11am leave at 6:40pm) so thought this would be nice place to wet my whistle.

Just checked their website again and found the restaurant will be reopening on Nov 12th.

Best hotels at LAX?
 

We will be staying overnight at LAX next April between landing from Hawaii and taking off for LHR the next afternoon. Any recommendations on the best hotel? :confused:

We're not necessarily after the cheapest (or the most expensive), but something that delivers pleasant surroundings at a reasonable price would be good.

Do you have any points preference/affiliation like Marriott, Hilton, or Starwood?

No, o not concerned about which chain we go with