How old are you? If under 30, I'd head to Hermosa. You might get lucky and see me there. :D

Any recommendations for a good restaurant at LAX with free shuttle? (ie restaurant at a hotel with free shuttle service) I have an about 5 hour transit in LAX from 6pm to 11pm

I would be at LAX for about 5 hours, is there anywhere nearby I can go for a good dinner? Prefably somewhere (like a hotel) that has free shuttle service from LAX.

Well it will eat up a bit of time, but if you want to eat somewhere not in a hotel, catch a hotel shuttle to Hilton or Marriott. Then catch the free Ocean Express shuttle that runs along the hotels to downtown Manhattan Beach (lots of restaurants/bars) & have a bite to eat there, then catch the OE back to the hotel & catch the hotel shuttle back to LAX.

Re: hotel restaurants. I haven't heard outstanding on any of them, so just catch one of the free hotel shuttles to Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, etc.

Cheers.

How much would the cab fare be down to Manhattan beach from LAX? If I'm in abit of rush, may need to factor this into the costs and considering the car rental for that few hours against the cab fare

Depending on where you are going, taxi fare is apt to be $20-25 one-way to Manhattan beach. And don't assume that you will be able to just flag down a taxi in Manhattan beach, more likely you will need to call one, and wait for it to arrive.

Unless you are really tight for time, you might do better to Priceline a car (I've seen them for as little as $18-25 all-in for off-brands), and a rental car will have a trunk to store any luggage rather than shlep it around.

mlshanks is right about the cost of cab to MB, and why PL might be better.

I use a private cab ($20 flat rate each direction, which includes tip) that can pick you up at LAX & also pick you up in MB at set times. PM me if you want his #.

If you want to just call a local cab while in downtown MB, then 310.538.5111 is the local Yellow Cab in MB. They always quote 5-15minutes for pick-up, but are usually there in 5-10.

And again, eats a bit of time but the free hotel shuttle/free Ocean Express combo works given you've got 5 hours. And you can always check your leggage w/ the bellman at whichever hotel you use at the pick-up spot.

Also, for those reading this thread, besides downtown Manhattan Beach (bars, restaurants, shops, galleries, pier), the Ocean Express also stops at Manhattan Village Mall (stores, restaurants, movie theatres).

Cheers.

Thanks but I think cabs would work better for me, I'm underage when renting cars is concerned. I might just book a car and decide on the spot depending if I can check in my luggage that early.

Great thread!

In any case I've got some ideas from it and others already but thought a specific question might clarify answers for me.

I need to catch a 625am UA flight on a Sunday morning later this month (destination DEN), having come in from NZ at 2pm Saturday afternoon. I'd like to balance staying somewhere with a bit of an atmosphere to have a beer or three that afternoon with having to make the early start the next morning after those beers.

So just priceline a LAX hotel and assume any such hotel bar will have some form of life in them? Or head further afield for a bit more life and pay the price of the extra journey time in the morning?

And just what sort of time do I need nowadays to navigate the check-in routine at LAX that time on a Sunday with no bags to check?

Hotel status is limited to Hyatt Platinum, airline status to AC *S.

Well, none of the LAX area hotels have a bit of an atmosphere, especially on the weekend. BTW - there is no Hyatt at LAX.

What I would do is get a room at one of the LAX area hotels on Century Blvd, and take the afore-mentioned free Ocean Express shuttle to downtown Manhattan Beach (think it runs every 30 minutes), where there are lots of bars, restaurants, pier, beach activities, etc. Catch the shuttle back to the airport hotel after eating/drinking, get a decent night sleep & then take your hotel shuttle in the early am to LAX.

Check with your hotel about doing online check-in from their biz center, which should eliminate a bit of time in the morning. I think *Silver can use the elite line, but not totally sure. Surprisingly enough the early am can be busy at LAX, because all the east coast flights leave around 6am. I'd get there at least an hour early or a bit more.

Cheers.

Thanks Sharon! A couple more questions then. Presumably most Century Blvd hotels have their own shuttles - and is there a Hyatt there? And how far is that area from the airport in driving time?

kbd

As Sharon mentioned, there is no Hyatt on Century. The closest Hyatt chain hotel is <10 minute drive south, toward Manhattan Beach.

Hyatt Summerfield Suites El Segundo
810 South Douglas Street
El Segundo, California, USA
90245
Tel: 310-725-0100

Just a tip from someone who's gone to the Getty Villa on short notice--tickets sometimes open up as you get closer to the date you want to go--this is how we were able to go. You may not be able to get in in the mid-term future, but if you haven't been successful further out, check again right before you head for LA, and you may be able to score a ticket or two.

This is particularly true if your movies are of a particular genre that tends to get made up in the Valley (and is not likely to draw much "critical acclaim"). :D

And as far as I know no hotel shuttle service to Hyatt Summerfield Suites; you'd need to take a cab. The nearest full-service Hyatt is in Century City, about 25-30 minutes from LAX.

Really to be closest to LAX you'll want to be on Century Blvd. Basically all the hotels on CB have free hotel shuttle service, plus that gives you access to the free Ocean Express shuttle & you can head over to Manhattan Beach for the aft/early eve, which given the time you'll be here will be lovely.

For someone who asked about the Getty Museum (on the hill) vs the Getty Villa. Reservations are required for the Villa. They aren't for the museum, as it's been open longer & has lots of parking (parking limited at the Villa).

I just had some friends in a couple of weeks ago who missed their connection to Sydney due to weather & had to stay overnight. We did a quick LA tour (I was stunned by how much we got done in 7 hours!), and spent 2 hours at the Getty on the hill. Great views from Catalina Island to downtown MB, basically did the garden & architecture tour, with some art thrown in as we made our way back to the front via inside the dif buildings. I actually like the Getty on the hill, and have been there several times.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the Villa. I arrange for some gal pals to go & then oops, discovered the required reservations part. So we're rescheduling.

Cheers.