Perfect for airplane watching! Short final for 24R is almost right overhead, 24L a couple hundred feet further.

In-n-Out isn't high cuisine, but the package deal of airplanes and a burger is most excellent for a nice sunny day.

All the best, James

Also, if you're interested to see planes land on the "South Runways" (25RL/7RL) and you're flying in on Wednesdays through Sundays, there's also the Proud Bird that's finally reopened with both food and drink and a view.

David

The Inglewood/LAX Metro Micro has expanded its service to 5am to 9pm, 7 days a week. It doesn't actually go into the CTA, but it is easy to catch on either side of Sepulveda, at the bus stops just past Century Blvd. You can probably take the LAX-IT shuttle and walk across the street if you do not feel like walking from the terminal. It is currently only $1 each way, and will take you to quite a few places in the vicinity (see the map). It is basically an on-demand bus booked via the app, usually a minivan.

Suggested destinations within reach with the Micro include the Purple Orchid, a fun tiki bar in El Segundo, as well as Playa del Rey Beach and Dockweiler Beach. For car enthusiasts, the Zimmerman Driving Museum is also quite close, in El Segundo. The Flight Path Museum operated by LAX is also well worth a visit for aviation geeks. You could also get within walking distance to the Hollywood Park Casino, if you need to do some gambling (cards games only). There are a plethora of restaurants in this area as well, with far better and cheaper food than you will find at LAX or In-and-Out. For touristy food options, Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles and Randy's Donuts are also within range in Inglewood (and very close to each other).


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...30a02ba544.jpg
Metro Micro coverage area

Nice! Next trip, I'm there. Thanks!

All the best, James

Re: The Proud Bird
Be sure to check ahead to confirm that they will be open. Their hours have been a bit unreliable lately.
Also, the food there is strictly meh. Drinks are good, though.
Airplane spotting view is good.
There is also a neat display of aviation history.

There's a brand new restaurant at the Hyatt House on Century Blvd. It has a view of LAX:

"There’s a new rooftop restaurant and bar to know about near LAX, hiding in the shadows of the setting sun and floating airliners. ShoresLAX is now open at Hyatt Place (incorrect - it's at the Hyatt HOUSE) with open-air views to the tarmac from a 15th-floor rooftop that also includes a pool. This is still semi-casual dining for Westside hotel guests and locals alike, so expect fish tacos, a roast chicken with figs and root vegetables, short rib over risotto, and the like. Cocktails are also on offer, as are happy hour price reductions and (soon) weekend brunch. ShoresLAX runs daily from 4 p.m. to midnight at 5959 W. Century Boulevard."

https://la.eater.com/2022/1/11/22878...-intel-morning

Biggest potential issue for spotters is shooting directly into the sun when looking towards the south runways of 25R/L.

David

David

Playa Provisions is a great restaurant "complex" in that there's multiple levels of dining depending on the day, I went with my brother and nephew last time they were in town prior to the flight and some tasty breakfast.

Visiting Skid Row for the 4th July holiday weekend was definitely not part of the itinerary :D

For whom? And why?

David

Arrived at LAX around noon, got on FlyAway bus to Union Station, walked to Grand Central Market on Broadway (lunch). Did some more walking to burn off the calories, and took a wrong turn...ended up with some "interesting" conversations/stories with the locals.

I have a long layover at LAX with the family one day this weekend, say between 10:30 to 6:30. Kids are 9 and 14. I've read through this thread and have narrowed down our alternatives.

We'd like to get out of the airport for a few hours and the only thing on our agenda thus far is to scope out the walk from T4/T5 to the Homewood Suites, to see if we can reasonably walk it with our suitcases later this month when we have an overnight layover. We usually stay in El Segundo on overnight layovers, but this time I'm looking for something that avoids a shuttle (unless its raining).

We're also considering either the park across from the In-N-Out or Proud Bird for some plane spotting. We won't really need to eat but a drink is always nice. Based on the map, it looks like we could walk to In-N-Out, but probably not Proud Bird? If we wanted to do Proud Bird, would we walk to LAX-IT and pick up an Uber/Lyft there?

If instead of plane spotting, we decided to visit a beach town, would it be better with a family to head up to Venice or down to Manhattan Beach, or somewhere else? We've been to Santa Monica before and don't need that full beach experience - just a nice walk with some window shopping.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Both places you mention are a rather long walk, especially Proud Bird. You could take a shuttle, say to the Hilton, and walk the rest of the way to Proud Boy. I don’t recall any park near the In-N-Out (Sepulveda) if that’s the one you are considering. Memory being what it is, I checked the map and it isn’t showing a park there.

The Venice Beach area has had safety issues (even during daylight hours). To my way of thinking, it’s somewhat “down at heel” these days. Manhattan Beach is more residential. There’s a lovely walking path along the ocean abutting upscale homes. A lot of professional athletes live in the area. The shops are in a different area. There is a pier you can walk to. You would need an Uber or some other way to get to Manhattan Beach. Not that far in miles but not walkable in your time frame.

If open, the observation deck at The Theme Building (within LAX) is worth a visit.

Good plane spotting from South Sepulveda. There’s a flight path over the road and planes landing are pretty low at that point. Not sure there is a reasonable place for pedestrians to do so, along that busy stretch of road.

It's not a "real" park, but there is a grassy area south of the In-N-Out, across 92nd Street -- Google Maps has markers for both "LAX Plane Spotting" and "Airplane Landing View Point."

It has been closed since 2018, with no specific plans for reopening.

Watching from the Vicksburg overpass is great, but I wouldn’t really want to hang out there. It’s high up and the planes are low. I used to walk it regularly when the Lot C shuttles were scarce. There’s a sidewalk on the overpass, and stairs down to Sepulveda.