The consolidated "What to do on a layover at LAX" thread
#92
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 131
LAX has to be one of the more unpleasant airports in which to spend the night. If at all possible, try to get a hotel that runs a shuttle to the terminals. If not, I remember a few threads from long ago that discussed particular options for sleep, but I believe they were all very noisy. If you are feeling adventurous, I recall one poster saying that if you find a bench or a ledge in the center island between the terminals - that that is your best option.
#93
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Join Date: Apr 2000
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You can often obtain a 2.5* LAX hotel (often the Courtyard Marriott) on Priceline for about USD 40 plus tax/fee (total about USD 50). Free shuttle is included.
#94
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: LAX, BUR
Posts: 1,559
@:-) There's always the strip clubs on Century. That'll keep you until about 2 am.
On a serious note, I would go with the PL 2.5* option, personally. Nothing much to do late at night in the area and sleeping at LAX is an iffy proposition.
On a serious note, I would go with the PL 2.5* option, personally. Nothing much to do late at night in the area and sleeping at LAX is an iffy proposition.
#95
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: RDU
Programs: UA 1MM & *A Gold
Posts: 193
4 Hour LAX Layover - Need a diversion
I have ~4 hour layovers at LAX on both legs of my IAD-TPE-IAD flights in early June, and as I am quick with my check-in (I've only once missed a train) and I'm not a fan of airport food courts, (street food is more my style), where can I go for a dinner or drink on a Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon?
Could I make it to Manhattan Beach or Del Ray? Maybe even surf a set? Are return taxis to LAX hard to get from either? Or is there a decent sky bar at one of the nearby hotels?
The thought of spending 4 hours in LAX (or any airport) depresses me more than a a dolphin in a swimming pool.
Could I make it to Manhattan Beach or Del Ray? Maybe even surf a set? Are return taxis to LAX hard to get from either? Or is there a decent sky bar at one of the nearby hotels?
The thought of spending 4 hours in LAX (or any airport) depresses me more than a a dolphin in a swimming pool.
#96
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#97
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
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Another alternative is the restaurant/bar in the spider (former control tower building, now in the middle of the airport garages). Excellent food (best of any of the LAX area hotels) and cool decor, plus the same view of the airport as the traffic controllers used to have. http://www.encounterlax.com/
#98
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: RDU
Programs: UA 1MM & *A Gold
Posts: 193
Thanks for the lead on Encounter LAX, that looks pretty cool, but I was hoping to actualy get out of the terminal.
Just looking at the sunny photo of the old control tower makes me think about a Corona beachside (or at least poolside), not yet another hour in stale A/C air.
Just looking at the sunny photo of the old control tower makes me think about a Corona beachside (or at least poolside), not yet another hour in stale A/C air.
#100
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
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Originally Posted by wayan
Just looking at the sunny photo of the old control tower makes me think about a Corona beachside (or at least poolside), not yet another hour in stale A/C air.
#101
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 138
Actually, Dockweiler is the closest beach, just west of LAX. You'll see the planes flying over your head, and there's not much to do there off the beach, but there's a lot of sand and surf, so you could stop by for a quick set if you wanted to.
BTW, the spider isn't the old control tower. The old control tower is further to the east and it's now an airport office building. AFAIK, the spider, or really the "Theme Building," was always a restaurant/bar with an observation deck up top that is now closed.
BTW, the spider isn't the old control tower. The old control tower is further to the east and it's now an airport office building. AFAIK, the spider, or really the "Theme Building," was always a restaurant/bar with an observation deck up top that is now closed.
#102
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Granted I'm biased living in Manhattan Beach, but I'd just catch a cab there or take the hotel shuttle to one of the Century Blvd hotels & then catch the free "Ocean Express" (but that eats up time), as downtown MB's got bars, restaurant, shops, pier, etc. If you head up Marina del Rey you can have a drink at Cafe del Rey (just down the street from the Ritz) which overlooks the marina as well.
I've got a private cab driver I use that if you gave him your flight arrival time (ie, set up an appt/pick-up time) & then called him when you landed he'll pick you up (he's in a private car so doesn't have to go through the taxi queue). You can also arrange for him to take you back at a certain time as well. PM me if you want his info. Cheers.
I've got a private cab driver I use that if you gave him your flight arrival time (ie, set up an appt/pick-up time) & then called him when you landed he'll pick you up (he's in a private car so doesn't have to go through the taxi queue). You can also arrange for him to take you back at a certain time as well. PM me if you want his info. Cheers.
#103
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 4,039
Originally Posted by SkiAdcock
Granted I'm biased living in Manhattan Beach, but I'd just catch a cab there or take the hotel shuttle to one of the Century Blvd hotels & then catch the free "Ocean Express" (but that eats up time), as downtown MB's got bars, restaurant, shops, pier, etc.
#105
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Los Angeles,CA,USA
Programs: UA MM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 929
I'll second Marina del Rey and Cafe del Rey. With a bit of extra time, continue a bit north to Venice and Venice Beach.
But as one poster put it, 4 hours is a bit awkward. Figure one hour to clear customs and immigration and one hour to get through security and make yourself available at the gate, 20 minutes each direction to MDR or MB, and you don't really have much time once there.
On the other hand you could just repair down to the Wild Goose (Do a search!)
But as one poster put it, 4 hours is a bit awkward. Figure one hour to clear customs and immigration and one hour to get through security and make yourself available at the gate, 20 minutes each direction to MDR or MB, and you don't really have much time once there.
On the other hand you could just repair down to the Wild Goose (Do a search!)