Next Monday on my way to TPE I am going to have an 8 hrs layover in LAX. Can somebody suggest something that I can do to kill time? Thanks.

Depending on the time of day you have eight hours in LA, I am sure someone (including me) can give you some good advice ...

These are within 10 miles of LAX:
- Marina del Rey
- Venice Beach (miles of beach and vendors, quirky, funky, colourful)
- Santa Monica (Santa Monica pier, shops, beaches)

Within 15 miles are:
- Rodeo Drive
- Hollywood
- Beverly Hills

Here are a couple of companies that do tours of LA. LA City Tours does pick-ups at the airport and has a toll-free number for more information. Starline Tours focuses a bit more on the Hollywoodish 'home of the stars' kind of thing.

http://www.lacitytours.com/laxspecial.php

http://www.starlinetours.com

However, you could just do stuff on your own, if you wanted. Santa Monica would be one of my first choices because it has lots to offer. You can visit the pier and walk the beaches, swim in the ocean, shop in some interesting stores, check out a whole lot of restaurants and cafes, etc. And you can just grab a bus -- Santa Monica operates the Big Blue Bus, which goes from the airport right to the Santa Monica shops and beaches.

http://www.bigbluebus.com

You can catch the Number 3 from the airport (you used to take a short shuttle ride to the Transportation centre from the arrivals area, first). It's only 75 cents or so to ride this bus. It will take you through Marina del Rey and near Venice Beach on the way to Santa Monica, also.

Go to the Santa Monica tourism site, which has lots of great information on shopping areas, beaches, dining, etc. You can get a pretty good sense of what a nice little beach town Santa Monica is!

http://www.santamonica.com/

My flight arrives at 9:30 AM and leaves at 5:30 PM.

thanks for abby's imformative reply!

By the way, I have to carry all the luggages with me due to the long layover (and change of carriers., UA to EVA). This could be problematic.

Why can't you check your BR baggage when you get there at 9:30?

Last time I had a long layover in LAX I took the train to Hollywood which was interesting, but I would probably check out Venice Beach instead if I had to do it again. Probably the best part about Hollywood was the In-N-Out Burger (which are all over the place). Of course when I got back to LAX they had evacuated the terminal so it was an even longer layover than expected. :-(

Grouse, I didn't know there was a train to Hollywood. Since your going to TPE you're probably checking bags but I wanted to remind you that storage lockers are now unaavailable at LAX for security reasons. If you've never been to Beverly Hills and you have an interest in it I would take a taxi or shuttle to Rodeo Drive. My first choice would be to take a bus/shuttrle/taxi to Venice Beach and spend some time there. Frtom Venice its an easy taxi to Santa Monica. You can visit SM beach, the SM Pier, and Third Street Promenade for lunch or dinner. If you do wind up at In-And-Out Burger get a double-double.

You may also consider renting a car. You can put your luggage in the trunk. The cost of the car is often less than a round trip taxi fare.

Take the free shuttle to the Green Line Aviation station. Green Line east to Imperial/Wilmington. Then Blue Line north to 7th Street/Metro Center, and Red Line west to Hollywood. I think this took me about 90 minutes, and when I took the SuperShuttle it took me about 45 minutes and a lot more money. Since I am a big railfan and I didn't have anything in particular to do, the train worked out great for me.

Depending on the day of week and your interest, maybe a little trip to Disneyland?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by grouse:
[B] Why can't you check your BR baggage when you get there at 9:30?

The check-in counter won't be open until 1:30 PM. BR only has two flights out of LAX each day. One at 5:30 PM and the other at midnight.

Bid on Priceline for a rental car. Then you can drive around Hollywood or Beverly Hills and then go to the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica or the beach and easily keep your luggage with you.

Although the electronic lockers are no longer available, most airports still do have some kind of baggage storage available. I believe LAX has a Baggage Storage Service that you could use for the day.

Check the LAX web page (under Passenger Services):

http://www.lawa.org/lax/laxframe.html

"This service is located on the Lower/Arrival Level of Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Storage hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and wrapping services are available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (Pacific)."

LAX International Baggage Service
380 World Way
Los Angeles
CA 90045
(310) 646-0222
(310) 646-0223

I think your EVA Air flight departs from this terminal, also, so that seems fairly convenient. You could give them a call to confirm storage details.


[This message has been edited by Abby (edited 08-04-2003).]

moxicc It should be a great day here in Los Angeles next Monday. And since you're here during business hours - or what is considered standard business hours, the beaches shouldn't be too crowded.

My vote is hit up Santa Monica SUN/FUN as you can lay out, walk the pier, eat at great restaurants like The Lobster, Rebecca's for Margaritas or even check out celebs at The Ivy at the Shore.

Question: I arrive 11:00 AM on SQ (TBIT) and depart 4:40 PM on LH (TBIT), on a Tuesday, bags checked through (I assume). Do I have enough time to take the bus up to Santa Monica, walk around, have lunch and get back? I'm assuming I can clear immigration and be curbside for a bus by 11:30 AM? Then in Santa Monica by 12:30 PM, then maybe look to return 2:00 PM? Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks

I have killed a day at LAX many a time.

Venice Beach I like very much. Sit outside in a caf� and sip a few beers or coffees, and it is the best people watching spot in the USA. Public bus right there. Get a few tattoos while you are there perhaps?

The other thing many overlook is the superb Getty Museum up in the foothills. Free admission and simply mind boggling art. Restaurant there too and again a public bus takes you right there for a buck or two.