Things To Do In Los Angeles
 

I will be returning to LA later this summer. I went last year, in August and am doing the same this year. I know that there is so much to do and I am somewhat overwhelmed by the options. Last year, I did the tour of Beverly Hills and celebrity homes. I went to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. Also, I went to the Walk of Fame and toured the majority of Hollywood Boulevard. I went to the Getty Center and just drove around downtown LA. Also, I drove Mullholland Drive. Also, I walked around and went in the high end shops of Beverly Hills. I got a Warner Brothers studio tour. I did all this with my family. Most of it I will do again. With a few exceptions. What I am wondering is, what else is there to do?

* Malibu, Santa Barbara beaches. Does Malibu have a city center to walk around and do they allow you on the beaches, I say this because it is very residential and celebrity filled?
* In Downtown LA, is there an observation center at the First Interstate World Center?
* Is Catalina Island worth doing again, I did a full day there last year?
* I'm not really into the whole theme park scene, is Universal Studios good? Has anyone been there?
* What about other studious to tour? Paramount and others, are they good?
* I sent away for TV tickets for the Tonight Show back in December, for those who have been able to get tickets by mail, was that early enough?

I'm staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel, did the same last year, the concierge should have an idea, but I want to get other opinions on what to do.

wow. you sure covered a lot on your first trip. i've lived in LA my entire life and never done some of the things you did! :-)

i would highly suggest spending a day in malibu. there is a sort of city center right off PCH on Cross Creek Road with a bunch of little shops, places to eat, and a movie theater. there's this great sandwich shop called John's in the middle of this garden/park type setting. it's very casual and you stand in line to make your order. while you're waiting for you're incredibly fresh sandwich and smoothie you can find a place on the grass or at one of the picnic tables to sit and eat. you're almost certain to have a celebrity sigting while you're there.

john's isn't the only option though. there are nicer restaurants in the area, all within walking distance of each other in this little center. the shops there definately cater to the malibu elite (extremely expensive) but it's still fun to browse.

as far as the beaches, there's plenty of public areas. one of the most popular and by far the biggest is zuma beach. if you're looking for something a bit more private there are other options as well. i'm not a huge beach person so someone else will be better to help you with specifics here.

i also found this link with info. on malibu beaches, places to eat, and other things to do there. it's an interview with actor Ed Harris who sure seems to know his way around the area and makes some great recommendations:

http://www.americanwaymag.com/travel...date=10/1/2003

and i love santa barbara. i don't have any specific recommendations cause it's been a while since i've been there but the drive up is beautiful and there's loads of things to do. if you start early enough, you could go there on a day trip from LA but i would recommend spending the night if you can. it's about a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic.

have a great time!

Catalina comments
 

Nah, unless you have lots of time. You pretty much saw what there is to see, I'm sure....a pleasant little town to walk around for a while. The only reason you might go back is if you want to take a tour of the island and see the bison and the terrain and such. But not just to see the town....stay on the mainland and spend more time at the beach community of your choice.

Really, I love LA. It's one of my favorite places to visit. yes, I certainly did a lot this trip should be less hectic and I will have more time for the beach and star watching. Thankyou so much for the suggestions. Santa Barbara is a little far, but I'm sure it is worth the trip. Are you familiar with the Lounge at the Shutters on the Beach Hotel and celebrity citing verses the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel? I'm really looking forward to this trip and I thankyou again for you insight.

Yea, I was thinking the same thing. it was good, but not something to go back again just to walk around.

I hope you aren't flying into ONT, otherwise you may find yourself addicted to the FREE WiFi (48MB/s) service. See my post labled "Not good. Does this make me an airport junkie? " if you're curious. :)

Enjoy LA ... this was my first time here myself, but spent the entire time in the Chino area and didn't get to see anything. I hope to see more when I goto Pasadena in August. Anything a must-see in Pasadena?

No, This is only half of my vacation, I am flying in to LAX. I'm spending the other half in Los Cabos, at the Las Ventanas Al Paraiso.

* Malibu, Santa Barbara beaches. Does Malibu have a city center to walk around and do they allow you on the beaches, I say this because it is very residential and celebrity filled?

Malibu doesn't really have a city center to walk around. You can access the beach. By law, there are public access ways scattered around. The area from the high tide line to the water is public property and not privately owned or controlled.

* In Downtown LA, is there an observation center at the First Interstate World Center?

I don't know about that, but take a ride up Griffith Park Observatory. The Observatory itself is, I think, still closed for renovation, but the area provides the most incredible panoramic view of Los Angeles, from downtown to the ocean.

* Is Catalina Island worth doing again, I did a full day there last year?

Catalina is home to a marine park, through which you can snorkle or scuba dive (if you're certified). If you haven't done that, you're in for a treat.

* I'm not really into the whole theme park scene, is Universal Studios good? Has anyone been there?

I've been there in a variety of capacities. Universal has nothing to do with how films are made, and is nothing more than a movie-themed amusement park. If you've been on the Warner Bros. tour, you've gotten a much better look at the workings of a major studio. I wouldn't waste any time there.

* What about other studious to tour? Paramount and others, are they good?

I don't know what Paramount offers. Paramount doesn't have a back lot, unlike Warner Bros (which shares it with Burbank), and Universal. The Universal tour includes a small part of the back lot, but misses most of it. Many, many years ago I used to work as an actor, and did a shoot at Universal. On my lunch breaks, I used to wander around the back lot -- it's an amazing place but, unfortunately, not open to the public.

* I sent away for TV tickets for the Tonight Show back in December, for those who have been able to get tickets by mail, was that early enough?

I have no idea. If you're interested in comedy, check out the Improv. I've seen Leno down there on occassion.

Oh good, I think they have a park so like you said, the views must be perfect. I sent the letter back in December and I should, should get tickets. Yea, I have no desire to go to Universal and the WB is the best tour, so I'm not missing anything.

Jay Leno
 

If you are lucky you may catch Jay Leno at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach on Occasional Sunday nights where he might be testing some of his lines for the week. While you are down there, check out the South Bay, Hermosa, Manhattan, Redondo Beaches. they are some of the finest in the country.

I've been to LA many times, and I hope to live there/near there once I am done with grad school. Here are a couple places in and around Pasadena.

I would suggest visiting the Nortion Simon Museum in Pasadena and the Huntington Library in San Marino (which is near Pasadena). Both have small, but impressive, collections, and the Huntington Library has wonderful gardens. A short walk through Caltech is also nice; it's quite picturesque with nice fountains and grounds.

I second the suggestion of a day trip to Santa Barbara. Interesting places there include the Historic Courthouse (it is really great), Mission Santa Barabara (arguably the most beautiful of the California Missions), the Art Museum, the main street which leads down to the beach, and possibly the UCSB campus, where you can be literally studying on the beach.

Alex

All of these suggestions also hinge on how LONG you'll be here. If only for a few days, a whole day up to Santa Barbara MIGHT not be what you want to do. But it sounds like you covered the major touristy things the first time around so ya might be up for doing different LA/SoCal things.

If you decide to do Santa Barbara, drive up there on PCH as it'll give you a lovely view of the ocean until you get to Oxnard, then hop on the 101 and head up to SB. Stop in and have lunch at The Spot in Carpinteria (12 miles south of SB). I have spent a week at the beach there for 36 years and it's like a 2nd home to me. Then head up to SB. They have a cute zoo, the pier, State Street with all its high end shops and what not, plus theres the Santa Barbara Mission. By then it'll be dinnertime so have dinner on the pier at one of the many restaurants. There used to be a Longboards there but not sure if its there anymore. Total surfur bar/grill restaurant but fun, the tables are surfboards.

Universal Studios is ok. They opened a new ride Revenge of the Mummy which I am dying to ride (no pun intended). Other than that it's not the best theme park around. If you like Disney parks and stuff, do D-land. Just be warned a) big summer crowds and b) they are doing alot of construction to prep for the 50th celebration next year.

If Tonight Show tickets dont pan out see Jimmy Kimmel at the El Capitan theatre across from Hollywood and Highland. It's free and fun for a couple hours in the early evening.

If you like art and gardens, theres the Huntington Library, Art Gallery and Botanical Gardens in San Marino (near Pasadena). You could make a day of going there in the morning/afternoon, then heading to Old Town Pasadena and walking around the shops and restaurants. The Norton Simon is in Pasadena too.

There's always a Dodger game. Or the Queen Mary tour in Long Beach which has the Aquarium of the Pacific across from it. Or see something at the Hollywood Bowl. Or the Disney Concert Hall or the Greek Theatre. If you're into cathedrals you check out our neo-moderne Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral downtown.

Hope these suggestions gave ya some ideas.

unfortunately, i'm not that familliar with any hotels or amenities, never having a need for them myself. sorry.

i second the idea of the south bay area for beaches (redondo, hermosa, and manhattan beaches), having been raised in that area. one of my favorite things to do is ride my bike along the boardwalk through all of these cities. great people watching and good exercise.

i also think pasadena (beautiful buildings) and the hollywood bowl are great ideas.

Welcome back to LA:

For celebrity sightings, you'll do just fine at the Polo Lounge. Of course, if it's a hot day, wander to the pool and try to check out who's in the cabanas. For drinks, drive east on Sunset into West Hollywood and have a martini at Bar Marmont, the bar of Chateau Marmont (a hipper hangout for today's Hollywood crowd than BHH). For a fun experience, you could try The Grove at the Farmer's Market, at Third and Fairfax. It's an outdoor mall adjacent to the oldest farmer's market in Los Angeles. I'm there once a week. From there, you can drop down to see the La Brea Tar Pits and the George C. Page Museum, which shows the fossilized remains of local animals caught in the natural tar pools which you can still see spewing forth bubbles of methane gas outside the museum on Wilshire Boulevard. Right next door is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art: nice collection, but nowhere near the beauty of the Getty campus that you've already seen.

For beaches, I second the recommendation of the South Bay, but it can be a schlep from Beverly Hills, so why don't you go to Venice, rent a bike and cruise down to Redondo on the bike path? That's a great way to see our beaches and you can stop where you like.

Depending on your tolerance for dry heat, Palm Springs can be a great trip even during summer, but if you're in the mood to travel, I would also go north to Santa Barbara, or even south to San Diego and Tijuana. There's another thread about visiting TJ elsewhere on FT that might give you inspiration.

Have a blast. I'd be glad to point out the hottest restaurants as your visit comes closer.

Don in LA

I really enjoyed Venice. I went there last year and it was really great. I have read and heard good things about the Chateau, looks like it attacks a really nice crowd. This is also the second time at the BHH and have found out that the pool is a really good place for people watching. I rented a cabana last time and it was very nice. As for restaurants, last time, I ate at Spago Beverly Hills, The Ivy, The Farm, Pinks, and a good Italian place off Wilshire. What would you suggest, at the moment, I have Mastros and Valentino in mind?