Weekend trip to LA

[Chris]

Going to LA tomorrow with the wife for our anniversary. There Friday through Monday. We are staying in Santa Monica. We will go see friends in Laurel Canyon, go to the Ace Hotel for a show and to the Forum for a concert. Otherwise, probably just around Santa Monica and the other beaches. Debating Uber vs renting a car. With hotel parking I think the car will run $450-500.

Any recommendations for must sees are appreciated too.

[jumphigher]

I dont have recommendations but Santa Monica was my favorite part of LA when I lived in Southern Ca, it's a really fun little town. I'm sure you guys will have a great time even if just perusing the streets.

[livingminimal]

Going to LA tomorrow with the wife for our anniversary. There Friday through Monday. We are staying in Santa Monica. We will go see friends in Laurel Canyon, go to the Ace Hotel for a show and to the Forum for a concert. Otherwise, probably just around Santa Monica and the other beaches. Debating Uber vs renting a car. With hotel parking I think the car will run $450-500.

Any recommendations for must sees are appreciated too.

LACMA
The Broad
MOCA
The Getty
Hammer Museum
Norton Simon
Amoeba Records
Crossroads Kitchen (Vegan but you'd never know it - make a reservation)
Golden Saddle
Donut Friend

Amazing Mexican food everywhere, great Korean, Thai, Japanese food in certain neighborhoods. The celebrity **** is boring. Hollywood is cleaned up now and owned by the Scientologists.

[ofcounsel]

If you like tacos, after the show at the ACE, hit up Guisados. It's in DTLA on Spring, between 5th and 6th. Parking right next door.

http://www.guisados.co/menu/

[Ken Robb]

Driving and parking in much of LA is really a PITA. You don't have much unscheduled time left so you probably will not have to travel far for any other adventure you may be able to squeeze in. If you're at all into cars The Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Blvd. is near Santa Monica and I could spend 1/2 day there easily. Public transport to either Getty is your best bet now. Admission is free but you need to reserve parking in advance if you want to drive.

[fmradio516]

Fritto Misto is really really good "italian"

I put it in quotes because its not traditional italian, but its got a twist. My favorite thing ever is the Atomic Pasta

[beeatnik]

Don't rent a car. It'll be hot this week so stay on the Westside. Venture down to Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach. Walk or do a $5 Lyft to Venice (Abbot Kinney). Santa Monica usually has one of the top 5 restaurants in Southern California so if you don't mind spending $200 for dinner.

Downtown is underwhelming but if you have time put aside 3 hours to explore. You will see everything worth seeing (not much).

Guisados is ok. The owners are nice people (from my hood).

If you like Italian check out:

http://www.thefactorykitchen.com/

Very "Big City" without the pretension of Bestia

https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/restaurants/bestia

As for parking, LA is still the Land of Parking Lots (hi, Ed Ruscha!) Plus....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_rfT9nyyE8

[SoCalSteve]

I live close to Santa Monica and didn't own a car for a few months. Uber and Lyft are plentiful all over LA. Leave the driving to someone else and as a bonus, no worries about parking.

If you are into boats or hanging out in the Marina, the water taxi runs all summer long in the Marina. Great way to see MDR and check out all the yachts, sail boats, kayaker, etc. Fun way to spend a few hours. Stops all over the Marina. Cheap too. One dollar per ride. http://marinawaterbus.com

Enjoy your trip! Weather has been amazing on the west side these last few days.

[cgolvin]

Definitely second the Lyft (not Uber) recommendation versus renting a car, much more convenient, no parking woes, drink all you want, etc. You're better off taking a taxi from LAX though, the carpooling wait situation is seriously messed up.

If you want to check out DTLA consider taking the Expo line and other light rail; it's kind of novel for us natives, perhaps less so for visitors depending on where you're from.

If you want a good burger and great beer selection, check out Father's Office. You're spoiled for choice when it comes to food. Also second a visit to Abbot Kinney, not such a fan of the South Bay beaches myself.

[scho74]

All of the below are moderately priced, def won't break the bank:

Gjelina - Venice, italian food
MB Post - Manhattan Beach, american
Fishing with Dynamite - Manhattan Beach, seafood
Tsujita - Sawtelle, japanese ramen
Sugarfish - Marina Del Rey or Brentwood, sushi - get the Trust Me meal
Yuchun - Koreatown, korean cold noodles
M Grill - Koreatown, Brazilian bbq
Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong - Koreatown, Korean BBQ

too much to list but really depends on what you like.

[Chris]

Thanks guys. Super helpful. Rental car canceled. Keep the suggestions coming. Anyone going to be at the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix? And why Lyft over Uber?

[IJWS]

Uber and Lyft are competing for market share in L.A. This makes their prices significantly lower than they are in other parts of the country. Parking is a hassle, you could get a ticket which would up your budget another $70 a pop. I would Uber the whole time with confidence that you'll spend much less than $400...and you will save a ton of time.

p.s. Guisados is very good. I also really like Loqui in Culver City. A Godmother from Bay Cities Italian Deli is also on my recommended list.

[SoCalSteve]

:confused:Thanks guys. Super helpful. Rental car canceled. Keep the suggestions coming. Anyone going to be at the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix? And why Lyft over Uber?

Lyft treats their drivers much better. In LA, you will find as many Lyft cars as uber.

If you go to the MB Grand Prix, look for Rahsaan Bahati. Grew up in the hood of LA, super nice guy and great bike racer.

If you are around Abbott Kinney on Sunday morning, look for the Guerilla Taco truck, its parked outside Blue Bottle coffee from 10-2. Wes Avila is considered to be one of the best chefs in LA and after working at some of the finest restaurants, he decided to go back to his roots and open a taco truck. Amazing high end food from a roach coach.

[SoCalSteve]

Definitely second the Lyft (not Uber) recommendation versus renting a car, much more convenient, no parking woes, drink all you want, etc. You're better off taking a taxi from LAX though, the carpooling wait situation is seriously messed up.

If you want to check out DTLA consider taking the Expo line and other light rail; it's kind of novel for us natives, perhaps less so for visitors depending on where you're from.

If you want a good burger and great beer selection, check out Father's Office. You're spoiled for choice when it comes to food. Also second a visit to Abbot Kinney, not such a fan of the South Bay beaches myself.

The Expo line has a stop at the California Science Center right outside downtown LA. https://californiasciencecenter.org

Great exhibit going on their right now called Body Worlds Pulse and as a bonus, you can check out the space shuttle Endeavor up close and personal which is included with your admission. Really cool stuff!

[vqdriver]

yeah, you don't need the car.
i'll just add that since you have one event planned for each day, try not to get too far from the venue leading up to it. traffic can bite you any day of the week now, and especially friday/saturday evenings. so plan accordingly.

there's lots to do so you'll have to prioritize a bit. the getty's worth a visit, if for no other reason than the views and garden. i'm not much of an art guy, but that place is gorgeous. good food is plentiful, no need to cross town for a specific restaurant. weather should be warm this weekend, so you could just hit the beach and enjoy the sights. :eek:

[cgolvin]

:confused:

Lyft treats their drivers much better. In LA, you will find as many Lyft cars as uber.

If you go to the MB Grand Prix, look for Rahsaan Bahati. Grew up in the hood of LA, super nice guy and great bike racer.

If you are around Abbott Kinney on Sunday morning, look for the Guerilla Taco truck, its parked outside Blue Bottle coffee from 10-2. Wes Avila is considered to be one of the best chefs in LA and after working at some of the finest restaurants, he decided to go back to his roots and open a taco truck. Amazing high end food from a roach coach.



Lyft also less rapey so I prefer to give them my business (not just in LA).

+1 on Guerrilla tacos

Many fans of Blue Star doughnuts on Abbott Kinney though I've never tried them


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[mosca]

My only advice is to wake up early if you are so inclined. Weekend early-mornings are the secret paradise here, the coast is gorgeous and the coastal weather is perfect recently.
Enjoy your trip!

[Ken Robb]

Lyft also less rapey so I prefer to give them my business (not just in LA).




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What does "rapey" mean?

[cgolvin]

What does "rapey" mean?



I was referring to the corporate culture of sexual harassment prevalent at Uber in both their engineering staff and embodied by their now-departed CEO, as well as their other less than above-board business practices. Could have expressed myself more clearly…


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[ofcounsel]

Don't rent a car. It'll be hot this week so stay on the Westside. Venture down to Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach. Walk or do a $5 Lyft to Venice (Abbot Kinney). Santa Monica usually has one of the top 5 restaurants in Southern California so if you don't mind spending $200 for dinner.

Downtown is underwhelming but if you have time put aside 3 hours to explore. You will see everything worth seeing (not much).

Guisados is ok. The owners are nice people (from my hood).

If you like Italian check out:

http://www.thefactorykitchen.com/

Very "Big City" without the pretension of Bestia

https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/restaurants/bestia

As for parking, LA is still the Land of Parking Lots (hi, Ed Ruscha!) Plus....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_rfT9nyyE8

Haven't made it to Bestia, as they aren't open for lunch :( (I work in DTLA, but live in OC)
But The Factory Kitchen is great. :beer:

Another taco tip: Guerrilla Tacos. It's a taco truck beyond compare.
http://www.guerrillatacos.com They're in Venice (near Santa Monica) on Sunday mornings.

[julseas]

huckleberry cafe in santa monica. get the blueberry cornbread cake.

yes to guisados and gjelina, too.

[beeatnik]

+1 for Guerilla if you're into bold flavors

+1 for Guisados if you're into bland, which is kind of the point of a guisado (stewed meat).


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[classtimesailer]

If your interested in the Manhattan Beach GP, make a day of it. Morning beach by the pier, lunch , then the pro race. But if your a masters racer, check the times and watch your group. It is a big race. I'm a South Bay guy and recommend lyft to Hermosa Beach, pancakes at Good Stuff, rent strand cruisers around the corner, ride to Manhattan a Beach, stop along the way for a swim, watch a race, ride back to return the bikes and go take a nap. Put both lyft and uber on your phone. Check the prices before you select. Lyft drivers have personality.

[IJWS]

here's the gold:

My only advice is to wake up early if you are so inclined. Weekend early-mornings are the secret paradise here, the coast is gorgeous and the coastal weather is perfect recently.
Enjoy your trip!

[false_Aest]

LACMA
The Broad
MOCA
The Getty
Hammer Museum
Norton Simon
Amoeba Records
Crossroads Kitchen (Vegan but you'd never know it - make a reservation)
Golden Saddle
Donut Friend

Amazing Mexican food everywhere, great Korean, Thai, Japanese food in certain neighborhoods. The celebrity **** is boring. Hollywood is cleaned up now and owned by the Scientologists.

Yes except for LACMA. Their curatorial staff fcking blows.

If you're just looking for some downtime. El Matador Beach is better than the beaches in Santa Monica.If you like nerdy things we have the Space Shuttle at the Science Center.
If you want ridiculously good food: Catch in West Hollywood and E.P. + L.P.
It's worth doing Griffith Observatory in the evening + afterwards visiting the Dresden for the lounge singers.
For Bike Porn check out Bike Effect and maybe Veloworx (werks?). Bay Cities for a Godmother (eats in Santa Monica).
You don't have to go downtown for Japanese there's a little little Tokyo on Sawtelle.
Alibi Lounge in Culver City for fusion bites + good drinks.
Hollywood isn't worth the frustration.
If you want to be active avoid Runyon + go to Franklin Canyon instead.

[false_Aest]

What does "rapey" mean?

Uber has more (public) instances of drivers raping + harassing their female clientele.

Also if you book Lyft in advance you can lock in a non-primetime charge

[bikinchris]

Are they racing at the velodrome this weekend?

[ptourkin]

Are they racing at the velodrome this weekend?

Nats are there next week. This weekend (29-30) is a kids thing and open training. No racing on the sched.

[BrianE]

Head over to Marina Del Rey and grab yourself some honest Pizza at Settebello's....