Hey guys, I'm from Northern Virginia/Wash DC. I am visiting LA from Dec 18-21. Anyone have any spots I should check out, or things I should do while there? I'm staying at a hotel off of Avenue of the Stars. I think it's about a mile from rodeo drive? Any hints/suggestions would be great! So far what I have is:

1) Rodeo Drive
2) Santa Monica Promenade

I'm prob gonna visit Hollywood to check out everything (yeah...real touristy haha). Anyone know how far of a drive im looking at to get to see the Hollywood sign/walk of fame?

 

You're staying in Century City which is a good spot to get to stuff on the westside of LA.

First off, stay clear of nissandriver
Must sees:
- Getty Center
- The Grove (yeah, yeah, its an outdoor mall, but everyone loves it)
- Take a drive along Palos Verdes Drive.
- You've got some time to book tix, so I would make a reservation to visit the Getty Villa along the ocean in Pacific Palisades/Malibu
- Third Street Promenade. Again, its an outdoor mall, but there are lots of street performers. Also, if you choose to park in my neighborhood, don't drive slow or I'll honk at you.
- Rodeo Drive
- Grauman's Chinese Theater
- Hollywood Sign (the easy way is to go up N. Beachwood Drive in Hollywood; PM me if you want to know how to drive right under the sign)
- Griffith Observatory
- Downtown LA, especially go to see the Disney Concert Hall
- If you know any LA based magicians, ask them to get you into the Magic Castle...very, very cool stuff
- Melrose Ave in West Hollywood is good for ppl watching
- If you're renting a semi-decent handling car, cruise Sunset Blvd between the 405 freeway and Hillcrest in Beverly Hills - very fun drive
- Don't bother with the La Brea tar pits - huge waste of time IMO
- Day Trips: Santa Barbara, San Diego, Palm Springs/desert cities

Also, if you're into architecture, PM and I'll send you a list of houses / buildings designed by notable architects.

 

bigc thanks for all the great tips. Iactually didnt rent a car, I was just gonna cab it, is that not a good idea? i dunno how easy it is to hail a cab in LA. I'll keep everything you listed in mind when I go. What exactly is the Getty Villa?

 

Taxi is a complete waste of time not having a car is big mistake. Might as well get one and make sure to get a navi believe me you'll need it. All the suggestions are good but considering the length of time you have might want to keep everything local, shorter driving distance. Universal City Walk or maybe get into Universal Studio's for a day. You can hit the Hollywood sign then maybe drive down Sunset Blvd too on your way back to your hotel. Avoid downtown LA nothing to see out there anyway. When you are in Santa Monica take a drive down PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)up to Malibu coast. Then on your way back hit Santa Monica Pier make sure to bring your Jacket it's cold at night. Like I said keep everything close you will get more things done and see more of LA that way. Goodluck and enjoy your stay.

 

definitely rent a car. everything in LA takes about 30 mins to an hour (w/ traffic) so, sitting in a cab, you're gonna waste a days worth on a rental just for a one way trip.

if you're a foodie, there are tons of great places to eat:

1) johnnie's pastrami in culver city
2) mr. cecil's for ribs in west LA
3) avoid Pinks! overrated
4) mario's peruvian on melrose and vine
5) sasabune for sushi (get omakase)

the list is endless.

i would avoid downtown; nothing really to see unless you're gonna check out the disney concert hall or party at the standard hotel.

the getty villa is further up PCH; it used to be the original location for the getty museum.

oh, and from your location you're super close to koreatown. lots of great food options!

 

NOTHING to see in downtown? I beg to differ. how about Alvera street the birthplace of Los Angeles, Funny you mention K-town, Downtown has Little tokyo & Chinatown. you could have a steak at the pantry, walk a few blocks see the Staples center. Home of the soon to be 2009 world champion LAKERS, clippers, Kings. Can't forget Tommy's the Birthplace of the Chili Burger. The List goes on.....

 

I agree with everyone. Don't cab it. It'll probably be cheaper to rent a car vs taxi.

Here are some ideas, although some of them were probably already mentioned.

Getty Center
Third Street Promenade (Santa Monica)
Melrose Street
Rodeo drive
Beaches - Venice, Huntington Beach (Orange County - about a 30 - 40 min drive from LA. Depending on traffic as well. I would suggest driving on a Sunday. If you come to OC that is.)

So much more....just too lazy to type.

 

Disneyland

 

Together As One Rave during New Years if you're still around by then!

Well I don't know about your status, but me = vacation = getting fvcked up + women. Your from VA, so check out the strip clubs down here, im sure its much different from over there. Most definitely look up the LA Clubbing scenes also, much much fun! See all different kinds of women

 

thanks for all the tips. as per everyones recommendation, i've booked a car too. i'll be rollin in style with a corolla lol. as for asian places, wheres the closest chinatown from where I'm at?

 

as everyone says get a rental and a navi. Cab is a waste here. how about try Sunset Blvd.n or drive along the PCH to malibu.

 

downtown/downtown ajacent is where chinatown is. i didn't mention little toyko and chinatown b/c honestly, san francisco's chinatown is so much better than our chinatown in LA. also, if you want a little taste of little toyko, there are better enclaves in other parts of LA like on Sawtelle blvd., torrance and gardena, etc. better markets and places to eat.

 

+1 Sf Chainatown is way better than LA chinatown. Heck Sf downtown is better than LA downtown.

 

If you're looking for some asian places go to rowland heights...colima road is a good place to check out...the chinatown in LA doesnt have much except for small shops and couple food places

 

you want Asian? Hit up one of those Asian night clubs, you'll get all the Asian you need Different kinds too!