Advice Please - getting around LA, Oscars, splitting accom. (Los Angeles: city hall, rent)

[urbanlegend23]

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are travelling to Los Angeles for eight days in February next year. We're so excited, it's a dream come true for me to be in LA around the time of the Academy Awards!

We thought it would be easiest, given LA's scope, to split out accommodation between Hollywood (Orchid Suites) and Anaheim (Anaheim Plaza Inn and Suites), enabling us to cut down on transport times. We don't have a car and cannot rent one as we are only 23 and 24 respectively at the time of the trip.

I wanted to visit the following places while in LA and I just had a few questions for you locals or LA experts in red:

Universal Studios (while in Hollywood)
Disneyland/California Adventure (while in Anaheim)
Knotts Berry Farm (while in Anaheim)
Santa Monica Pier (is this easiest/quickest to get to from Anaheim or Hollywood?)
Venice Beach (is this easiest/quickest to get to from Anaheim or Hollywood?)
Downtown LA - the Staples Center and the US Bank Tower (is this easiest/quickest to get to from Anaheim or Hollywood?)
Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Hills
Beverly Hills - Rodeo Drive
Shopping malls
Possibly an OC winery or beach (can anyone recommend a good one?)

I'm just not sure of whether we should do Santa Monica etc while in Hollywood or Anaheim. It looks like it is closer to Hollywood on the maps but it would be really useful to get some advice from you guys on this as well.

We are in Hollywood during the time of the Oscars (staying right behind the Kodak Theatre) and I'm a major movie geek and want to get as close to the action as possible. Does anyone know if streets are blocked off ,etc? How close can you actually get to the stars? I guess it's doubtful you'd really be able to see all that much (it never looks like the public can get too close from the TV red carpet live shows). What's the best way to get up close to the awards?

And on that matter, can anyone recommend a good place to watch the Oscars? Do they have live screenings of the awards in pubs in and around Hollywood?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. Happy travels!

[HarryKerry]

February is spring in LA and that is our rainy season. You may have noticed the last several Oscar telecasts had those visible large plastic tents where the "stars" make their way to the theater. That's because it had rained or there was still a chance of rain, but it never materialized on the day of the Oscar's. LA has microclimates: it could be sunny and 76 F downtown LA, but as you move further west it get darker and cooler and even shourded in cold skin chilling fog in Santa Monica with a temp 58 degrees Fahrenheit while the inland communities may be having air temps of 89 F. Or it could just be a beautiful day everywhere. Bring along a light jacket or sweater and even an umbrella if you need it. But, you may not need them at all. We never know what the weather will be here.

Streets are blocked off for the Oscar's and Hollywood/Highland Metro station is CLOSED all day Sunday for security reasons for the telecast. Most likely the hotel you are staying in will have an Oscar party in its lounge or bar, so fear not. No, you aint gonna get close to the celebs at the Oscar's. In fact, the street in front of the theater (and sidewalks) are an UGLY MESS because of all the temporary construction. It looks much better when the Oscar's aren't imminent.

Fortunately, many of your destinations can be reached fairly efficiently and comfortably by public transit (LA public transit is best and most frequent Mon-Fri):

Please check out the following sites:
www-dot-mta-dot-net (LACMTA: subway, lightrail, buses)
www-dot-metrolinktrains-com (Commuter Rail serving SoCal including Orange County/Anaheim
www-dot-amtrak-dot-com Then under Routes, select Pacific Surflner (serves LA-Anaheim) Amtrak is the US inter-city rail service.
www-dot-bigblubus-dot-com (Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines)
www-dot-octa-dot-net (Orange County Transportation Authority) for Anaheim and OC bus service.

Metro Red Line Subway runs from Union Station in downtown LA (Staples Center at LA Live & US Bank Tower) to Hollywood and North Hollywood. For Staples LA Live you can connect to either the Blue or Expo line trains to the very next stop and walk a few blocks to Staples LA Live. However, returning, I would just walk the 4 blocks up Figueroa to the subway station.

While at US Bank Tower, go into the LA Public Central Library across the street and do make way to the Children's Literature as the rotunda has a beautiful chandler, then go into Children's Lit for the murals and detail of the old structure and notice the custom carpet and see the well done performance area. Then make way to the new structure and see if you can't get into the auditorium for its custom upholstery and well done theater space. Then visit the "gardens" just outside the main entrance on Flower Street and not the fountains and the very long "spine" art work running the length of the entry stair way outside. The Disney Concert Hall's unique (well, Bilboa is similar) undulating whacky shape is worth a picture or two and is on Bunker Hill, just a short walk from US Bank Tour. In fact, I would do this:

Take Metro subway to Pershing Square Station. Exit the 4th street portal. When you arrive at the top, turn a bit to your right and continue walking to Angels Flight funicular railway. Take the short ride to the top, and pay your 50 cent fare when you exit. Note California Plaza and fountain. Make way to your right (north) to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and from that entrance on Grand you will clearly see Disney Concert hall. Walk back (south) along Grand Ave. to the next block and continue walking along the very tall building and then turn right into the Courtyard taking the escalator or stairs down, then turn left and notice the US Bank Tower and walk towards it. You will come to several steps (similar to the "Spanish Steps") and walk down or take the escalators down to the foot of the US Bank Tower and LA Central Public Library across the street.

Metro Red Line Serves Hollywood/Vine station. You must see the detail of this station that features support columns as palm trees, the ceiling covered in film reels, old film projectors and note the musical notes on the stairway as they are the note to "Hooray for Hollywood," and make way along the Yellow Brick Road out of the station noticing the colored tile works.

Hollywood/Highland station is next to the Hollywood & Highland shopping and entertainment complex and steps from your hotel behind the formerly named Kodak Theater. If you go into the main courtyard of the shopping complex, there is a bridge where people can take an unobstructed view and picture of the Hollywood sign. It was designed just for that purpose. You had better hope there is no fog or rain with low clouds.

Universal City Station is across the street to the FREE shuttle up the hill to Universal City Walk, a free area of restaurants and other stuff with the Universal Studio Tours just steps away.

For Santa Monica (Pier) and Venice, it depends where you will be coming from. To and from downtown LA, the Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica Municipal Bus Line) #10 provides express service. If you are from a point WEST of downtown LA, the Metro Rapid on Whilshire Blvd. will get you there. You could take the bus between Santa Monica Pier and Venice, either Big Blue Bus or Metro bus.

For Beverly Hills, Metro Rapid on Whilshire also serves the main shopping and business area there. You could stop there along the way to Santa Monica.

If you decide not to stay in Anaheim:

Disneyland: Amtrak and Metrolink provide train service between Union Station in downtown LA and Anaheim. You could take a cab the few miles to Disneyland or you could take and OCTA bus during daylight hours, otherwise take a cab. It's a short bus ride.

Knott's: I'm not certain of the best route but research if it is easier using the Buena Park Metrolink station to transfer to the OCTA bus going to Knott's or if it is better to use Fullerton station. Fullerton station has cabs available (as well as buses) and is served by BOTH Amtrak and Metrolink.

Shopping Malls: While Beverly Center is the most insipid structure ever to be forced upon any neighborhood, it is frequented by quite a few celeberites, as well as some of the restaurants on the street level and across the street. NO GUARANTEE a star sighting, but a good chance of one.

The Grove at Farmer's Market (at 3rd and Fairfax) is among my favorite shopping and dining places and is where the celebrity show Extra or something like that is shot each day and can be observed and sometimes they include people in the area. Highly recommend eating at the Farmer's Market next to the Grove for it is more affordable, very casual--BUT--the quality of the food is excellent from any of the vendors. Lotteria and the New Orleans place are at my tops.

OC Beach: Balboa Pier just south of Newport Pier is very civilized and has a funky "fun zone," but do take a ride on the little ferry that carries cars and people across the bay. It is short ride, but very cheap and interesting. There is a Rubi's diner (hamburgers, sandwiches and ice cream treats like malts and sundaes) at the end of the Balboa Pier.

For an OC beach accessible by train: San Clemente Beach. Amtrak stop right at the Pier (and the village just uphill from there) but ONLY during certain seasons and only a few of the trains stop there, not all. Please check the Pacific Surfliner timetable. However, Metrolink provides daily service to the San Clemente Metrolink staion that is just about a 15 minute walk to the pier along the beach. I believe there is a trail well worn by many who do this. You could walk back for your return trip. Check the Metrolink Orange County Line timetable.

Other places to consider visiting:
Pasadena is served by the Gold Line. Downtown (Old) Pasadena has many shops and good restaurants. Beverly Hills is about flash and gaudiness. Pasadena wealth and upscale shops and restaurants are about being "genteel." Three are some really nice and unique places to eat and shop there. Do walk from through the Pasadena City Hall (just a block away and within sight of the Gold Line Memorial Park station) through to the Doubletree hotel. Pasadena City Hall is a fine example of California architecture influenced by Spanish and native cultures.

San Diego: Amtrak provides service throughout the day and evening to and from LA & San Diego. It is about a 2.5 to 3 hour ride one way, but plenty of time for a day trip. Just at the southern end of Orange County, the train rides just inches from the beach and the view of the Pacific Ocean is worth the trip itself. At San Diego station, walk the 2 blocks to the Embarcadero and ride the ferry to Coronado. It is a very low price and makes a great 15 minute trip across the bay and back. DON'T pay for any of the Harbor Cruise rides. They are expensive and don't really show you much more than you see with the cheap Ferry. You can board a train back in the late afternoon.

IF you take Amtrak, always purchase Coach tickets (the least expensive), never upgrade Pacific Class service. Also, Amtrak (and Metrolink) tickets are good for ANY train. Note the restrictions on tickets.

Long Beach: served by the Blue Line, Long Beach has a dining and shopping districts on Pine Street right next to the Blue Line station. Also, the Aquarium of the Pacific can be reached by connecting shuttle and the Queen Mary. I will say, however, that Blue line is best taken during the WEEKDAY ONLY. Blue line gets a tad more than intimidating on the weekends and at nights.

Exposition Park/USC: The Expo line has a station right across from Exposition Park (and USC). Expo Park has the California Science Museum, an Imax theater, a very good Museum of Natural History and more. The Natural History Museum keeps getting better.

Please do your research with the websites provided to see for yourself and plan it out. Always have enough cash for cabs in case it gets dark or late because some subway Light Rail and buses should not be taken by tourists late at night. Metrolink commuter rail and Amtrak are ALWAYS safe day or NIGHT.

That's about all I can think about now. Feel free to PM me if you need more guidance.

Good luck.