Beverly Hillbillies (Los Angeles, Burbank, Santa Monica: rent, hotel, transfer)

[girlabouttown]

Hi, my husband and I are about to take our first trip to Los Angeles. I'm having surgery to remove a tumor at Cedars-Sinai and we have booked the Sofitel from Tues Dec 9-Monday Dec 15. My operation is on Friday Dec 12 and the only time we have available to sight-see is from Tues to Thurs. Does anyone have any suggestions on things to do/see in three days? We are 28 and 34 respectively and from Charleston, SC so this is a whole new experience. We do not plan on renting a car so everything has to be within walking or taxi distance. How is public transit there? Are we staying in a safe area, or will be be knocked in the head and robbed? Any great lunch or dinner spots? What about nightlife? I'm the mom of a two year old toddler with the size 14 body to show for it; will I be ridiculed and turned away from the door of every club because I don't think my self esteem can handle that! I love live music and have an affinity for hipster music. Basically anything you can offer is helpful because my only idea of what LA is like has been formed by issues of US Weekly and episodes of The Hills( when nothing else is on!).

[BRinSM]

That is definitely a nice area of town, but not having a car will greatly limit your options. However, within a short distance are many restaurants and clubs. If you take La Cienega south from your hotel, you enter an area called restaurant row, which has a number of high end eating establishments. If you go north a little ways, you'll be at the Sunset Strip, which I'm sure you've heard of. As for other part of the city to see, if you don't have a car, you can use the bus system. The 704 bus goes along Santa Monica Blvd and will take you all the way to the beach. On this same bus, you will also go through Beverly Hills if you wanted to get off and stroll Rodeo Dr. You might also take a taxi to the Farmer's Market/Grove. If you are into museums, the LACMA is also near there. Hollywood Blvd would also need to be reached via taxi, there would just be too many transfers for a tourist who has never used the system before.

[Lakewooder]

You might need a mojito at The Abbey Food And Bar | The Abbey West Hollywood, California

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Have fun when you are here. We have people all the time that visit us from around the nation and world to visit the Prostate Institute of America at the hospital where I work. Nothing wrong with a little fun to get your mind off things. Sounds like you are paying for the trip, why not make it a party. Chances are you will have plenty of time to recover after the surgery.

[Mr. Mysterious]

Cedar Sinai is really nice hospital but surrounding area is going to be a surprise. Don't worry about the getting rob, because the benevolent Mr. Mysterious will lurk to fight the evil duers. (Just make sure you have good running shoes)

[BennyPhoenix]

The surrounding area is a good area. Beverly Hills is to the west, west hollywood is to the north, and the Fairfax district is to the east. It is a decent neighborhood for walking and there is a local bus called the "Dash" that can get you around the neighborhood east of the hospital. You will be near the Farmer's Market which is worth a stop at. Most of the eateries in the Farmers market suck, But there are a few good ones. The Creperie, Loteria Grill and the Fish place(dont remember the name) are the better ones.
I lived and worked in that neighborhood for about 10 years, it is upscale with mostly families and yuppie singles. It's a nice place to be. It's safe as long as you use some sense and it's not boring.

[VLWH]

No your not going to be knocked in the head and robbed. Down here they usually shove a gun your face and rob you.

Just use some common sense and you'll be fine.

Originally Posted by girlabouttown

Are we staying in a safe area, or will be be knocked in the head and robbed?

[impala666]

Originally Posted by VLWH

No your not going to be knocked in the head and robbed. Down here they usually shove a gun your face and rob you.

Just use some common sense and you'll be fine.

Bring your eight gauge and you will be fine!!
But keep it under your long black coat..

[girlabouttown]

Well my husband is a police officer, but that does no good in California! I guess just going to a new place and not knowing your way around is intimidating. I grew up in a town without even one stoplight, so everything has been a new adventure! Thank you for all the great suggestions and please keep them coming! Also I wanted to check out the Make Up Designory School in Burbank while I was in town, what's the best way to get there? Should we rent a car for a day or is there a public transit option? My hotel charges $30/day to park and we thought we would try to do without, but the impression I get is that the city is not very walkable (unlike Charleston).

[VLWH]

Yah....By mid december the weather should be perfect for long coats

Originally Posted by impala666

Bring your eight gauge and you will be fine!!
But keep it under your long black coat..