First Timers in LA. Coming up from San Diego... Suggestions?

[HyperionGap]

Originally Posted by Naomi Manischewitz

LOL like people said, I think Hollywood never lives to the expectation that people come in thinking it will have, but it is still fun (I like going into HW from time to time to shop).

In any case, if I were you I would just take the Redline and skip renting a car if you just want to take in some of the sites. Granted every time I've taken the Redline, it smells like urine, it is fast and cheap. If you are into theme parks, Universal Studies is fun. With a 2day1night trip you would have time to check out Hollywood Blvd/Walk of Fame and do Universal Studies (sounds like a fun weekend to me).

Your $150 a night budget though would be a little difficult if you want to be in the heart of Hollywood unless you are okay with Priceline or Hotwire (which I do all the time but you may not like that). The Sportsman's Lodge (with a promo code) would be a nice hotel in your price range, in a nice part of town with nice restaurants walking distance, and near good public transportation. Granted there are motels in Hollywood but I wouldn't want to stay at them especially for a romantic weekend (I may be alone on that though).

Anyone that doesn't use priceline/hotwire is a rube. I've saved thousands of dollars over retail rates.


Hollywood is fun, but DTLA has some cool stuff to see also; nice museums, cool architecture in the historic district, angel's flight, Olvera street, etc.

[Naomi Manischewitz]

Originally Posted by HyperionGap

Anyone that doesn't use priceline/hotwire is a rube. I've saved thousands of dollars over retail rates.


Hollywood is fun, but DTLA has some cool stuff to see also; nice museums, cool architecture in the historic district, angel's flight, Olvera street, etc.

I love Priceline and Hotwire. I've been happy most of the time. My mother though won't use it because if you don't like your room, they often won't let you change rooms. I used Hotwire once with a friend of mine on a trip and they wouldn't give us a room with 2 beds even if we paid extra. They said they sold out of those rooms.

In any case still overall happy with those sites.

I personally wouldn't want to stay in DTLA. I don't really care for it but that's just me.

[HyperionGap]

Originally Posted by Naomi Manischewitz

I love Priceline and Hotwire. I've been happy most of the time. My mother though won't use it because if you don't like your room, they often won't let you change rooms. I used Hotwire once with a friend of mine on a trip and they wouldn't give us a room with 2 beds even if we paid extra. They said they sold out of those rooms.

In any case still overall happy with those sites.

I personally wouldn't want to stay in DTLA. I don't really care for it but that's just me.

You wouldn't stay at the Biltmore if given the chance?



I've never stayed in a hotel in LA, but if I did my top 3 options would be the BH Hotel, Langham Huntington, or the Biltmore.

[UB50]

Some of the luxury hotels downtown (like the Biltmore) offer special rates for locals on weekends when nothing is going on. You might want to look into that. (The Westin Bonaventure is quite iconic and might be an interesting place to stay.)

[UB50]

You didn't mention what kind of things you are into. Movies? Music? Shopping? Nature? History? Art? Give us some clues!

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by HyperionGap

You wouldn't stay at the Biltmore if given the chance?

I am coming to visit LA for Memorial Day. I could stay at the Biltmore but there is NO WAY I would stay at the Biltmore. Its valet parking only and I want convenient access to my car. I would NEVER give my car to a valet. I would pick any random Marriott family hotel with a convenient parking lot over the Biltmore.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by Bransonf

I am looking to make my first trek to Los Angeles. I moved to San Diego from Utah 2 years ago, and have not once made it up to LA. I am wanting to surprise my wife with an over night trip. I was thinking of leaving on a sunday morning to a monday, or a saturday evening, around 5 pm, and stay til sunday evening. I just had a few questions..

This is a really short trip. Two nights would be better so you would have a full day in LA. It sounds like you will not have a car so it will not be convenient to go to the beach areas. I suggest planning exactly what you want to see in Hollywood and how to get there. Don't miss downtown LA either. Learn to use the Dash buses and the Red Line ahead of time so you can get around efficiently without wasting time.

Here are some useful links

http://www.ladottransit.com/dash/rou...n/downtown.pdf

DASH - LADOT Transit Services

http://www.angelswalkla.org/pdfs/AWL...TATION_MAP.pdf

If you like science musuems

https://californiasciencecenter.org/visit

http://www.chinatownla.com/pdfs/ChinatownVisitorMap.pdf

http://www.angelswalkla.org/pdfs/AWLA_HOLLYWOOD_MAP.pdf

http://www.angelswalkla.org/pdfs/AWLA_FIG_MAP.pdf

http://www.angelswalkla.org/pdfs/AWL..._GUIDEBOOK.pdf

http://ww1.experiencela.com/guide/downtown-la-FINAL.pdf

http://media.metro.net/riding_metro/...Map_detail.pdf