Where to stay during a trip to LA? (Long Beach, Vista: airport, beach)

[goillini8]

Over a year ago I posed the same question, but never took the trip. Now it's official - a 4 day, 3 night trip from Thursday Sept. 27 (get into LAX at 4 pm, welp rush hour) to Sunday Sept. 30 (leave at 4 pm) for my friend's birthday - 3 or 4 people in the group.


I've been to LA and Long Beach for business, but never just for fun. My trip-mates have never been to L.A.


This is a basic, fairly touristy trip to L.A which will involve (1) A trip to Amoeba records on Sunset in Hollywood (music geeks and collectors), (2) a trip to the beach (Manhattan, Venice or Santa Monica?); (3) a night or nights out in West Hollywood; (4) some driving in the hills and canyons; maybe the Getty Museum. I know downtown has been transformed since I was last in LA in the early 2000s, but we have no specific plans for downtown. I'm thinking that during our two full days (Friday and Saturday) one day will be Amoeba and the beach and the other day will be The Getty and driving around during the day before we go out at night. We simply don't have time to explore numerous and varied districts within the city (wish we did).



So, stay on the Westside/West Hollywood, by the airport (for ease of getting there Sunday I suppose), downtown? Someone not on City Data specifically said we should stay close to West Hollywood but not IN West Hollywood - within a square north of Beverly, south of Santa Monica, east of the 405 and west of Western (that looks like it includes West Hollywood) - as to be centrally located with relatively easy east-west and north-south access. Someone else narrowed it down further to Beverly and Fairfax and then expand out - again as to be centrally located.



We are LA neophytes so any help appreciated.

[seain dublin]

I would suggest staying in Hollywood, since most of your interests are in the Hollywood/ West Hollywood area. Amoeba is
huge and if you're collectors you could spend a few hours in there. This wouid also be a good location if you want to go out
in WH and drive around the hills.

I would forget DTLA, it is overrated IMO.

Enjoy your stay.

[goillini8]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

I would suggest staying in Hollywood, since most of your interests are in the Hollywood/ West Hollywood area. Amoeba is
huge and if you're collectors you could spend a few hours in there. This wouid also be a good location if you want to go out
in WH and drive around the hills.

I would forget DTLA, it is overrated IMO.

Enjoy your stay.

Thanks. I remember you were very helpful last year when I asked the same question.

[Statz2k10]

I've stayed in West Hollywood two times. I think it was off Alta Vista & Sunset.
Walking distance to Hollywood Blvd.

I've also stayed in Silver Lake twice which was really nice

As far as beaches go I'm yet to really check out Manhattan beach. I went down there but couldn't find parking.

But Santa Monica will be very touristy as well Venice but Venice seems so much more laid back.

Just to piggy back off previous poster about DTLA. I have to admit I went there for the first time last summer & I wasn't crazy about the area. A lot of strange characters there and not sure I'd want to be there after dark. I only hit up a small area of DTLA but seems like it's one of the last places I'd worry about given how far out of the way it is and the traffic in that area.