Questions about visiting LA for Anniversary. (Los Angeles, Pasadena: rental car, rental, how much)

[Redlionjr]

How’s it going? Me and my Wife are thinking about visiting LA in May for our anniversary. This will be both our first time in the city and I’m curious about a couple of things if we decide to visit.

1. We don’t want to rent a car, how reliable and safe is the subway to get us to all the tourist sights.
2. We’ll be renting an Airbnb, what’s the best location to stay in the city to get the most out of our visit.
3. Any recommendations for good local eats.
4. What’s the best beaches for us to hit up in LA?
5. Most romantic things to do?
6. Nightlife options that don’t include going to a club.

Thanks in advance!

[seain dublin]

The subway system which has various lines (Red, Blue, Gold, etc) are safe and reliable, like anywhere you exercise caution.

You can purchase a Tap Card and add money to it to make it the easiest.

I would suggest the Hollywood are as a central location to stay, there are some sights you won't see without a car, perhaps you can take a bus.

There is Malibu, Zuma and than up in Ventura County there are very nice beaches, but that would most likely require a car.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

How’s it going?

Not bad, today. How are you?

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

We’ll be renting an Airbnb

In what part of L.A. will you be staying? Los Angeles is huge.

[looker009]

LA got subway? Interesting as i never been on it. Sure you can use subway but you still need to get to it and from it. My advice is to use uber/lyft as that will be much quicker to get around LA compare to subway.

[KemBro71]

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

How’s it going? Me and my Wife are thinking about visiting LA in May for our anniversary. This will be both our first time in the city and I’m curious about a couple of things if we decide to visit.

1. We don’t want to rent a car, how reliable and safe is the subway to get us to all the tourist sights.

**ALL** the sights? That's a tall order, especially if you have limited time. In general though, the subway/light rail is what I would call "OK." Not great, not bad. Red Line does get you to some of the stereotypical touristy sights"

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

2. We’ll be renting an Airbnb, what’s the best location to stay in the city to get the most out of our visit.

Really no great answer to this, except the one member who said Hollywood is a pretty good suggestion. That said Hollywood is a crap hole.

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

3. Any recommendations for good local eats.

Way too broad a request. "Local" is undefinable without a specific neighborhood in mind.

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

4. What’s the best beaches for us to hit up in LA?

Swim? Walk? Watch? I like Zuma in Malibu.

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

5. Most romantic things to do?
6. Nightlife options that don’t include going to a club.

Griffith Observatory. Magic Castle.

[vincenze]

5. Romantic things.
Take the Expo Line to Santa Monica, rent a couple of bicycles and hit the bike lane near the beach.

Take the shuttle from the subway stop Sunset/Vermont to Griffith Observatory and hit the trail that goes to the Hollywood Sign.
Griffith Observatory - Getting Here

Take the Gold Line to Pasadena and visit The Huntington Library with its rose gardens and Oriental gardens.
https://www.huntington.org/

6. Nightlife options
Concerts, shows...
https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/events...wl&Season=null

[Statz2k10]

Airbnb's...I've stayed in Silver Lake, Hollywood Hills, & West Hollywood. Really depends on how much you want to spend & the features you need.

Beaches. Santa Monica will be tourist heavy but worth checking out. It's also close to Venice Beach so you could take a quick Uber to Venice (or even walk approx 1 mile).

There are other beaches that are nice to see but not as busy as Santa Monica. Manhattan, Hermosha, Redondo.

Pro's & Con's of renting/not renting a car. How long will be you staying? If it's only for a few days I'd say you can enjoy a lot without a rental car. But if you're staying for 4-5+ days you might want to consider a rental car because you could drive up/down the PCH which offers some great views. Ride up through the Canyon/mountain around the PCH. Drive South towards Laguna Beach. Granted you might not be interested in that stuff but they are really enjoyable to do.

Keep in mind LA is huge. When you look at a map you might see 10 miles in distance & assume that's about 20 minutes but in LA that's probably an hour + commute.

If you can find out where you want to stay I think we can all help you more. I'm actually going soon & will be staying not far from the airport. Because of that I know I'll be a pretty good distance from West Hollywood/Hollywood Blvd where as if I stayed in Silver Lake/West Hollywood (off Sunset) I know I'd be about an hour from the beaches.

The thing about a rental car too is keep in mind if you Uber a lot you'll be spending hundreds of $'s depending on the length of your trip. Sooner or later it because more costly to Uber sometimes. I know you mentioned Subway but I think you might find that you'll rather be Ubering than Subway.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by vincenze

5. Romantic things.
Take the Expo Line to Santa Monica, rent a couple of bicycles and hit the bike lane near the beach.

Like Jack Tripper. I loved that show.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0vzEQs-4uo

[vincenze]

Originally Posted by Statz2k10

Pro's & Con's of renting/not renting a car. How long will be you staying? If it's only for a few days I'd say you can enjoy a lot without a rental car. But if you're staying for 4-5+ days you might want to consider a rental car because you could drive up/down the PCH which offers some great views. Ride up through the Canyon/mountain around the PCH. Drive South towards Laguna Beach. Granted you might not be interested in that stuff but they are really enjoyable to do.

You can buy an Amtrak ticket from LA Union Station to Santa Barbara and enjoy magnificent ocean views as the train runs right near the beach.

Amtrak's Coast Starlight costs only $40 for a round trip.
It departs at 10am and returns at 6pm.

Buses in Santa Barbara are free with an Amtrak ticket.
Though, the beach is right near the train stop. And touristy Downtown too.



You can travel the opposite way.
Metrolink and Amtrak trains go to Orange Country.
They stop in San Clemente with its beautiful beaches.
There is a free trolley to go up and explore the eateries in the city.



---
Also, the Metro's route 460 goes from Downtown LA to Disneyland.
Disneyland is good for adults too.
https://www.metro.net/riding/schedules/460-13131/