Taking a trip to LA from kansas (Los Angeles, Santa Monica: rental car, rental)

[counterhero]

Hey im 20 years old, this would be the first time ever doing somthing like this, i was was thinking about going to la for a few weeks.. any advice on were to stay. were to go or anything at all.. i have about a thousand dollors so i dont know how long that would last me

[dereistic01]

there is no way you can stay in la for a few weeks with only $1000, that might last you 3 or 4 days, but definantly not 2-3 weeks.

if flying, you're looking at $300 for a ticket. if driving, around $600 for gas.

then you have at least $100 a night for hotel, $200 for food, and depending on what type of things yout want to do out here, another $500.

[katenik]

that's correct. on your budget, you can spend a long weekend here if you stay at a cheap motel. memorial day is coming up.

[counterhero]

well i was thinking about just staying in hostels... and just riding the bus around. and just not really spending money. i just wana get a away for a little bit

[katenik]

Originally Posted by counterhero

well i was thinking about just staying in hostels... and just riding the bus around. and just not really spending money. i just wana get a away for a little bit

why not go camping somewhere? LA isn't the kind of place that can be enjoyed without spending money.

[PecanPie]

Just curious, did you have some place in particular in mind? Because Los Angeles is a big place, very spread out. If you are going to live cheaply I'm thinking you'd want to be more or less in the area you are interested in.

Even then, I'm not sure $1k would get you through more than a week, at best, and that's assuming that doesn't include air fare. You could perhaps camp in the Santa Monica Mountains, either LA or Ventura County, but not sure that's the experience you're after.

[CESpeed]

Okay, Here's vacationing on the cheap: If you give yourself at least two weeks in advance, you can find a flight (round trip) for around $200, and staying a hostels is a good way to stretch your dollars (around $ 25 a night) there is one in Hollywood, Westwood (UCLA) and Venice. There maybe others you can look them up online. If you want to use public transportation, you can get an unlimited use pass for $5 per day. Be warned: the busses are notoriously unreliable. Food can be done for $10 per day, if you go the fast food route. This budget will buy you two weeks plus a couple hundred dollars in spending money. Enjoy your stay.

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by CESpeed

Okay, Here's vacationing on the cheap: If you give yourself at least two weeks in advance, you can find a flight (round trip) for around $200, and staying a hostels is a good way to stretch your dollars (around $ 25 a night) there is one in Hollywood, Westwood (UCLA) and Venice. There maybe others you can look them up online. If you want to use public transportation, you can get an unlimited use pass for $5 per day. Be warned: the busses are notoriously unreliable. Food can be done for $10 per day, if you go the fast food route. This budget will buy you two weeks plus a couple hundred dollars in spending money. Enjoy your stay.

Wow! that's great CESpeed! I would have bet it couldn't be done but obviously it can!

[lalife]

Originally Posted by CESpeed

Okay, Here's vacationing on the cheap: If you give yourself at least two weeks in advance, you can find a flight (round trip) for around $200, and staying a hostels is a good way to stretch your dollars (around $ 25 a night) there is one in Hollywood, Westwood (UCLA) and Venice. There maybe others you can look them up online. If you want to use public transportation, you can get an unlimited use pass for $5 per day. Be warned: the busses are notoriously unreliable. Food can be done for $10 per day, if you go the fast food route. This budget will buy you two weeks plus a couple hundred dollars in spending money. Enjoy your stay.

Thanks for posting this. I was getting mad at these replies from people that think it can't be done.

To the OP, don't even bother renting a car if you plan on staying a few weeks. Just get a room at a hostel or maybe a weekly rate at a Travel Lodge or something. Stay in the heart of the Westside, ie Santa Monica, Hollywood, Venice etc and do things that are walkable or bussable. There is plenty to keep you occupied for a first time LA visitor. Walk down Sunset Strip, go to Venice Beach, hang out in Santa Monica / Santa Monica Blvd, 3rd St. Promenade, Melrose Avenue...Visit Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive for a WOW experience. Go to Hollywood and see the stars on the sidewalk...etc, etc.. Just get a LA guidebook and go for it.

[lalife]

Oh wait, you say that you are 20 years old. I guess there goes the idea of the rental car anyhow ( a person needs to be at least 25 years old ??? right? )