Three-day tripping it to LA this summer (Long Beach, Pasadena: hotel, home)

[Death Nickel]

I've never been to California. So, my friend and I decided to go this summer just before classes restart in August. I have a few questions.

1) We're taking the greyhound from Phoenix, AZ to LA, I just read that the greyhound station in Downtown LA is a bit Sketchy, as I'm sure it's true, I won't bother to ask, but is it so dangerous that one would deter two (to three) bright-eyed, bushy-tailed college students from going?

2) Our hotel is less than two miles away, and we won't have any real "luggage", is walking through that neighborhood an option? My friend walks like the wind's beneath her feet so we'd get their in no time.

3) Our first stop will most likely be the Virgin Megastore in Hollywood. How would we get there from downtown LA? I've been looking at the schedule and everything on the transit website, but I'm mildly confused.

4) That's all we have planned so far. I know there is SO much more to do in LA than go to a music store lol. Do buses go to the beaches in LA?
And would it be possible, or reasonable to visit some other part of California while we're there? Maybe spend a few hours in a different hot-spot? This may be difficult because it's only a three-day, two-night trip.

5) One of us is still under the legal drinking age, though neither of us are really drinkers. What is the minimum age to get into bars and "fun" clubs in California? Will age severely affect our abilities to have a good time (at least during the day)?

6) Any other info you may want to add?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Why don't you drive out and not spend your entire trip waiting for a bus?

[Bunjee]

Yeah, without a car you'd do best to limit your trip. There are buses to the beaches. You'll probably just want to go to Santa Monica this time around.

Virgin Megastore is right on the Red Line (Hollywood & Highland) from DT. But why go there when you can take the Hollywood & Vine stop, walk down to Sunset Blvd and go to Amoeba Hollywood? You'll be there all day, I pretty much guarantee it. They also have live shows, free and all ages welcome; check their website.

You probably read the recent thread regarding Greyhound where I recommended Hollywood Forever Cemetery. If you're coming out in the summertime they also have outdoor film screenings that are pretty cool, though a little "scene"-y and crowded nowadays. Bring your own refreshments and find a place to sit. They have a website too. Transit home should be fine, but think about budgeting for a cab just in case.

As for your safety, gosh, it's hard to vouch for anyone's safety in a seedy neighborhood. All I can say is be smart. You'll probably be fine.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by Death Nickel

5) One of us is still under the legal drinking age, though neither of us are really drinkers. What is the minimum age to get into bars and "fun" clubs in California? Will age severely affect our abilities to have a good time (at least during the day)?

Well the drinking age is 21 here. But any bar with a full menu is open to all ages as long as the menu items are served. So TGIF, Hooters, Bubba Gump's and the like is your playground.

[Death Nickel]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Why don't you drive out and not spend your entire trip waiting for a bus?

Because neither one of us drives

[Death Nickel]

Originally Posted by Bunjee

Yeah, without a car you'd do best to limit your trip. There are buses to the beaches. You'll probably just want to go to Santa Monica this time around.

Virgin Megastore is right on the Red Line (Hollywood & Highland) from DT. But why go there when you can take the Hollywood & Vine stop, walk down to Sunset Blvd and go to Amoeba Hollywood? You'll be there all day, I pretty much guarantee it. They also have live shows, free and all ages welcome; check their website.

You probably read the recent thread regarding Greyhound where I recommended Hollywood Forever Cemetery. If you're coming out in the summertime they also have outdoor film screenings that are pretty cool, though a little "scene"-y and crowded nowadays. Bring your own refreshments and find a place to sit. They have a website too. Transit home should be fine, but think about budgeting for a cab just in case.

As for your safety, gosh, it's hard to vouch for anyone's safety in a seedy neighborhood. All I can say is be smart. You'll probably be fine.

My friend has always wanted to go to the Virgin Megastore in LA. Maybe we can just do both.

Yeah. We talked about the cab thing. We're trying to avoid it. But it's certainly in our budget.

Oh and, what of food!? I don't want to go to LA and eat McD's for three days. Are there any nice restaurants in the LA-Hollywood area that won't break the bank?

[Death Nickel]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

Well the drinking age is 21 here. But any bar with a full menu is open to all ages as long as the menu items are served. So TGIF, Hooters, Bubba Gump's and the like is your playground.

Ahh so the usual? Nice lol

[SurekRZA]

Originally Posted by Death Nickel

I've never been to California. So, my friend and I decided to go this summer just before classes restart in August. I have a few questions.

1) We're taking the greyhound from Phoenix, AZ to LA, I just read that the greyhound station in Downtown LA is a bit Sketchy, as I'm sure it's true, I won't bother to ask, but is it so dangerous that one would deter two (to three) bright-eyed, bushy-tailed college students from going?

No, the station is quite safe. I picked up my girl around 11pm at night one time and she was by herself waiting for me but there was no real danger.

2) Our hotel is less than two miles away, and we won't have any real "luggage", is walking through that neighborhood an option? My friend walks like the wind's beneath her feet so we'd get their in no time.

Yes, of course. Take that notion about LA being "Gang and crime" infested out of your head. L.A. is actually one of the safest mega cities in the world, but of course it wasnt always like this and L.A. has really improved in the past decade.

3) Our first stop will most likely be the Virgin Megastore in Hollywood. How would we get there from downtown LA? I've been looking at the schedule and everything on the transit website, but I'm mildly confused.

Theres several red line metro stations in downtown that would take you directly to Hollywood and Highland where the store is located.

4) That's all we have planned so far. I know there is SO much more to do in LA than go to a music store lol. Do buses go to the beaches in LA?
And would it be possible, or reasonable to visit some other part of California while we're there? Maybe spend a few hours in a different hot-spot? This may be difficult because it's only a three-day, two-night trip.

I would take the puple line to where it ends on Wilshire and Western and then catch a "rapid" metro bus to the beach or bus. I would also take the blue line to Long Beach, the red line to North Hollywood, Universal Studios, Hollywood, and Korea town then the Gold line to Pasadena, but definately visit Santa Monica and Venice by bus.

5) One of us is still under the legal drinking age, though neither of us are really drinkers. What is the minimum age to get into bars and "fun" clubs in California? Will age severely affect our abilities to have a good time (at least during the day)?

L.A. is the entertainment capitol and it stands by its name. Theres several clubs in the city that are 18+ and some that are even 16+. Like I mentioned before, visit Univeral Studios theme park! its in the middle of the city and easily accesible by the red line. Melrose Ave. and the Sunset strip are really cool as well. OH! and Farmers Market on Fairfax.

6) Any other info you may want to add?

L.A. is AWESOME.

[Bunjee]

Chowhounding is an entirely separate endeavor, and I'd be putting you on a bus to everywhere in the LA basin. So I'll just say there ain't nothin' wrong with the 99 cent menu at a fast food joint. You're from Phoenix so you know that Mexican food'll give you the best bang for the buck, and there's plenty here. Don't dismiss the ugly, charmless strip malls for any sort of ethnic food. That's where the life is, and the cuisine. You'll find them everywhere. But make the food incidental; I don't want to direct you to any specific place since it's only 3 days on a college budget.

Otherwise, my only specific recommendation might be Knitting Factory, close to Virgin, where you're going anyway. It's a music venue that serves food. General admission (all ages) is $10, more or less depending on who's playing. You can check their website. Their menu is less than $10 and is about TGIF quality. So that's dinner and a show for one night. Go to Pink's since it's on TV a lot and you can say you've been there. But fuel up cheap at the hotel with, like, a roasted chicken from the grocery store, and just have coffee and dessert at a sidewalk cafe for your luncheon/dining/people watching experience.

The cab cost can be cut by at least getting to Union Station. There's a cab stand there. The problem is the Red Line stops running at around midnight, which...what the hell?

[uptown_urbanist]

Hollywood has lots of cheap, interesting places to eat. I echo the advice to go to Amoeba. Also, when in Hollywood, go beyond just Hollywood and Highland; better yet, walk up Hollywood Blvd the whole way between Highland and Vine. Hollywood and Highland (where the Virgin store is) is kind of over-touristy, so do venture out beyond there. Downtown to Hollywood via red line metro is only about 15 minutes or so.

Closer to Hollywood and Normandie (you can take the bus up and down Hollywood Blvd easily enough, or Sunset) or Hollywood and Western there are tons and tons of good Armenian and Thai places to eat. Otherwise there are plenty of little hole-in-the-wall spots all up and down Hollywood Blvd along the Walk of Fame part. You'll have plenty of options beyond the standard fast food chains.

If your trip is over a Sunday I highly recommend the Hollywood Farmer's Market (Hollywood Blvd and Ivar) - besides the obvious produce there's lots of prepared food options, live music, crafts, and just tons of good people watching.