Hi, Any ideas for things to do in Los Angeles, places to visit and avoid.?

Question

Myself and my husband too be (the trip will be our honeymoon!!) are travelling around California and staying in Los Angeles for four nights. We are from the UK so not much knowledge on Los Angeles (except the usual, Hollywood and Beverly hills) Any areas we should avoid as tourists?
We want to make the most of our time so any ideas will be greatly received!!

Any ideas on hotels?? We were thinking of the Beverly Hilton. Anyone stayed there?? Was it a nice hotel??

Many thanks in advance for your help

Sharon x

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I was born and raised in the LA area so have no knowledge of hotels in the area, but here are a few of my recommendations.
If its a clear day (you don't say what time of year you are travelling?!) the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park is great for views of Catalina Island and the Pacific. Take a picnic, if it's the right time of year a baseball game at Dodger Stadium is fun too.
If you like Chinese food China town is really good for Dim Sum, or Alvera Street for Mexican food. Both places can be tacky but great food, just follow the locals. The Bonaventure Hotel downtown has a 35 storey hotel with a revolving restaurant/bar, again great views.
Avoid Venice Beach - it's dirty and full of druggies. The only "locals" who go there are people from outside of California who don't know any better. Go to Santa Monica if you want some beach time. The Border Grill downtown is good for lunch/dinner. For shopping try the Grove near to Farmers Market, it is like a mini Disney. V.cool. For great martinis try the Sky Lounge at the airport. 1960's chic and again v.cool. Not uncommon to see movie stars having drinks.
Just a few suggestions, enjoy & have a great time. XX

Answer 2

Go check out Venice Beach, thats alot of fun!!! Oh and if you want some great places to eat, casual, go to Pinks and the Griddle, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Answer 3

Go to the set of the TV show 24.


@-->--

Answer 4

Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Half a billion visitors can’t be wrong. (Sometimes it seems all at once)

Universal Studios: A theme park that grew out of a studio tour. Check out eBay. You can find some discounted tickets there. And Universal City Walk is a fun place to hang out in the evening after your day inside the park.

Hollywood: Hollywood Boulevard is ready for its close-up, thanks to years of urban renewal and renovation. Enjoy the Walk of Fame, Entertainment Museum, Mann's Theatre and more. You can see a lot for free. I have also added the Hollywood & Highland complex to my top ten list… it has lots of shops and restaurants, and the Kodak Theater (home of the Academy Awards). I like the El Capitan theater, because it has been restored to its former glory, unlike the Chinese, which was essentially gutted and turned into a multiplex.

Rodeo Drive, 90210: Packed with exclusive shops, full of gawkers. They all came to enjoy the excess. Free, unless you intend to buy something.

Venice Beach: Los Angeles kitsch and over-the-top culture at its best.
Here you'll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore.
Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste. And it's a short bike ride from:

Santa Monica Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. (The Sting and "Three's Company" come immediately to mind).
After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach.

Santa Monica Third Street Promenade - Downtown Santa Monica's shopping promenade is often the scene of movie star-sightings. Just a short walk from the Santa Monica Pier.

Sunset Boulevard: Perhaps one of the world's most famous streets, it began as a route between the stars' posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the "Sunset Strip" on its way. It makes for a fun drive. Along the way, you see a lot of different neighborhoods. Hollywood, West Hollywood, Bel Air, and Pacific Palisades. When you get to the ocean, stop at Gladstone's for Fish.

Queen Mary: Once the largest ship afloat, she's been docked in Long Beach for longer than she sailed, and her elegance never fails to impress. Free to visit. You can actually stay on board, for a price.

Farmers Market and The Grove - A new shopping complex right next to a Los Angeles landmark, The Grove and Farmers Market coexist. Enjoy a movie or shopping, then take the trolley to the Farmers Market for lunch or dinner.
Farmer's Market is right next to CBS, so walk across the lot to see if they are taping "The Price is Right". You might even get in.

Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage.

Getty Museum - The Getty's architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art or architecture better (or maybe you'll just enjoy the view), the Getty is sure to please. Free.

Attend a TV taping - You can get free tickets at audiencesunlimited.com, or see the booth at Universal City walk. It's very interesting to see a show being taped. The most popular, by far, is the tonight show. Check the NBC web site for all the details there.

Places to eat:
In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.
Pink’s Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. Might see a celebrity.
Tommy’s Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. Original location at Beverly & Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.
Canter’s Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly & Melrose. Near CBS, might spot a celebrity.
Phillippe’s: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station, Olvera Street. Watch the mustard, it’s hot.

Places to Stay:
In Hollywood, I recommend the Renaissance Hotel at Hollywood and Highland.
In Anaheim, I recommend the HoJo Anaheim, and the Candy Cane Inn. If you want to splurge and make this a most memorable trip, stay at Disney’s Grand Californian. You get the full Disney experience. If you don't need to stay by the park, then stay at the Doubletree on Harbor, or even the one in Orange on Chapman.
In Santa Monica, the Holiday Inn Santa Monica is close to the pier and reasonably priced.
(I tend to recommend less expensive hotels for travelers on a budget. If you want the list of luxury hotels, post another question)
Places to Shop:
South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa
Fashion Island, Newport Beach
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
Citadel Outlets, Commerce
Beverly Center, Los Angeles
The Block at Orange, Orange
Ontario Mills, Ontario

Answer 5

Bev Hills hotel is iconic and nice. Beverly Hilton is so average. In that area, look at the W in westwood or even the Four Seasons.

Tourists are everyewhere. Mostly near the themeparks. Stay away from South Central and you will be fine...

There are a few great museums, LACMA, MOCA and the Guggenheim (which has a good brunch on weekends...) Santa MOnica/Venice is good for shopping and hanging out. Universal City Walk is a touristy but good place for nighttime shopping/activity/dinner. Downtown Disney is more of the same. You can go there w/o going to inside the park.

Southbay (hermosa/Manhattan) is a good beach cities culture ot hang with locals.

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Yes, there are many great extended stay hotels in LA at affordable prices. The following websites have many options for accommodations and things to do in LA. They are http://www.losangeles.nyctourist.com
and http://www.123world.com/los-angeles/
. I am sure you will find what you are looking for.