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So the boyfriend and I are going form SF to LA in August. We're going for two days, and most likely staying near West Hollywood. I've done all the tourist stuff as a kid, so we're looking more to experience "the LA Life" because we might move there in two years. We at least want to see Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood. So what do you guys recommend we should see and do? Any recommendations for nightlife, restaurants, cool activities to do in LA? Thanks!

LA has a lot to offer, other than the cliche things you see on tv. Not sure what you're looking to do , but I'm sure some of us can list a bunch of places to go for food, museums , outdoorsy stuff, and everything else under the sun. So do you have anything specific in mind that you want to see?

If you'll be there on a Thursday, go to FUBAR. Also, try to do the beach communities one day and weho and bh the other. Eat at the Urth at on Melrose for lunch, mediocre food, ridiculously bad service, but probably one of the coolest lunch scenes anywhere. In Venice make sure to go to Abbott Kinney. If I move back to LA, that's where I'm going to live.

Tempest Free-Running Academy!!!

LACMA - art museum, MOCA - art museum in downtown, will rogers state beach is the gay beach just north of santa monica if you wanna wear your speedos. Good hiking up around the hollywood sign. There is plenty more!!! Message me for more ideas or questions

Downtown is really nice now. ;-)

Take a bike ride down Venice Beach. (bike rental places everywhere) You'll really be immersed in the city while having a great view. The Huntington Gardens near Pasadena are worth an excursion. Griffith Observatory/Park and the Hollywood Hills (great for hiking). Amoeba music store if you like music or dvds. The grounds around the Getty Center are great, even though the art kind of sucks. Manhattan Beach. Silverlake cafes and shops. Third Street Promenade. China Town for cheap t-shirts.

Kanter's 24 hour deli on Fairfax.

Griffith Observatory at sunset.

southbeach1500 said

Griffith Observatory at sunset.

+1 Especially if you want to do lifestyle stuff. The day hikes are cool, either Griffith, Escondido Falls, or Franklin Canyon. Huntington Gardens is worth it, but out of the way.

Other good lifestyle stuff: go down to Hermosa Beach/Manhattan Beach and go biking or rollerblading on the Strand (you can rent from one of the bike shops near the piers). It's my favorite part of town.

Also, people-watching on the Venice boardwalk is cool.

Places to eat in the spots you mentioned: C&O Trattoria in Venice/Marina, Huckleberry in Santa Monica, The Palm in Beverly Hills(ish), Bodyfactory in West Hollywood.

If you haven't done the Grammy Museum, do that. It's a touristy thing that tourists usually miss out on. I'd also suggest catching a Dodger game if you have time, but you might not with only two days.

If you're driving from SF to LA, I'd suggest taking the scenic route and stopping in SLO for wine tasting, again if you have the time.

Saturday nights until the end of summer you can see older movies in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. They have a d.j for the first hour spinning music.

You sit in an area where there are no graves and the movie is projected on the wall. They play great movies such as The Birds, Aliens, Taxi Driver, etc.

It gets very very packed in with people. You can bring wine, cocktails, food, folding chairs, blankets(A little bud too :wink

We just recently saw Silence of the Lambs a few weeks ago.

Thank you everyone for the responses, I know it took me a while to get back. Just in case anyone got confused, I meant I am only going to spend a weekend of 2 days in LA, not that I was going to LA in 2 days lol. Therefore, we're short on time so I'm thinking we might just want to see the beach communities, Hollywood/West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills for now, and try and fit other places to go to.

I think what Ritournelle wrote is along the lines of what we want to do. Don't get me wrong, I love the outdoors and museums, but I'm looking more to get a real feel of the LA life (well actually the West Hollywood/Beach life).

We definitely want to go to great places for food, whether for quality or to get a cool LA restaurant scene (but not too ridiculously pricey). Also, what bars do you guys recommend for the weekend, gay or straight? Any tips for driving on Fridays and Saturdays, including at night? One last thing, I know this sounds superficial, but it would be cool to see some celebrities, so if you guys know any celebrity sightings spots that would be awesome. Thanks again guys!

Weho life =/= beach life

Plus I wouldn't go to Venice beach, it sucks.

If you do 1 beach in LA county head to Will Rogers in just past Santa Monica on PCH.

I'd take a day just to chillax in weho, hang out by the pool, drive around the hills a bit, hit up some restaurants and bars, hang out on a patio, and people watch. Count how many guys walk by with dogs smaller than their biceps

heard it's crap there, very snobby.

SportyGuy_1 saidheard it's crap there, very snobby.

False. LA f*ckng rocks.

ahhh cant wait to move there...

sfboy987 saidSo the boyfriend and I are going form SF to LA in August.

Hym...according to your profile it says you're single.

New York is the only American city that holds any interest for me. Still not worth 500 euros when I could be in Berlin or Paris for 50.

SportyGuy_1 saidNew York is the only American city that holds any interest for me. Still not worth 500 euros when I could be in Berlin or Paris for 50.

Actually its worth it its awesome

SportyGuy_1 saidNew York is the only American city that holds any interest for me. Still not worth 500 euros when I could be in Berlin or Paris for 50.

Not going to make too many fans on here lol

No I'm boycotting the USA and the UK over the war in Iraq anyway. Have fun in LA. Don't get shot.

Please visit the Schindler house in WEST HOLLYWOOD. It turned 90 and is a gem.

Well you're not doing a very good job with this being a US website.

SportyGuy_1 saidNo I'm boycotting the USA and the UK over the war in Iraq anyway. Have fun in LA. Don't get shot.

Don't get shot? Coming from an area of the British Isles where hateful peoples have killed, bombed and maimed each other over something like religion/politics, I find your "Don't get shot" comment a bit laughable.

SportyGuy_1 saidNo I'm boycotting the USA and the UK over the war in Iraq anyway. Have fun in LA. Don't get shot.

How will the US ever recover from the crippling SportyGuy_1 boycott?

MuchoMasQueMusculo said

SportyGuy_1 saidNo I'm boycotting the USA and the UK over the war in Iraq anyway. Have fun in LA. Don't get shot.

Don't get shot? Coming from an area of the British Isles where hateful peoples have killed, bombed and maimed each other over something like religion/politics, I find your "Don't get shot" comment a bit laughable.

lol. America was once part of the British Isles and killed, bombed and maimed for the same very reason. But it's ok when you guys do it.