Virgin to LA, What to do?

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  Nov 06, 2007 8:53 PM GMT

  I am visiting the LA area in February for my first time ever and I need some help on what to do and see. The beach is out because it is a little cold and L.A. Galaxy (I like MLS not just Beckham) does not play during February, so that leaves a lot of time to spare. I will be there for a week and the only thing I have on my list to do are to go to LACMA. I am very excited about going, but I don’t know what to do there. Please give me suggestions.

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  Nov 06, 2007 9:19 PM GMT

  Eat at In-n-Out!

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• Squarejaw
  
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  Nov 06, 2007 9:19 PM GMT

  Have lunch on a weekday at the Getty Center. The art is so-so but the grounds are amazing. http://www.getty.edu/visit/
  
  If the weather is reasonable (and in February it often is), check out the Venice Boardwalk.
  
  Go to the Garment District downtown. Ask someone to direct you to the alley with all the small shops.
  
  On your way back from the Garment District, check out the California Science Center. http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/
  
  See a well-reviewed play in a tiny theater. http://www.laweekly.com/stage/ The Celebration Theater is gay-centered, if that interests you. http://celebrationtheatre.com/
  
  Check out Equinox Gym, Crunch Gym, and Gold's Gym.
  
  Are you interested in nightlife? Let me know. That's a whole other post.

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  Nov 06, 2007 9:22 PM GMT

  sorry squarejaw but I am not a nightlife guy. I am a morning guy though.

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  Nov 06, 2007 9:23 PM GMT

  Go hiking in Topenga Canyon, it's beautiful.
  
  

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  Nov 06, 2007 9:33 PM GMT

  Even in February, the beach is often doable, at least compared to the northwest. I often go to a conference north of LA, in Feb. I usually take my bike and ride along the coast for hours. Plenty of people are out surfing then.

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  Nov 06, 2007 9:38 PM GMT

  
  
  Go to they Abbey in West Hollywood on Sunday afternoon. Located on Robertson and Santa Monica Blvd.
  
  Maribel’s for brunch on Sat or Sun. Located on Sunset.
  
  Starbucks on Santa Monica Blvd.& Westborne
  
  When ever I'm in LA these are just a few places where I go.
  
  It's supposed to be a very dry winter this year.
  
  Good Luck!

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  Nov 06, 2007 9:46 PM GMT

  Not from California, but I've been told it's soo filthy that you should keep a condom on at all times. lol.

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  Nov 06, 2007 9:54 PM GMT

  - Visit Griffith Observatory, it's been remodeled. You can also go for a hike around Griffith Park.
  
  - I was going to suggest the Garment district but seeing Squarejaw already mentioned it. Tons of good stuff there for cheap prices too.
  
  - Since you're not a nightlife-type of person, check out Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade(http://www.downtownsm.com/). Great place to shop, eat, people watch(ing) and hang near the ocean.
  
  - Look up Amoeba Records down in Sunset Blvd, huge record store. Great place to shop for DVD's and records/memorabilias you won't find anywhere else.
  
  - Go on a sightseeing around Hollywood and Highland.
  
  - I remember there being two Gardenburger Restaurants around L.A., I believe. One in West Hollywood and one around Sunset area. Good place to have lunch/dinner.
  
  - I would recommend The Grove(http://www.thegrovela.com/) on the weekends also. Same comments as the 3rd St.
  
  - Museums: The Dali Exhibit is a must to see. If you're also into contemporary arts, check out Murakami's Exhibit in MOCA(http://moca.org/)
  
  - Check out the Abbott Kinney district in Venice Beach. There's also an upcoming contemporary art exhibit at The Balmoral(http://www.gallerybalmoral.com/exhibitions/exhibition/upcoming_exhibitions.php) around the time you'll be visiting here.
  
  - Check out http://laist.com/ if you're looking for concerts that're playing around the L.A. area. It's always updated everday.
  
  Most of these you can do during daytime. I'm not much of a nightlife person myself so you'd have to go to Squarejaw for that if you ever change your mind lol.
  
  

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  Nov 06, 2007 10:34 PM GMT

  -See a concert at The Roxy in Hollywood. There's always something great. The last time I was there Ryan Adams was performing
  
  -Go to Pinkberry
  
  -Drive up the coast to Santa Barbara or down to the beaches of The OC
  
  -Santa Monica's beach is great for a sunset
  
  -Disney Hall is downtown and is worth seeing for the architecture alone, even if there isn't a performance when you're there
  
  -Knott's Berry Farm is the quintessenital California theme park (not Disney's California)
  
  -The Original Farmer's Market on West 3rd
  
  -Drive down to San Diego and check out it's great streetcar service, Gaslight District, Balboa Park and great hilltop neighborhoods
  
  

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  Nov 06, 2007 10:53 PM GMT

  Check out the Getty Arts Center, and have lunch or dinner at the Restaurant there - beautiful view, and the foods are quite good.
  
  Hiking at Runyon Canyon. You can see the whole LA, and you might run into a few celebrities as well. Griffith Park is another great place to hike, and don't forget to stop by Alcove restaurant for brunch afterward. It's a lovely outdoor restaurant.
  
  If you are in downtown LA, be sure to stop by Walt Disney Concert Hall or Hollywood Bowl for a concert. If you like foods like me, be sure to check out La Boheme, Republic, OBar in West Hollywood, Yamashiro, AOC, Social Hollywood, Craft, Ketchup, etc.
  
  Rent a car and drive along Mulholland Dr. If you are into the night life, check out www.westhollywood.com for the listing of all the gay bars/clubs/restaurants.
  

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  Nov 06, 2007 11:01 PM GMT

  Come help me remodel? He, he, he...just kidding. How about we have lunch? Ok, out of the question, maybe? What about Disneyland? What? NO ONE is too old to go to Disneyland. Plus, my friend might be able to get us in for free. What's better than free?
  
  I do live near the beach and we can always rollerblade. That will keep you warm, sweaty, and ..... We'll have fun if you're up for it....
  
  
  Ciao,
  
  Nef

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  Nov 07, 2007 12:38 AM GMT

  WOW, thanks for all the great ideas. I appreciate the help. Know I don't know how to fit it all in. I will have to go back to LA for another week. Thank you very much
  
  Bud

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  Nov 07, 2007 12:40 AM GMT

  Damarco:
  
  Six Flags Magic Mountain is where it's at for theme parks.

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  Nov 07, 2007 4:04 AM GMT

  I agree that Magic Mountain is awesome, Salubrious, and Seeks6Pack is right about Disneyland. But what both parks do is done better at other parks, or so I think. Disney World is Disneyland on a magnificent scale and Cedar Point & Kings Island (near you and me) have got the coasters and stuff that make Magic Mountain so great. Knott's Berry Farm is a part of L.A.'s history and you get a good taste of that. It's unique, which always makes a trip worthwile.

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  Nov 07, 2007 4:30 AM GMT

  That's true about Knotts, I suppose. I was just plugging Magic Mountain because I'm from Santa Clarita, and about everyone I know has worked there for at least a bit. Repping the hometown, heh.

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  Nov 07, 2007 8:07 AM GMT

  but for the love of god rent a convertible. and not a sebring. make them give you a mustang. and make sure they clue you in about that fucked up 2 -3 p.m. traffic thing.
  
  if you are a morning person you'll do well in LA. once long ago it was a farm town and farm towns lived by the light....
  
  
  

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• Aznraven84
  
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  Nov 07, 2007 1:15 PM GMT

  Speaking of which, traffic usually runs from 3PM to at most, 7PM around L.A. on the weekdays. So try to plan long events or short distance places around those hours.

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  Nov 07, 2007 11:26 PM GMT

  and stay on the surface streets!
  
  i have to say driving in LA was weird after playing chicken with NYC taxis for a while. Much less honking, many more road rage citations.
  
  Still it's nice to be able to talk on a cell phone while driving and to make right-hand turns on red

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• Squarejaw
  
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  Nov 08, 2007 12:21 AM GMT

  If you like hiking and Topanga Canyon is too far, try Runyon Canyon.

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  Nov 08, 2007 1:14 AM GMT

  Across the street from LACMA is Peteresen Car Museum...and LaBrea tar pits and Asian art museum and the Kings road house . Downtown there is MOCA across the street from that is the Disney performing arts center ( a must see) get tickets to a sunday concert . Down the street is the New LA Cathedral.. nothing like that has ever been built in this country.

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  Nov 08, 2007 7:31 AM GMT

  For what it's worth, I think Bronson Canyon is a lot better than Runyon Canyon - it's more private, quieter, more scenic, more of a workout - plus, you can see the Hollywood sign.
  
  If you're a morning person and like breakfast, there are a few great diners you can go to - The Original Pantry is a diner downtown that has never closed or locked its doors in something like 80 years, the Mayor used to own it, *incredible* thick-cut sourdough toast, a true Los Angeles institution that you would likely find in a crime novel. Also Duke's on Sunset is a great greasy spoon where "common folk" rub shoulders with celebrities but it's not at all pretentious - and it's on the famous Sunset strip. If you're in the Silverlake area, Cafe Tropical is a great Cuban diner with amazing espresso con leche.

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  Nov 08, 2007 10:10 AM GMT

  Make sure you have a car or some sort of transportation planned out. The public transportation in LA is not exactly visitor friendly.

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