LA - where to stay for the car-less?

Suziemay
Suziemay Posts: 11,168
edited November 2013 in The Porch
Let's say I'd rather not drive or need to depend on others to drive me. What area should I stay in LA? How's public transportation? I initially booked a room at the Radisson near USC so I could be within stumbling distance of the venue, but doesn't really seem to be much else around. I also get the munchies a lot so I need to be near food :mrgreen:

Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated!
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  • TightropeHigher
    TightropeHigher Posts: 135
    Couchsurfing, my good man! I'm looking to trade an LA1 for an LA 2 with someone that will let me crash as well. the day after im flying back to Rhode Island
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  • CROJAM95
    CROJAM95 NEW YORK Posts: 11,402
    I'm staying with someone at their place.... I heard the area isn't the best, be careful
  • NAUjackfan
    NAUjackfan Phoenix Posts: 2,340
    Suziemay wrote:
    Let's say I'd rather not drive or need to depend on others to drive me. What area should I stay in LA? How's public transportation? I initially booked a room at the Radisson near USC so I could be within stumbling distance of the venue, but doesn't really seem to be much else around. I also get the munchies a lot so I need to be near food :mrgreen:

    Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated!

    I think our AZ to SD to LA Road Trip crew has room for you, too. I haven't decided on a hotel for us yet, but I definitely have a spare seat in the car for you if you want to stay at the same place as we do.
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  • norm
    norm Posts: 31,146
    you'll be fine at the radisson...you're on the usc campus (essentially) and with college students comes a lot of crappy places to eat ;)


    there is now a subway stop at jefferson and figueroa which is a mere couple blocks from the arena...downtown la, hollywood, universal city, long beach, pasadena and points in between are now serviced by train

    not knowing a budget, i'd stay at LA Live...lots to do there and in downtown...it's really changed
  • ItIsAllAboutPJ
    ItIsAllAboutPJ S.B., CA Posts: 829
    We are driving to LA but I want to park at a hotel and use the train or bus to get to and from the Sports Arena.
    I want to be able to party and not worry about driving and paying for parking.
    It would be great to get a bunch of us to stay at a hotel that has shuttle service so we could pile in.
    We would need something that has late pick-up.
    From what I've heard, It's not safe to walk even a few blocks from a hotel. :(

    It there's any locals that could aid in figuring this out it would be awesome and we'll owe you a few drinks for sure. :)
  • ItIsAllAboutPJ
    ItIsAllAboutPJ S.B., CA Posts: 829
    norm wrote:
    you'll be fine at the radisson...you're on the usc campus (essentially) and with college students comes a lot of crappy places to eat ;)


    there is now a subway stop at jefferson and figueroa which is a mere couple blocks from the arena...downtown la, hollywood, universal city, long beach, pasadena and points in between are now serviced by train

    not knowing a budget, i'd stay at LA Live...lots to do there and in downtown...it's really changed

    That Radisson looks like it's right down the block and we could walk.
    Am I right in thinking that?
  • rbrum7
    rbrum7 Posts: 988
    Suziemay wrote:
    I also get the munchies a lot so I need to be near food :mrgreen:

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  • Paul Andrews
    Paul Andrews Posts: 2,489
    When in LA we stay at The Universal City Hilton. Was especially cool for the Gibson Amp shows and they have an incredible Sunday brunch buffet. It is across the road from UNiversal City, and the City Walk and only two metro stops from Hollywood Bldv. Costs a little, but fuck it - you only live once.
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  • Mamasan Bren
    Mamasan Bren Posts: 962
    That Radisson is right there. With a concert dumping out with thousands of people, it's not like that's an unsafe walk at night all alone or anything. The walk from the venue to the Radisson is completely on campus and I'm sure there will be lots of PJ fans doing it post-show. I'm staying there and am confident it will be absolutely fine.
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  • Windermere11
    Windermere11 Posts: 144
    Suziemay wrote:
    Let's say I'd rather not drive or need to depend on others to drive me. What area should I stay in LA? How's public transportation? I initially booked a room at the Radisson near USC so I could be within stumbling distance of the venue, but doesn't really seem to be much else around. I also get the munchies a lot so I need to be near food :mrgreen:

    Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated!
    I know LA very well, and the Arena area can be pretty shady for rookies. It can make the Forum neighborhood look like Disneyland. My advice and thoughts to your questions...
    Get a cab!!! or just steal a car... :nono:
    Get a hotel room downtown if you want to be close to the Arena. Something nice with a brand name. Don't stay at the "Crack Pipe Inn" just to save $50. There's only a couple hotels around USC because the area sucks. And yes, USC SUCKS too. GO HUSKIES! GO HUSKIES!! GO HUSKIES!!! :D
    Public transportation sucks as well. This is just my opinion since I haven't used public transportation since grade school in Seattle. Not counting the back of a cop car... :shock:
    And for food, Roscos Chicken and Waffles is the munchies killer. Just keep the cab meter running.
    Also, if you run into any trouble, just call Saul Goodman and Associates...
    Hope this helps and please enjoy yourself at the show(s).
    Thank you Mike!!!

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  • kasedoug
    kasedoug The Golden State Posts: 3,035
    LA Live is right up Figueroa from the Sports Arena, just a short cab ride away. Be aware that there will be lots going on that weekend so it may be expensive to stay at the LA Live hotels. Staples Center will be busy with a Kings game on Saturday night and most likely a Lakers game on Sunday. Also, it'll be the opening weekend of the LA Auto Show which is at the LA Convention Center, adjacent to Staples Center. That draws a ton of people.

    How long will you be here? What other things are you looking to do/see besides going to the show? Like previously mentioned, there's not a lot to do around the Sports Arena so it might be worth it to partner up with others that are staying elsewhere to get back and forth to the shows and do stuff around town.
  • bramnieskens
    bramnieskens The Netherlands Posts: 101
    What are the cheaper Hotel-options?
    Radisson will cost me 200 dollars a night.
    I am probably travelling alone.
    Anything will do. Hostels where I can book a dorm, couchsurfing, motel etc. as long as it is close to the Arena and for a reasonable price. Max 200 - 250 dollars for 2-3 nights.

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  • ItIsAllAboutPJ
    ItIsAllAboutPJ S.B., CA Posts: 829
    Mamasan Bren wrote:
    That Radisson is right there. With a concert dumping out with thousands of people, it's not like that's an unsafe walk at night all alone or anything. The walk from the venue to the Radisson is completely on campus and I'm sure there will be lots of PJ fans doing it post-show. I'm staying there and am confident it will be absolutely fine.

    I called the Radisson last night and they seam like the bast hassle free option.
    I asked about a group rate, it was late so the clerk could only tell me that you need 10 or more rooms.
    I'm going to look into that.
    She said it's perfectly safe and during events there is much bigger police presence.
    The one thing she said is that it books up for USC home games and there are several around that time. She can't guaranty a rate at this time but can reserve a room.
    I'll be checking out Priceline or something like that where I can lock-in depending on what the group rate might be.
  • barger395
    barger395 Posts: 855
    Suziemay wrote:
    Let's say I'd rather not drive or need to depend on others to drive me. What area should I stay in LA? How's public transportation? I initially booked a room at the Radisson near USC so I could be within stumbling distance of the venue, but doesn't really seem to be much else around. I also get the munchies a lot so I need to be near food :mrgreen:

    Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated!

    I would rather you stay at L.A.Live. I'm sure there will be a police presence for the show, but not so much on the other days. Knowing you like I do, L.A.Live is gonna offer you more of the things to do in a safer environment. Also, do not go alone to buy merch if there are pre- sales. The area around USC is one I try to avoid, especially since I'm a Bruin fan, but I think you will find more interesting things to do @ L.A. Live.

    Public transportation? Ours sucks!! I would definitely suggest taxis. Hope this helps!

    BS
    Seen the Best Rock Band on the Planet a few times here and there.
  • Gludfssr
    Gludfssr Posts: 57
    This is not a great area to walk around during the daytime let alone after dark. I am not saying that something will happen, but for your own piece of mind I would suggest getting a hotel somewhere out of the area. The closest area for decent hotels would be Downtown. For the price the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel is a good choice. It's about 3 miles from the arena so you would have to get a cab. Public transportation is horrible and not completely safe, especially if you are by yourself.
  • EdsonNascimento
    EdsonNascimento Posts: 5,531
    Between this place, Brooklyn and Worcester is this tour to be branded "The Dump Tour '13," or, "We Don't give a shit about the area around the arena, we get privately driven in and out anyway Tour '13"

    They definitely seemed to have picked not the greatest areas this tour. Hartford is going to look like the gold coast (if you don't wander North, of course).
    Sorry. The world doesn't work the way you tell it to.
  • kasedoug
    kasedoug The Golden State Posts: 3,035
    EdsonNascimento wrote:
    Between this place, Brooklyn and Worcester is this tour to be branded "The Dump Tour '13," or, "We Don't give a shit about the area around the arena, we get privately driven in and out anyway Tour '13"

    They definitely seemed to have picked not the greatest areas this tour. Hartford is going to look like the gold coast (if you don't wander North, of course).

    No other viable options for a great arena show in LA at that time. Staples Center isn't that great for concerts and they'll have Kings/Clippers/Lakers that weekend and I doubt PJ would want to play Anaheim. The Forum, which was bought out by the MSG company, is being renovated to become a proper concert venue. Gibson Amp will be shuttered by then as well.
  • ItIsAllAboutPJ
    ItIsAllAboutPJ S.B., CA Posts: 829
    barger395 wrote:
    Suziemay wrote:
    Let's say I'd rather not drive or need to depend on others to drive me. What area should I stay in LA? How's public transportation? I initially booked a room at the Radisson near USC so I could be within stumbling distance of the venue, but doesn't really seem to be much else around. I also get the munchies a lot so I need to be near food :mrgreen:

    Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated!

    I would rather you stay at L.A.Live. I'm sure there will be a police presence for the show, but not so much on the other days. Knowing you like I do, L.A.Live is gonna offer you more of the things to do in a safer environment. Also, do not go alone to buy merch if there are pre- sales. The area around USC is one I try to avoid, especially since I'm a Bruin fan, but I think you will find more interesting things to do @ L.A. Live.

    Public transportation? Ours sucks!! I would definitely suggest taxis. Hope this helps!

    BS

    This may true.....but for me, I'm getting in on Saturday afternoon and out Monday morning headed to Oakland.
    I'm not doing any sight seeing, I've been to LA plenty, I probably won't even leave the hotel other than the concerts.
    I'm even going to pack my own food for the room. I need to do it as low cost as possible.
    If you're looking to do other stuff, around LA Live is defiantly a good choice.
  • barger395
    barger395 Posts: 855
    Gludfssr wrote:
    This is not a great area to walk around during the daytime let alone after dark. I am not saying that something will happen, but for your own piece of mind I would suggest getting a hotel somewhere out of the area. The closest area for decent hotels would be Downtown. For the price the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel is a good choice. It's about 3 miles from the arena so you would have to get a cab. Public transportation is horrible and not completely safe, especially if you are by yourself.

    +1
    Seen the Best Rock Band on the Planet a few times here and there.
  • Suziemay
    Suziemay Posts: 11,168
    Thank you everyone for the responses. I'm still torn.. I'm mostly going to be in town for the shows so I think the Radisson might work for me assuming that there will be plenty of folks headed that direction after the shows. I would probably move to a different hotel for the day after the show (11/25) before heading to Oakland the following day (11/26).

    So even walking in the morning, say 7AM between the Radisson to the arena may not be that safe?

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