Has anybody started making plans for LA yet? Where are some good places to stay? Do I need to rent a car? I don't know what neighborhood I should stay in. I would appreciate any ideas...
We're staying at the Hilton right next to the Gibson. As for a car, it depends on whether you're planning to stay in the area of the show or go to different parts of LA...
I've lived in L.A. for 20 months. I am car-free, which allows me to afford rent in So Cal.
Save your money and do not rent a car. Look for a hotel on the subway line (Universal City, Walk of Fame area of Hollywood, Downtown L.A.) The Red Line subway has a stop right at the bottom of the hill to Universal Studios/Universal Citywalk. The subway is cheap, fast, and clean.
I stayed at 2 subway-accessible hotels in November of 2007: I cannot recommend the Ramada on Vermont Ave. In Hollywood. Staff had major attitude, rooms were microscopic, 'free' local calls were $1 each. Crusty neighbourhood.
I do recommend the Best Western Hollywood Hills on Franklin Ave. Ginormous rooms, nice staff, better location (especially if you walk along Franklin east of the hotel towards ritzy Los Feliz.) It's 2 blocks uphill from the Vine Street Metro stop, if you can handle the climb. It's close to Griffith Park, where you can see the entire L.A. basin from the grounds of Griffith Observatory. Eastern end of the park has the L.A. Zoo, which is as gorgeous and various as the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. EXCEPT that it is half the size, so you can see everything in one day instead of two. Accessing the park will require a bus ride.
I live on the subway line in Mid Wilshire/Koreatown. My mum and her husband recently stayed nearby at the JJ Grand at the intersection of Wilshire Blvd. and Harvard Avenue. They got the online rate of $102 per night from going to the hotel's website. They said the place was good. Be aware that apart from my crazy white folks, everyone at the JJ Grand is Korean.:o Mum is closed-minded, so I made sure not to tell her!
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also, there is a hilton and sheraton next door to the gibson
Save your money and do not rent a car. Look for a hotel on the subway line (Universal City, Walk of Fame area of Hollywood, Downtown L.A.) The Red Line subway has a stop right at the bottom of the hill to Universal Studios/Universal Citywalk. The subway is cheap, fast, and clean.
I stayed at 2 subway-accessible hotels in November of 2007: I cannot recommend the Ramada on Vermont Ave. In Hollywood. Staff had major attitude, rooms were microscopic, 'free' local calls were $1 each. Crusty neighbourhood.
I do recommend the Best Western Hollywood Hills on Franklin Ave. Ginormous rooms, nice staff, better location (especially if you walk along Franklin east of the hotel towards ritzy Los Feliz.) It's 2 blocks uphill from the Vine Street Metro stop, if you can handle the climb. It's close to Griffith Park, where you can see the entire L.A. basin from the grounds of Griffith Observatory. Eastern end of the park has the L.A. Zoo, which is as gorgeous and various as the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. EXCEPT that it is half the size, so you can see everything in one day instead of two. Accessing the park will require a bus ride.
I live on the subway line in Mid Wilshire/Koreatown. My mum and her husband recently stayed nearby at the JJ Grand at the intersection of Wilshire Blvd. and Harvard Avenue. They got the online rate of $102 per night from going to the hotel's website. They said the place was good. Be aware that apart from my crazy white folks, everyone at the JJ Grand is Korean.:o Mum is closed-minded, so I made sure not to tell her!