Fun-loving girl seeks good time in L.A....
cdp1223
Posts: 1,131
Help a lady out on her maiden voyage to Los Angeles??I'll be going at the end of next week and have no plans whatsoever. Unfortunately, I'll be staying in downtown because my husband will be at a conference. We are also not planning to rent a car. I know this will limit my movement/exploration severely...but I just don't have the money to rent a car and pay for parking all week. :?
So....anybody got any tips for me? Suggestions on how to spend my days while the mister is at a conference? Anyone up for a beer/coffee/snack/debaucherous journey through the seedy underbelly of the city? Let me know!
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Yeah, don't be out alone at night in downtown. Actually, probably don't be out at night in downtown at all unless you're in a club or in your hotel.
BUT, it's a great place to shop during the day.
"New music, new friends. Pearl Jam."
I like our socks. I hear we make a fine sock. I always say, You might not love our records, but I think you'll like our socks. - Stone
"This record is us speaking out in class." -EV on PJ
Well that's certainly comforting... :?
Better than finding out yourself, no? It really is a wonderful and interesting place to be during the day. Just...not at night.
"New music, new friends. Pearl Jam."
I like our socks. I hear we make a fine sock. I always say, You might not love our records, but I think you'll like our socks. - Stone
"This record is us speaking out in class." -EV on PJ
No, I understand. I also used to live in NYC, so at least I am not a total bumpkin on my first trip to the Big City. :roll:
So....tell me of these wonderful and interesting things you mention....
Yeah, like DeLukin said, definitely go to Hollywood. It's not as glamorous as most people think, in fact it's dirty as hell but, it's also a very unique and fun experience. There are all kinds of places to shop in downtown, chinatown, the fashion district...the jewelry district....The museums, LACMA has live free Jazz on friday nights(Weekend nights are usually better than weekday). LA is huge around downtown, there are so many places to go. Most require a car. I've lived here all my life and I cannot imagine getting around without a car. I know people do it though!
"New music, new friends. Pearl Jam."
I like our socks. I hear we make a fine sock. I always say, You might not love our records, but I think you'll like our socks. - Stone
"This record is us speaking out in class." -EV on PJ
Awww, it's not that bad...just remember most drivers are a-holes!!! hehehe
"New music, new friends. Pearl Jam."
I like our socks. I hear we make a fine sock. I always say, You might not love our records, but I think you'll like our socks. - Stone
"This record is us speaking out in class." -EV on PJ
It's hard to explain coming from a place like Pittsburgh or the like. When you are in a scrunched up east coast city driving, you really can't drive all that fast because well, there are teensy narrow streets, or mountains, or rivers, or tunnels, or bridges...etc.
It is the wide open spaces that freak me out, where people can drive like 120 no problem. After driving around Phoenix, I decided I couldn't handle that style anymore. :?
Man....is having no car going to make me just sit around in my hotel all day getting drunk? Feel free to come by for free booze everyone!
Free booze?! Where?!
Sorry, that was all I saw.
haha, ok, next time I'm in, uh....Wisconsin? I'll be sure to buy you a beer in exchange for getting your hopes up!
Yeah F Atlanta driving.....I miss the South so much, but NOT the driving. Jeesh.
No worries! We got plenty a beers up here. Enjoy the freak show out west.
Depends on the time of day and the freeway. There are many freeways where it's hard to stay as low as 80. On those same freeways weekdays, and some saturday nights, you're lucky if you can go above 40-50. However, the 101 is nearly ALWAYS packed. Other than that, most are good on the weekends and weekdays during work hours up until 2 or 3, then it gets crazy packed. I work 26 miles from home and in work traffic, even with carpool it can take me an hour to get home.
"New music, new friends. Pearl Jam."
I like our socks. I hear we make a fine sock. I always say, You might not love our records, but I think you'll like our socks. - Stone
"This record is us speaking out in class." -EV on PJ
Library Tower, the tallest building west of Vegas, is (obviously) easy to find. It is connected to the 444 Building (Best known as the fictional setting of LA Law). On the lower floors between the two towers is a gorgeous rooftop garden. You can take the escalator there and enjoy the view of the business district. You can look up at the underside of the palm trees. It is free and easily accessible to the public. The stone staircase with waterfalls takes you down to street level. Directly in front of this, the architecture of Grand Central Library and its grounds is worth a look. Homeless people hang out on the parklike grounds, but If you are not afraid of the less fortunate, it's worth the few minutes of your time.
A block away is the funky-looking Westin Bonaventure hotel. There are several above-the-street walkways connecting it to other buildings. Inside, a rotating bar on the 34th floor gives a 360 degree view of Los Angeles every hour or two.
Very close to the 7th street subway stop is a cute shopping centre called "7th & Fig" (short for Figueroa street). It is round, open aired, 3 concentric levels. There's a big food court on the bottom. At the top, the short escalator in the back goes up to another tiny park. One of L.A.'s famous Angel Statues can be found there. (Like other cities have their art cows, Mr. Potato Heads, etc.) There is a Macy's at that shopping centre. But dont' be confused, because "Macy's Plaza" is a different little mall, directly on the next block of 7th street. Macy's Plaza has a nice hotel. I forget the brand name of the hotel these days. I stayed there in 1999 when it had a different name. I had a 17th floor room with 2 walls that were floor-to ceiling glass!!! Wow!!! Macy's plaza also has my favourite little toy store, Mr. G's. It's overpriced, but the toys are wonderful.
Again, if you are not afraid of homeless people, Pershing Square Park has breathtaking views of the tall buildings. It is a common site for filming of many movies, TV shows, music videos. It's sort of an art park, its six-foot high pink cement balls are interesting. Sometimes, live jazz is played during lunch hour since downtown exists almost exclusively for the businessmen/women.
I can highly recommend the L.A. Zoo. It is just as gorgeous and varied as the San Diego Zoo, except that it is half the size so you can see everything in one day. The zoo looks like a lush tropical jungle, yet every tree is planted. (Scrub brush being the native 'tree' of the area, lol...) The 96 bus goes directly from Pershing square to the zoo. I think the zoo costs 12 or 13 dollars, though... Also in Griffith Park is the Griffith Observatory. James Dean's Rebel Without A Cause was filmed there. It has breathtaking views of the entire L.A. basin. On a rare clear day, you can see the Pacific Ocean! This is also free, as is the space museum inside. The 25 cent Observatory shuttle only runs on weekends, a car or cab would be required on weekdays.
The subway has stops in tacky touristy Hollywood. Gosh, Hollywood is awfully subdued these days. You can also go to tacky, touristy Universal Citywalk for free all day. I live on the subway line. I have never driven a car in Southern California. You should be fine on the buses/trains. Buy a weekly pass for cheap, unlimited access.
Fell free to message me with any questions.
Love,
Brynne
I don't think hollywood is tacky at all to visit. I feel like a tourist there sometimes. It's like another world compared to a lot of LA and it's one of LA's most infamous towns. I don't think anyone should recommend against it. It's a fun place to shop and people watch. There are funky museums and shops all over that are just plain fun.
I don't remember if you said you'd be alone during the days...and most places are safe during the day but as a woman alone, I wouldn't venture near dark around the areas with the "less fortunate" in any city. Better safe than sorry. No, not everyone is dangerous, but some are. Why risk it? Especially so far from home.
"New music, new friends. Pearl Jam."
I like our socks. I hear we make a fine sock. I always say, You might not love our records, but I think you'll like our socks. - Stone
"This record is us speaking out in class." -EV on PJ
Yes I will be alone during the days....woe is me! :(
But I'm going to keep track of all your recommendations. I'm not leaving til Wednesday so I'm sure I'll have more questions before then!
since you're a whimp and won't drive, the metro rail can get you to hollywood, universal city, long beach and pasadena...i say this is the best way for you to see the town...and i'd suggest taking either a cab ($$$) or the bus to santa monica
I'm gonna punch you square in the jaw as soon as I get there. Get ready. :twisted:
OR you can just drive me around everywhere! YAYYY for great ideas!!
Santa Monica was what I was drawing a blank on, very pretty there. We had drinks and a shrimp cocktail on the pier and fed the birdies crackers in the sunshine.
Hey--you might run into Tina Fey when you are there!!!
Where I'm not ugly and you're lookin' at me
Norm, just throw this little hussy a bone already... :twisted:
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It never hurts to help.
cdp1223, surely you at least remember Eek the Cat?
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Yay! Nobody ever remembers Eek the Cat, or his arch enemy, Sharky the Shark Dog.
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