LA - where to stay for the car-less?

13

Comments

  • cstelling
    cstelling Posts: 50
    If anyone does stay in Redondo Beach, I can drive a few people. It's my hometown and I will be driving to both nights.
  • Red Lukin
    Red Lukin Canada Posts: 2,994
    critterau wrote:
    Based on the help of SENROCK and others, we are thinking about staying in Redondo Beach.

    http://www.hotelportofino.com/

    This place is $140/night with a marina or ocean view. Seems like there is a lot to do in the area.

    It's 19 miles from the venue but I only plan on being at the venue for the show and nothing else.

    Anyone else stayed in this area? Doesn't seem as busy as the city and you can still drive to the areas you want.

    I'm staying here. I did a lot of research and it seems like a great area. I think you'll need a car though. Great things about this hotel are that it's a 4 star hotel, right on the beach and it has free parking. I bid $126 per night on Priceline and won.
  • Veddernarian
    Veddernarian Posts: 1,924
    Red Lukin wrote:
    critterau wrote:
    Based on the help of SENROCK and others, we are thinking about staying in Redondo Beach.

    http://www.hotelportofino.com/

    This place is $140/night with a marina or ocean view. Seems like there is a lot to do in the area.

    It's 19 miles from the venue but I only plan on being at the venue for the show and nothing else.

    Anyone else stayed in this area? Doesn't seem as busy as the city and you can still drive to the areas you want.

    I'm staying here. I did a lot of research and it seems like a great area. I think you'll need a car though. Great things about this hotel are that it's a 4 star hotel, right on the beach and it has free parking. I bid $126 per night on Priceline and won.

    Portofino is nice. Redondo, Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches are really fun. Not too far from LAX relatively speaking given the size of southern california. There is a Metro Green Line (train) which goes east from Redondo and connects with the Blue Line which cuts North and close to the Sports Arena. Check times and schedules. You'd need a cab from Portofino to the Green Line. I think you can walk or cab from the Blue Line to the Sports Arena.

    Portofino is not on the beach. It is on the water in the middle of Redondo Harbor. Beaches are pretty nearby. Just wanted to make sure you knew you cant go out of the hotel to find sand and crashing waves. Sand and crashing waves are both to the North (Hermosa) and South (redondo) maybe a mile in either direction.

    I saw a lot of comments about the area around the Sports Arena and Radisson. It is not like Bronx or Camden. A lot of museums, USC, etc. The neighborhood isnt great but not horrible. It gets a lot worse to the South and East.
    Up here so high I start to shake, Up here so high the sky I scrape, I've no fear but for falling down, So look out below I am falling now, Falling down,...not staying down, Could’ve held me up, rather tear me down, Drown in the river
  • Red Lukin
    Red Lukin Canada Posts: 2,994
    My mistake. I knew it wasn't on the beach but spoke wrong. I meant water. It still seems like a good hotel and area. Maybe not for this thread as the OP won't have a car.
  • grantstoner43
    grantstoner43 Los Angeles Posts: 54
    Stay downtown and it's a short cab ride to the venue or take the blue line (expo line) to the venue. The trains are not bad in L.A.. They are clean and run on time for the most part. Busses are not that great.

    You could also stay in Culver City, which has a blue line stop just 10-15 minutes ride to the venue. Not many hotels there, but the Culver Hotel is downtown Culver City, tons of bars and restaurants, and the hotel is super cool. The munchkins stayed there. :)
    Lawrence 5.2.92
    Maryland Heights 7.27.92
    Dallas 9.6.92
    Wichita 11.24.93
    Milwaukee 7.8.95
    Milwaukee 7.9.95
    East Troy 6.27.98
    Universal City 10.6.09
    Wrigley Field 7.19.13
    Los Angeles 11.24.13
    Austin 10.12.14
    Boston 8.5.16
    Boston 8.7.16
  • Suzi78
    Suzi78 Posts: 362
    grantstoner43 wrote:
    Stay downtown and it's a short cab ride to the venue or take the blue line (expo line) to the venue. The trains are not bad in L.A.. They are clean and run on time for the most part. Busses are not that great.

    You could also stay in Culver City, which has a blue line stop just 10-15 minutes ride to the venue. Not many hotels there, but the Culver Hotel is downtown Culver City, tons of bars and restaurants, and the hotel is super cool. The munchkins stayed there. :)

    I agreee! If you're not driving, stay in DTLA or along the metro line. Downtown is not at all as bad as it used to be so don't let some of these posts discourage you. It's actually become a really cool place with lots of great bars, restaurants, museums, art walk etc...so many things to do if you're only here for a few days. And like with any other big city, you shouldn't be walking alone at night. Stay out of the skid row area and you'll be fine. Someone mentioned the Standard and I'd recommend it too.
    It doesn't really make sense to me to stay all the way down in Redondo Beach if you're only here for the shows, even if you are driving. It's a pretty little beach town but not much to do...and it's quite a drive to the venue.

    Here's a great link on how to get to DTLA using public transportation:

    http://www.la-electric-travel.com/LAX-v ... -Rail.html
    How I choose to feel is how I am
  • Guy Dudebro
    Guy Dudebro Posts: 1,507
    You can stay in Hollywood and take the red line train to the expo line to the arena. If you stay downtown just take the expo train. If you want to kill time on Sat. You can take the gold line to Pasadena. I'll
    Live 30 miles from the arena. I drive in and park at 8th and Fig and I'll take purple line to the Wiltern for the Black Crowes on Friday and the expo line to PJ Sat. and Sun. The train system in LA is real easy and very under rated. If you do end up staying by the arena, there are a bunch of museums right there at Exposition park. The red line also takes you to Hollywood blvd and all the tourist stuff over there. Again, the trains are real easy.
    size=200][/size]
    size=150][/size]
  • Suziemay
    Suziemay Posts: 11,168
    Guy Dudebro wrote:
    You can stay in Hollywood and take the red line train to the expo line to the arena. If you stay downtown just take the expo train. If you want to kill time on Sat. You can take the gold line to Pasadena. I'll
    Live 30 miles from the arena. I drive in and park at 8th and Fig and I'll take purple line to the Wiltern for the Black Crowes on Friday and the expo line to PJ Sat. and Sun. The train system in LA is real easy and very under rated. If you do end up staying by the arena, there are a bunch of museums right there at Exposition park. The red line also takes you to Hollywood blvd and all the tourist stuff over there. Again, the trains are real easy.
    Okay, this makes me really happy :D:D Museums? No way! Everyone made it seem like a wasteland of an area.

    But so what about the earlier posts? :? Seriously, some of the earlier posts on the thread made me almost regret my decision to do the LA shows.
    Windermere11 wrote:
    I know LA very well, and the Arena area can be pretty shady for rookies. It can make the Forum neighborhood look like Disneyland.
    barger395 wrote:
    Public transportation? Ours sucks!! I would definitely suggest taxis.
    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.
    bigbadbill wrote:
    That's not the kind of area where I'd want to be walking late at night. If you do, go with a huge group of people, or have your 9mm ready!!
  • Veddernarian
    Veddernarian Posts: 1,924
    edited August 2013
    Suziemay wrote:
    Okay, this makes me really happy :D:D Museums? No way! Everyone made it seem like a wasteland of an area.

    The California Science Center is right there, across from the Sports Arena and it houses the Space Shuttle. Plus, it has a bunch of other great stuff. Natural History Museum is just west of it.

    Also, the Blue-Line (train) goes right into Long Beach. Tons of great places to eat, a pier with arcade, ferris wheel, shops on the water, Queen Mary, Long Beach aquarium... It's all there. If you stay at the Radisson, it is a short ride to Long Beach. I'm guessing 1/2 hour-45 mins. Like others have said, you can take the blue line to downtown LA (LA Live, etc). At the 7th st Metro Center, you can connect with the Red line. That one goes to Hollywood and ultimately to Universal City/Citywalk, Universal Studios. If you take the Red line to Union Station, Olivera Street is right there. That's where LA started when Calif was part of Mexico. Sort of like Old Town San Diego but better. Great Mex places to eat. From Union Station, you can take the Gold Line to Pasadena as someone has suggested. That Old-Town Pasadena is a really great and fun place. There is tons of stuff for you and all of this is accessible without a car.
    Post edited by Veddernarian on
    Up here so high I start to shake, Up here so high the sky I scrape, I've no fear but for falling down, So look out below I am falling now, Falling down,...not staying down, Could’ve held me up, rather tear me down, Drown in the river
  • Guy Dudebro
    Guy Dudebro Posts: 1,507
    If museums are your thing, MOCA is in downtown and the Norton Simon is in Pasadena. Also, for the sake of clarity, the expo line is not the blue line. A few of the lines parallel each other and that's one of them.
  • norm
    norm Posts: 31,146
    Suziemay wrote:
    Okay, this makes me really happy :D:D Museums? No way! Everyone made it seem like a wasteland of an area.

    But so what about the earlier posts? :? Seriously, some of the earlier posts on the thread made me almost regret my decision to do the LA shows.

    last time...the area around the sports arena is USC...it will be finals week so they'll be plenty of people around...don't go south of mlk blvd, east of figueroa or west of hoover and you'll be fine...the subways work just like subways in other cities...only difference here is everything isn't within a 10 mile radius...the people that think dtla is dangerous haven't been there in 10 years...keep your head about you and don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine
  • Suziemay
    Suziemay Posts: 11,168
    Veddernarian wrote:
    The California Science Center is right there, across from the Sports Arena and it houses the Space Shuttle. Plus, it has a bunch of other great stuff. Natural History Museum is just west of it.

    Also, the Blue-Line (train) goes right into Long Beach. Tons of great places to eat, a pier with arcade, ferris wheel, shops on the water, Queen Mary, Long Beach aquarium... It's all there. If you stay at the Radisson, it is a short ride to Long Beach. I'm guessing 1/2 hour-45 mins. Like others have said, you can take the blue line to downtown LA (LA Live, etc). At the 7th st Metro Center, you can connect with the Red line. That one goes to Hollywood and ultimately to Universal City/Citywalk, Universal Studios. If you take the Red line to Union Station, Olivera Street is right there. That's where LA started when Calif was part of Mexico. Sort of like Old Town San Diego but better. Great Mex places to eat. From Union Station, you can take the Gold Line to Pasadena as someone has suggested. That Old-Town Pasadena is a really great and fun place. There is tons of stuff for you and all of this is accessible without a car.
    Guy Dudebro wrote:
    If museums are your thing, MOCA is in downtown and the Norton Simon is in Pasadena. Also, for the sake of clarity, the expo line is not the blue line. A few of the lines parallel each other and that's one of them.
    Thank you! I'll study the subway line this weekend.
    norm wrote:
    last time...the area around the sports arena is USC...it will be finals week so they'll be plenty of people around...don't go south of mlk blvd, east of figueroa or west of hoover and you'll be fine...the subways work just like subways in other cities...only difference here is everything isn't within a 10 mile radius...the people that think dtla is dangerous haven't been there in 10 years...keep your head about you and don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine
    :thumbup: :thumbup: The arena site even recommends taking the metro to avoid traffic (which is exactly why I don't want to be driving).
  • jodiem
    jodiem Posts: 133
    All great tips.. thanks muchly!

    I'm going to stay in Downtown LA as I think it is going to be easier to get back from after the shows.. It appears there will be a heap of people heading back there after the shows either by train or cabs.
    1995: Perth
    2006: Sydney x 2
    2009: Philly, Sydney
    2013: San Diego, LA1 & 2, Oakland, Portland, Spokane, Vancouver, Seattle

    EV Solo - Canberra, Newcastle, Sydney x 2
  • grantstoner43
    grantstoner43 Los Angeles Posts: 54
    Suziemay wrote:
    Guy Dudebro wrote:
    You can stay in Hollywood and take the red line train to the expo line to the arena. If you stay downtown just take the expo train. If you want to kill time on Sat. You can take the gold line to Pasadena. I'll
    Live 30 miles from the arena. I drive in and park at 8th and Fig and I'll take purple line to the Wiltern for the Black Crowes on Friday and the expo line to PJ Sat. and Sun. The train system in LA is real easy and very under rated. If you do end up staying by the arena, there are a bunch of museums right there at Exposition park. The red line also takes you to Hollywood blvd and all the tourist stuff over there. Again, the trains are real easy.
    Okay, this makes me really happy :D:D Museums? No way! Everyone made it seem like a wasteland of an area.

    But so what about the earlier posts? :? Seriously, some of the earlier posts on the thread made me almost regret my decision to do the LA shows.
    Windermere11 wrote:
    I know LA very well, and the Arena area can be pretty shady for rookies. It can make the Forum neighborhood look like Disneyland.
    barger395 wrote:
    Public transportation? Ours sucks!! I would definitely suggest taxis.
    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.
    bigbadbill wrote:
    That's not the kind of area where I'd want to be walking late at night. If you do, go with a huge group of people, or have your 9mm ready!!

    The venue is near USC, which can be pretty shady. If you're downtown, especially near Staples and LA Live, you're totally fine, and it's a really easy ride to the venue. Personally, I would not stay near USC. But, you'll definitely be ok for the shows.
    Lawrence 5.2.92
    Maryland Heights 7.27.92
    Dallas 9.6.92
    Wichita 11.24.93
    Milwaukee 7.8.95
    Milwaukee 7.9.95
    East Troy 6.27.98
    Universal City 10.6.09
    Wrigley Field 7.19.13
    Los Angeles 11.24.13
    Austin 10.12.14
    Boston 8.5.16
    Boston 8.7.16
  • grantstoner43
    grantstoner43 Los Angeles Posts: 54
    If anyone is interested, the Clippers are playing the Bulls on Sunday at 12. Some friends are hitting the Yard House pre game, then going to the game, finding another bar after, then heading to the venue.
    Lawrence 5.2.92
    Maryland Heights 7.27.92
    Dallas 9.6.92
    Wichita 11.24.93
    Milwaukee 7.8.95
    Milwaukee 7.9.95
    East Troy 6.27.98
    Universal City 10.6.09
    Wrigley Field 7.19.13
    Los Angeles 11.24.13
    Austin 10.12.14
    Boston 8.5.16
    Boston 8.7.16
  • Suziemay
    Suziemay Posts: 11,168
    Ok, I think I got it. Stay anywhere within the Expo line for easy access to the arena: http://www.metro.net/riding/maps/expo-line/.

    Expo line <> Blue line (Expo is more of a cyan, blue is more like navy).

    Thanks everyone :mrgreen:
  • grantstoner43
    grantstoner43 Los Angeles Posts: 54
    Suziemay wrote:
    Ok, I think I got it. Stay anywhere within the Expo line for easy access to the arena: http://www.metro.net/riding/maps/expo-line/.

    Expo line <> Blue line (Expo is more of a cyan, blue is more like navy).

    Thanks everyone :mrgreen:


    Yes, but I would only stay near the Culver City stop or 7th Street Metro or Pico.
    Lawrence 5.2.92
    Maryland Heights 7.27.92
    Dallas 9.6.92
    Wichita 11.24.93
    Milwaukee 7.8.95
    Milwaukee 7.9.95
    East Troy 6.27.98
    Universal City 10.6.09
    Wrigley Field 7.19.13
    Los Angeles 11.24.13
    Austin 10.12.14
    Boston 8.5.16
    Boston 8.7.16
  • Veddernarian
    Veddernarian Posts: 1,924
    Suziemay wrote:
    Ok, I think I got it. Stay anywhere within the Expo line for easy access to the arena: http://www.metro.net/riding/maps/expo-line/.

    Expo line <> Blue line (Expo is more of a cyan, blue is more like navy).

    Thanks everyone :mrgreen:

    Expo connects to Blue, Blue connects to everything. For example, Long beach=Expo to Blue to Long Beach. Hollywood/Universal would be Expo to Blue to Red. Pasadena would be Expo to Blue to Red to Union Station. Gold to Pasadena.
    Up here so high I start to shake, Up here so high the sky I scrape, I've no fear but for falling down, So look out below I am falling now, Falling down,...not staying down, Could’ve held me up, rather tear me down, Drown in the river
  • Suziemay
    Suziemay Posts: 11,168
    grantstoner43 wrote:
    Suziemay wrote:
    Ok, I think I got it. Stay anywhere within the Expo line for easy access to the arena: http://www.metro.net/riding/maps/expo-line/.

    Expo line <> Blue line (Expo is more of a cyan, blue is more like navy).

    Thanks everyone :mrgreen:


    Yes, but I would only stay near the Culver City stop or 7th Street Metro or Pico.
    Veddernarian wrote:
    Expo connects to Blue, Blue connects to everything. For example, Long beach=Expo to Blue to Long Beach. Hollywood/Universal would be Expo to Blue to Red. Pasadena would be Expo to Blue to Red to Union Station. Gold to Pasadena.
    Okie dokie :) Thank you
  • crazybootsie
    crazybootsie Posts: 127
    Any word on a place for the Pre-party?
    Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Categories