OT (kinda) : trip to LA

StarneyBinston · Post #1 » by **StarneyBinston** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 7:55 am

Hi fellow Lakers fans!

I didn't know if I had to create a new thread, 'cause I'm coming here for advice!
I'm going to LA for the first time, and I'm gonna watch my first Lakers game , on February the 18th. The Celtics game. Just writing those words makes me over-excited... YAY!
Anyways, I'm looking for tips about the city (places to see, to stay, to eat at,...), about the game (time to arrive, what to do before,...) and anything that would make my trip/stay in LA as awesome as I hope it will be!
I'm gonna be there from the 18th 'til the 20th.

Thanks in advance!!!

(I know I posted that on the community thread but I didnt have any response, and I really would like to have some from you, soooo... :/)

Post #2 » by **Slava** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:09 am

You could search for one of the older threads about this topic and I hope someone helps you out since no one noticed your post in the Comm. thread.

I'm not from LA so I couldn't tell you much.

StarneyBinston · Post #3 » by **StarneyBinston** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:11 am

True, sorry if my thread is redundant =/.

I'm gonna look for that.

Still, if people have advices, I'm all ears! =)

Ghost Snack · Post #4 » by **Ghost Snack** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:55 am

Get a double Double at an In-N-Out Burger. If you can find a tommy's burger get a chilli burger there too. Both great fast food joints that are socal based. I would get to the game AT LEAST an hour early. Get the full experience, and it is going to be one of the biggest regular season games too. If you are renting a car, parking gets more expensive the closer to staples you get. It's up to you on how much you want to pay. I think it can get up to 30 bucks, but they may raise it for a celtic game. Don't even bother going to venice beach. It's dirty and overrated. Universal studios is a cool place if you want to see actual movie sets. This really isn't the best time to visit the beach this time of year. Plus, I know of more orange county beaches which will probably be a little far from you. I'm not a big hollywood fan, but you kind of have to visit it. I think most tourists do. I go to arizona state and when I come back to socal and bring a friend or two they always want to go to hollywood. It's late, and that's all I can think of right now. But get those burgers like I said. Peace yo.

TruSkool · Post #5 » by **TruSkool** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:13 am

1. you wont go wrong with an in-n-out burger with grilled onions and pickles along with animal fries
2. universal citywalk, universal studios, 6 flags magic mountain, disneyland, knotts berry farm
3. santa monica pier
4. la zoo lol
5. las vegas is about a 4-5 hour drive if you're willing to go

DEEP3CL · Post #6 » by **DEEP3CL** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:45 am

Well seeing as the game is a 7:30pm start time, you need to hit the freeway around 4:30 or 4:45pm depending where your hotel is. This will ensure you to arrive at Staples Center in more than enough time to get parking.

Places to see : Hollywood, Venice Beach, Disneyland.

amb1ent · Post #7 » by **amb1ent** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 7:42 pm

try The Bazaar at the SLS if you don't mind spending some money, it's been getting amazing hype for some time now and my foodie friends have all loved it

iamworthy · Post #8 » by **iamworthy** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:22 pm

Lost Angel · Post #9 » by **Lost Angel** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:28 pm

3rd street promenade in Santa Monica

IN n OUT burgers

and you must get some real mexican food in LA, like El Tarasco or something, anywhere outside California and Texas and its not real (like Qdoba, etc)

Beverly Hills if you want to shop

Manhattan Beach for dinner/drinks or something.

Sofa King · Post #10 » by **Sofa King** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:16 pm

iamworthy wrote:

My heart and stomach is aching just looking at that. :lol:

Don't do it all in one day.

Post #11 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:25 pm

remember that LA is a cultural melting pot so don't limit yourself to hot dogs and burgers, try Tito's tacos in West LA or Versailles Cuban Restaurant on Venice blvd (I know French name Cuban food), or Toi on Sunset for the best Thai food. I know my suggestions don't sound All American, but they are iconic LA landmarks that wont kill your budget.

Sofa King · Post #12 » by **Sofa King** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:36 pm

I agree with Snaq. I lived in Texas and Florida and they don't compare to the cultural food in LA and OC. If I want Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Cuban, Indian, Brazilian, etc., there are many choices to choose from.

It really just depends on what you like to do. Go to the beach, hit up tourist sites, go to Disneyland, watch a show, clubbing, find a hooker, etc.

iamworthy · Post #13 » by **iamworthy** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:28 pm

snaquille oatmeal wrote:remember that LA is a cultural melting pot so don't limit yourself to hot dogs and burgers, try Tito's tacos in West LA or Versailles Cuban Restaurant on Venice blvd (I know French name Cuban food), or Toi on Sunset for the best Thai food. I know my suggestions don't sound All American, but they are iconic LA landmarks that wont kill your budget.

Tito's tacos is kinda expensive for what you get. Its off the hook though. Stays busys all day though. You should also hit up Baby Blues

iamworthy · Post #14 » by **iamworthy** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:30 pm

Picture of Titos Tacos

DEEP3CL · Post #15 » by **DEEP3CL** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:53 am

Man what are you guys trying to do to StarneyBinston ? :lol:

Dude may have the runs he gets a hold of all that food, SB will me giving the Staples restrooms a run for the money. Hey Starney B.......don't forget the Pepto homie !

StarneyBinston · Post #16 » by **StarneyBinston** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:48 am

I'm actually not planning on putting on 50 pounds on the weekend, but I'll definitely try some of those spots!

Snaq>Yeah, French Cuban food?! WTF?! xD

Thanks for all the advices though, I feel like those 4 days will fly soooooo fast...!!!

Cant wait!!!

LA_Mamba · Post #17 » by **LA_Mamba** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:50 am

I know lots of places for kick ass food.

For breakfast try the pancakes (they have more then pancakes) at the Griddle Cafe on Sunset blvd. but beware if youre in a hurry as the place gets very full because the food is delicous.

For Lunch you should stop by The Hat for the best pastrami dip in la.

And for dinner Marios Peruvian food on melrose is delicious but also gets very full even just for takeout. Try the "saltado de camaron" Every time I have taken someone to eat here they instantly fall in love with the food.

Also, If youre in the mood for a kick ass carnitas burrito try El Abajeno.

Post #18 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:57 pm

StarneyBinston wrote:I'm actually not planning on putting on 50 pounds on the weekend, but I'll definitely try some of those spots!

Snaq>Yeah, French Cuban food?! WTF?! xD

Thanks for all the advices though, I feel like those 4 days will fly soooooo fast...!!!

Cant wait!!!

I think is just the name that is French. I heard that there is a city in Cuba name Versilles, but did not look it up to confirm. anyway it is 100% Cuban food only and the best I've ever had and like I said before it is resonably priced.

lovethisgame · Post #19 » by **lovethisgame** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:09 pm

It all depends on your age, personal preference, timing and transportation. I'll tell you what I would like to do for my first trip to Los Angeles. Seeing as your highlight would be the Celtics @ Lakers game, I would stay locally in downtown LA. I’d stay at a modern hotel like The Standard Hotel http://www.standardhotels.com/los-angeles/ which is just 1 mile from the Staples Center. It has a billiards table, rooftop bar and pool. You can taxi cab to and from for about 4 EUROS each way. Obviously, we don’t know your timing, but I would make my way to the ESPN Zone which is right across the street from Staples and watch the Denver @Cleveland game on the big screen (TNT Double Header). Friday morning, I would make my way to Nickel Diner http://www.5cdiner.com/ for breakfast, but who knows, maybe you just might enjoy Dennys or International House of Pancakes (IHOP). As a sports fan, I’d try to find my way to all the sports historical landmarks nearby as possible, that includes Dodgers Stadium, Coliseum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Memorial_Coliseum, The Rose Bowl, you name it. Seeing as you’re from France, I would do some day shopping at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.org, or if your wallet allows you, Rodeo Drive (think Pretty Woman) in Beverly Hills. Maybe you’re more of a museum guy? The Getty Center http://www.getty.edu/ or even the Griffith Observatory http://www.griffithobs.org/.

Los Angeles is too big, too diverse and has too many things to do to fit into 3 days. But good luck, and I hope you enjoy your stay in LA.

Post #20 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:34 pm

haha! you don't go to Dodger stadium unless there is Dodgers game on, you don't go to the Coliseum unless there is a major band playing (Stones, U2, etc), you don't go to the Rose bowl unless it is Jan 1st and been up all night on Colorado blvd and have tickets to the Rose bowl, know what I mean. other wise there just empty locked up buildings. they are not museums so they are not much fun when there is nothing going on.