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OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do?

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OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#1 » by yoyoboy » Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:10 am

Hey Laker nation. I'm staying in LA the next few days, specifically on Hollywood Blvd, and I just wanted to ask you guys places you'd recommend going. Why ask posters on a basketball forum? Not sure to be honest. I just feel like I'd get a lot of real responses from real LA residents here, and I was hoping to get some non-overly touristy destinations, as well. It's also probably important to add that I'm unfortunately not of drinking age just yet (so close, but so far).

Thanks in advance, guys! Also, mods, I apologize if this is breaking any rules. Feel free to move this as you see fit.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#2 » by Teen Girl Squad » Mon Jul 25, 2016 5:54 am

LA/SoCal is a bit weird. Outside of a few spots there is no real "downtown LA" to visit ala Times Square in NYC. You kind of pick and choose what interests you and explore individually. This has the benefit of diffusing tourists and lessening the tourist trap effect. Some ideas I've enjoyed doing. EDIT: RENT A CAR. LA is all urban sprawl. Nothing is close to each other. If not renting, make sure you have money to Uber.

Being off of Hollywood Blvd, Santa Monica beach/Malibu/Venice beach aren't too far off and its always great to visit the beach at least once.

If you like to hike, there are tons of good ones. I'd recommend that Hollywood sign hike early in the morning (because its an inferno right now) if you want the instagram/facebook pic.

Visit In N Out at least once so you know what its all about, though most popular LA food destinations kind of suck (glorified fast food like Pinks and Roscoes Chicken and Waffles are overrated though fine as long as there is no line). Just use Yelp as LA has a very hole in the wall style food scene.

Going to a Dodgers game works as the view from Chavez Ravine is pretty good.

If you like museums you can get a day pass for parking at the Getty and its sister museum The Getty Villa (I love the VIlla, Roman style Villa with ancient artifacts, gardens and a great view of Santa Monica/Malibu beach).

Since so many shows are shot out where you are, you might see if you can get tickets (usually free) to a show like The Price is Right or @ Midnight (just because its comedy) or whatever daytime shows you like.

Both USC and UCLA have fun campuses to explore if you are into those scenes. UCLA is in a nicer part of town and has a better promenade to explore (get a famous Diddy Reece ice cream sandwich). USC has the Colleseum, Natural History museam, Rose Garden right across the street and LA Live/The Staples Center/Nokia theater is a mile down. Of course skid row is in between.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#3 » by PKABOOICU » Mon Jul 25, 2016 2:31 pm

TBH Venice Beach is one of my favorite places in the world. Its literally all of SoCal experienced in one area. The culture and vibe there is awesome. Ive gone there a few times to strictly play basketball. The wind effect may throw your game off a little bit but its still a lot of fun.
The Skybar is OK but its hard to get into so you will need to slip some money to the bouncer, but I really enjoyed The SLS hotel's bar with my friends. You get to see a lot of good looking girls who are trying to find their way into mainstream hollywood. You'll see 2-3 of them surrounding a rich old man with grey hair. Its quite amusing actually. Ive also been to No Vacancy Bar which is low-key but the atmosphere is really cool inside, and its usually in the top 5-10 list of bars in the hollywood area.
Pinks hotdogs is overrated. IN n Out is a must. Ive never had Roscoe's. But if you can find a local street food truck that has tacos, dont skip it. Eat it! I dont know if you've been to Vegas, but depending on your time there, its only a 4-5 hour drive and another very cool experience.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#4 » by coach-bdj » Mon Jul 25, 2016 3:28 pm

Stay away from Santa Clarita
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#5 » by Ghost Snack » Mon Jul 25, 2016 6:44 pm

I second In-N-Out, but I will also add The Original Tommy's Burger (chili burgers) and King Taco (great Mexican food) to the list of must-eat places. Research food trucks. LA has a pretty good food truck scene if you're a foodie.

Since this is a basketball forum.... If you go to Venice, I would try going on a Sunday to see their Pro-Am Basketball League (Venice Basketball League). Metta World Peace has a team, and he offers photo opportunities with him if you're into that kind of thing (after the game), otherwise you can watch some street ball for free while your'e walking the beach.

The Broad Museum in downtown LA is really cool, it has some dope art that an under 21 crowd will enjoy. The arts district in downtown LA is my favorite spot due to its unique character. If you don't mind walking around and gazing at the art along the buildings, and taking pictures of or with the art, this is a spot to check out... However, it is a much better experience if you are of age, because they have a really cool bar scene. Although you can experience Wurstkuche, a German bratwurst place that has some great brats. Unique ones too, like rattlesnake, but I would recommend the Mango Jalepeno brat with spicy bell peppers and caramelized inions. Their fries are great too, they offer a wide variety of dipping sauces to choose from.

If you ever make your way down to OC, Laguna beach is beautiful. Victoria Beach is a good place to start, it ha a private beach feel. Then grab some taco loco (great local taco spot) after you take a dip in the water.

If you are on Facebook, I would creep on Hidden Los Angeles' page, from there you can really find spot you want to see that even some locals have yet to experience.

Have a great time down in LA!
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#6 » by danfantastk32 » Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:56 pm

The next few days are gonna be great beach weather. Go to Santa-Monica....see the pier. I hate the beach personally, but for someone outa town, I'd say its prob worth going.

If you did rent a car......go west on Hollywood until you hit a street called Laurel Cyn. Turn right, and head the mountain. Up at the peak is a street called Mulholland Drive. Great drive....give your great views of the Valley, and of LA. Lot's of stupid-huge mansions up there as well. Google Map it. You can't miss the thing. That actually might be a cool evening thing....since you can't really go clubbing/drinking.

Traffic is just bonkers getting from LA into the Valley at night...so I'd say wait till 7ish...head up to Mulholland and there are turn-offs so you can check stuff out. Take it a ways (going west)....look for a street called "beverly glen drive. And turn right, driving down into the Valley. When you hit the bottom...your in a area called studio city. There's a street there called Ventura Blvd. Lot's of cool places there. If you turn right (heading East now...opposite the way you went on Mulholland)....you'll eventually take Ventura past Universal studios (giant touristy place called universal city walk, if your interested) and you pass the hollywood bowl, and it actually spills you back onto Hollywood blvd. Nice big circle that you can spend between 2-5 hours checking out...depending on how many stops you wanna make. Lots of places for dinner down on Ventura. It's a little more expensive of an area.....but it's also free of all the BS. The kinda place you can park, and walk around for a while if you like....your not gonna run into riff-raff.

PAY THE PARKING METER!! Especially in Santa Monica. They are straight crazy about that. You leave your car to run in and hit a bathroom in Santa Monic /Studio City and I swear to God...you'll have a $60 parking ticket. No joke.

Dodger game (if they are in town).
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#7 » by trevm37 » Mon Jul 25, 2016 8:38 pm

Areas to visit:

Santa monica/venice : SM Pier (thursday nights they have free concert), 3rd street promenade, venice boardwalk.

Mid-Wilshire: the grove/farmers market, LACMA, La brea tarpits, and peterson museum, Ktown (not much to see, but a ton of good food)

Downtown: Disney concert hall, the broad museum, the grammy museum, JTown, chinatown

Beverly Hills: Shopping/Rodeo Dr.

Hollywood (most touristy): Hollywood/highland, wax museum

Food: yeah, definitely in n out. Theres tons of amazing food in every part of LA, just yelp your local location.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#8 » by Crooked-I » Mon Jul 25, 2016 9:36 pm

Venice Beach and Santa Monica is where it's at for me. Me and my friends usually rent some beach cruisers and ride up and down the beach. Griffith Observatory is cool too if you're into nice views and crap like that. Not being 21 limits you a lot in terms of night life in Hollywood, but walking sunset strip is fun too. Bring some alcohol in a water bottle and just roam around. I used to do that when I was 18 and had a blast. Bunch of crazy **** out there lol.

I moved to from LA 3-4 years ago and the thing I miss the most is Venice and Runyon. So those two I recommend the most.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#9 » by AcecardZ » Mon Jul 25, 2016 9:47 pm

Welp, no sense mentioning Santa Monica now. Lol

Hollywood itself can be a bit disappointing for someone who's underage. Checking the walk of fame and Mann's Chinese theater is cool but will hardly take up more than a couple of hour's time before the dinginess that is Hollywood will begin to wear on you.

Beverly Hills isn't far from you and walking around Rodeo can be fun if you don't mind seeing a bunch of hoity toity people walking around with shopping bags.

Further West of course is SM and Venice Beach. Depending on your ability to get around Malibu is also awesome.

I would second the recommendation above of checking out either of the two Getty museums. Both are amazing for different reasons. One has amazing views of LA while the other is in Malibu with all that has to offer.

Midtown also has The Grove which has shopping, dining and movies.

West Hollyweird (not far from where you are) has cool shopping.

Beverly Center can be a cool mall to walk around. It's indoors so you can beat the heat.

Poster above hit the nail on the head wrt to the named dining spots around town. Pinks and Tommy's are both average at best. Tito's Taco's on the other hand... Lol well to each his or her own. (I love Tito's)

There's many more spots. As also mentioned above perhaps try Yelp and see what you can find on there.

I do think if one place is a must see it would be Santa Monica pier/Third Street promenade along with Venice Beach.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#10 » by TKainZero » Mon Jul 25, 2016 11:18 pm

In-N-Out Burger

so much stuff to do in LA, so it is up to your personal preferences... However, no sensible human being can dislike in-n-out burger.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#11 » by Blackmill » Mon Jul 25, 2016 11:59 pm

You might want to try Guerrilla Tacos. I haven't had their food but Jonathan Gold thinks its great and I would trust what he writes. If your into food, Jonathan Gold is an excellent resource for finding good, affordable, non-touristy restaurants and food shops.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#12 » by CerebroKinetic » Tue Jul 26, 2016 2:16 am

Great ideas mentioned from above.

I think you can also get more bang for your buck/time by reserving a seat on a guided tour (i.e. Legends Of Hollywood Tours). There are lots of these guided tour bus/vans in the area, so nothing tacky about it; you'll get lots of information distilled in these half-day trips (celebrity homes, popular landmarks/theaters, Sunset strip etc). Oh, and in the above mentioned tour guide (I'm not affiliated with it) you get to ride in a comfortable, air conditioned (its warm this week in L.A.) Mercedes Benz Sprinter (large van) while enjoying the scenic amenities.

Hope you enjoy your stay.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#13 » by yoyoboy » Tue Jul 26, 2016 4:07 am

Just had In 'n Out. It was a long wait, but it was delicious. I got the Animal Style double cheeseburger. But now I'm definitely going to have to lift later tonight because I'm feeling a little guilty about it. :lol:

Probably going to try out more of your guys' suggestions tomorrow like Venice Beach, the Hollywood Sign hike, and some of the shopping malls.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#14 » by iamworthy » Tue Jul 26, 2016 1:10 pm

yoyoboy wrote:Just had In 'n Out. It was a long wait, but it was delicious. I got the Animal Style double cheeseburger. But now I'm definitely going to have to lift later tonight because I'm feeling a little guilty about it. :lol:

Probably going to try out more of your guys' suggestions tomorrow like Venice Beach, the Hollywood Sign hike, and some of the shopping malls.


Please don't leave Southern California thinking In 'n Out is our best burger here. It's a good burger for a chain restaurant but far from the best burger.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#15 » by TylersLakers » Tue Jul 26, 2016 2:45 pm

When I was in LA..

- The Hollywood sign was awesome.
- The Maddam Toussaint's (or whatever) wax museum or whatever was very cool. My hotel was on Hollywood blvd, and it was close to the hotel.
- The pier was fantastic
- Venice Beach was super fun. Had a lot of drinks, met some cool people, etc.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#16 » by yoyoboy » Tue Jul 26, 2016 4:21 pm

iamworthy wrote:
yoyoboy wrote:Just had In 'n Out. It was a long wait, but it was delicious. I got the Animal Style double cheeseburger. But now I'm definitely going to have to lift later tonight because I'm feeling a little guilty about it. :lol:

Probably going to try out more of your guys' suggestions tomorrow like Venice Beach, the Hollywood Sign hike, and some of the shopping malls.


Please don't leave Southern California thinking In 'n Out is our best burger here. It's a good burger for a chain restaurant but far from the best burger.

What food spots do you recommend?
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#17 » by iamworthy » Tue Jul 26, 2016 5:48 pm

yoyoboy wrote:
iamworthy wrote:
yoyoboy wrote:Just had In 'n Out. It was a long wait, but it was delicious. I got the Animal Style double cheeseburger. But now I'm definitely going to have to lift later tonight because I'm feeling a little guilty about it. :lol:

Probably going to try out more of your guys' suggestions tomorrow like Venice Beach, the Hollywood Sign hike, and some of the shopping malls.


Please don't leave Southern California thinking In 'n Out is our best burger here. It's a good burger for a chain restaurant but far from the best burger.

What food spots do you recommend?


-For a burger I recommend Outlaws cafe. Go with the outlaw burger or the bandito. location is in van Nuys.

-middle eastern food I recommend Raffi's place in Glendale.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#18 » by trevm37 » Tue Jul 26, 2016 6:02 pm

AcecardZ wrote:Welp, no sense mentioning Santa Monica now. Lol

Hollywood itself can be a bit disappointing for someone who's underage. Checking the walk of fame and Mann's Chinese theater is cool but will hardly take up more than a couple of hour's time before the dinginess that is Hollywood will begin to wear on you.

Beverly Hills isn't far from you and walking around Rodeo can be fun if you don't mind seeing a bunch of hoity toity people walking around with shopping bags.

Further West of course is SM and Venice Beach. Depending on your ability to get around Malibu is also awesome.

I would second the recommendation above of checking out either of the two Getty museums. Both are amazing for different reasons. One has amazing views of LA while the other is in Malibu with all that has to offer.

Midtown also has The Grove which has shopping, dining and movies.

West Hollyweird (not far from where you are) has cool shopping.

Beverly Center can be a cool mall to walk around. It's indoors so you can beat the heat.

Poster above hit the nail on the head wrt to the named dining spots around town. Pinks and Tommy's are both average at best. Tito's Taco's on the other hand... Lol well to each his or her own. (I love Tito's)

There's many more spots. As also mentioned above perhaps try Yelp and see what you can find on there.

I do think if one place is a must see it would be Santa Monica pier/Third Street promenade along with Venice Beach.



Titos? really? there's like a billion other taco places that are much, much better. That place is garbage with no taste whatsoever.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#19 » by stan francisco » Wed Jul 27, 2016 12:27 am

Burgers at the Counter is a must.
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Re: OT: Staying in LA, What Should I Do? 

Post#20 » by Teen Girl Squad » Wed Jul 27, 2016 1:21 am

Good move on the animal style burger. And In N Out isn't about being the best burger (you aren't getting the best anything at $5) but just about the gold standard (in many people's opinion) of what a greasy fast food burger is all about. LA is very much a car culture, which includes fast food type places. Don't sweat finding the best place, just what your stomach and yelp tell you. That said, I'd definitely get some Mexican food at least once and assuming your from Cleveland/Ohio area, you many want to take advantage of the international variety of different foods (middle eastern, sushi, various Asian, healthy/vegan just to say you did, etc...) that you many not have back home. The most California thing left to eat is whatever you want with avocado/guacamole/bacon on it.
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