traveling to LA?

Question

I'm traveling to LA in december for about 4-5days.
I"m planning on going to Universal Studios, and maybe just see things around it. are there any other places around that you recommend? for example san diego, I don't know if it's worth the trip. Trying to make it as cheap as possible. anyways, if you have any advice, i'm all ears. thank you.

Answer 1

San Diego is fantastic. I suggest the zoo (kind of pricey but worth it!) and Balboa Park. A drive across the Coronado Bridge to the big resort island is fabulous scenery.
You are smart to visit LA during Christmas as the traffic will be minimal. Please plan on renting a car. I would split up your trip into two parts - allow 2 days in LA and 2 days in San Diego. SD is about a 2 hour drive (without traffic - with traffic is 3-4 hours). Universal Studios in my opinion is one of the lesser LA attractions (I lived down the block from it for years) - however you still may find it great fun. Other things to try in LA are: Hollywood & Highland Walk of Fame (about a 10 minute trip from Universal), The Farmers Market on 3rd & Fairfax, and Malibu/Zuma Beach area along the PCH. There is a great Thai restaurant on Hollywood Blvd that has an Asian Elvis Impersonator that sings every night at 7:30pm - (great food & very inexpensive) and during Christmas he sings "Blue Christmas" and other tunes! (Great fun!) There is this quiet, safe, & clean hotel called "The Mikado Best Western" in Valley Village that is centrally located for you if you have a car - you can buzz over the hill to Hollywood, buzz down to Universal, or jump on the freeway and be in Malibu in 30 minutes with very little trouble. Also, if you are interested in the studios, theres Warner Brothers and NBC studio tours in Burbank, which is also close to Universal (for reference).

Answer 2

As someone else said, be careful where you are driving (if you rent a car). Bad neighborhoods can be found right next to good neighborhoods. Find someone you can trust (a concierge at a decent hotel?) to help you plan out where you're going. Make sure you have a good map. Go to your local auto club office if you're a member. I would recommend a good tour if you're new here. Say Greylines. (I think that's the name) Let them hassle with the driving (LA freeways can be very daunting). They'll hit the high points in their tour. They also go to places such as Disneyland, Universal Studios, etc. Also check out Metrolink (our rail system). They're adding more routes all the time.

BTW, Disneyland is very expensive. If you're a fan, then go. If not really into Disney, you might as well save the $s.

Also be aware that any travelling here would involve lots of time. A trip to San Diego from LA may take three hours or more. If it's rush hour, add more time.

Answer 3

I've never really been thrilled about Universal Studios, there is nothing out of the ordinary, (pretty boring) San Diego is an awesome place to go if you visit Coronado and the Coronado Hotel is one of the main and classy attractions, as well as Glenn apple Valley, it is so beautiful, you can go to Catalina Island, Marina Del Rey Orange County too, has some great attractions and fine shopping.

Answer 4

I personally don't think that universal studios is that great... I mean it's barely changed in the last 20 years and doesn't have a wide selection of rides.
On the other hand, I've heard that San Diego is great and you can have lots of fun just walking along the beach (and it's side streets) and have lots of fun.

Answer 5

don't listen to the first poster about blue and red, gangs and so on... sounds like she doesn't know what she's talking about and surely does not live in Los Angeles or anywhere near there. I'd advice you to rent an average car, it's worth it. The public transportation in LA is super bad, it isn't the best, their still working on it. Actually u could stay in a fine Motel, its just few nights Fri-Sun. I'm not familiar with the Travelodge in Hollywood, but i do know one where i live ( Burbank) isn't that bad from the outside. You'd anyway be outside for the whole day..... all you'd be doing in the Travelodge would be sleeping. Best of luck by the way, and remember, don't worry about gangs... the city is big !

Answer 6

I love LA, been there many times. But you should know a few things before you go out.

1. Don't even think about getting around without a car!!! LA is simply to vast to explore by foot or public transportation!

2. Obviously take caution after dark. LA seems to take off its "friendly laid back" mask after 9pm. Stay away south of downtown and you should be fine.

3.Financially, you should stay away from the coast and downtown. that's where its most expensive (lodging and dining) try to find a hotel that has a shuttle to and fromt the airport, it will make your life a lot easier!!

Thats pretty much it, have fun!!!

Answer 7

i'm from massachusetts and i LOVE California...been there 7 times and miss it bad..time to go again soon!!..I love San Diego and yes it's worth the trip!..it's about a 2 hour drive i think if i remember correctly...we stayed at a hotel that wasn't too much $$...but man4-5 days isn't much!...I liked Universal but then there's DisneyLand and just walking around looking at the "Stars"..in Hollywood...shopping,cruising or just looking around Rodeo Dr and Beverly Hills...taking in a sitcom show...driving to San Diego...it's so nice there and I LOVE 2 beaches the most...their beaches are fun..they have BBQ pits right on the beach and you can drink on them...Mission beach and Pacific Beach rule....plus you have the san diego zoo..i didn't go over to the safari one though...and of course if you dared too (be careful)...but taking a drive into Baja Cal (Mexico)..along the Ocean...lots of things to do..mint weather...oh and La Jolla...a part of San Diego I think....people with $$$ live there...Hard Rock Cafe there too...it's pretty..fun and quaint to walk around..last time i was there I went for 2 weeks..drove up to Las Vegas for a couple of days and then went to Long Beach and took the ferry over to Catalina Island....real nice and quiet fun place...have fun!

Answer 8

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