LAX- what can you do around there?

Question

Our plane will take off at 7:00pm but we have to check out our hotel before 11:00am. Wondering if there is anything or any place we can go between 11:00 - 6:00, the real problem is we don't have a car, and we've heard that LA's transportation is inreliable. Any suggestions on where to kill 5 hrs?

p.s. we also heard there's a Westfield not far away but shopping is probably not be our first choice.
on the very same day, we would be taking Anaheim Resort xpress from Disneyland.

i just found out i am not very good in math...
11:00a-6:00p is 7 hours apart not 5

Answer 1

Westfield Fox Hills isn't too far away, but if you don't mind taking a taxi then you'll be okay. LAX has restaurants inside the terminal. With you traveling during the day, I'd recommend not staying out past 4 so that you have plenty of time to get back thru security.

Answer 2

There's really very little to do around LAX. It's just not a very good airport. The food options are uninspired, and the shops are ho-hum. You probably should get away from the terminals...

Option 1- You can take a taxi to the nearby Westfield shopping mall. Straight-forward suburban mall,...you'll find all the stores and food court options similar to what you have at home, I'm sure.

Option 2- You can take the airport shuttle bus to the "Aviation" Metro Rail station. From there you can take the train to Downtown L.A. (56 minutes) or Long Beach (45 minutes).

Downtown L.A. is a little pathetic compared to New York, Chicago, or San Francisco -- but there are some small ethnic enclaves and some interesting arthitecture.

Thanks to the barely disguised oil rigs, the 'beach' part of Long Beach is hardly beautiful. But...it is quite long and relatively uncrowded by Southern California standards. You might catch a glimspe of the Queen Mary cruise ship, which is permanently moored in the harbor. There are interesting little shops near the waterfront as well (that is, not chain stores).

As you have 5 hours to spare in total, that means you'll have at least 2 hours to walk around.

Option 3 - Take an airport shuttle bus to the bus terminal. Transfer to Big Blue Bus #3, it'll get you to Santa Monica in about 45 minutes. And there's a bus coming every 15 minutes.

Santa Monica's beach is more fun than Long Beach, but also way more crowded. Lots of volleyball and surfing. There's a small amusement pier too, but after Disneyland...you won't be impressed, of course.

Again, you'll have at least 2 hours to explore the area.

Answer 3

I live not far from LAX (in Culver City) and there a bunch of great things to do nearby or at least a short taxi ride away. LAX is near the beach, if the weather is nice you can take a cab to either Playa Del ray and go for a walk there and stop for a bie at the Shack which is a classic southern Californian beach side bar/restaurant or go to Marina Del Reay (no beach but nice shops and resturants). The westfield fox hills mall is not one of thier best but if you want to go shopping downtown Manhattan beach is about a 20 min cab ride away and you could walk around the downtown and go out on the Pier. Venice beach is also not to far away if you want to see a funkier and some what gritty boardwalk scene. A few good places to eat near LAX include the Encounter lounge at LAX (in the UFO looking building), the Proud Bird (which is basically a diner) and Pacos Tacos on Manchester and supulveda (a full service cal-Mex restaurant). If you have kids there is a bunch of fun stuff to do at parks and in Santa Monica which is also just a short cab ride away

Answer 4

HA. LAX is one of the worst major airports around.. Not just my personal opinion, but an actual fact. It was ranked # 38, one of the worst, in a recent study. There are some things around, I suppose, but not much, I hate to say. Getting out of there itself is a hassle. There are some nice little restaurants, like the Daily Grill in the actual airport (the Daily Grill is a chain that shows up in places like the Hilton).. just somewhere to relax and have a burger. Of course there's a coffee shop and such also.. You almost can't live in LA without a car so.. what you've heard is very true. Hollywood Park (racetrack) is kind of awesome, and closeby, as is Marina del Rey, kind of cool too.. It's literally a marina. Once you get to LAX, you'll realize what I'm saying though, about maybe staying inside and grabbing something to eat, reading a mag.. as awful as that sounds. Public transport frankly sucks. Also, you can't hail a cab here, you have to call one and they charge a ton. Well not a TON, but certainly a good amount. Also, stay away from the bus, and always keep on eye on your stuff.. Wish I could offer you more fun things to do, but I can't really think of any :o) Hope you have fun, though! Stay safe! :o)

Answer 5

Basically, nothing at all.

But, keep in mind you'll need at least 2 hours for security. Not to mention the traffic on the way to your hotel.
If you're hungry, you could take a taxi to Dinah's. Best apple pancake in the area, anywhere for that matter.
But yeah, there isn't really anything to do around the airport.

Answer 6

there is the action picture complicated at Howard Hughes limited-access highway and Sepulveda. added north, there is Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica place Mall, and the third highway prom. If it became sunlight hours, i could propose Santa Monica Pier and Venice sea coast, yet Venice receives notably frightening after dark.

Answer 7

you could take in a movie -there are theaters in Manhattan Beach
(about 20 minutes south Lax)

Answer 8

NOTHING!!!! Especially without a car. It is absolutely insane over there!!!! Good Luck