What can I do in the LA area?

Question

I am going to a wedding next month near LA, and will be there for a few days. What are some cheap, inexpensive, or free things that I may enjoy while visiting for the first time?

I am already planning the hollywood walk of fame and seeing the hollywood sign. Any other cool, cheap things to do?

Answer 1

If you're staying right on the Los Angeles are then there's..

Universal Studio Hollywood - largest entertainment in LA! if you don't have time to go to the themepark (it would need one full day) then just got to the Universal City Walk, it's nice going there at nightime. But if you do go to the theme park, make sure you go on the Studio Tour, that's something you can't miss!

Farmers Market at the Grove in LA - (cross street: fairfax and 3rd) it's also an outdoor shopping center, and at the Farmers Market, you can basically find any kind of food you want. There's japanase, chinese, mexican, french, american, middle-eastern, italian, brazilian, you name it :) Or you can always get out a little bit, there's always the famous Pink's Hotdog. (cross street: La Brea and Melrose), the line might be really long, but it's worth the wait :)

Getty Museum - the museum collects and exhibits classical sculpture and art, European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture, decorative arts, and photographs. but it's really nice, and there's also a nice garden where you can relax with a beautiful setting and a nice view of Los Angeles. I don't like going to museums, but I actually like Getty's.

Beverly Hills - the famous Rodeo Drive, where you can go shopping, and sight-seeing!

Santa Monica - the Santa Monica Pier, has Pacific Park where there are some carnival rides, and a very nice high-ferris-wheel, where you can see the view of the ocean, and the cities from up top, there's also a small arcade. Along the pier, there are some local entertainments and a direct access to the beach. There's also the Santa Monica 3rd St Promenade, and that is an outdoor shopping center, with nice entertainments on the sides.

Clubs - at Hyde, Area, Les Deux, Parc, Priviledge, Mood, Teddy’s, Skybar, Roxy, Tryst, Whiskey (a-go-go), The Spyder Club, The Viper Room, House of Blues.

Staples Center - home of the Los Angeles Lakers, that's right on Downtown LA.




A little bit outside the L.A area, there's always..
Anaheim - is where Disneyland and Disney California Adventure is located, if you're there, make sure to visit Downtown Disney, for a walk. If you're going into the amusement park(s), I'd say you go during the weekday in the middle of the week, it'll be less crowded, and a bigger chance for you to get through the whole park.

Buena Park - Knott's Berry Farm, western style theme park with pretty good roller coaster rides.

Long Beach - Aquarium of the Pacific, it's pretty nice and neat, there's also The Queen Mary, and go a little bit to the other side of Long Beach, there will be Naples Island, it's like a little version of Italy, you can ride a Gondola there, which can be pretty romantic.

San Marino - visit the Huntington Library Park. It's a really really nice botanical garden, there's also art collections there. But the garden is nice, I love it there. And they have a very big and nice Japanese garden. It can be very romantic there too. Keep in mind that they close at 4:30.


That's all I can think of right now. Hope it gives you some ideas :) Have fun in LA!
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Answer 2

Llares Mexican Restaurant in Santa Monica has The Best Carnitas I've ever had! Kick butt margaritas. The only thing I don't like about the place are the two tired mariachis with out of tune guitars and false teeth smiles. Must be somebody's relative! Looking back on some of the other answers I see recommendation for Taco Bell and other take out places. It's interesting that some people associate Mexican cuisine only with the lowly yet delicious taco! To those folks; there's a LOT more to a Mexican meal than a taco!

Answer 3

Just walking around downtown LA is cool (if not grimey). It is interesting to see all the stuff there.
Chinatown is very cool and you can buy a lot of cheap stuff there, or just walk around and take in the sights.
There are also other "towns" (Filipino town, Little Tokyo, etc.) but I've never been there.
If you are into this sort of thing, there are lots of museums and art galleries to go to that are either free (like the Getty museum) or very reasonably priced.

Answer 4

You can do a lot of thing in LA area,and also a lot of attractions,such:
Universal Studios Hollywood
J. Paul Getty Center
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Griffith Park
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Venice Beach
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Union Station

Answer 5

- Universal City Walk - Park in the Metro parking lot at the bottom and take a tram all the way up.. its Free and parking at Citywalk is 10 dollars. Lots of shops and restaurants and a great big movie theater. 101 Fwy off On Universal CItywalk Dr
- Rodeo Drive - Richest shops in the world... My dad designed a golded cigar shop there.. its full of millionaires and celebrities.. Rodeo Dr and Beverly Hills Dr
- Santa Monica Pier/3rd street promonade - Nice outside mall and also inside mall.. plenty of attractions.. on Wednesdays they have an ourdoor Farmers Market, the pier is nice too at night they have their carnival going on with fun stuff to do... 10 Fwy Off on 3rd St
- Olvera Street Mexican Heritage Place Bunch of shops and Music.. Good Mexican food right infront of Union Station..
Off of Olvera St and Cesar Chavez
- Griffith Park - Remodeled Observatory, One of the worlds biggest Telecopes FREE.. Great experience.. Griffith Park
- Getty Museum - Free Museum just pay for parking.. Great Van Gogh paintings... Great Architecture Lots of fun bring a lunch cause its pricey.... 405 Fwy and Getty Center Dr
Anymore Suggestions feel free to ask...

Answer 6

I'm really surprised nobody's said China Town..go for Dim Sum (brunch) it's really good..

and everything everyone else has already said

Answer 7

The LaBrea Tarpits-ask any tourist bldg-is free and VERY unusual and historical!

Answer 8

Go to skid row in downtown LA, you will see many celebrities.

Answer 9

Venice beach is nice. I love to walk there. It has side walk sales and intertainment.

Answer 10

Read this guide: http://www.seeing-stars.com