Diving at LAX

[NudeDiver]

So, unfortunately, on the way to and on the way back from Cozumel, we have a overnight at LAX. Preferring not to sleep at the airport, I figure we should get a hotel. On the way TO mexico, we get to LAX at something like 3pm and do not leave until 8am. On the way FROM mexico, we get to LAX at something like 9pm and leave at something like 9am.

So, I figure that between 3pm and whenever, we might want to walk around and do something interesting. If we get the cheapest fleabag motel we can find near LAX, are we going to be ably to easily get somewhere interesting and maybe sightsee or something for a few hours? Any ideas or suggestions on how to fill this time, please advise.

Thanks!
nd

 

[orangelion03]

Getting around LA is your hardest task if you are not planning to rent a car.

Once you find the location of your hotel, research where the nearest rail line station is, then take a taxi to it.

metro.net | Trip planning, transit services and information for Los Angeles county

http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/maps/images/rail_map.pdf

The various rail/subway lines can take you to downtown where you can visit Olvera Street and Chinatown. Or go to Hollywood...Highland station puts you at the Kodak Theater center. I'n not sure if there are lines that run close to the various museums.

Alternatively, you can take buses into Santa Monica...3rd street, the pier, the park. Buses to the Getty as well.

 

[diversteve]

You could go up to Marina del Rey for dinner. It's just north of the airport. Good restaurants, but just a few shops all on the marina(s) A little spread out to walk around much though imo but I'm not a big walker. It's about 3-4 miles north of the airport. Some of it can be really pricey, other areas you have the chain restaurants. Most are on the ends of the marina inlets so have a water view.

2-3 miles farther north is Santa Monica. It has a pedestrian mall downtown with a lot of shops/restaurants and a theater plus the Santa Monica Pier amusement complex. Everything from Spago to burgers there within a mile or so.

Going south from the airport you're within 3-4 miles of Manhattan Beach (not sure what's there) and Hermosa Beach, there's a beach/pier, some restaurants/shops, there used to be a comedy club there. (Comedy/Magic Club?)

I'm pretty sure there's buses that go to all these areas from the airport if you're trying to save money.

There's a beach just west of the airport. No amenities though unless you count the Pacific Edison Power plant cooling towers...lol. And the planes are taking off constantly just overhead.

Most of the area right around the airport is industrial/office or hotels. I stayed at LAX quite often for business but always drove somewhere else after work. El Segundo just south of the airport has some restaurants but it goes pretty quiet at night.

For cheap(er) hotels, there's a LaQuinta and a Days Inn about a mile east of the airport. On Century, either side of the 405 Freeway. There's also other cheaper hotels the farther east you go past the 405 - some chain, some not.

hth,

 

[kelpmermaid]

I'm not with the Chamber of Commerce or anything, but you might also want to check out Redondo Beach - just south of Hermosa Beach. A number of decent hotels around the harbor/pier, and restaurants within walking distance. I would be careful about cheap motels too far east of the airport in terms of heading out at night.

 

[pasley]

...get to LAX at something like 3pm and do not leave until 8am. ... 9pm and leave at something like 9am.... we might want to walk around and do something interesting.

Tough call. Far too long to sit at the airport and the nearby hotels are not exactly cheap, and those that are (East of the 405) may come with room-service you wife (or the local vice cops) may not approve of.

You might just be better off taking a shuttle to a hotel and calling it a night. Perhaps plan ahead and arrange for some flowers and chocolates to be placed in the room prior to your arrival.

On the way out don't forget that LAX can take a while to get through security, some days it is 1 hour is too much and some days it is "you only allowed two hours, what were you thinking". Depending on the airline and terminal you need to allow plenty of time to get through the security.

 

[fnfalman]

Rent a car and haul ass down to Redondo Beach. Pop into Sea D Sea and rent some dive gears then hit the beach for some quickie beach dives. SWEET!!!

 

[ligersandtions]

On the way TO mexico, we get to LAX at something like 3pm and do not leave until 8am. On the way FROM mexico, we get to LAX at something like 9pm and leave at something like 9am.

Rent a car and haul ass down to Redondo Beach. Pop into Sea D Sea and rent some dive gears then hit the beach for some quickie beach dives. SWEET!!!

He won't have time for that....on the way to Mexico, he has a 17 hour layover....on the way from Mexico he has a 12 hour layover. Unless he's diving shallower than 20 feet, he will not have a long enough surface interval to make it safe.

However, socal is a great place to dive, so keep it on your list for the future (but really make it worth it and go on a boat dive....as much as I enjoy shore diving, boat diving really is a treat).

 

[fnfalman]

Okay, new plan. On the way TO Mexico: rent a convertible and drive north on Pacific Coast Highway for a few hours. Yes, I know, it's night time, but drop top cruising is still sweet albeit slightly chilly.

On the way BACK from Mexico: Just rest and relax.

 

[dashark]

You could go up to Marina del Rey for dinner. It's just north of the airport. Good restaurants, but just a few shops all on the marina(s) A little spread out to walk around much though imo but I'm not a big walker. It's about 3-4 miles north of the airport. Some of it can be really pricey, other areas you have the chain restaurants. Most are on the ends of the marina inlets so have a water view.

2-3 miles farther north is Santa Monica. It has a pedestrian mall downtown with a lot of shops/restaurants and a theater plus the Santa Monica Pier amusement complex. Everything from Spago to burgers there within a mile or so.

Going south from the airport you're within 3-4 miles of Manhattan Beach (not sure what's there) and Hermosa Beach, there's a beach/pier, some restaurants/shops, there used to be a comedy club there. (Comedy/Magic Club?)

I'm pretty sure there's buses that go to all these areas from the airport if you're trying to save money.

There's a beach just west of the airport. No amenities though unless you count the Pacific Edison Power plant cooling towers...lol. And the planes are taking off constantly just overhead.

Most of the area right around the airport is industrial/office or hotels. I stayed at LAX quite often for business but always drove somewhere else after work. El Segundo just south of the airport has some restaurants but it goes pretty quiet at night.

For cheap(er) hotels, there's a LaQuinta and a Days Inn about a mile east of the airport. On Century, either side of the 405 Freeway. There's also other cheaper hotels the farther east you go past the 405 - some chain, some not.

hth,

i would stay away from any hotel east of the 405 on Century. And if you do stay there, don't walk around at night.
Santa Monica 3rd st.promenade and the pier is a good place to hang out.
Or go to the clubs in hollywood if you want more of a night life scene.

 

[NudeDiver]

All:

Thanks for the advice. Fortunately, I was able to re-route my travel schedule and get a direct flight from Seattle to Cancun, without having to stop and overnight at LAX. Besides chopping 12+ hours off my travel time, each, way, it saves me at least $200+ in hotel & food costs in LA. As I get to Mexico a day sooner, that means I can put that money toward an extra day of diving