Headed to LA...

[sharky60]

... next week (1/17-23).

It's a non-dive trip (who ever heard of such a thing?), we are looking for things to do over the weekend in LA or LA area.

restaurants, entertainment, sight seeing...any and all suggestions would be much welcomed.

thankx

 

[TrojanCatMan]

What part of LA are you going to be in (Dowtown, Valley, Westside, etc)? There is so much to do here it would probably be easier if you asked about some specific things . Have you tried this site? http://losangeles.citysearch.com/

Based on the fact you are a diver you might enjoy the Aquarium of the Pacific. It features local waters and waters from around the world. Hollywood and Vine is very touristy and interesting if you are into film. Disneyland/CA Adventure/Downtown Disney are fun and great for children. Venice beach is aweseome but best in the summer. Santa Monica Pier/ 3rd street Promenade is also nice. We also have tons of art venues, music halls, and theaters.

Have fun!

 

[headhunter]

There is so much to do in the area that I could take someone to see different things everyday for weeks on end and not run out of things to do.

What are you interested in? Amusement parks, Museums (art, science, natural history, etc.), theater, movie making, music, gardens, hiking, wine tasting and much more are available. Every kind of food imaginable is also available if you have a preference for a particular kind of food, let us know.

If you tell us what part of town you will be in it will be helpful. The "Greater Los Angeles Area" as I like to call it is about 140 mles long and 40 miles wide, so you could spend more time driving than seeing anything if you don't plan a bit.

Christian

 

[sharky60]

I know, it's overwhelming to try to think of things to tell people to do in such a large city, it's been 20 years since either of us have been there, and neither of us have done much of the tourist stuff, Mann's, the walk of stars, La Brea tar pits, the studios...Are the studios open on weekends? and are they worth visiting? no kiddos with us just the 2 of us, we've both been to Disneyland when we were young.

We will be staying in Westside, right on the border of Beverly Hills and Hollywood, it seems like there is a whole lot to do in this area, but driving to get somewhere is not a problem, we're in no hurry and I don't mind driving, in fact we will be headed down to the Long Beach on thursday. Seen the Goose and Q.M., big plane, big boat.

we're planning on spending some time in Venice/ Santa Monica /Pacific Park, maybe taking a drive up the coast a ways. I'd like to eat at a good seafood place overlooking the ocean, shack or nice joint, doesn't really matter.

Thought about doing the Santa Barbara wine country, but thought the 80+mile drive back may be too much. Are there any vinyards closer?

We are going to the Jimmy Kimmel show and the Improv on a couple of nights. And going to a game show on Friday, so we prefer to do some outdoor stuff during the free days.

Thought about the aquarium, I'm a volunteer at the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park, but I don't think the wife is much interested. whale watching? any of that going on or are we between the commings and goings?

Have reservations at the Stinking Rose and planning another italian restaurant, but can't remember the name of it. Would like to find a good Tai, seafood and Mexican place, gonna get homesick for mexican before it's all over.

I'm a huge music fan, but there doesn't seem to be too much going on that I can find, checked out the House of Blues, The Whiskey and a couple of other clubs but not much shaking. Prefer blues, blues based rock & classic rock, some country, just like to hear good live music. I know, Justin Timerlake's in town I'd much more prefer Eric Clapton or Jimmy Buffett, hey, I'm getting old, what can I say.

thankx again
marc

 

[headhunter]

Hi Marc,

Let me see if I can help with some of this.

If you want to do the Hollywood studio thing, I'd recommend just going to Universal Studios and hanging out on Universal City Walk in the evening.

There is a place at Universal City Walk called Howl at the Moon. It's always a crowd pleaser when I take people there from out of town. They have dueling pianos and other instruments. It's a big sing-a-long thing which is very entertaining. I've been to places like this in other parts of the country that were pretty lame, but keep in mind that in L.A. we have our pick of a lot of very talented musicians competing for these jobs.

The Spruce Goose was moved from Long Beach right around 1990. It's now on display at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, OR.

For seafood over looking the ocean there is Gladstones in Pacific Palasades, which is known for their lobster and is a historic place. They have a She Crab Soup that is really good too. You can actually walk along the beach next to the restaurant after eating which is nice. If you want better seafood, I prefer Dukes in Malibu for everything that's not lobster. Gladstones and Dukes both have great atmosphere. I sometimes like to go to Dukes for appetizers and drinks before going to Gladstones for lobster dinner. You get to go to both that way.

Wine tasting in Santa Barbara is a nice thing to do if you have all day. It's more like 125 miles by the time you get to the wineries. I recommend visiting the Firestone Winery and going on their tour. It's a beautiful place and their tour is informative. They also own a winery called Curtis Winery and I really like their reds. On a day like that, I like to have lunch at the Cold Spring Tavern, which is off of Hwy 154 between Santa Barbara and the wineries. You can't actually see it from the highway, so you'll want to have good directions for that one.

Temecula is a pretty good place to do a little wine tasting, but it's about a 100-mile drive. I particularly like the reds at Baily Winery. The extra 25 miles is worth it and the drive there is quite a bit more scenic. If you were to go there it's nice to visit the historic Mission Inn on the way back and have dinner there.

I'm sure others will chime in with their suggestions.

Christian

 

[ItsBruce]

I'll second Gladstones for fish and view. On the west side, my favorite Italian is Pasta Factory on Washington in Marina Del Rey. Its a short ride to Venice and Santa Monica and the ocean. For Mexican food, Tito's Tacos on Washington and Sepulveda is wonderful. There is almost always a huge line. You should make sure to have breakfast at Maxwel's Cafe on Washington and Walgrove, also in MDR. Get there early as the line on a weekend can be as much as an hour ... but worth it.

 

[sharky60]

It always helps to ask a local!!

Thanks so much guys!!!

 

[Empty V]

Mexican Food - Garden's of Taxco in Hollywood, for 2 no reservations required, (I know compudude will 2nd this) one of the best restaurants in LA. Amazing wine margaritas too. $20.99 a person, I think. I suggest the shrimp de taxco, Shrimp in a cilantro cream sauce with all the trimmings.

Italian Food - Il Cielo, Beverly Hills. This place is expensive but well worth it. I was there on saturday and asked them to make a special pasta dish for me. It was freshly made fettuccine in a cream truffle sauce with shaved truffles on the top. Easily the most incredible pasta dish I have ever had. Plus they brought out a complimentary glass of red wine that they insisted I had with the dish. A perfect fit!

Sushi - Shiki in Studio City, I ate there last night. Tell Shane(new manager) that Billy sent you. One of the items I ordered last night was toro(cut from the belly of a bluefin tuna) sushi. Better than average prices and huge, and I mean huge, portions. My toro sushi were 7" strips on rice. That is completely unheard of. If you're really really hungry, I recommend the King Alex and any spicy cut rolls will be outstanding.

Also check out if there are any interesting shows at the Key Club, it's on sunset up the street from the Roxy. Really great venue with an awesome chef. This is not typical fried club food. Chef Jeff does some amazing things there. The chateau brion wraps are of course, amazing. I also highly recommend the penne pasta with rock shrimp. I've got friends that I have taken there that have gone back just for the food.

If you go to any of these fine establishments let me know what you think. Good luck!

Billy

 

[TrojanCatMan]

Billy now you got me wanting truffles.... I gotta check those places out .

 

[sharky60]

Hey guys! Just wanted to say thanks for the tips!

Made it to Gladstone's for crab cakes and fish taco's, good Calf. wine and pre-sunset, two thumbs up! I'll be hittin' that place again next time we're in town!

Also at the the Galley in Santa Monica, S.M.'s oldest restaurant, just fantastic! I had the fillet w/peppercorn sauce and the boss had sea bass that was maybe the best fish I've have ever tasted! great garlic mashed taters!

Saw some folks diving Sunday (1/21) south of Pt. Mugu area, any body care to fess up?

Thanks again, full non-diving trip report coming to the old website soon!