What to do in Los Angeles- Page 2
What to do in Los Angeles
#25re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 12:48pm
Ah, yes. Transportation is an absolute must.
No cabs, no easy to navigate buses or extensive rail system unless you have a very specific area you are staying in.
If you do go the Hollywood/Highland area there is an absolutely wonderful Chinese restaurant called "Kung Pow Kitty" that I recommend. It has a great style and atmosphere and pretty damn good food.
It's at 6445 Hollywood Blvd.
If you are into Museums, the Getty and Skirball are nice options.
I love to spend a lazy Sunday morning either having breakfast at the Farmer's Market or playing on the beach in Malibu. I specifically go to Malibu because it's less crowded and touristy though. To get that "LA Ambiance" you'd probably want to check out Santa Monica or Venice.
Updated On: 6/11/06 at 12:48 PM
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#26re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 12:49pm
Thank you! Some of these suggestions are great! What about game show/sitcom tapings? Are those worth checking into? It's probably too late, though. I don't know anything about LA- how spread out is it? I'm used to visiting New York often. Is it a walking city? Or do you have to drive everywhere. And these places- Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Hollywood- are all these places near each other?
ETA: Ok, I was typing while those last two posts about the car were posted. How spread out?
#27re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 12:59pm
It is most certainly not a walking city.
It's extremely spread out. Santa Monica and Venice are relatively close to each other, but walking it isn't really a viable option.
Hollywood is more inland and isn't particulary close to the beachs.
The bottom line is that due to traffic and freeway changes in LA everything is pretty much 20 minutes away. 
There is no getting around having a car in LA if you want to see multiple things.
It may not be too late for TV tapings and game shows, but they do tape on specific dates. I know they do have standby lines for the bigger shows like The Tonight Show and Ellen, but I've never really had much interest in going so I am not sure exactly how that works.
Ellen is booked months in advanced so that's not likely.
You could try this site for some show tickets:
https://www.hollywoodtickets.com/FindShow.asp
There are others I am sure, that is the first thing that popped up on Google.
The best thing to do is to probably pick out a couple of things that you really want to do/see and then figure out what is really close around it to maximize that particular day.
Updated On: 6/11/06 at 12:59 PM
Peter
Leading Actor Joined: 5/28/03
#28re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 2:27pm
Theres one thing noones mentioned that you HAVE to do. I live in the Laguna Beach area and would have to say its one of the most beautiful places on this earth (only about 1 1/4 hour south of LA). During the summer months, The Pageant of the Masters is going on along with three Art Festivals. The Pageant is a one of a kind type theatrical experience where works of art are recreated onstage by people and with the proper lighting, looks like the real thing. A live orchestra plays music and theres also a narrator. Also, check out the Heisler park area above the main beach (a seaside cliff area), and if it were me, Id get there early, have a picnic at heisler park and then take the PCH (Route 1) down the coast to Dana point harbor, San Juan and San Clemente. If you return late afternoon, you should have enough time to first go to the Sawdust Festival (across from the Pageant/Festival) and then go to the Festival of the Arts around 6ish to see the artwork there before the Pageant. Actually, if you have time, Id plan at least two days. You can also take the PCH all the way down the coast from say Huntington Beach down to Laguna, San Juan and San Clemente and its quite a nice drive. Theres some traffic on the weekends of course, but nothing all that bad, but the Heisler park area is very busy. During the week would be the best time to come.
Updated On: 6/11/06 at 02:27 PM
#29re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 2:44pm
Peter---I haven't seen it yet, but so many people have told me it's amazing. They take it very seriously.
You should also head down to Disneyland and check out BWW's own Erika Amato as the evil queen in the Snow White stage show. I plan on doing that myself this summer.
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=off&thread=900264
The Hollywood Bowl season is gearing up with some pretty cool stuff. You can check out the events on line, buy tickets, etc. Don't worry too much about the location. It's fun no matter where you sit... but bring binoculars, and stop off and get a picnic dinner (whatever that means to you and your tastes), and enjoy! It's a wonderful experience, if you've never been.
https://hollywoodbowl.com/
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#30re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 2:48pm
We should organize a "Disneyland BWW Day" and all go see Erika.
#31re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 2:49pm
Also, if you have a "hankerin'" (as they say) to see a stage show, try:
http://www.goldstarevents.com/
They are like a virtual TKTS Booth for several major cities, and you can get last-minute tix for many of the shows and concerts in Los Angeles. You just have to register with them first.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#32re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 2:52pm
My two favorite museums in the area are actually in Pasadena (which is about 20 minutes from L.A. proper:
The Huntington Libarary, Art Collection & Botanical Gardens
http://www.huntington.org
In addition to the art icons "Pinky" and "The Blue Boy," they have an amazing art collection and rare books & papers collection, and the gardens are HUGE and beautiful to roam around in. Unfortunately, I think the main mansion that usually houses the art collection is closed for renovations, and the paintings are now in a new building on the (enormous) premises. If you go to this museum, you won't be disappointed.
The Norton Simon
http://www.nortonsimon.org
A wonderful collection of paintings and sculptures, and a small but breath-taking sculpture garden out back.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#33re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 3:03pm
Patronus --- Sounds like a great idea!... but I promised to take my dear old dad there when he visits in July... So I'm booked on more of a father/son event, unfortunately.
And I'd go again for BWW, but I'd have to win the lottery to afford "the mouse" twice in one summer!
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#34re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 3:19pm
I hear that. I stopped buying the annual pass when it started costing us $600 for the two of us! Even with the free parking and park wide discounts, that was too steep for me.
INSANE.
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#35re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/11/06 at 3:20pm
Patronus- I'm hoping to be able to get down there during my visit. One of the main reasons is to see that show.
Best12- thanks for all the ideas!
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#36re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/13/06 at 12:53pmHow far is Costa Mesa from Los Angeles?
#37re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/13/06 at 2:01pm
Here is the link to the old thread.
If you like great, garlic-inspired chicken, Versailles is a great, inexpensive restaurant (there are a few in LA).
A lot really depends on where you are and how long you will be in town.
And, it depends where in LA you are coming from, the LA-Costa Mesa equation.
What to do in LA.
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#38re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/13/06 at 4:49pmI know nothing about LA and where we are staying and going and such. I think it's pretty open right now. Any recommendations about what areas to stay in or specific hotels?
#39re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/13/06 at 5:05pm
Hamburger Hamlet? Are you kidding me?? If you're going to recommend a burger place it's got to be In-N-Out. Seriously people!! This is her first time in L.A., let's lead her to the good stuff.
Alright, so here is my two cents for what it's worth. Once you get here you'll see why it's hard to answer your questions. Questions about where to stay and such depend on what you're planning on doing while here and your budget.
Basic rules:
-RENT A CAR
-GET A MAP
-IF MAPQUEST SAYS IT'LL TAKE 20 MINUTES YOU CAN SOMETIMES COUNT ON TRAFFIC TO DOUBLE OR EVEN TRIPLE THAT.
By the way, I second Hollywood/Highland, The Grove, Hollywood Bowl, and Malibu as fun touristy places. Are you into beaches? Museums? I love taking friends down Melrose and then to an improv show at The Groundlings when they are here for the first time.
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#40re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/17/06 at 11:38am
Not really into beaches, but I like museums. Where are the tv studios located? Like, the WB studio tour? Thanks for all the help?
#41re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/17/06 at 11:58am
Even if you don't like the beach, go to Venice just for the shopping and the sights. You can buy more incense there in a square block than almost anyone where else in LA. Walk along the bike path and just enjoy the sites, or rent a bike and go a riding.
The WB Tour is not quite the same as Universals, as it is an actual tour of a working studio. I have actually never done it, though I did do the MGM/Sony tour a few times when I was a kid (and I don't think that one is offered any more).
Here is the link:
http://www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour/
Melrose has some great shopping and restaurants, though it is not quite as insane as it was a few years ago when Melrose Place was on the air. Hollywood and Highland may have taken some of its cache. But that is probably good, because Melrose was becoming far to touristy for a while. There are some funky and very expensive shops along Melrose.
http://www.seeing-stars.com/Shop/Melrose.shtml
La Brea avenue also has some great furniture stores.
A lot really depends on where you are staying.
Something else really nice to do is to have High Tea at the Huntington Library and visit the gardens. At this point, the actual museum I believe is under renovation, but the gardens and high tea are not to be missed.
Huntington Library
#42re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/17/06 at 12:30pm
Popular---Hamburger Hamlet off of Sunset, just past Doheny, used to be the best kept secret in town for "old Hollywood" celebs, and a few younger ones.
I used to go there every Sunday for an early dinner with an "old movie star" friend of mine, and you wouldn't believe the people that used to drop by and say hi, or spontaneously join us for dinner, or just hang out at the Tap Room bar and join in to our conversations.
Of course this was in a range of about 10-15 years ago, and many of these wonderful people are no longer with us. But it's a "grand old place" with comfy over-sized den chairs. It feels like an old club or lodge. If that's not your "style" then so be it. For me, it's pretty special.
In-And-Out is more like a tasty Burger King. It's fast food. Hamburger Hamlet is a sit-down restaurant with one of the best and most varied "cheap" menus in town.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#43re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/17/06 at 1:32pm
Best12Bars, I was being sarcastic. I know that Hamburger Hamlet well. The Medical Plaza next door is where I went to the dentist for the first half of my life. I still prefer In-N-Out though.
Ashley - If you don't mind one pricey night out to eat there is a restaurant near the Magic Castle (I think it's called Miyagi's). That place is goregous! Never been there to eat, just for drinks so I can't comment on the food, but the view is spectacular.
Updated On: 6/17/06 at 01:32 PM
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#44re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/17/06 at 3:25pmThanks, Popular, I will look into that. We are looking for some good places to eat while we are there.
#45re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/17/06 at 3:28pm
If you end up going to Venice on a weekend, Joe's on Abbot Kinney is a great place to have brunch.
And if you are in Santa Monica, Border Grill on 4th Street has great food. It is the restaurant owned by the "Two Hot Tamales."
I love going there every so often.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#46re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/17/06 at 5:07pmIf you want to see any plays while you are out here go to North Hollywood (NoHo) there are TONS of cute lil theatres with wonderful plays going on!
DG
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
#47re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/18/06 at 1:05am
"there are TONS of cute lil theatres with wonderful plays going on!"
Along those lines, there's a section of Santa Monica Blvd (just west of the 101) that is trying to establish itself as LA's version of Off-Broadway. They call it 'Theatre Row'. There are quite a few Equity-waiver 99-seaters doing everything from the classics to original premiere works.
Also, the Kirk Douglas Theatre and the Mark Taper Forum are focussing more on new works.
If you get to NoHo (North Hollywood,) try to see what's going on at Deaf West, the theatre where the BIG RIVER revival originated.
#48re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/18/06 at 1:27am
I actually worked at the Kirk Douglas Theater in its much earlier life - when it was a second grade multi-plex.
It is somewhat astonishing to go in there now, and see the marvelous interior now as it has been completely redone!
DG
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
#49re: What to do in Los Angeles
Posted: 6/18/06 at 1:36am
YWIW - I haven't actually been over there yet - too many other things going on so far! But I am greatly encouraged by their focus on new works - and the pics of the place do show it off well.
The rehab on the Geffen was also very successful I thought. Such a beautiful place to work with. And if their ALL MY SONS is any indication, they're pretty happy in their, as well!
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