what to do in LA
what to do in LA
cudramacat
Broadway Star Joined: 6/22/05
#0what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 8:08amHey ya'll.....I'm going to L.A. for spring break in two weeks! I am so excited...does anyone have suggestions on some must-do/must-see things while I am there? Thanks in advance!
DG
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
#1re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 8:09amI could make lists that go on and on. You might narrow it down by giving your general interests, age and travel limitations.
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#2re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 8:14am
I would like to know too. I *think* I am going this summer. I know that I want to take a tour of the WB studios (especially the Gilmore Girls set 
). What about the Walf of Fame? I don't know pretty much anything about LA.
DG
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
#4re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 8:27amThe thing about visiting LA is that it covers literally hundreds of square miles - so some idea of where you'll be and how far you want to travel is necessary. I would recommend getting a travel book from the library - they should have a few different ones for the region.
DG
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
#8re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:20amDefinitely Disneyland. I also enjoyed Knotts Berry Farm and Universal Studios. Depending exactly where you're at, try to go to San Diego and visit the zoo, Seaport Village and Sea World. I had so much fun there!
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popcultureboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
#9re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:36amI have done the WB tour and for some reason, even though I wanted the ER/Friends centred tour, I got the Friends/Gilmore Girls tour. The tour guide was absolutely freaking in LOVE with Gilmore Girls.
YessicaB
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/05
#10re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:43am
Iwas there in September and I went to Universal Studios, Venice Beach, Walk of Fame, Kodak Theatre, Chinese Theatre, etc. I also did a tour. Not the movie star home tour, cause that's just not my thing, though a friend of mine loved it.
I had a great time there.
gavrochegirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
#11re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:03am
If you can cough up enough dough, take the Universal Studio VIP tour. No, it's not the tram ride you usually would take, but it's really different and a lot of fun. You go to places you usually would not see on the regular tram.
Hollywood Blvd. is fun at night. I recommend Hamburger Hamlet if you head over there anyway.
CityWalk is always fun, too. There's a lot of shopping and dining.
A cheaper alternative to the Warner Brothers tour (though Warner Brothers is fun) is the NBC studio tour, which is right down the street.
If you want to see some fun theatre, see Bark! at the Coast Playhouse. Or, check out some of the other theatres. The Pantages might be housing another musical in their season while you're there.
When I went to Hollywood more recently, my drama teacher took us all to a cool Italian restaurant called Miceli's. The food is really great -- I love their pizza. Plus, they have a pianist who plays Broadway tunes and singing waiters!
If you want to see improv, see Comedy Sportz. I'm sure you can Google "Comedy Sportz L.A." to get the official site up. But check to see if they have the better improv show going on that night.
Of course, if you're ever tired of L.A., go down to Orange County. There's Disneyland, Downtown Disney, California Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm, and lots more. I recommend, however, checking out the stuff in Downtown Fullerton. The restaurants, shopping, and theatre scene are all top rate.
If there's anything else anyone can think of, fill me in!
#12re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:56am
How old are you and what are you looking to do?
There are horseback trails up in the hollywood hills, there are "look up" walking tours of some of the older architecture in downtown LA. Sometimes there are movies screened at the Hollywood cemetary, where some famous movie stars are buried.
There are many different things to do, depending on what you want.
If you are near the beach, I recommend going down third street promenade in Santa Monica, and perhaps eating at Border Grill (the restaurant of the Two Hot Tamales) and if the weather permits, walking down the pier and going on some rides. On weekends, go to the Venice Boardwalks and buy amazing junk for good prices, especially incense. Rent a bike and riding down the bike path in Venice or Santa Monica. Having Dim Sum at Empress Pavallion in China Town . . .
I would recoomend Disneyland and Knotts. Magic Mountain is also very popular.
A lot depends on your age and where you are going to be.
cudramacat
Broadway Star Joined: 6/22/05
#13re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:20pmOkay, I'm 20, I'll be with 2 friends and staying from saturday night-Thursday afternoon..so less than a week. I am a theatre major and love anything to do with drama, music, etc....Hopefully that helps and thanks for all the advice so far!
#14re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:28pm
Hm.. Universal Studios is always fun because theres the City Walk with lots of shopping and food, the Studio tour, and the actual theme park.
You could go to the beach and the Santa Monica pier, which has food, rides, and games.
Melrose has a lot of good shopping, the area around Hollywood Blvd. is really fun and touristy.
You could go to the Grove, an outdoor mall that has good shopping, food, a really pretty movie theatre. It'll probably remind you of Disneyland because they have this trolly, and fountain and its just magical lol. Plus the Cheesecake Factory there has some really hot waiters. 
Oh and maybe you could check out some clubs on Sunset Blvd.
Updated On: 3/3/06 at 02:28 PM
#15re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:38pmi could tell you what NOT to do, don't follow eddie murphy or hugh grant's example and don't pick up trannys or pros on sunset.
RachLaura
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/05
#17re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 3:04pm
ashley0139
When I went to LA I went on the set of Gilmore Girls.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#19re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 4:41pmyeah I highly recommend doing some shopping on Melrose, I love shopping there! Another thing you can do is maybe check out a show at the Troubadour, not sure who's playing though.
#20re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 4:55pm
The Castaway restaurant in Burbank has a great Sunday brunch. It used to be 1/2 price if you got there before 10am. Not sure if they still offer that.
Check out Seeing-Stars.com. It has tons of info that you can peruse through.
#21re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 5:20pmGo for a tea or tonic at Elixir on Melrose.
#22re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:38pm
Ugh. You guys...no. I'm from L.A (the city, and NOT the valley...the valley is not the city)., and don't hit up Sunset or any of those touristy places if you're looking for something fun and unique.
If you want to go drinking/clubbing...Santa Monica Boulevard all throughout West Hollywood from around Sweetzer to where it ends before hitting Beverly Hills is where it is at. The Standard in downtown L.A. has an incredible views. Also, if you drive along PCH around the Calabasas/Malibu area, you can find some incredible seafood stands and little holes in the wall that will have the most amazing, cheap, and fresh seafood you've ever had.
Stunt Road is an awesome drive with an incredible view. Just take Mullholland Highway and follow the signs to Stunt Road and go through this huge road with cliffs off both sides and when you get to the top, you'll see a breathtaking view of the city and the valley on both sides and Catalina Island. There's not many cops that go up there, so you can pretty much do whatever you want. My friends and I always used to just park on the top of the road and camp out there and look at the stars and drink. However, it's definitely not a road that you'll want to drive on if you've had any form of intoxication. I always suggest driving one of the major canyons (malibu, topanga, canon, puma, etc.) because they're all so different and beautiful.
LuLu's Beehive is a cute cafe in Sherman Oaks on Ventura BLVD and Ethel. They have some really unique art displayed and it's just a nice little hangout with good food.
Melrose is fun, but it gets irritating. It's all overpriced commercial stuff. If you want to do some high end shopping, it's all about Robertson Boulevard, and Fred Segal (the one on Crescent Heights and Melrose, not the Santa Monica one).
The Grove is just a nice outdoor mall, but it has all the same shops as any other mall.
If you must do the Sunset Boulevard thing (to me it's like the equivelent of Times Square...it just irritates me because it's so commercial america and touristy), definitely check out the Sky Bar.
Drunk Disneyland is always fun, but expensive.
You can always try to get a tour of WB or a studio. Universal Studios has their backlot tour, and even though it is considered a ride from the theme park, it's still pretty cool. I used to work at citywalk and I don't suggest it at all. It's gotten so run down and crappy as of late.
Zen Zoo Tea is one of my favorite tea houses. The best one is on Hollywood and Vine. They have really good and fresh boba tea, but it is a little overpriced, yet worth it. They also have some incredible salads and curry dishes.
There are two trendy bars in Studio City...Clear and Sapphire that are on Ventura Boulevard and were always hopping at night.
The Getty is INCREDIBLE. MOCA is very cool.
The Hollywood Bowl is great for a picnic and sometimes you can hear the rehersals and watch them for free.
Venice Beach definitely has the best price on pipes, bongs, etc. which of course are for tobacco use. If you actually want to go the beach, I like Zuma Beach. It's clean and beautiful.
As for restaraunts...do you have any particular type of cuisine that you like/a price range you're looking to stay in? The italian food in L.A. is pretty lame compared to my standards, but you can get some really good french continental and of course, there's nothing like In 'N Out burger.
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#23re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:56pmWhat about hotels? I pretty much know nothing about LA, so what area is the best place to stay with the most stuff to do? And what hotels do you recommend?
#24re: what to do in LA
Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:28pm
It really depends on where you stay. And, whether or not you are going to have a car. It is always nice to stay near the beach, but that will cost you more.
I would actually check Priceline. I have friends who have gotten great deals in LA at decent hotels for as little as $50 a night.
And, I agree with the Getty - go if you can. The gardens alone are with the trip.
I am not sure if you are Jewish, but if you are interested in Jewish history and culture, the Skirball is also a great museum.
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