Los Angeles

[aeropilot]

mattyn1 said:

The G Kid said:

We're looking at doing the I-10 route, with at least one overnight stop before arriving at the South Rim. It's not completely set in stone as other variables to consider (such as NFL fixtures being released next month). But quite keen on spending a night at the Grand Canyon, which would fit better this way IMO.

On our trip we are heading to South Rim from Holbrook and staying in Tusayan,
https://www.grandcanyonplaza.com

and getting a GC Plane ride. Sunset Hummer Tour of the South Rim included.

Next day we head to Page via the eastward route GC viewpoints - at Page do Horseshoe and Antelope (if there is time). Staying in an Airbnb.

Next day head to GC North Rim staying o/n at the lodge there.
https://www.grandcanyonnorth.com

Then following day, North Rim sunrise, then into Vegas (dusk arrival) via Zion.

Busy, but recommended by people on here.

I more or less did that route back in 1987, and yes very much recommend.

Didn't do north rim though, went from south rim via the 160 up to Monument Valley, as was a bit of a period western film fan, and so many great films were made there, and to see that do the desert floor tour with a Navajo etc was much better than seeing the Grand Canyon again from a different angle.
Stayed in Page and then headed over Glen Canyon Dam and headed into Utah via Kanab and up to see Bryce Canyon, which is even more amazing. From there headed back through fabulous Zion National Park and stayed in Gt.George before heading down to Vegas.

[fourstardan]

Drive I found from LA to Vegas was a bit mundane, Death Valley is a long trip.

Look out for decent gigs on in LA, you just never know who will be playing.

Has anyone gone down to the corner where the USS IOWA is and Portuguese Bend Reserve? Looks like somewhere I'd be going next time to explore.

[craig1912]

fourstardan said:

Drive I found from LA to Vegas was a bit mundane, Death Valley is a long trip.

I thought it was OK, went off road abit and stopped at “Star wars” Valley to watch the planes.

[The G Kid]

mattyn1 said:

On our trip we are heading to South Rim from Holbrook and staying in Tusayan,
https://www.grandcanyonplaza.com

and getting a GC Plane ride. Sunset Hummer Tour of the South Rim included.

Next day we head to Page via the eastward route GC viewpoints - at Page do Horseshoe and Antelope (if there is time). Staying in an Airbnb.

Next day head to GC North Rim staying o/n at the lodge there.
https://www.grandcanyonnorth.com

Then following day, North Rim sunrise, then into Vegas (dusk arrival) via Zion.

Busy, but recommended by people on here.

Edited by mattyn1 on Thursday 11th April 17:56

Edited by mattyn1 on Thursday 11th April 17:57

Thanks for the info.

[EmilA]

Sadly yes, LAX is just that bad. My return flight home was around then and the traffic within the airport was the same as when I landed 2 weeks prior.

I saw alot of the bike tours, it’s a nice way to travel around and sight see. I tried Bubba Gump in Long Beach and it wasn’t that great, have been before to other branches aswell. The rides are fun on the Pier.

BOA for steaks is good in Santa Monica but pricy. And we were fans of the Indian restaurant Tumbi a few doors down, and really enjoyed HiHo burgers around the corner from them too.
Alternatively North Italia for some excellent food. Spoilt for choice in so many ways.
We stayed on Ocean Ave and Third Street Promenade was a nice place to walk around during Christmas.

A drive along PCH to Neptunes Net (seafood place from Fast & Furious 1) is also a nice way to drive along the coast.

Now I want to visit California again!

[fourstardan]

EmilA said:

Now I want to visit California again!

I think we all do but can't stomach the poor value we'd get now days out of the pound.

Food never disappoints over in CA, a bit of sunshine, rare periods of rain and blue skies works wonders and I never get that feeling in other states in the US.

[Crook]

fourstardan said:

Look out for decent gigs on in LA, you just never know who will be playing.

.

That’s a really good shout. We saw Hot Chip and Say She She last year. Just missed out on Chrissie Hynde playing at the Wild West town outside Palm Springs.

[The G Kid]

EmilA said:

Sadly yes, LAX is just that bad. My return flight home was around then and the traffic within the airport was the same as when I landed 2 weeks prior.

I saw alot of the bike tours, it’s a nice way to travel around and sight see. I tried Bubba Gump in Long Beach and it wasn’t that great, have been before to other branches aswell. The rides are fun on the Pier.

BOA for steaks is good in Santa Monica but pricy. And we were fans of the Indian restaurant Tumbi a few doors down, and really enjoyed HiHo burgers around the corner from them too.
Alternatively North Italia for some excellent food. Spoilt for choice in so many ways.
We stayed on Ocean Ave and Third Street Promenade was a nice place to walk around during Christmas.

A drive along PCH to Neptunes Net (seafood place from Fast & Furious 1) is also a nice way to drive along the coast.

Now I want to visit California again!

Thanks for the info. I may look at an alternative to Bubba Gump.

[craig1912]

The G Kid said:

Thanks for the info. I may look at an alternative to Bubba Gump.

Went to one in NY and thought it was awful.

We went to Neptunes net(we were driving down the coast anyway) and it was OK.

[Calza]

EmilA said:

A drive along PCH to Neptunes Net (seafood place from Fast & Furious 1) is also a nice way to drive along the coast.

This is vital information. A little drive along the coast AND some F&F nostalgia?

Thank you very much.

[fourstardan]

Crook said:

That’s a really good shout. We saw Hot Chip and Say She She last year. Just missed out on Chrissie Hynde playing at the Wild West town outside Palm Springs.

A colleague and me were on business in 2006 and the Pet Shop Boys were in town playing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellissier_Building_...

They had the most amazing cult following it seemed, kids, old guys, just happy happy people.

[The G Kid]

Any thoughts on staying Downtown LA v West Hollywood or Beverly Hills area? Always stay IHG hotels, so choice is between the amazing looking IC Downtown or one of the Kimptons. I appreciate traffic can be a pain but it appears the IC is actually quicker to get to from LAX than the others. Plans in LA are Santa Monica, sunset ride in the hills, visit to Coolkicks, hopefully an NBA game, and a bit of Beverly Hills.

Any advice gratefully received!

[aeropilot]

The G Kid said:

Any thoughts on staying Downtown LA v West Hollywood or Beverly Hills area? Always stay IHG hotels, so choice is between the amazing looking IC Downtown or one of the Kimptons. I appreciate traffic can be a pain but it appears the IC is actually quicker to get to from LAX than the others. Plans in LA are Santa Monica, sunset ride in the hills, visit to Coolkicks, hopefully an NBA game, and a bit of Beverly Hills.

Any advice gratefully received!

Never stayed Downtown, so can't comment.
In all the trips over there I've made, its either been in a nearby LAX airport, or nearby in Playa Del Rey, or up in Santa Monica or up in Brentwood/Westwood area.

[craig1912]

The G Kid said:

Any thoughts on staying Downtown LA v West Hollywood or Beverly Hills area? Always stay IHG hotels, so choice is between the amazing looking IC Downtown or one of the Kimptons. I appreciate traffic can be a pain but it appears the IC is actually quicker to get to from LAX than the others. Plans in LA are Santa Monica, sunset ride in the hills, visit to Coolkicks, hopefully an NBA game, and a bit of Beverly Hills.

Any advice gratefully received!

We stayed near the Kimpton Everly and that area was fine and walking distance from a few places and short taxi rides to others.
Picked up our car from Hertz at Loews Hollywood Hotel and found the driving fine.

[Truckosaurus]

Downtown is just offices isn't it? I'd not stay there for a holiday unless there were some deals.

You'll have to do lots of driving about so I'd say location isn't totally important as long as you are in the rough area of place you plan on visiting.

[gotoPzero]

We have stayed in DLTA twice.

Both times at the Hyatt Figueroa.

We thought the location was good.

Parking on site, stones throw from the 110.
30 min walking distance to most of DTLA attractions although we did drive most of the time.

The only down side is you have to avoid times when something major is on at the LA arena because its directly next door.

We have also stayed up in Thousand Oaks and found that just to be a bit too far away.

The problem with LA is the major 3 or 4 tourist areas are all quite spread out. 5 to 10 miles between each.

[The G Kid]

craig1912 said:

We stayed near the Kimpton Everly and that area was fine and walking distance from a few places and short taxi rides to others.
Picked up our car from Hertz at Loews Hollywood Hotel and found the driving fine.

Did you rate the Everly? Thanks.

[craig1912]

The G Kid said:

Did you rate the Everly? Thanks.

Stayed near it not in it.
Don’t believe in staying in anything expensive when all we need is a bed for the night. Think we stayed T somewhere about half the price of the Everly but it was fine.

[The G Kid]

craig1912 said:

Stayed near it not in it.
Don’t believe in staying in anything expensive when all we need is a bed for the night. Think we stayed T somewhere about half the price of the Everly but it was fine.

Sorry, misread your original post!