Los Angeles for a week alone

[North West Tom]

I've seen a few threads pop up recently about youngsters off to LA alone. Well, here's another!

I've booked flights to go next month, I'm going from Tuesday - Monday. I have a good idea of what I'd like to do/see while I'm there but I've no clue about timeframes etc. The only certainty is a concert on the Friday night at The Forum. Other things I'd like to see:

- Griffith Observatory
- Malibu
- Possibly a helicopter tour
- That car museum
- Hollywood/Beverly Hills

I'm also thinking about Vegas for a day, if I fly out in the morning and come back the same night? I'd like to see Vegas but I don't drink and I don't gamble, also would the flights be full of rowdy drunks?

I haven't booked accommodation yet. I'm pretty sure I'll be using Airbnb, but I'm not sure where to stay. I hear Santa Monica is good for young travellers.

I will probably rent a car. Has anyone used Turo before? Seems to be like Airbnb for cars. Unfortunately I'm only 23, so the top stuff is out of limits, which is a shame. I'm not really into Mustangs and Camaros etc, would much prefer a boring German, and I've heard good things about Silvercar. If anyone has any advice or tips about parking in LA please let me know.

Last thing, I'm on an A380 both ways with BA. Annoyingly if I want to reserve my seat now I have to pay £36-67. Is it worth waiting until 48 hours before when it's free or will they have been reserved by then? I'm quite picky as to where I want to sit.

Thanks!

[Truckosaurus]

North West Tom said:

...Is it worth waiting until 48 hours before when it's free ...

If you do the online check-in exactly 24hrs before the flight then you should be able to get a decent seat (assuming your preference is nothing fancy like the exit row) but otherwise all the good seats will have been booked up by people with loyalty club status who can reserve things much earlier - or to people who have paid the extra fees.

[North West Tom]

So I returned home yesterday after an amazing week. I've never been more gutted to leave a place than I was leaving LA. I went in quite blindly having only booked it a few weeks ago, but I kept myself busy. I'll start from the beginning.

My flight was from T5 at 9.45am, so I booked to stay at the Sofitel the night before which is literally a walkway across. After deliberating over all Heathrow hotels, this was clearly the best. Most expensive yes at £200 for the night but definitely worth it. Walked over to T5, checked in and through security quickly and easily. I did end up paying £42 to reserve a seat each way. I already paid £600 for the flights so an extra £80 won't hurt. I asked the cabin crew lady if the flight was full and she said there were a few empty seats in First. I cheekily asked how to get one of those empty seats without paying loads of money and she politely told me "You don't!" However, I got lucky as nobody was sat next to me for the 10 hour journey! I chose to go upstairs where it's a 2-4-2 layout with extra storage next to window seats (which I reserved) so that was a comfortable flight! I was the envy of economy!

Landed at LAX at 1pm LA time, had a guy approach me about transfers. Told me his taxi was $5 per mile plus taxes. No thanks! Then had a guy approach me saying he's an Uber driver. Put my address in his phone (Mid-Wilshire) and it came to $144. No thanks also! I used Lyft instead. Thought I entered a free code but it didn't work. Anyway it was only $20 for an 11-mile, 35 minute ride. When I didn't have my rental car, I used Lyft. It's fantastic! Chilled out that day after the travelling. Walked up to T-Mobile, got a US sim. The cheapest deal they had was $50 + $20 activation fee, which they swapped for a nice phone case. Pricey but essential I found. I think Three do good US deals so I'll look into that next time.

Next day I went to Vegas. I was sure I was on the 12.05 flight, but I checked my booking in my apartment at 10.15 and I actually booked the 11.05 flight. Oh fk. Got on Lyft straight away and a car was here in a couple of minutes. Got to the airport about 30 minutes later. I was still going through security at 11.05 and was expecting to hear them calling my name over the PA system. Anyway, got through security, checked the board. Delayed 30 minutes! I'm not sure if I could have got the next flight with no charge but I'm glad I made the 11.05 flight as (smug brag inbound) I sat next to a model who I spoke to for the duration and exchanged info with. At this point I didn't care if I enjoyed Vegas or not!

Anyway, landed in Vegas, got a Lyft to the Strip. Basically just walked around for a while through the hotels and casinos. Lyft back to the airport later that evening for my 8.20pm flight. No model next to me on that flight, but a lovely lady who I spoke with. Told her I was on my own and didn't know anyone in the US. She demanded I take her number in case of an emergency or if I needed anything. She mentioned she had a son my age so I think she was just in overprotective 'mum-mode'. I'm not sure if I got lucky with who I met but everybody seems really friendly over there.

For food, I used Uber Eats, but it was quite pricey so I had quite a lot of Subways etc. Tried an In N Out after hearing the hype. It was vile. Would rather have eaten the paper it came in.

Anyway, next day I picked up my rental car after the biggest ball-ache ever. My first choice was Turo which I mentioned the age limit is 21. I entered my details, ready to reserve a car but they said because I'm not from the US the age limit is 25. Tried Silvercar next. No mention of foreigner age limits so I entered my details, ready to reserve a car, then they said credit card only. No debit cards. I asked if I could use a family member's and they said no. Next up was BH Rent a Car. I asked if they rented to under 25s and they said yes! Entered my details ready to reserve a car. They then reminded me they only provide the car to u25s, not the insurance. Great, back to square fking one!

In the end I just used Sixt. They guaranteed rentals (inc insurance) to u25s. Reserved a Corolla/Jetta. It'll do! Go to the nearest branch to pick it up and they told me I've been given a complimentary upgrade! Great! Except it was a big fk-off Chevy Traverse 7 seater. I drive a Fiat 500 daily, there's no way I'm driving this thing for a week without dinging it (I got stick off my mates for this). I phoned the branch, told them thanks but no thanks, could I have something smaller? They said they don't have anything smaller at the moment, check back tomorrow. So the 'complimentary upgrade' actually meant 'We've oversold your kind of car, this is all we've got'.

I phoned another branch (Venice) who told me they have something smaller. So I trundled down Venice Blvd (probably over two lanes) to the other branch. They said they've just gotta check for fuel etc. I'd driven literally 10 miles in it and they said they have to charge me for a gallon as it isn't full. At this point I just didn't care, I just wanted rid of this thing. Anyway, they gave me a brand spanking new Corolla. 8 miles on the clock! Perfect! And it was actually great! I did 200 miles over 5 days and it cost me $35 in fuel.

That evening I went over to Griffith Observatory at sunset. I'll leave pictures below. Absolutely stunning views. Friday was The 1975 gig at The Forum which was great show! Sat + Sun were quite chilled days. I did the Petersen Motor Museum, shopping in Glendale, drove the PCH to Malibu, Beverly Hills, then did Santa Monica Pier later at night. Didn't get to see Venice Beach unfortunately, but oh well, I'll do that next time.

And that's it really! My flight home was delayed a couple of hours. We left LA at midnight Monday night. Landed here at 5 Tuesday evening. I think today is Wednesday. Anyway, some photos! I think LA is the most Instagram-able place in the world!

[silobass]

Nice photos and write up, thanks for posting.

[Orchid1]

I've been thinking of doing this as well maybe sometime next year (i've never been anywhere alone before and fancy the challenge/experience) so thanks for posting .

[bob1179]

Excellent write up! Sounds like you had a great time.

I did similar with a mate of mine back in 2003. We just arrived, rented a car and went out exploring. Back then there were no Apps though so we had to use the local 'What's On' paper and got the hotel receptionist to give us some pointers.

I had a great week there. Always meant to go back but never got around to it.

[S7Paul]

If there's going to be a next time, make sure you visit the Nethercutt Museum and Collection. You have to book for the Collection, but it's free (as is the Museum) and will be one of the highlights of your trip.

[so called]

Oh poo, I didn't see the date of your thread.
I was going to say visit this restaurant in Malibu.



Oh well, glad you had a great time.
I love visiting LA.

[Chris7865677]

Great post and pictures!