Going to California...need some advice

heyitsstock · Post by **heyitsstock** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:30 am

*****IMPORTANT PARTS ARE IN COLOR*****

My girlfriend and I are taking a vacation to California, mainly for the X-Games. I was going to book a hotel in LA, since the X-games are in LA and I wanted to look at job opportunities in the area. The problem is, we both grew up on the beach and we wanted to stay closer to the beach; I was thinking Santa Monica. Now, to my understanding public transportation is basically a no-go in California; higher costs(than I am used to from Atlantic City and NYC), unreliable service, and the fact that it is not readily accessible. So I'm trying to figure out which would be more beneficial, staying in LA or Santa Monica.

Staying in LA:
+How attractive/unattractive is the heart of LA, is it comparable to Times Square. We really don't want to get off the plane and feel like we are walking into NYC. That would feel like a wasted trip.
+How bad is public transportation? I have heard it is miserable, but are they over reacting?
+How are the people in general? Are most people laid back? It is a city so I'm assuming there are many tourists and rushed business personnel.

Staying in Santa Monica:
+How is the general area? Clean? People attitudes?
+Again, 3 days we would be going into LA for the X-games. Since we have to use public transportation would staying this far away be expensive and a bad idea?

Any other tips for this area of California or the state in general. Things to look out for at the airport. Anything would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

alsey_seven · Post by **alsey_seven** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:58 am

San diego

Post by **Diablo0** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 12:06 pm

...which of course in German means a whale's vagina.

Oh... n/m, continue...

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 4:14 pm

Stop being a cheap ass and get a rental car

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:24 pm

Diablo0 wrote:...which of course in German means a whale's vagina.

Oh... n/m, continue...

bwhahahahahahahahhahahhah

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:13 pm

Adionik wrote:Stop being a cheap ass and get a rental car

Being under 25 that automatically adds a minimum of $75 to the rental cost. a three day rental in LA probably would cost $400

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:04 pm

When I went to Vegas there was no option for me to drive the rental car

heyitsstock · Post by **heyitsstock** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:15 pm

alsey_seven wrote:San diego

best joke ever

and the rental car is a waste.... I'm looking to drive around a few cities that i have never been to before...

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:37 pm

I find the parts in color very hard to read... guess I missed all the important stuff.

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:52 pm

Adionik wrote:When I went to Vegas there was no option for me to drive the rental car

I never have a problem renting cars (I do it a lot), it just costs $25 - $35 extra per day.

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:19 pm

I'm from California..

Yea thats I'll I got. I only go back to visit my friends as the state wears me out.

latief · Post by **latief** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:49 pm

I just came back from a trip the LA, Ugliest most chaotic city ever ......endless highways everywhere, endless traffic jams, and not much to see honestly except for some of the famous landmarks and Beverly hills. the natural setting of mountains and sea was beautiful, and so were some of the expensive houses...!!!

whatever you do, do not get a hotel in downtown because there is no place whatsoever to park......you have to buy a monthly parking pass from one of the lots for at least $150 just to be able to park over night. downtown is dead after 7:00pm except for the endless homeless people everywhere.....nothing really to see or do ....public transportation is not for someone who does not know the city, at least that is how we felt ......

Enterprise rental was 160 for 5 days!!! I picked it up from LAX, just make sure you reserve before you go there because the line was long.....

good luck!

OB · Post by OB » Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:49 pm

LA isn't really a good place for tourism. High crime rate, lots of pollution, and really not that many cool things to do. Unless you're into Disneyland or something... I'd say it's comparable to NYC, just shittier and warmer. As far as public trans goes, I don't think you'll have any problems. Taxis aren't very popular in CA; if you want one you have to call. You can take a city bus around town, but if you're trying to go from city to city I don't know what to tell you (aka you're screwed). LA is different than Sac though, so you might get lucky. Never been to Santa Monica but I'd be willing to bet it's extremely similar to the rest of LA. They're considered one and the same, kind of how Manhattan is just part of NY.

crimson_heart_2003 · Post by **crimson_heart_2003** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:09 pm

I would stay as close to the X-games venues as possible, if that's what you're MAINLY going for. I agree with getting a rental, if it's not too much. It will make your life easier. Venice Beach and Santa Monica pier are both about 30-45 mins from the Staples Center (IIRC), depending on traffic... and there is gonna be plenty of it with an event like that.

If you do go the rental car route... I HAVE to recommend 2 places to eat... Johnny's Pastrami and Tito's Tacos. They're both on the corner of Sepulveda Blvd. and Washington Pl. You'll absolutely LOVE the food... if you like pastrami (you have to have it...) and tacos & awesome fresh chips & salsa. They're only about 15 mins from the Staples Center. Annnnywho, getting far off you're original question. Stay in LA.

heyitsstock · Post by **heyitsstock** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:06 am

we're staying in the Sheraton Los Angeles... 5 mins away from the staples center...

thursday and friday we will be at the staples center

sat and sunday we will be going to carlson, home depot center

monday will prob be santa monica

tuseday somewhere then returning home

contagious18 · Post by **contagious18** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:07 pm

santa monica is nice. la is crazy with traffic.

01neon01 · Post by **01neon01** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:54 pm

oh man i live in this general area and i think you might feel a little over your head so ill try to help you with as much info as i possibly can.

Staying in LA:
+How attractive/unattractive is the heart of LA, is it comparable to Times Square. We really don't want to get off the plane and feel like we are walking into NYC. That would feel like a wasted trip.

Downtown really isnt a touristy kinda of place to go its mostly big bank/ financial buildings.

+How bad is public transportation? I have heard it is miserable, but are they over reacting?

Traffic during rush hour sucks. and public transportation is a joke at best unless you take the metro somewhere, but it covers a limited area.

+How are the people in general? Are most people laid back? It is a city so I'm assuming there are many tourists and rushed business personnel.

LA in general is a mix of people from every walk of life. You'll probably encounter thee good and the bad, and just other kinds of random stuff.

Staying in Santa Monica:
+How is the general area? Clean? People attitudes?

Santa monica is a little less hectic that downtown la. theres more place you can visit.
visit the pier( its the same one from the scene in iron man where the kids are on the ferris wheel in the middle of the night. then you also have the promenade, its an out door promenade with lots of shopping and places to eat)

+Again, 3 days we would be going into LA for the X-games. Since we have to use public transportation would staying this far away be expensive and a bad idea?

RENT a car. The home depot center in carson, is a good 25-30 miles from the santa monica area. and try to get there early the exits around it get really bad. ive been there for warped tour and x-games. it can take 45+ minutes to get off the freeway exit and into the home depot center (this distance is maybe a good 2-3 miles tops)

heres just a random list of places you should consider visiting while you're down here:

LACMA
Getty museum
Petersen Automotive museum
La Brea tar pits
Aquarium of the Pacific ( its in Long Beach)
the farmers market in LA
Third street Promenade in Santa Monica
Venice Beach
HollyWood sign and the walk of fame

Places to eat.

Fogo De Chao ( brazillian bbq its amazing)
Stinking Rose -its a garlic restaurant
( these are both in beverly hills)
In n out
C & O ( in venice right off the boardwalk)

i could go on but im kinda tired. just let me know if i can help you out with anything else.
theres a million things to do in the LA area you just kinda need to know about them or you wont know they exist. Its kinda what makes people that arent from around here hate it.

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:27 am

Id say santa monica. Its always looked like a nicer place than even the nicest spot in LA ive been to. The staples center looks awesome on TV but shitty in person.

LA traffic fuckin sucks. that and if u stay in santa monica ur that much closer to santa barbara which is a really nice place but also has its bad parts.

Haganracing · Post by **Haganracing** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:49 am

Where did this rental car thing come up? I didn't see rental car in the red writing..?

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:39 pm

Haganracing wrote:Where did this rental car thing come up? I didn't see rental car in the red writing..?

Its written in charcoal color...

Haganracing · Post by **Haganracing** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:39 am

jetas wrote:
Haganracing wrote:Where did this rental car thing come up? I didn't see rental car in the red writing..?
Its written in charcoal color...

For some reason i swore the post said "important stuff is in red"

Oh well, its all good.

DoubtedNeon · Post by **DoubtedNeon** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:59 am

I would also say santa monica, just heads up for the homeless and crazies, other wise your good to go.

we stayed at the holiday inn (I think)??? tat was about 2 blocks off the beach.

you would be happier renting a car and staying in santa monica.

if ur going for something big like the x-games, u mind as well go all out.

2GN.ORG

Going to California...need some advice

Stay in LA or Santa Monica

Going to California...need some advice