I have a day to spend in LA today what should I do? I haven't been there since I was little and I don't want to go to only the tourist locations. Anyone have any suggestions?
What are your interests? Want some hiking/non-touristy/ hollywood set visitation? Go to Paramount Ranch. They have an old western town there, and it is almost always empty. The HBO series Carnivale filmed some stuff there, it has been in Dr. Quinn Medicine woman, numerous biography channel re-enactments, and the surrounding area is fun for hiking and has appeared in Gunsmoke, the Rifleman, Paladin, and tons of other old westerns. The hikes are fun but not the best hiking in LA. However, when combined with the old west town it is a fun half day. There are almost never crowds. You can combine that with a trip through the canyons(great scenery) down to the beach. You will be near Zuma beach, and Malibu. Keep going up PCH highway 1 until you arrive at the county line of Ventura and LA. Great surfing there, plus an awesome fish stand known as Neptunes. The food there is great. At night go to a trendy hollywood area and see some improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade. It is right across the street from a huge Scientology center. One of the restaurants next door serves good sloppy joes and garlic mashed potato. If you would rather shop. There is one of the best record stores anywhere on Sunset at Cahuenga. It is a small california chain called Amoeba records. They also have a huge DVD section, and tons of cool collectibles on the walls to look at or buy. For nightlife I recommend a place in Highland park called Mr. T's Bowl. They usually have some good unknown bands and weds. - Fri. it is free. Those are a few less touristy options. It really depends on your interests.
I just got back from three days in LA. Here are some things we did: 1. The Getty Museum - my favorite thing. It's an amazing place and it's free to get in ($7 to park). The art is nice but the place itself is terrific. 2. Stroll down Hollywood Blvd. I wasn't that impressed with the walk of fame and only mildly interested in the hand/foot prints. The people at night were kind of interesting and you could always screw with the Scientologists... 3. Had a friend of ours drive us through Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Malibu, etc.... That was a nice way to see all that stuff real quick. 4. Universal Studeos - a theme park.... It was okay. The attractions are okay to fun if you can deal with the lines and the crowds. My wife was excited to see Wisteria Lane (from Desperate Housewives) on the studeo tour but I wasn't too impressed. If you do go and enjoy riding rides get a front of the line pass for an extra $20. 5. Checked out Venice Beach - kind of like lower Westheimer used to be on the beach X 10. Lots of interesting (weird, crazy, freaky) people. 6. We drove to Laguna Beach and enjoyed lunch, the art museum and got to stroll on the beach (this was actually on the way to San Diego). The only "Hollywood" kind of thing that I got excited about was seeing the Warner Bro's water tower (in Burbank) because that's where Yakko, Wakko and Dot live. Good luck.
ken nailed it here!!! One note...don't go to the Long Beach location...it's in a nice area, but the Roscoe's feel is just not there...go to the original location.
