Heading to LA next weekend for a conference and then a mini vacation with Mrs. FlaSoxx. My to do list is filled up with museums, food, and cocktail bars, but I assume there's a thng or two on my list I might be missing.

 

Thinking about doing a day and maybe an overnight on Catalina, the standard tourist bus and/or walking tours, Hollywood hills, Rodeo Drive, etc.

 

What else should we consider hitting? We're there for 8 days and though I'm in a conference for the first half of that I have evenings free to play.

 

Thanks for any insights.

 

You're going to be disappointed with the tourist bus/walking tours, more than likely.

Go an hour south to San Diego and you will be much happier.

There are a number of quality restaurants that can be found throughout the area.

 

Interested in a Dodger game or an Angel game?

 

Or you could hit up a scalper and try a Laker game.

I really enjoy Universal studios there because I am a big kid but I know you have that stuff down in Florida.

If you want some argentinian food, go to this place called lala's jim. Its real good. I'll write up something more descript for you.

I really enjoy Universal studios there because I am a big kid but I know you have that stuff down in Florida.

Universal Studios Hollywood is absolute crap as a theme park. There's probably more "actually used in movies" stuff, but otherwise...it's craptackular.

Universal Studios Hollywood is absolute crap as a theme park. There's probably more "actually used in movies" stuff, but otherwise...it's craptackular.

 

I know its not one of the better ones...I really do. I think I just had such a good time there when I went that I didnt notice all its flaws. The Simpsons ride was awesome.

If you want some argentinian food, go to this place called lala's jim. Its real good. I'll write up something more descript for you.

 

This is one of your favorite cities in the world soooo....

We have the theme parke here, sure, but Disneyland still has some allure as the first one with some history. Probably no time to hit it though. San Diego we might be able to pull off. Anybody have any thoughts on Catalina Island? Mariners are in town to play the Angels while we're there, but probably going to pass due to time constraints.

If you want some argentinian food, go to this place called lala's jim. Its real good. I'll write up something more descript for you.

 

Yumm. Good beef I assume? Anybody ever go to the Stinking Rose out there? Interesting looking garlic themed restaurant.

Yumm. Good beef I assume? Anybody ever go to the Stinking Rose out there? Interesting looking garlic themed restaurant.

 

It's REALLY expensive, and I found the food just okay.

Good restaurants:

 

Bossa Nova (Brazilian) on Sunset and also Robertson.

BJ's Pizza in Westwood and also Burbank.

lots of good sushi places too.

 

 

As for sights, apart from touristy things, see the Griffith Observatory and the LA County Museum of Art (on Wilshire). Worth it.

This is one of your favorite cities in the world soooo....

Whoa, whoa, I f***ing hate LA.

Good restaurants:

 

Bossa Nova (Brazilian) on Sunset and also Robertson.

BJ's Pizza in Westwood and also Burbank.

lots of good sushi places too.

 

 

As for sights, apart from touristy things, see the Griffith Observatory and the LA County Museum of Art (on Wilshire). Worth it.

 

The Griffith is at the top of my list ‚ an not just because I'm a Rebel Without a Cause fan. It's a museum conference I'm going to and a behind the scenes at teh Griffith and the Natural History Museum is on the itinerary.

 

Any cocktilians been to the Varnish yet? It's a vintage cocktail bar tucked inside a room at the back of Cole's and it looks unbelievably good.

 

We have the theme parke here, sure, but Disneyland still has some allure as the first one with some history. Probably no time to hit it though. San Diego we might be able to pull off. Anybody have any thoughts on Catalina Island? Mariners are in town to play the Angels while we're there, but probably going to pass due to time constraints.

Catalina isn't that great, but than again I might have different interests than you. Kind of a neat place, but to me nothing real special and it gets boring pretty quickly. I've snorkeled there and camped there and from a camping environment it can be a cool place to go. But to just spend a day there given the short period of time you'll have I definitely wouldn't recommend it.

 

If you are in LA, you'll probably want to do Hollywood (even though I personally think it sucks). In general I think you will be dissapointed by LA. It really isn't that great of a city. Albeit there are some nice options for restaurants and the star thing can be interesting.

 

We don't have any real amazing museums or anything like that and nothing super historic to see. San Diego Zoo/Sea World are kind of cool, famous places.

 

I guess the Getty could be a good thing to see if you like art museums. I can't comment too much cause it isn't really something I'm incredibly interested in.

Yumm. Good beef I assume? Anybody ever go to the Stinking Rose out there? Interesting looking garlic themed restaurant.

I almost went last year but went somewhere else instead. I think its supposed to be pretty good, expensive but good.

Yumm. Good beef I assume? Anybody ever go to the Stinking Rose out there? Interesting looking garlic themed restaurant.

Ya, very good.

 

Here's a link with some reviews. Santa Monica Promenade is a cool place to walk around.

 

http://www.yelp.com/biz/lalas-argentine-grill-los-angeles

I hope you aren't flying in to LAX, ugh.

I hope you aren't flying in to LAX, ugh.

 

Indeed I am. One of my least favorite airports as well, but usually I've just been on layover.

If I wasn't out in Indy for business, I'd tell you we'd have to catch a game or have a beer together.

The place that invented the french dip sandwich is in downtown LA, cant remember the name.

Ya, very good.

 

Here's a link with some reviews. Santa Monica Promenade is a cool place to walk around.

 

http://www.yelp.com/biz/lalas-argentine-grill-los-angeles

Taking the wife for a walk down the 3rd street promenade and Rodeo drive is nice.

 

There's also the LaBrea tar pits and a museum next door to it that interested me.

If I wasn't out in Indy for business, I'd tell you we'd have to catch a game or have a beer together.

 

That would be cool — another time.

 

The place that invented the french dip sandwich is in downtown LA, cant remember the name.

 

That's Cole's which is where the Varnish cocktail bar is, so it will certainly be a stop.

 

Taking the wife for a walk down the 3rd street promenade and Rodeo drive is nice.

 

There's also the LaBrea tar pits and a museum next door to it that interested me.

 

Yeah, I've wanted to go to the tar pits since I was like 10 years old, so it will be fun to finally do that.

 

Thanks for all the good suggestions. California folks. Keep them coming.

 

If you're looking for a bar with some history, Barneys Beanery comes to mind.

 

If you're looking for standard americanized shopping, the Glendale Galleria is quite a place.