L.A. on a budget????

[kathy_bc]

We are thinking of staying in L.A. for 3 nights prior to our cruise. We are kind of on a budget, and was wondering what are some good things to do? We have done Disneyland a few times already. So I was thinking of someplace where we can walk around. Maybe go to Santa Monica Pier (never been there). But really not sure where to look or how to research it, it seems all too big (we are from a tiny town). Would appreciate any guidance.

 

FYI, no kids, just 2 adults. :)

 

Previously we had gotten awesome deals on Priceline for the Crowne Plaza San Pedro, and also at Disneyland (Marriott All-Suites). But now we will be leaving from the Carnival cruise pier (which I have never been to either). We are unsure whether we shold spend all 3 nights at Long Beach, or ......???

[Curt Jerome Wild]

For THREE days, you don't want to spend it in Long Beach, especially if you are on a budget.

Long Beach is great for the day or night before, but not if you want to "walk around" and see tourist things.

 

#1 You need to first of all, tell me what your budget range is...

 

#2 Are you renting a car? Or do you just want a hotel that has lots of things in walking distance, and tour possibilities and public transportation from there?

 

#3 What time of year are you going? End of January? Makes a big difference in the recommendations.

 

#4 Please, please, please do not use Priceline for this! It's not good for most of the LA area. Great for San Pedro and Long Beach, not for the rest of LA. For 3 days, your hotel location is much too important to chance on Priceline.

 

Let me know all of this, and I can give you lots of specific hotels that are within your budget, yet safe/nice, and convenient to walking/sightseeing and activities.:D

[Cruisin' Chick]

If you're going in January, walking on the SM pier may be okay (just bring a coat and umbrella as normal weather at that time would be 50s-60s and possibly rain). It won't be beach weather.

 

The Third Street Promenade will be good for a nighttime activity (unless it's pouring rain). Restaurants, shopping, street performers.

 

Are you into museums? The Getty on the west side, LA County Museum of Art, many more.

 

You may want to consider renting a car as many places that may be of interest to you are in different parts of LA. And LA and the environs is bigger than many countries (okay, some states).

[JJ2sail]

I love staying in Long Beach, it's a great city, plenty of places to walk to, and also they have the free Passport shuttle that takes you around the Down town area. You can tour the Queen Mary, go to the Aquarium, take a water taxi ride. Go to Shoreline village and shop. I guess it just depends on what you want to see and do. Long Beach hotels are also being very competitive with their room prices.

 

The Long Beach Hilton has the $94 rate for Carnival cruisers which is a steal!

[kathy_bc]

Ok, travel dates for L.A. would be: Jan 20 - 24 (cruise on 24th). So could either stay 3 nights somewhere else, and then move to Long Beach for the last night??

 

We would not rent a car (come from a small town, and it's too scary for driving down there). :eek:

 

Weatherwise, we're fine. We'll be coming from northern BC, where we would be leaving tons of snow, so I'm sure it will be warm for us down there.

I do remember reading on the San Pedro info that you (Curtis) stressed not to use Priceline for anywhere else. So we definitely won't be doing that for elsewhere. (Thanks to you Curtis, I did get the CP in SP pier for $65 a night last year).

 

Budget?? Hoping under $125 per night for hotel (dont know if that is realistic or not). And enough for a couple of activities, either bus tour (have done the LA bus tour before).

 

Not into museums. Like to people watch and just relax.

 

We can do public transit or bus tours.

 

Cruisin Chick -- where is the 3rd st. promenade?

 

A few years ago we did stay at a hotel near LAX, and got a shuttle to a neat area (maybe Manhattan beach)? Can't remember.

 

Anyhow, Thank you so much for your input.

 

Kathy

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Kathy!

I hope that you see this!

Right now - Sportsmen's Lodge (Universal Studios/Hollywood area) is having a 24 hour sale for those dates!

 

You can't beat it!

http://www.slhotel.com

go to the booking page and make sure to choose the 24 hour sale prices.

 

You can book the room, and cancel up to 24 hours before with no penalty!

 

Standard King is going for $101 and Pool View King is only $114!

It's one of the few pools that is heated 365 days a year in Los Angeles hotels, so even in January you can take advantage of the pool and hot tubs!

 

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Click this thread here to read about it and see pictures:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1037230&page=3

You can see other people's reviews, and Pamangela reports back with tumbs up after her recent trip.

 

You can use that as home base, they have free shuttle to and from Universal for City Walk and such...

You can get 24 or 48 hour passes for the Hop On Hop Off Bus that goes everywhere you could want:

http://www.starlinetours.com/images/SL/HHmap.jpg

 

That's a great option right there. Tons to do all within walking distance, free shuttle, and the Hop On Hop Off Bus.

Great places and stops around there for people watching and relaxing = Universal City Walk, Hollywood & Highland, The Grove LA, further on the yellow route you have Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Promenade, and Venice Beach!

[Cruisin' Chick]

Third Street Promenade is in Santa Monica, not too far from the beach.

 

If you stay at the Sportsman Lodge, you won't be far from Universal City, which has the Citywalk, a big outdoor mall of sorts near Universal Studios. Has nightclubs, stores, restaurants, also a major sized multiplex cinema. My last high school reunion was held at a nightclub there which was a bit of mistake (imagine a bunch of old folks--well, getting there -- trying to hear each other over the band and looking at photographs of kids in the dark).

[Fredr]

hello,

 

You may be from a small town in BC but renting a car in Los Angeles is no different than driving in the Vancouver area. So, do not automatically rule out renting a car.

 

Consider staying in Laguna Beach as this is one of the prettiest beach cities in California. You can walk to the beach and you do not need a car here, as there are restaurants and a large super market within walking distance as well as access to public transportation that can get you anywhere you want to go.

 

I am not knocking Long Beach or Santa Monica but Laguna Beach is an alternative for you to consider.

 

You can fly into SAN aka Santa Ana John Wayne Airport and take Super Shuttle to your hotel.

[kathy_bc]

Thanks Curtis,

That sounds exactly what we would like! Thank you for sending me the info. I had no idea there was such a shuttle, and we were considering doing Universal again (it has been a little while). So this is awesome. Thank you so much!

[kathy_bc]

Thanks Patty,

I think this place sounds like the best place for us. Now to map out the schedule! :)

[O_George]

We are thinking of staying in L.A. for 3 nights prior to our cruise. We are kind of on a budget, and was wondering what are some good things to do? We have done Disneyland a few times already. So I was thinking of someplace where we can walk around. Maybe go to Santa Monica Pier (never been there). But really not sure where to look or how to research it, it seems all too big (we are from a tiny town). Would appreciate any guidance.

 

FYI, no kids, just 2 adults. :)

 

Previously we had gotten awesome deals on Priceline for the Crowne Plaza San Pedro, and also at Disneyland (Marriott All-Suites). But now we will be leaving from the Carnival cruise pier (which I have never been to either). We are unsure whether we shold spend all 3 nights at Long Beach, or ......???

 

Santa Monica pier as long as you prepare for the weather can be a good place to relax and people. And there is also the Third Street Promenade which has some nice shops and eateries.

[hunnypot1]

You are getting lots of help with hotel, so I thought I would suggest some cheap and AUTHENTICALLY "Los Angeles" eats:

 

In n Out Burger

 

 

http://www.in-n-out.com/

 

 

 

 

Tommy's

 

 

 

http://www.originaltommys.com/

 

 

 

If you stay at Sportman's Lodge, try this Jerry's Famous Deli (menu on website). They are open 24 hours too.

 

 

 

 

http://www.jerrysfamousdeli.com/cgi-bin/cNc/showPage.plx?db=jerrysmenu&pid=4

 

 

If you venture downtown, near Union Station, Philippe's is a must. Not many restaurants in LA have been open over 100 years.

 

 

http://www.philippes.com/

 

 

Another LA tradition:

Pinks (in business 70 years)

http://www.pinkshollywood.com/

So many good mexican restaurants around. Too many to name.

Enjoy your trip. :)

[Bruin Steve]

Well, Hunnypot's got a nice little list started...but, with some serious omissions...

I'm not good at posting pictures, but I'll give you some links...

 

Not too far from the Sportsmens Lodge is the Universal City location of one of LA's oldest Italian Restaurants--Miceli's:

 

http://www.micelisrestaurant.com/

 

Since 1949...Food and free entertainment...right across the freeway from Universal Studios...Just follow Ventura East and it turns into Cahuenga...Miceli's is on your right...

 

If you're thinking Pink's, then you are over near the Fairfax District--home to CBS Studios and the Grove and Farmer's Market...On Fairfax is LA's most famous Deli...and hangout to the stars, Canter's:

 

http://www.cantersdeli.com/aboutcanters/

 

Since 1931, Canter's has been THE deli of Los Angeles...IT oozes tradition...

 

Not too far from the Sportsmen's is one of LA's better Delis, Art's...Where "Every Sandwich is a Work of Art"...Open over 50 years:

 

http://www.artsdeli.com/

 

If you are in Downtown LA, this place is a classic...the quintessential depression era eatery...Still looks like it did when it opened in 1924:

 

http://www.pantrycafe.com/faq.html

 

Mexican in LA? Well, possibly the most famous traditional MExican place is this one...Manuel's El Tepeyac:

 

http://www.littleburro.com/taquerias/taqueria-02.html

 

But I doubt we're sending any tourists into the heart of the Barrio unless you really just have to have the world's most incredible burrito...So, we'll direct you to some other classics in easier to get to locations...

 

If you're in Hollywood, a traditional hangout to the stars Mexican cafe is Lucy's El Adobe--right across from Paramount Studios:

 

http://www.seeing-stars.com/Dine2/Lucys.shtml

 

Down Western in Koreatown is one of LA's longest running Mexican restaurants, the original El Cholo, since 1923:

 

http://www.elcholo.com/asp/site/losAngeles/about/history/index.asp

 

Back to Hollywood, here's Hollywood's oldest and most traditional eatery:

 

http://www.mussoandfrankgrill.com/

 

Okay, hit a few of those places and you've done a historical tour of the cuisine of LA...

 

Have fun...

[kathy_bc]

Thank you so much for all the great info. I will now spend a bunch of time going through each one. We live in a tiny town with not very good food, so it will be great to get some awesome meals. I really appreciate all the info everyone has given so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[pvmkmyer]

Even though you're not into museums, if you have a really nice day clear day I would suggest going to the Getty for part of the day. First, it's free (all that oil money). Second, you can't beat the view of LA on a clear day, and you can quickly do part of the museum and then stroll the gardens and have a nice outdoor lunch. It's not all paintings. If you like decorative arts, such as furniture, rugs, antiques, etc., they have a very good collection of period rooms that Mr. Getty bought, dismantled, shippped and rebuilt in the museum. Quite remarkable. But it's the hilltop setting and the gardens that are really great.

[kathy_bc]

The countdown is on! Less than a month and we'll be in L.A. Can hardly wait. Especially since it is -29c outside right now!

 

Today I scored 2 tickets to see Two & a half Men! Does anyone have any idea what we might expect for cab fare from Sportsman Hotel (near Universal Studios) to the Warner Brothers studio? It doesn't look far on the map, but that can be deceiving. Or is there a bus line to there???

 

We booked the Sportsman -- thanks Curt, for the sale details!

 

We are planning on going the hop-on-hop off bus routes to check out other areas of L.A.. But I see that they end around 6pm. Since Two & a Half Men film at 7pm, and runs 2-4 hours, we need to find alternate arrangements.

 

Thanks!

[Curt Jerome Wild]

The countdown is on! Less than a month and we'll be in L.A. Can hardly wait. Especially since it is -29c outside right now!

 

Today I scored 2 tickets to see Two & a half Men! Does anyone have any idea what we might expect for cab fare from Sportsman Hotel (near Universal Studios) to the Warner Brothers studio? It doesn't look far on the map, but that can be deceiving. Or is there a bus line to there???

Great job on the tickets! You want to get there early, so you can get good seats.

I would just take a cab, as it is pretty close (just over the hill), so probably about $10-ish.

We booked the Sportsman -- thanks Curt, for the sale details!

Great on grabbing that sale price!

You might have fun looking at PamAngela's pictures from her time spent in and around Sportsmen's here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1037230&page=5

We are planning on going the hop-on-hop off bus routes to check out other areas of L.A.. But I see that they end around 6pm. Since Two & a Half Men film at 7pm, and runs 2-4 hours, we need to find alternate arrangements.

Thanks!

Like I said, the cab will be pretty inexpensive - especially since you've already saved so much money on the hotel...

There might be a good public transportation though, especially from Universal to Warner Brothers.

I've got to run now, but we can check on that later.

They are not far from each other...

[kathy_bc]

Thanks Curt!

That's exactly the kind of info I needed! $10-20 is no problem. It's when it starts going around $40-50 for a single cab ride! So that's what we'll do! Yes, I booked the room when you said to, and it's only $100 a night! awesome! Great savings!!! Now to plan out all the things to do and eat! There are lots of great suggestions here, so will bring all the info with me. Thanks again, you have a wealth of information there.

[kathy_bc]

Since I will be staying at the Sportmen's Lodge... do you know of any shopping centres close by? We will be using the hop-on-off bus for the Fri/Sat. I'm just not sure what would be a good mall with department stores (like Macy's, Dillards, etc., not the real high-end ones). I was thinking of going to The Grove, but I just saw their website, and it looks all high end. Just wondering what would be in the vicinity, or what areas we would be looking at.

 

I'm hoping Two & a Half Men is still taping, as we did get tickets for that on Friday Jan 22. Got the hints about going early, so we will do that. Maybe bring a book, and ipod for the long wait.

 

Sooo looking forward to this trip.

[Bruin Steve]

Since I will be staying at the Sportmen's Lodge... do you know of any shopping centres close by? We will be using the hop-on-off bus for the Fri/Sat. I'm just not sure what would be a good mall with department stores (like Macy's, Dillards, etc., not the real high-end ones). I was thinking of going to The Grove, but I just saw their website, and it looks all high end. Just wondering what would be in the vicinity, or what areas we would be looking at.

 

I'm hoping Two & a Half Men is still taping, as we did get tickets for that on Friday Jan 22. Got the hints about going early, so we will do that. Maybe bring a book, and ipod for the long wait.

 

Sooo looking forward to this trip.

 

Sherman Oaks Fashion Square (Macy's, Bloomingdales)...

 

http://westfield.com/fashionsquare/

 

...more of a neighborhood mall...it's only about 2 miles away...north on Coldwater Canyon to the 101 West (sign may say north) one exit to Woodman, turn right, then left on Riverside, Mall is on your left...

[kathy_bc]

Sherman Oaks Fashion Square (Macy's, Bloomingdales)...

 

http://westfield.com/fashionsquare/

 

...more of a neighborhood mall...it's only about 2 miles away...north on Coldwater Canyon to the 101 West (sign may say north) one exit to Woodman, turn right, then left on Riverside, Mall is on your left...

 

Thank you Steve. Just what I needed.

[Cruisin' Chick]

That is the closest shopping mall to Sportsman Lodge. My sister works in the Macys there. If you are looking for groceries or beverages, you would need to go to a supermarket like Ralphs or Vons. There's also liquor stores, but Ralphs and Vons (and many of the drug stores here) do carry alcohol.

[kathy_bc]

Would you happen to know what bus goes by there? Or do we cab it from there?

 

I've never heard of Ralphs or Vons - thanks for letting me know. We want to stock up a bit on water and pop. :)

 

So exciting, sooo close now!

 

:)

[kathy_bc]

ARGG!! Two & Half Men taping that we got tickets for (this friday) has been cancelled. Guess we'll have to plan other things to do for Friday.

 

Looking forward to the trip. We leave tomorrow morning.