one night without kids in LA
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Anonymous
| Title says it all. We'll have one full day, a night and then a morning in LA without kids. What should we do? Where should we stay? What should we eat? We like good food and good cocktails. Wherever we stay, I will stay on for work, so I don't want to stay all the way out in Venice but am otherwise open. |
Anonymous
|
Where is work? LA is so big! I went to see my sister without kids and stayed in koreatown which was great for us,
But if your work is downtown that doesn't make sense. |
Anonymous
| I would stay in Santa Monica or Century City. It requires a drive to downtown for work but it's not that bad. I've stayed at the Miramar in Santa Monica, which is very nice, across the street from the beach, walk to 3rd street promenade, etc. |
Anonymous
| The Line Hotel is great |
Anonymous
| My work is actually just one day in Pasadena. I think we're going to stay downtown and then I'll just take Uber to work and then the airport. Now we just need to figure out where to eat and drink. Any ideas? |
Anonymous
In Pasadena, I'd go to Huntington Gardens as long as it is a nice day and not a Monday (closed on Mondays). |
Anonymous
|
there is an awesome hotel in Pasadena (maybe a four seasons? might be in san marino-- use tripadvisor--I'm sorry I'm forgetting the name.
Pasadena is a great town to spend a day in. first of all, it's got a great little downtown area, and has lots of architecture (California cottage style). It has the Huntington Gardens and Library (incredible and go to high tea there) and Descanso Gardens (I like Huntington better but it's very impressive as well). It's got the Norton-Simon museum. There is GREAT food in Pasadena as well. I lived there for a year or so, and my brother lives in Altadena (just above). I am sorry I'm forgetful of the names of a lot of these places, but my point is, no need to go to downtown LA--the ambiance of Pasadena is more romantic and beautiful anyways. That said, if you DO want to go the beach, AND it's not a situation where you are driving to work during rush hour, I'd stay near the beach in Santa Monica (I like Shutters the best, but there is the Lowe's and anything in that area. A little cheaper and the place we've stayed a lot is The Georgian. We live near Santa Monica so we don't use hotels, but we were in DC for a couple years and we used The Georgian when coming back for holidays). The thing I'd like to underscore is PP's point--Los Angeles is HUGE. The problem is traffic. If you don't know the traffic patterns you could be sitting in traffic--wasting your precious day without kids--in traffic. So if it were me, I'd consider enjoying the Pasadena area rather than heading straight toward the beach. (Also make sure the beach is not socked in before you head out. Blue skies in Pasadena do NOT translate to blue skies at the beach) |
Anonymous
|
You won't have a car, so you will be focused downtown? What day of the week will it be?
In the morning, you could go to a museum -- MOCA which is near the Disney Concert Hall and Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels...just things you could check out, if you're inclined. (I would normally suggest hiking in the morning but hard to do from downtown if you don't have a car!) Google downtown LA stairs for a fun way to get exercise, see neighborhoods. For lunch, Little Tokyo is a good spot. I love walking around there. Lots of good hole in the wall noodles places http://www.yelp.com/biz/daikokuya-los-angeles There's the Japanese American Museum there also. After being good tourists, you could go to the rooftop deck/bar at the Ace Hotel for drinks. super hip/fun, good people watching. In the evening, for dinner, you could go to WP24, a Wolfgang Puck asian restaurant at the top of a hotel, amazing views, great food, although it is expensive. For a cozier, less expensive meal, there is Colori Kitchen, which is bring your own wine, but good and unpretentious. Bottega Louie is fun and always bustling. There are bars all around so you could poke in one if you wanted. |
Anonymous
|
You won't have a car, so you will be focused downtown? What day of the week will it be?
In the morning, you could go to a museum -- MOCA which is near the Disney Concert Hall and Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels...just things you could check out, if you're inclined. (I would normally suggest hiking in the morning but hard to do from downtown if you don't have a car!) Google downtown LA stairs for a fun way to get exercise, see neighborhoods. For lunch, Little Tokyo is a good spot. I love walking around there. Lots of good hole in the wall noodles places http://www.yelp.com/biz/daikokuya-los-angeles There's the Japanese American Museum there also. After being good tourists, you could go to the rooftop deck/bar at the Ace Hotel for drinks. super hip/fun, good people watching. In the evening, for dinner, you could go to WP24, a Wolfgang Puck asian restaurant at the top of a hotel, amazing views, great food, although it is expensive. For a cozier, less expensive meal, there is Colori Kitchen, which is bring your own wine, but good and unpretentious. Bottega Louie is fun and always bustling. There are bars all around so you could poke in one if you wanted. |
Anonymous
| Btw, I posted above... there are so many homeless people in downtown so don't be shocked! |
Anonymous
Thanks for these ideas. We'll be there sat-sun and then I'll stay on for work. |
Anonymous
| Beverly Hills, Baby - no place else necessary. |
Anonymous
| The NYT had a travel piece within the last few month entitled "36 hours in Passdena," which will probably be a big help. There is a subway line in Pasadena, but I don't know if it goes anywhere near your downtown locale, or if it's safe near the downtown stop you would need. |
Anonymous
| Stay out of the car if you can...traffic sucks.... |
Anonymous
| Korea Town has some great places to eat - we had wonderful Korean BBQ last time we were there. You can google best places to eat there and get a ton of ideas. |