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Looks like I'll be spending a week in L.A. this December, and I'll be free to do as I wish during the day (taking a vacation with the Wife, but she's got conferences during the day).

So, what's there to do in L.A.?

It'll be my first time in California. I've lived my whole life in N.Y. and N.J..

No Symian has been to California?

(It's an exceptional helping bump)

[QUOTE=krunchyfrogg]
So, what's there to do in L.A.?
[/QUOTE]

Hey, nobody is doing nothing on me! Except the girls of course.

Anyway, I dont remember any symiers being from LA or nearby areas...

I went to LA for three days like, eight years ago or something, with my parents, and I can't say I was that impressed by it. It's all theme parks and gangland shootings. My advice: hire a car, drive up to San Francisco and hang out there for a few days, then pick your wife up on the way back to LA airport.

There are all sorts of things to do and see in LA and surrounding areas. Sports, movie studios, music, restaurants, art, architecture, Disneyland... Check out a few tour guides. What interests you?

There's always Disneyland if that's your thing.

I was in Anaheim for a conference back in 2002. Most of my time was spent doing "work", but for a day over the weekend my co-workers and I rented a car and drove into LA and got a nice scenic tour of Beverly Hills (and the not-so-nice neighbourhood east of Beverly Hills). We walked up and down Rodeo Drive just for kicks and worried about being pulled over for DWP (driving while poor) in our crappy little rented Chevy Cavalier.

The next day we got up early and drove out to Huntington Beach for breakfast on the beach and drove up and down the Pacific Coast Highway for a ways before the conference started.

I can't say I did much touristy stuff out there, but it seems that if you really want to see a lot of the sights you'll need to rent a car.

You could drive up to San Francisco, but San Diego is closer is also a very nice place to visit.

[QUOTE=HighLordDave]I was in Anaheim for a conference back in 2002. Most of my time was spent doing "work", but for a day over the weekend my co-workers and I rented a car...

The next day we got up early and drove out to Huntington Beach for breakfast on the beach and drove up and down the Pacific Coast Highway for a ways before the conference started.

I can't say I did much touristy stuff out there, but it seems that if you really want to see a lot of the sights you'll need to rent a car...[/QUOTE]
Renting a car is a good idea, but I don't recommend "driving around" trying to find things to see. It's best to know what you're looking for in advance, and it's best to avoid unnecessary driving in L.A. The traffic is horrible, the roads are confusing, and L.A. is a patchwork that can't really be appreciated in a linear car ride. I recommend studying it section by section.

For example, you can take tours of individual neighborhoods. If you like architecture, Wilshire Boulevard is sort of like the "spine" of L.A. and studying it will give you some insight into how L.A. developed. You can also understand L.A. better by studying the natural geography. The Santa Monica Mountains run right through the city sort of like Central Park, splitting off San Fernando Valley. You could also study individual architects--for example, I once tried to see as many works by Frank Gehry (Loyola Law School) and Richard Meier (Getty Center) as I could, and it made a nice "theme trip". (In the same spirit, I once visited all of the old Spanish missions in San Antonio, Texas.)

I'm not really into "lifestyles of the rich and famous", but there's plenty of that in L.A. if it interests you. Most of L.A. doesn't really reflect the existence of Hollywood, but you can't really forget it when you're in L.A., especially if you visit movie studios or Hollywood's "Walk of Fame" (where all of the footprints are) or if you spend all of your time trying to spot movie stars.

My car rides up the coast have always been disappointing. Car rides up to the mountains are more enjoyable, in my experience. The beaches around L.A. are not very nice. If you're "lucky", you might see a few offshore oil platforms, or a load of Nike shoes might wash ashore. The beaches around San Diego are much nicer.

North Of LA

There actually are some rather impressive sights on the coast, but north of L.A. is not prime "beaching" ground. But the beauty of places like Big Sur, should not be overlooked.

It would help if we knew what kind of things you've enjoyed in the past. I hate cities, so I'm constantly trying to get away. L.A. is a monster to drive THROUGH, but there are great places a couple hours away.

I went to a little town called Idylwild in some mountians about three hours away this January on a family reunion, and fell in love with it... Of course that was in winter, it probably looks very different right now

BUMP!

I'm leaving in a few weeks!

You could frolick and prance around with a handbag through key traffic areas..

Or watch the trees turn a lovely shade of brown during the summer/winter, when you are going. Depends on which direction LA is expanding to.

Although our family is full of big travellers, none of us ever wanted to go that far down the coast. We stopped well north. Most likely the two big attractions will be the big houses in Beverly Hills and the beaches, or leaving the city itself.

Considering I have never been to LA... well, I can't really offer advice, now can I?

There is a lot to do in LA I know I live there....well more like the valley...anyhow you could check out the beaches Santa Monica and Santa Barbara(sp) are nice to visit, although it might be winter when you go it is California so if your lucky you might get to go on a hot day if not you should still check them out....especially the Santa Monica Promanod(sp) There's also Disneyland, Knottsberry farm and Six Flags I recommend the other two due to the fact that Disneyland is always pacted. At night you should go clubbing...you go dancing and drinking and having a good time. IN Pasadena the sometimes hold little arts and crafts festivals its fun. If you like cars you can visit lots of tracks to see races..or you can go to the Santa Anita track to see dog or horse races but Im not sure if thats a season thing or not..these are just suggestions.......by the way dont expect hollywood to be so great its not...sorry.

I can't offer any advice on LA itself, since I have never been there. But, if you are able to rent a car and have the time, I'd highly recommend driving northwards to Big Sur, it is really spectacular.

I am leaving in a week from tomorrow, so I am seeking any last minute advice!

Heh, I've lived in SF and Humbolt County, don't know much about LA though.
Aren't ID pics great? *sings* "I left my heart in San Francisco"...
Yes Monterey is beautiful. Highway 1 must go all the way up the west-coastline.

There's actually quite a bit to do in LA IMO; a few sites I'd recommend.

Chinese Theater & At least some of the walk of fame... Downtown Hollywood is cool

Staples Center to see a lakers/clippers game (normally Id just say lakers, but the clips kick this year! )

Santa Monica Pier, even if you aren't interested in rides

The gorgeous Japanese Gardens of LA... Even if you arent a "plant guy" (I'm not) they're absolutely beautiful

Catalina Island if you have time

I loved some of the Comedy clubs downtown, but I couldn't give you any names offhand... that probably doesn't help but figured I'd mention it as I've been to two and they were both great

Now some of the places I've mentioned are, admittedly, famous sites that are no-brainer trips but I hope it helps. If you have time, San Fran kicks butt too.

It helps a ton, thanks Tony Montana!

Oh yeah, and say hello to my little friend while you're at it!

And just remember this quote from Bill Hicks: "LA is a nightmare city, the sooner it falls in to the ocean the better this world will be" Have a nice day