Advice Please on Nine Hours in LA

[Renato1]

I've currently booked a car in Los Angeles for a couple of weeks, and scheduled to return it to the hotel we're staying in the night before leaving - The Marriot LAX - at 10am on a Monday. Their office there closes at 2pm. And our plane flies out at 10.15pm that night.

It occurs to me that killing nine or 10 hours from the time of returning the car till we have to go to the airport seems like a bit of a waste.

I know nothing about LA.
Should I pay the extra A$79 and hire the car till 7pm and return the car to the LA airport instead? Is it wise to drive around LA for nine hours with all our luggage in the car? What could we comfortably go and see, without being worried about our car being robbed?

Or should I ask the hotel to look after our baggage and get public transport or a taxi to take us somewhere of interest till late in the day, then come back collect our luggage and get a taxi to the airport?

Am I being too worried? Too paranoid from watching US crimes shows?

I'd appreciate any advice from people who have been to Los Angeles.
Regards,
Renato

 

[RooFlyer]

If you keep the car and leave the luggage at the hotel OR there is also a luggage storage facility at LAX, but its off site: LAX Luggage Storage.com - Direction for your baggage storage need at the LAX airport then this thread was made for you. I wouldn't leave my gear in a hire car when parking and leaving it, LA or most other places.

Another alternative is to return the car, keep the luggage at the hotel and spend the day at Universal Studios - in fact that's what I would do; its a great deal of fun for adults as well as kids. You can reach US by the LA metro train (safe - its above ground, often suspended above road level) - here's a map. (PDF) There is a shuttle to the nearest train station from LAX. The train trip may take an hour, but you have the time! There is another shuttle at the US train station up to the entrance. Make sure you buy your tickets online beforehand to avoid the lines.

 

[dfcatch]

The Marriott LAX is walking distance to all the airport precinct car hire places in any event. I would leave the luggage at the hotel, and perhaps even keep the car until the end of the day (depending on what you would like to do for the day). Or, return the car, go and do stuff, and pickup the bags from the hotel, and then take the shuttle to the airport in the evening.

Personally - I don't F$%# around with public transport in LA as it takes too long. Although Rooflyer's suggestion above is legit.

You could easily spend the day/afternoon around the beach cities as well (Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach/Redondo Beach), all nicer than Venice/Santa Monica IMHO and easier/quicker to get to.

Or drive down to Palos Verdes for the afternoon.

There's plenty you can do for the day and still make your evening flight.

 

[Renato1]

If you keep the car and leave the luggage at the hotel OR there is also a luggage storage facility at LAX, but its off site: LAX Luggage Storage.com - Direction for your baggage storage need at the LAX airport then this thread was made for you. I wouldn't leave my gear in a hire car when parking and leaving it, LA or most other places.

Another alternative is to return the car, keep the luggage at the hotel and spend the day at Universal Studios - in fact that's what I would do; its a great deal of fun for adults as well as kids. You can reach US by the LA metro train (safe - its above ground, often suspended above road level) - here's a map. (PDF) There is a shuttle to the nearest train station from LAX. The train trip may take an hour, but you have the time! There is another shuttle at the US train station up to the entrance. Make sure you buy your tickets online beforehand to avoid the lines.

Thanks for the very excellent and super well documented ideas.
I really appreciate the effort you have gone to.
Plainly that last day there will be very useful - especially as we'll only be in LA for two days at the start of our car hire trip.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

The Marriott LAX is walking distance to all the airport precinct car hire places in any event. I would leave the luggage at the hotel, and perhaps even keep the car until the end of the day (depending on what you would like to do for the day). Or, return the car, go and do stuff, and pickup the bags from the hotel, and then take the shuttle to the airport in the evening.

Personally - I don't F$%# around with public transport in LA as it takes too long. Although Rooflyer's suggestion above is legit.

You could easily spend the day/afternoon around the beach cities as well (Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach/Redondo Beach), all nicer than Venice/Santa Monica IMHO and easier/quicker to get to.

Or drive down to Palos Verdes for the afternoon.

There's plenty you can do for the day and still make your evening flight.

Thanks - you are talking about doing something easily that I am somewhat apprehensive about (the driving around in LA part), which gives me some confidence. Normally in European cities I drive to the hotel and avoid driving within the actual cities as much as possible, figuring that is when I am most likely to have mishaps.
Regards.
Renato

 

[dfcatch]

Thanks - you are talking about doing something easily that I am somewhat apprehensive about (the driving around in LA part), which gives me some confidence. Normally in European cities I drive to the hotel and avoid driving within the actual cities as much as possible, figuring that is when I am most likely to have mishaps.
Regards.
Renato

If you've never driven in the US - then I totally understand.

If you have... then LA doesn't have to be daunting. Especially when driving around the LAX/South Bay area, you're not on any freeways, and it's just like driving in Sydney/Melbourne (except for the whole wrong-side-of-the-road thingy).

The freeways in LA can be stressful, as can the traffic - especially if you're trying to get downtown or across-town.

On your last day - if you want to visit Manhattan/Hermosa/Redondo etc - you can easily do it via Uber inexpensively as well.

 

[bam71]

+1 for the Universal Studios option ...... That's what we would do.

 

[cjd600]

2 hours beach
7 hours In-N-Out

 

[Renato1]

If you've never driven in the US - then I totally understand.

If you have... then LA doesn't have to be daunting. Especially when driving around the LAX/South Bay area, you're not on any freeways, and it's just like driving in Sydney/Melbourne (except for the whole wrong-side-of-the-road thingy).

The freeways in LA can be stressful, as can the traffic - especially if you're trying to get downtown or across-town.

On your last day - if you want to visit Manhattan/Hermosa/Redondo etc - you can easily do it via Uber inexpensively as well.

Thanks. I appreciate the advice - I've never driven in the USA (nor been in the USA).
Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

+1 for the Universal Studios option ...... That's what we would do.

Thanks. Till this thread i had never thought of Universal Studios.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

2 hours beach
7 hours In-N-Out

I've just looked up In-N-Out. The 3X3 burger looks like a must try.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[garybatz]

If you're ok with using the metro (I have and found it perfectly fine) the new line to Santa Monica beach just opened in the last week. There is also a shuttle that takes hotel guests down to Manhattan Beach - Home - Gateway To LA

 

[Renato1]

If you're ok with using the metro (I have and found it perfectly fine) the new line to Santa Monica beach just opened in the last week. There is also a shuttle that takes hotel guests down to Manhattan Beach - Home - Gateway To LA

Fascinating, thanks.
My hotel seems not so far away from those transport features.
Renato

 

[psi999]

Thanks. I appreciate the advice - I've never driven in the USA (nor been in the USA).
Regards,
Renato

Drive down to Malibu in the morning for early lunch then back to Santa Monica for early dinner / walk leaving by ~6pm. All very doable with minimal stress (driving).

Enjoy!

 

[eric2011]

I've just looked up In-N-Out. The 3X3 burger looks like a must try.
Cheers,
Renato

The In-N-Out is a good spot for the inbound runway 24R and some plane watching. Something is landing every minute or so. Also just across the road is a place which is my personal favourite called "Melody bar and grill". A true locals joint with good food, cold beer and excellent food. Can also sit outside, on Sepulveda blvd at their tables with your beer and watch the incoming. Runway 24R is usually for inbound and 24L is generally for take-offs.

My suggestion is get rid of your rental, get late check-out from your hotel (if available) have an arvo at the Melody, head back to the hotel about 4.00pm, have a late shower, check-out and get to the airport about 6.00pm. Done this many times. Wear yourselves out during the day and you will sleep all the way home.

 

[Pointcollector]

I had the same delema in Feb. Picked up a car at 10.30am, went to Santa Monica pier for a stroll and lunch, on to Hollywood Hill for photo opportunity with the sign, then to Hollywood Blvd for some people watching, back to LAX and drop the car off around 630 into the lounge for dinner and a shower before boarding. I had a fantastic day!

 

[PLANT]

Driving..... Always keep the passenger in the gutter and you know your on the right side of the road!
In and out ANIMAL STYLE..... secret menu option!
Have not used Uber but many recommend and a stroll on St Monica pier and local blvd shops...... Gives that baywatch feeling

 

[Renato1]

Drive down to Malibu in the morning for early lunch then back to Santa Monica for early dinner / walk leaving by ~6pm. All very doable with minimal stress (driving).

Enjoy!

Thanks for your advice. This is plainly a popular option that I will put to my wife.
Regards,
Renato

The In-N-Out is a good spot for the inbound runway 24R and some plane watching. Something is landing every minute or so. Also just across the road is a place which is my personal favourite called "Melody bar and grill". A true locals joint with good food, cold beer and excellent food. Can also sit outside, on Sepulveda blvd at their tables with your beer and watch the incoming. Runway 24R is usually for inbound and 24L is generally for take-offs.

My suggestion is get rid of your rental, get late check-out from your hotel (if available) have an arvo at the Melody, head back to the hotel about 4.00pm, have a late shower, check-out and get to the airport about 6.00pm. Done this many times. Wear yourselves out during the day and you will sleep all the way home.

Thanks. This is actually a good option if we find ourselves extra tired after the nine hour drive from San Francisco the day before. In Europe sometimes we find ourselves exhausted after a six hour drive, but one other time found oursdelves quite fresh after an 11 hour drive.
Regards,
Renato

I had the same delema in Feb. Picked up a car at 10.30am, went to Santa Monica pier for a stroll and lunch, on to Hollywood Hill for photo opportunity with the sign, then to Hollywood Blvd for some people watching, back to LAX and drop the car off around 630 into the lounge for dinner and a shower before boarding. I had a fantastic day!

Thanks for relaying your experience. It does sound like a pleasant day. In which case I'd have to consider going to Universal Studios on the first leg of our trip.
Regards,
Renato

Driving..... Always keep the passenger in the gutter and you know your on the right side of the road!
In and out ANIMAL STYLE..... secret menu option!
Have not used Uber but many recommend and a stroll on St Monica pier and local blvd shops...... Gives that baywatch feeling

Thanks - interesting how you visualise driving (passenger in the gutter). It is actually applicable more often than my visualisation style - where I have to be adjacent the white line in the middle of the road (because sometimes one has grass strip there instead of a white line).

Santa Monica sure seems popular. I've been told that most Australians stay in that area when they visit.
Regards,
Renato

 

[harvyk]

<snip> What could we comfortably go and see, without being worried about our car being robbed?
<snip>
Am I being too worried? Too paranoid from watching US crimes shows?

I'd appreciate any advice from people who have been to Los Angeles.
Regards,
Renato

I've been to LA many times, both by myself and with the family.

Yes there are some dodgy parts of LA, but they tend not to be where tourists would end up. As for getting your car robbed, simply follow the same rules you would here, in other words don't leave valuables in plain sight and if you have a sedan with all your bags in the boot that's even better, although don't stress if you're driving something other than a sedan and people can see into the boot.

Driving on the freeways, work out how long it will take, and double that time estimate. To actually go anywhere takes a good hour or two to get there. Driving on LA's freeways is an experience in of itself, but provided you keep your wits about you, you'll be fine.

Some of my personal favourite places to go in LA to kill time are

- Santa Monica Pier (you'll recognise it from just about any movie which has a pier with an amusement park on the side).
- Hollywood Walk of fame, I don't know when you'll be there, but on weekends the place turns into a living wax museum.
- Griffiths Observatory, again many TV shows and movies have used this location, however parking is not quite as quiet and easy as they make out.
- Reagan Library (a bit of a drive away, took about 2 hours to drive from here to Santa Monica Pier last time I was in LA, but if you're a plane nut, it has the old Air Force 1 which you can both see, and walk through)

Edit: Oh, and the most important thing, make sure you go past In-n-Out Burger, they are some damn fine burgers.

 

[Renato1]

I've been to LA many times, both by myself and with the family.

Yes there are some dodgy parts of LA, but they tend not to be where tourists would end up. As for getting your car robbed, simply follow the same rules you would here, in other words don't leave valuables in plain sight and if you have a sedan with all your bags in the boot that's even better, although don't stress if you're driving something other than a sedan and people can see into the boot.

Driving on the freeways, work out how long it will take, and double that time estimate. To actually go anywhere takes a good hour or two to get there. Driving on LA's freeways is an experience in of itself, but provided you keep your wits about you, you'll be fine.

Some of my personal favourite places to go in LA to kill time are

- Santa Monica Pier (you'll recognise it from just about any movie which has a pier with an amusement park on the side).
- Hollywood Walk of fame, I don't know when you'll be there, but on weekends the place turns into a living wax museum.
- Griffiths Observatory, again many TV shows and movies have used this location, however parking is not quite as quiet and easy as they make out.
- Reagan Library (a bit of a drive away, took about 2 hours to drive from here to Santa Monica Pier last time I was in LA, but if you're a plane nut, it has the old Air Force 1 which you can both see, and walk through)

Edit: Oh, and the most important thing, make sure you go past In-n-Out Burger, they are some damn fine burgers.

Thanks for all the tips, and especially for the freeway tip.

I am a big fan of hamburgers - I have already told my wife that we will be eating a lot of them over there.
Regards,
Renato