Visiting around LAX on a bit of a budget

[justinbrett]

I stayed Downtown when I was there a few weeks ago, at the Doubletree Hilton. It was much more reasonably priced than Hiltons in the nicer areas.

Its position in downtown was fine, near City Hall (in Little Tokyo) and easy walk to the metro station. I didn't really do anything in downtown but it was central to everywhere I wanted to go and best access to most of the rail lines.

The other benefit of downtown is price caps on taxis from LAX. If you get stuck in traffic this can save you a lot. The meter was over $75 but I only paid $55. Uber was much more due to the traffic.

 

[kookaburra75]

The past couple of times, we've stayed up in West Hollywood, which is gradually getting gentrified. We stayed at the Farmers Daughter (now called Short Stories) and Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel. We used buses to get around for the first few days, which was quick and easy to get up to Hollywood, across to Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and the other sights in the area, including the LA County Museum of Art. The Farmers Markets are there, which is good for cheap eats and drinks, and the La Brae tar pits are just down the road. We hired a car from Hertz for the next couple of days - both places had parking, before driving up to San Francisco.

 

[ithongy]

I stayed Downtown when I was there a few weeks ago, at the Doubletree Hilton. It was much more reasonably priced than Hiltons in the nicer areas.

Its position in downtown was fine, near City Hall (in Little Tokyo) and easy walk to the metro station. I didn't really do anything in downtown but it was central to everywhere I wanted to go and best access to most of the rail lines.

The other benefit of downtown is price caps on taxis from LAX. If you get stuck in traffic this can save you a lot. The meter was over $75 but I only paid $55. Uber was much more due to the traffic.

Get the Flyaway from Union Station for around $18 a pax to LAX. Also Grand Central Market is a great place to grab a bite as that’s where all the locals go.

DT is indeed near Little Tokyo, you have a better food scene in Japtown near West LA in Sawtelle.

 

[ithongy]

What a great chance to hire a Tesla. Perhaps I should just stick with ride shares though.
I know in New York the ebike and escooter people are absolutely crazy.

If you hire an older Model S between 2014-2018 it may come with FREE supercharging for lifetime of the vehicle. Ever hired a 2014 model S in LAS & drive to LA & back for $160. All Tesla’s have navigation system built in so it’s easier to navigate & won’t have to rely on cell phone data.

 

[ithongy]

The past couple of times, we've stayed up in West Hollywood, which is gradually getting gentrified. We stayed at the Farmers Daughter (now called Short Stories) and Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel. We used buses to get around for the first few days, which was quick and easy to get up to Hollywood, across to Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and the other sights in the area, including the LA County Museum of Art. The Farmers Markets are there, which is good for cheap eats and drinks, and the La Brae tar pits are just down the road. We hired a car from Hertz for the next couple of days - both places had parking, before driving up to San Francisco.

West Hollywood aka WeHo is a VERY walkable area…!!! But lacking trains, but there are bus service. Many locals walk or ride a push bike to get around. Driving around WeHo you’ll be stuck in traffic with people circling in gridlock.

 

[get me outta here]

West Hollywood aka WeHo is a VERY walkable area…!!! But lacking trains, but there are bus service. Many locals walk or ride a push bike to get around. Driving around WeHo you’ll be stuck in traffic with people circling in gridlock.

A friend stayed in West Hollywood recently and in the immediate vicinity there was plenty to do on foot for a few days.
If necessary I may need to end up splitting the trip which I would normally never do.

 

[get me outta here]

The past couple of times, we've stayed up in West Hollywood, which is gradually getting gentrified. We stayed at the Farmers Daughter (now called Short Stories) and Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel. We used buses to get around for the first few days, which was quick and easy to get up to Hollywood, across to Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and the other sights in the area, including the LA County Museum of Art. The Farmers Markets are there, which is good for cheap eats and drinks, and the La Brae tar pits are just down the road. We hired a car from Hertz for the next couple of days - both places had parking, before driving up to San Francisco.

I have heard that that West Hollywood area has plenty of things to explore in the vicinity. They too stayed in the Short Stories Hotel. That’s good news that buses are nearby. I’m not going to be short of time so a longer trip on the bus wouldn’t be much of a problem.

 

[jbman]

I agree with others, stayed in West Hollywood and it was very walkable with nice food and buses to get around

 

[get me outta here]

Does anyone have any feedback on staying in Marina Del, Ray or Santa Monica etc? For a medium-term stay, the prices seem to stack up over there.

 

[ithongy]

Does anyone have any feedback on staying in Marina Del, Ray or Santa Monica etc? For a medium-term stay, the prices seem to stack up over there.

Marina Del Rey & Santa Monica are very expensive areas to live in LA. Just as places like Bondi Beach & Manly. Many business travelers stay in in these areas too. You could possibly rent a 30-40ft boat house for around $1100 a month in Marina Del Rey.

 

[get me outta here]

Marina Del Rey & Santa Monica are very expensive areas to live in LA. Just as places like Bondi Beach & Manly. Many business travelers stay in in these areas too. You could possibly rent a 30-40ft boat house for around $1100 a month in Marina Del Rey.

Nice idea. If it’s tied up that would be interesting otherwise I may need to row ashore…