H & I are heading to Los Angeles next week and we have some unscheduled time on Sunday afternoon and all day Monday. We’re staying in Culver City and using Uber. Any suggestions for activities, dining, etc. would be most welcome!
Sundays on Venice beach are a treat, and super close to Culver City.
I’m from LA. With 36 hours, I’d start the morning at the super fun and quirky Musuem of Jurassic Technology, right in Culver City. Check the hours though. If it’s not open at that time, go to the La Brea Tarpits, which are pretty authentic and always interesting. I would go to Olvera Street for a really great Mexican lunch. I might then walk over to Union Station to admire the architecture. Then I’d go to Griffith Observatory. Then Santa Monica pier to end the evening (or to start the next morning). All of these should be doable in a day.
I might even drive south to Laguna Beach first, because I love it so much, then head back up to LA. I might go to either of the Gettys. There is a lot to see and do, so maybe consider your budget and how much, or how little, time you want to spend in a car. Also, consider weather. If you get lousy weather, which can happen at this time of year, you can see some great museums. We absolutely loved, surprisingly, the Autry Museum of the American West. It’s truly fantastic and not far from Olvera Street and Griffith Observatory. Bring your umbrella, just in case. LA is a bad place to be stuck in the rain without one.
There is a good chance it will be raining for at least part of the day Sunday. I live just a bit north of LA and rain is in the forecast for the next 5-6 days starting today. 100% chance today, less so as we go through the week.
These are just the kind of suggestions I’m looking for. Keep 'em coming.
Thanks for the weather alert as well. I was kind of hoping for beautiful southern California weather, after a long winter of cold and gray here.
My choices would be the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. You dont want to spend hours stuck in traffic, which could be awful on a Monday in the rain. So limit the mileage.
Finish one of your evenings with jazz and happy hour (maybe even dinner) at the Culver Hotel
http://www.culverhotel.com/default.aspx?pg=bar_music. If you enjoy theatre, the Kirk Douglas Theatre is right nearby
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is next door to the La Brea Tarpits.
Driving in the rain in LA is an adventure in itself. Good idea to Uber.
You should go to places where you can only find in LA. Example, the movie sets and the talk shows. I checked, unfortunately Ellen and Conan are sold out for next week.
Take an Uber ride to Nobu in Malibu. It’s a nice drive up the coast (PCH) and is an LA thing to do. You might even see some celebrities/athletes?
We always stay in Santa Monica. I think you would enjoy walking the pier and the path to Venice Beach. I’m not a fan of Venice Beach, but enjoy the walk over. I think having drinks at Sunset before dinner somewhere is beautiful at the Huntley Hotel in SM at the top floor restaurant. It’s hopping until about 7:30. We went to Nobu just for drinks and appetizers in the bar area, it’s a very swanky and popular place. Again, with the sun setting so soon, you need to be there about 5:30. Early, I know, if going in the evening.
I can’t give you recs about LA, we just spent a day there. We went to Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Blvd (pass on the , quite underwhelming), and The Grove. I wish we had done the Hoho bus, to give an overview. But since you just have 36 hours, not sure that’s the best option. I would have liked to see a movie tour, but only if it was “in season”. I didn’t make it to Beverly Hills neighborhoods. Have fun!
As you will be right in Culver City, Sony Studio Tour might be of interest http://www.sonypicturesstudiostours.com/
Also, the old DesiLu studios are nearby, although, I think they have been converted to office space. However, it’s fun to see where it all happened, and there’s a great mural of Desi & Lucy on the exterior wall; a fun photo op
Time is changing overnight Saturday so starting Sunday evening, one hour more of sunlight!
I’m not a fan of Venice either. The area has been taken over by vagrant encampments and there are drugs and needles on the street and on the beach. The Venice Beach walk may be amusing on Sunday afternoon, but I’d avoid it after dark.
Venice beach… Same opinion as above. We were there during daylight, and did not find it amusing. Add to that mild food poisoning resulting from our meal at one of restaurants there…