BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi All,
So I'll be passing through L.A. in November - figuring on 4 or 5 days total and will probably have at least 2 days completely free. Looking for some suggestions on what to do or see. I will have a rental car, so can get out and about. I am mostly interested in things that are quirky or unique to L.A. and mostly low budget.

Are there street performers - esp. jugglers - at Venice Beach still?

Your favorite dive bar? Restaurant?

Might even consider six flags for a day...I assume the weather is usually favorable that time of year

TIA,
Will

Make sure to visit the Central Market.

Hello! On a recent trip, a high point was going over to Griffith Park (Hollywood-area) - there was a great hike up Mt. Hollywood which gave great views of the city (and the smog!) and the Observatory was pretty neat too... all free as well!

PS - as an East Coaster, it was pretty neat to see the sun set over the ocean as well - just make sure you pick a point to see it further up the coast (Malibu-area) - or down the coast-where the sun will be over the water rather than over the mountains...

A little bit of Boston on the West Coast.


"The coziest of the pubs is the Sonny McLeans (26th and Wilshire). Comprised mainly of locals, it warmly welcomes visitors. There are 20 beer choices on tap, hundreds of bottles on a shelf above the bar (take your pick), dart boards, a pool table, even air hockey in a back room. Casual drinkers soak up the sofa in a den-like room overlooking the main area. The staff is from Boston, and any sporting event involving a team from that city is shown on television. This is PubClub's pick as Best Pub in L.A."

I second Griffith park.

Also, you could stop by Chinatown and have some good dim sum.

Tons of frou frou restaurants but if you want something historic (1939), cheap, open long hours (Open at 9:30am. On Sunday through Thursday, they close at 2:00 am, but on Friday and Saturday they don't close until 3:00 am.), and have the best statistical odds of seeing Hollywood celebrities.. and transvestite hookers.. then you want to go to Pink's at 709 N. La Brea Blvd. I used to live around the block from them when I did my Hollywood gig. Oh... you can't make reservations. Yeh there can be lines. Plus traffic congestion from the limos and shopping carts. Menu- Hotdogs.

I think that the La Brea Tar Pits are pretty spiff.

Also worth a look, Watts Towers. I'm a big fan of folk art and these towers are worth the side trip to see them.

How about a cemetery tour? Lots of interesting people buried in the LA area... look here to start plotting your route.

If it were me, I would have lunch at Clifton's Cafeteria. I like theme restaurants, baked macaroni and cheese and a row of plates containing many varieties of pie. This place has all of that.

Also super awesome is the combination of kickass French food and no cover live music. Taix is the restaurant -- check out their calendar for upcoming shows.

You could check the calendar for free shows coming to the Amoeba Record Shop.

One of the most unique places to shop: Necromance.
If you want to buy a Springbok horn and a Chang and Eng figurine, this is the place for you.

You could take a tour of Warner Brother's Studios.... the VIP tour tickets are $45. I've never been on the tour myself, but have heard rave reviews of it from friends. Sometimes one will actually see a celebrity or two.

I always enjoy an afternoon at the Craft and Folk Art Museum.

A few years ago, I took a free walking tour of Olvera Street -- which was interesting.

Otherwise, you don't mention precisely when you will be in LA, but if it is toward the beginning of the month, check out the Tamale Festival. There are gobs of Day of the Dead festivities around LA at the beginning of November, which is an experience unto itself.

Oh, FYI, Six Flags generally has limited winter hours. Check in advance before driving out there -- in November, I would guess that they are only open on weekends.

great suggestions y'all

cheap food, transvestite hookers and standing in line for a hotdog! I'm there.

thanks so much

on a related note, in your opinion, what is L.A.'s best micro brewed lager? best brew pub (they should have a lager)?