24 hours in LA

[RabbieBurns]

Im flying to las vegas, via LA fairly soon, and I like the idea of picking up a hire car in LA and driving through the desert to vegas.

 

I arrive in LA at 2pm on the saturday, and am not due in LV till 3pm the following day, so Im unsure whether to just pick up the hire car and drive straight to LV, or to stay in LA for the night and drive the next day.

 

Have any of you been to LA? Is there much worth seeing in less than 24 hours? Which hotel should I look at. Where do I go to get a photo of the Hollywood sign and the Stars in the Pavement.

 

I know this isnt tripadvisor so apologies for the non-IT post but hopefully someone has been there before and can offer some insight?

 

Cheers.

[Sylv3r]

LA wasn't really what I was expecting and I was a bit underwhelmed to be honest.

 

The best view of the hollywood sign your likely to get is from the top floor of the highland centre (it's basically a large shopping / entertainment centre) but too be honest your still miles away so I hope you've got a decent camera.

 

The stars in the pavement is outside the Chinese theatre, pretty much next door to the highland centre.

 

Think about Blackpool with sun and you've got Hollywood!

[sister_annex]

If it were me after visiting both LA and Vegas about 8 years ago I would sort a car and take a steady drive out to Vegas - IIRC its about a 5 hour drive with the LA traffic. when you get to Vegas do a bit of sightseeing there instead... go visit the Hoover Dam and if you have time the Grand Canyon that imo will be much more worth it than a whistle stop tour of LA.

[RabbieBurns]

Thanks, Ill just head straight to Vegas

[rdk]

From the airport is an easy drive to the Hollywood/Highland intersection where the Highland Centre mentioned above is located. Straight up La Cienega Blvd and turn right at Santa Monica Blvd, left on Highland and you're nearly there - there's paid parking under the shopping centre and you can take a walk along Hollywood Walk of Fame, which frankly is tacky and not worth your time.

 

What I'd do is drive straight up the 405 Freeway and turn right onto Mulholland Drive. A nice windy drive which gives great views of LA and the San Fernando Valley and those houses on stilts you see in the movies. Towards the end there's a car park and lookout with a short walk to a great view of the Hollywood sign and the Hollywood Bowl. Then its a few minutes drive to the Ventura Freeway and point your car to Vegas. Plus the names of those roads - heard them a million times on TV & films and its fun driving there.

[IrritableTech]

I agree with the others. Drive to Vegas. LA was underwhelming for me, although I guess it's another pin in the map. Depending on the time of day, you might want to add an extra hour or so on your journey and drive towards hollywood boulevard to at least say you've seen it.

 

Worth seeing the hoover dam, and possibly going up to the skywalk. We past both in a helicopter from Vegas airport before landing and having breakfast in the canyon - returning by flying down the strip.

 

If you're in Vegas a couple of nights it's worth walking the strip, but I also recommend getting the deuce bus up to freemont street. The older part of town now covered with a huge screen over head which has free entertainment on every night and the older, smaller casinos. You can grab a beer for a couple of dollars up there too. If you get off the bus a stop early, you can visit the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop if that's your thing.

[visioN]

I had a few nights in LA. Did the usual stuff. Got a tour around the expensive shops, trip round Beverley Hills, Walk of Fame,Hollywood sign, Nice restaurants & bars - some clubs can be difficult to get in. I went to Universal Studios when I was in LA too which was cool going round some films sets etc. I also went to Venice beach, muscle beach - there is plenty to do. But from my one month trip to the USA LA was the only part I'd probably not go back to. Just a tick in the box now!

 

I'd recommend the Hoover dam too on your way to Vegas!

[Bezza49]

I did it the other way round. Hired a Mustang and drove from Vegas to LA.

 

The trip across the desert to LA from Vegas was the best thing ever. We went from Vegas first to the Hoover Dam and had a look around there, and then drove from there to LA. Only takes about 3 hours to Pomona which was where we were staying (with family).

 

In LA, the outskirts have great treats. Mount Baldy is great to drive up, there is a great bar near the top!

 

Laguna Beach, Huntingdon Beach are great in LA. Universal Studios is a must if you like that kind of thing.

 

LA itself though is a typical big American city. Hollywood isn't very nice, you can see the sign from the Freeway, stick to that I say!!