Travelling to LA in under a Months Time

savemore on 30/06/2018 - 16:46
Last edited 30/06/2018 - 19:12 by 1 other user

Hi OzBargainer's,

Been a while since I last posted, but I read Deal and Forum posts virtually everyday, so I thought I'd see if others can offer their experiences about Los Angeles. I'm flying from London to LAX on the 23rd July. This is the first time visiting LA (and the US), so I'd be interested in what others would recommend about places to visit and where to stay. I have done some initial accomodation searches, but without knowing the place, I'm not sure exactly where to stay. I'm looking for reasonably priced accomodation (ideally less than $100 AUD a night) and am open to a range of options (Hotel, Apartment, AirBnB, probably avoid Hostels). As a true OzBargainer, I'd also be interested in ways of saving money on any transport, entrant fees, food etc. If you are able to help, please post your experiences and what you'd recommend.
I'm also planning a trip to Canada (by plane) around the 2nd August for about a week or so, and leave LAX on the 22nd August, so would also like to see other parts of the US (ideally New York). Any other suggestions?

Thanks
savemore

Travel

Comments

  • try2bhelpful on 30/06/2018 - 17:34
    +6

    My recommendation is to get out of LA ASAP. If you hire a car you can get to Yosemite and go up to San Franciso. Wherever you are intending to go I would determine what the heat and humidity are in the places you intend to stay. I love New Orleans but we were there in October and it was hot; not sure what it would be like at that time of year. Apparently New York can be hot and humid as well. I normally look for deals on things like Trivago and then contact the hotels directly - you can usually get a better deal out of them.

    • Randxyz123 on 30/06/2018 - 17:56
      +1

      They’re much better off doing Yosemite on their way home. It’ll be bloody hot now and parts will be closed as there is a risk of bushfire/wild fire.

      I'm looking for reasonably priced accomodation (ideally less than $100 AUD a night)

      That’s pretty hard to find in LA.

      would also like to see other parts of the US (ideally New York).

      I'm also planning a trip to Canada (by plane) around the 2nd August for about a week or so, and leave LAX on the 22nd August,

      Alright I suggest

      July
      23/24th Fly directly to NYC after LA. Maybe do a day in LA depending on flight times.
      24-2nd Aug - NYC

      August
      2nd - leave for Canada (where in Canada?)

      8th - Fly back to LA and rent a car

      9th-11th LA

      Drive to SF

      11th -14th SF

      14-16th Yosemite/Vegas

      ??? City in between or add a couple of days to either place.

      21st Drive back to LA

      22nd Fly home

      • savemore on 30/06/2018 - 18:15

        2nd - leave for Canada (where in Canada?)
        London, Ontario. I'm meeting friends at the Toronto Airport (as they're dropping someone around the same time).

        I do have an International Driver's Licence, but haven't driven since January 2018 and never driven in the US before by myself.

        • focused77 on 30/06/2018 - 20:00
          +1

          I was driving with friends in Hawaii about a month ago and we also went to San Fran all the way down to San Diego and crossed the border into Tijuana(we went across as pedestrians (be aware that you need mexican auto insurance if you cross into mexico with a car, but be advised the lines of cars coming back into the usa it can take hours to get back across the border by car, by foot it can be a few minutes)

          Anyway you don't need an IDL to drive in the us, the IDL is just a translation for your licence for countries that don't speak english.

          As for driving in the USA I was as nervous as hell about the prospect, but I did get my first taste on Oahu (its a bit slower pace so that helped) but within a few hours of driving around the island i was actually semi confident and drove back into the fairly bustling waikiki. We got used to it pretty quick, actually the hardest thing we found was keeping the car in the lane, we tended to hug the right hand line on the road(as much as we thought were were centered in the lane))

          LA ok, you do all those touristy things, the walk of fame, get a picture of the hollywood sign, go to santa monica pier, go up to Griffith Observatory, and yeah thats ok, but the city doesn't have that much heart, and because it is so sprawling its not that scenic, there is orange county maybe, but yeah we fell in love with San Francisco that's a nice city and the architecture is unique, if you go to the tiled stairs in san Francisco, there are stairs further up the hill go to the top where the big tree is and the views of the city are absolutely stunning almost 360 degrees.

          As for Canada and somewhere i went about a year and a half ago is the rockies, Lake Louise this time of year is freaking beautiful, if you haven't heard of it its unbelievable - I went there on christmas day it was -18 degrees the lake was frozen over and i walked on it, the tree's covered with snow.

          TL;DR - Driving is easier than you would think. Go to LA and experience it, but San Francisco is amazing and much better, Canada - go to the rockies, Lake Louise.

  • Petya on 30/06/2018 - 18:58

    there's nothing in LA. Drive down to long beach and san diego, spend your days there, and if you want continue into mexico. Thats where the real fun is and its cheap

    • [Deactivated] on 30/06/2018 - 20:34
      +3

      You must be blind or ignorant (or arrogant).
      There is lots to do in Los Angeles

  • kipps on 30/06/2018 - 20:06
    +1

    What about Disneyland? Probably well outside that budget but still maybe worth looking at.

    • savemore on 30/06/2018 - 20:49

      I'm definitely considering Disneyland, never been before, so when in Rome!

      • altomic on 01/07/2018 - 00:33

        unless you have young kids then skip Disney land. check out california adventures (next door).

        we were at Disney land in April. my kids found they had outgrown it (they still enjoyed it but…)

  • Marcsie on 30/06/2018 - 20:19

    LA is boring :)

  • l005e on 30/06/2018 - 20:35
    +4

    In & Out Burger!

  • [Deactivated] on 30/06/2018 - 20:48

    @ Marcsie on 30/06/2018 - 20:19

    LA is boring :)

    For boring people it probably is.

    • try2bhelpful on 30/06/2018 - 21:27
      -3

      oh snap - what a response. what a burn, I need to put on SPF 1000. You probably do find LA interesting.

    • Marcsie on 01/07/2018 - 19:30

      I found you are boring :)

  • sparkles on 30/06/2018 - 21:04
    +2

    LA is not boring, it's just aspects you've built up in your mind that are disappointing, like Hollywood home tours (crap), Rodeo Drive (crap), the stars along Hollywood Boulevard (crap, what a dive). These all need to be seen, but mainly just to appreciate the crapiness of something you've been convinced of otherwise your whole life.

    Spend time at the theme parks (two days Disney, one day Universal Studios), head to San Fran, spend a few days in Vegas, go to Grand Canyon, those are the best bits on the west coast.

    And my main tip is: if you are flying to LA always stop for a few days in Honolulu Oahu on the way home, I found it practically free flight cost wise, and offers lots to see and do.

    • try2bhelpful on 30/06/2018 - 21:28
      -1

      No offence but you seem to be telling people to go anywhere but LA.

      LA is boring; hit Universal Studios and you are done. Disneyland is not in LA it is in Anaheim. LA is a bunch of suburbs looking for a centre - get out and see Yosemite, San Francisco etc.

  • Tasmaniac on 30/06/2018 - 22:32
    +4

    LA is awesome. I'd definitely recommend catching a train to Hollywood and checking out the walk of fame. The Hollywood sign is only five minutes by uber so I'd recommend checking that out to.
    Also Go to the the comedy store, there's regular sets from some of the best comics in Hollywood.
    If your a space enthusiast I'd recommend vising spacex in hawthorn and the Colombia shuttle at the museum.
    You should also book a late show ticket.
    You should watch a NFL game or a NBA game at the staples center.
    Venice beach is pretty cool to.

    My tips for accommodation would be booking.com, there's a few house share listings that are all close to the city.

    With regard to transport the best option is probably uber share if your near the city. If your trying to save money you should also track down the local 99c stores for snacks and basic meals.

  • altomic on 01/07/2018 - 00:50

    I was in LA in April.

    it was cool. though I preferred San Fran (I got to stay with a really good friend there.)

    get in to a studio for seeing live recording of a show. we saw Americas Got Talent. - Google "LA tv show tickets"
    check out Venice beach and walk up to Santa Monica pier.
    La Brea Tar Pits
    Check out famous movie filming sites.

    plenty to do

  • Mistymoo on 01/07/2018 - 02:31

    We stayed at the Coral Sands when we were in LA proper. It was pretty awesome.

  • Nalar on 01/07/2018 - 09:41

    If you want a theme park…Six Flags is 10000% the place to go.

    Rent a car, it's cheap and public transport suuuuuuucks.

    Recreation Weed is a thing now if that interests you.

  • davide14 on 01/07/2018 - 11:17

    LA has a lot to offer and I enjoyed my visit there. You could visit the miseums and art galleries. The Getty Museum in Malibu is spectacular and free - just book one day ahead. Take a drive down Malibu Canyon Road or one of the other scenic drives - Highway 101, Mulholland Drive, Sunset Bvld. Walking around Santa Monica. Go north to Magic Mountain or south to Disney Land. Drive up further the coast to Santa Barbara. Have a Tommy Burger in Westwood. See Universal Studios. Go hiking in the hills, Check out a college Basketball game. Etc.

  • madreece on 01/07/2018 - 19:52

    I thought Venice beach was one of the biggest sh_tholes I have been to.Just my opinion.

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