Things to do in LA When You're Dead

[IainC]

Of jetlag and convention burnout.

There will be four of us in LA for E3 and we have a free day on the Saturday following. If you had only one day what sort of things are good to go and check out?

We'll probably have a car but not sure. We're not massively concerned with shopping or celebrities. Any Angelinos able to offer suggestions on things to do, places to eat, sights to see?

[shiznitz]

I am not a LA native, but I have been there for business enough to know there isn't much to do other than starfucking or going to a movie premier.  Have you ever been to the tar pits?

[Sky]

Guitar Center on sunset. See if there are any good bands, Sat night should be decent at the Strip. Dunno what it's like now, but it was always good for a freak show on the sidewalks and that's free. Been 20 years, so I can't recommend anything beyond those standards (Whiskey, Troub, Roxy, etc).

Los Angeles is a pit of hell, I suggest relaxing in your hotel room avoiding the gangs, sun and smog.

[Xanthippe]

(My advice is also from decades past but) La Brea tar pits if you're into bones. The Getty Museum for art. The Southwest Museum for Native American artifacts, art and history. Griffith Park Observatory is cool.Mission San Gabriel for a historical day trip.

The beaches can be pleasant (Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, (or Malibu but that's kinda far)) and nicely low key.

If you're looking for hamburgers, In & Out is a very good chain.

[Sky]

Speaking of beaches, maybe Venice for the freakshow if the weather's cooperating.

[sickrubik]

Blue Palms is pretty delicious, food and beer both.

http://www.bluepalmsbrewhouse.com/

But there is not exactly a dearth of beer places in LA... so depending on where you are going...

[Ingmar]

I would second the Getty if you are an art museum type person and also add http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntington_Library

The last time I was in Venice it had become a total hole, but it has been years. The freak show was not aging well.

[Teleku]

For some great American grub, you can go to Phillipes, which is suppose to have invented the French Dip (which I love).  Friend went there and said it was really damn good, so may you'll want to try that:

http://www.philippes.com/

Or you could go find a wonderful Carne Asada burrito (a California delicacy) from some place.  Somebody else will have to give recommendations though, I've never tried any around there.

You could also hit little Tokyo to see some fun shops, food, and arcades if that's your thing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Tokyo,_Los_Angeles

There are a ton of other ethnic districts in LA, so you could maybe look at it as a chance to try a type of food you never had before, that is not available where you currently live.  I'll guarantee you can find a restaurant for every type of food known to man in LA.

Other than that, go with what people above have said.  The Getty and other museums, or the beach.  Venice beach if you want to see all the freaks LA has to offer, others if you just want a nice day out on the beach.  I don't know about LA, but the weather is fan-fucking-tastic in Northern California right now, so should be a great time to go.

[Evildrider]

Find a friend with a medical marijuana card and party.  :D

[CmdrSlack]

For some great American grub, you can go to Phillipes, which is suppose to have invented the French Dip (which I love).  Friend went there and said it was really damn good, so may you'll want to try that:

http://www.philippes.com/

I've been to this place -- it utterly kicks ass and is a must-go. IIRC, coffee still costs like 5 or 10 cents for the "bottomless cup." Its proximity to the courthouse makes it a favorite among my LA attorney friends.

[WayAbvPar]

Pink's is worth checking out if you are a hot dog fan. Fair number of celebrities stop in from what I have heard, and the hot dogs are damned good.

[caladein]

Philippe's is fantastic and I only need the most tenuous excuse like, "being anywhere near Chinatown" to drop in for a lamb sandwich and a bowl of chili.  Their breakfast is also good if unspectacular.  Outside of the breakfast/lunch rushes, it's also pretty easy to get your food.  Transport wise it's a couple of blocks off the main light rail/subway station (Union Station) so if you're staying near the convention center it's not much of a hassle to get over there.

Pink's is also quite good but I don't go there too often.  You're going to be waiting in line no matter when you go, but unless it's raining it's not too bad (then it's a uniquely miserable experience).   Impractical if you don't have a car.  Still, the walls are full of signed headshots and food is legitimately good.  My favorite is the Huell Howser, a double chili cheese dog.  (Obligatory link if you're not well-versed in California public television personalities.)

If you are unfortunate enough not to have a steady supply of In N Out available where you live, you should seek one out as soon as is feasible.

Culturally, I'll echo Xanthippe's suggestions.  The Tar Pits are easy enough to get to on public transit from downtown as is the Southwest Museum in the other direction, but that will still be closed for renovations when you're here.  The Getty Center and Griffith Observatory are also in the "you can do something else that day too" camp, while the Getty Villa (which I love) and the Mission are really not.

I'd also like to recommend Little Tokyo.  Seemed like a solid mix of everything (food/shopping/cultural stuff) but I haven't been there often enough to firm up my opinion on it.

On the negative side, this is partly my being native and jaded as family always asks to go there and seems to like it, but Hollywood is a cesspit.

[Teleku]

Nono, its not just you, Hollywood is a cesspit.

[Xanthippe]

Nono, its not just you, Hollywood is a cesspit.

Yes.

[Sky]

Nono, its not just you, Hollywood is a cesspit.

Yes.

Most of LA is.

[Khaldun]

Question 1: will you have a car?
Question 2: where will you be staying?

This determines a lot. If no car, most suggestions can be pretty hard to do.
If car but you're staying in the wrong place, most stuff is such a fucking hassle to get to be car that it won't be worth it.

La Brea Tarpits plus LA County Museum is a good baseline suggestion. Some good restaurants nearby also.

Hiking in Topanga Canyon + beaches nearby can be nice.

Getty is very worth a trip if it's not too tough to get there.

[IainC]

We're staying at the Wilshire Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard. I don't know if we will have a car or not.

[Khaldun]

K, I'm gonna say La Brea Tarpits plus County Museum if you're in the mood for art. Architecture and Design Museum nearby is ok. Farmers Market on Fairfax & 3rd is kind of fun to get lunch at, don't get drawn too far into the shopping center next to, which is 100% the usual bullshit. Everything else close by that's interesting is the kind of "interesting, if you're local and have a car" sort of thing. Downtown isn't too far, and the Museum of Contemporary Art there isn't bad. Some good restaurants and you could see the Disney Theater and all that. New Public Library is also sort of architecturally interesting, and the train station too. Certainly downtown is more interesting than when I was a kid, but it's still not terribly engaging. You could go over to Olivera Street but I think that's a tourist trap craphole.