Things to do in LA

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sbryan

Well-known member
A friend and I are going out to California sometime in March, and I was wondering what we could do that was "non-touristy". I want to see the Universal Studios, Warner Bros., and MGM -- I don't know how much I could see without an all access pass...

I want to spend an entire day trying to get cast as an extra. I'll make a "will react to sudden, large explosion for food" sign and hang out at the guard post.

Does anybody have any suggestions?
 
If you want extra work, send a headshot and I'll put it on some desks. All depends if they need you type the days you're here.

As for "MGM", that would be a Florida thing. The former MGM Studios in L.A. is now Sony Studios.

While I've spent considerable time on the lots, I've never taken the official tours of any of the lots. I've certainly done the "Universal Studios Tour", but that's an amusement park and not really a "studio tour" in the same sense the others are, but it's fun, and it does tour the studio. (Er?)

Most of the fun stuff is touristy, it's just a matter of whether you are a tourist and act like it.

There are hundreds (thousands) of cool, local bars, but some of the bars right on Hollywood are cool, and the locals go there, but it's in Hollywood so tourists wander in. Same for restaurants.... whatever. I cant really think of anywhere I go regularly that isn't also a tourist destination. The only area might be downtown Burbank.

(Funny you say you want "non-touristy" and then say you want to tour the studios. :thumbsup: )

There's plenty to do, though. Get in touch with some locals on the board and then hang out when you get here. Good times. And get that headshot together. Doesnt have to be fancy, just a headshot/ head and shoulders shot so they know how to place you.

Dont be upset if you end up on Days of Our Lives instead of Heroes, though.

-GageFX
 
Go to a comedy club...although that might be touristy. I had a blast when I went out with my friend to this comedy club. Paul Mooney (Negrodamus from Chappelle Show) was one of several acts, and completely bombed. Please note, there are no real comedy clubs in C'ville, VA, so this was pretty novel for me.
 
let's see, non-touristy... smoke, drink and dance to 80's remixes at Three Clubs until 2am, then head over to The Ledge afterhours where you can score and snort cocaine in the bathroom and hook up with drunk, desperate women until 5am. drag one of these "slumpbusters" back to your friend's apartment where she tries to give you a blowjob. unfortunately, the overabundance of drugs in your system keep a useful erection at bay.
 
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Will I get carded at the comedy club? For whatever reason that escapes me, I can't go to the local comedy club until I turn 21. I'm turning 20 shortly... If I will get carded, can someone photoshop a fake ID for me? :thumbsup:
 
I wouldn't even come to Los Angeles to see the place. It's not like you think it would be. Everything is pretty dirty lookin' and a bit run down as opposed to the current notions that you might have about this place. Don't get me wrong, there is some cool things to do but it's not all that great, fun but just not what you'd have in mind. You should talk to Zak a little bit more, he's on the right path, a little extreme but on the right path.
 
If I wanted to work on Wall Street, I would visit New York City. If I wanted to be a politician, I would make an effort to see D.C. Seeing LA with my own eyes would be somewhat beneficial, don't you think?

I give money to homeless people here, but I don't know if I could afford to do that in LA with the cost of living and such. :tongue:

There are hundreds if not thousands of horror stories about the movie business, but I guess it is what it is, and things probably won't change when everybody drools over the weekend grosses. That's why it helps to look at American films as entertainment, not art. That works for me anyway!

I think if you look hard enough, you can find the blow, the hookers, the strippers, etc. in any city of moderate size.
 
f I wanted to work on Wall Street, I would visit New York City. If I wanted to be a politician, I would make an effort to see D.C. Seeing LA with my own eyes would be somewhat beneficial, don't you think?
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Yeah, makes sense. I didn't know you wanted to visit to get a feel for where you'll be moving to. LA is a good move. :)
 
Relatively non-touristy things, to do...

Visit the Gamble House, in Pasadena. The biggest, most beautiful, best-maintained example of Arts-and-Crafts architecture and design, in the region. If you're interested in that sort of thing.

Contact the PR departments at Paramount, Sony, Disney, Fox and Warner Brothers, and find out if they will put you in a tour group for their facilities; only Universal does the tram thing, while the other studios show visitors around in small, pre-arranged groups.

Visit the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, probably the most beautiful and extensive and varied formal gardens in the area. If you're interested in that sort of thing.

Visit the Getty Center Museum; large collection, good exhibits and a great view of the city on a clear day.

Take a drive along the Angeles Crest Highway, through the mountains, enjoy the scenery and eat at Newcomb's Ranch.

Hike the trails in Griffith Park, some of which offer amazing panoramic views of the city, all the way to the ocean on a clear day.

Rent a horse at the LA Equestrian Center and ride around Burbank.

Cruise Santa Monica Boulevard for transvestite hookers. Which I think someone mentioned. If you're interested in that sort of thing.


Wow. Been living here for seventeen years, and I could only come up with eight non-touristy things, to do. One of which involves taking tours of stuff.

Pathetic.
 
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Yeah, taking drives is always a good thing to do. I like to drive from sunset(starting from Hollywood) back to Santa Monica. Another good thing to do, is go to Malibu and take a hike in the mountains over there. Very peaceful and fun. Kinda gives you a perspective on things.
 
Sad Max said:
Take a drive along the Angeles Crest Highway, through the mountains, enjoy the scenery and eat at Newcomb's Ranch.
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I want to rent a BMW motorcycle and cruise the Pacific Coast Highway, but I've heard traffic is actually pretty thick on it. Is there another coast adjacent highway where I could do the same thing? It's on the list of things I need to do while I'm still young.
 
I ride my R1150GS on PCH, all the time. It's just a matter of picking the right time and day.

There are a *lot* of fantastic motorcycle roads in the area, many of which are practically empty, 24/7...
 
sbryan said:
Will I get carded at the comedy club? For whatever reason that escapes me, I can't go to the local comedy club until I turn 21. I'm turning 20 shortly... If I will get carded, can someone photoshop a fake ID for me? :thumbsup:
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Not at the Improv in Hollywood. I went when I was 18.
 
Sure we have clear days, in the winter (and sometimes early spring) time.

Just not all that many of them. But when we have them, they're glorious.
 
I think that you need to go to Gladstones for lunch on any given afternoon. You need to see Venice boardwalk and muscle beach. Beverly Hills and Rodeo drive are amazing to see how the "other half lives". Hollywood blvd at night any night of the week. Check out the Whiskey, on Sunset, which has been open for about 40 years. (Jim Morrison and the Doors used to play there). Downtown L.A. (bring your camera and try to get some shots) especially at night near the Boneventure hotel. Point Dume standing on top of the cliffs. Vasquez rocks, Malibu Creek state park for hiking. Drive the length of Stunt Road (look it up on Mapquest). Other than that there isn't much to do.
 
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