Who's in LA?/Cali?

JMtheDP

JMtheDP

Veteran
Hey Guys

So it looks like I am going to be coming to the west coast - specifically LA/San Fran in October. Not work related, but being as I am in the movies I will probably find the time to see some people and what not while I'm there. My first trip to the USA beyond NYC, so quite excited.

Wondering if anyone from the forum is around or can recommend stuff to do/places to go?

JM
 
Do you want an English bar where they display the EPL matches in the wee hours of the morning or a nondescript local sports bar where spicy chicken wings are served by the bikini clad waitresses with acting aspirations?
 
I don't even watch the football over here! Give me a bar lined with guns where the food is measured in yards and the answer to everything is "Hell Yeah" anyday! Disgruntled 'nam vet in the back corner shouting about liberals is optional.
 
JMtheDP said:
I don't even watch the football over here! Give me a bar lined with guns where the food is measured in yards and the answer to everything is "Hell Yeah" anyday! Disgruntled 'nam vet in the back corner shouting about liberals is optional.
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That's what you're looking for? Why bother with California? We got you covered in Tennessee.
 
While in LA you should check out the Museum of Jurassic Technology. It's super funky and weird...if you like that sort of thing.
 
JMtheDP said:
I don't even watch the football over here! Give me a bar lined with guns where the food is measured in yards and the answer to everything is "Hell Yeah" anyday! Disgruntled 'nam vet in the back corner shouting about liberals is optional.
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Well, then the Westside (north of Wilshire, west of La Brea) ain't for you. Country bars are usually on the outskirts of town. This doesn't mean there are no "country theme" bars on the Westside ("Saddle Ranch" on Sunset) but it's more often than not filled with your typical Hollywood phonies. But, if you do decide to take a drive, the Angelinos drive for the most part on the right side of the road. (Cowboy Palace Saloon is in Chatsworth, about a 35 min drive from Hollywood)

It's a different story with steakhouses, which are plentiful and plenty good (but don't forget to bring your wallet).

For a taste of local cuisine, you may also try Mexican or Soul Food type. They aren't high priced as a rule but you may want to go with someone who knows the neighborhood. There are also a slew of other ethnic eateries, from Russian to Pan Asian to South American.

And, if you can get someone to generously pick up the check, a place like Spago's or the Polo Lounge should be good for a celeb sighting or two. (when in Hollywood ...)

Music wise - my preference was with dimly lit rock clubs but most visitors prefer top places on the strip in Whisky a Go Go, Roxy, House of Blues, Viper Room.

But, as usual, consult with the locals and the local listings as well.
 
Well you certainly will see a different side of the USA. Almost anything you do visiting the west coast will be a fun experience if you haven't been before; except for driving. LA is a permanent parking lot. Driving is miserable and pubic transportation is not recommended. You're coming to the wrong part of the country for honky tonks. But they are around. Even up in Sonoma county, where I live, which is big dairy country (everyone knows it as wine country, but it is just as big in dairy if not bigger) the country bars have had a tough time. But dive bars... there's plenty.

In LA

For fun, go visit Venice Beach. It is a crazy scene. It's lots of fun just to walk along the strand and look.

For quantity and quality in food, go to a good Mexican restaurant. I'm sure one of the LA folks here can recommend one. Look one up on Yelp.

For the classic view of LA you've seen so many times in movies (you know, the couple overlooking the LA basin from up high), go to Griffith park at night.

If you're into cars, the Peterson Museum is a must.

There's all the amusement parks - Disney, Knott's Berry, Universal Studios,

Some of the studios have tours

In San Francisco area, go to the north side of the Golden Gate bridge and drive up to the top of Conzelman road. That's a view and one exciting experience when it goes to a one lane road (take it all the way around).

If you like disgruntled Vietnam vets, maybe you like military stuff. There is the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (WWII carrier. Also picked up the Apollo 11 astronauts) in the east bay. A really cool thing to see if your into mechanics is the Jeremiah OBrian Liberty ship. When the engine is running, they will let you walk right up it. You can get as close as you like (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a8LkGjTs3o)
 
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Awesome guys. Sounds like LA is a bit like London - if you don't know a local, you're gonna get ripped off.

I have booked a hire car so I'm gonna be mobile - I'm probably spending about five days in LA area, five or so in San Fran.

My aunt lives in Carlsbad and an old school friend of mine lives just outside Simi Valley, so I've got a couple of "local" connections.

I've been looking at the maps and it's insane, the drive from Carlsbad to SF is about 500 miles, you pretty much can't drive 500 miles in England without leaving the country.

I spoke to the ASC and they said I'm welcome at the clubhouse, which is nice :)
 
Simi Valley is not far from Chatsworth and it should have a local country bar scene as well.

And a few gun ranges too (lot of cops and ex-cops live there).

Oh and a driving tour of the Westside - Mulholland Drive, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, Malibu - is usually on every tourist's itinerary. There are also a few places to walk and survey the other tourists - 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Universal City Walk, the previously mentioned Rodeo Drive/Downtown Beverly Hills, the Beverly Center, Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame/the Chinese Theater and its vicinity.
 
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If you drive from LA to SF, you must take the Pacific Coast Highway (a.k.a. Highway 1). From Ventura to Monterey, this is an experience not to be missed. Especially take 17 mile drive in Carmel. If you have time, stop by Hearst Castle on Highway 1.

Muir woods in Marin county - giant redwoods
Sonoma and Napa counties - wine tours
 
+1 for Muir Woods

and Highway 1 is an incredible drive. Just leave yourself plenty of time. From LA to SF it can be a long drive. But well worth it if you arent i. A time crunch and can take plenty of breaks. Maybe even spend a night in Big Sir
 
Cheers guys. I'm a car nut when I haven't spent all my money on lenses so Highway 1 is a must. The convertible mustang is already booked... after all, what else would I want for driving through America?

Just finding relatively cheap accommodation in LA and SF... airbnb seems quite helpful. I'd rather spend my cash on steaks than a bed!
 
JMtheDP said:
... Just finding relatively cheap accommodation in LA and SF... airbnb seems quite helpful. I'd rather spend my cash on steaks than a bed!
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Exercise some caution on where you stay. Some hotels are a bit cheesy and some neighborhoods are a little dangerous. This is where you really have to consult your friends on the scene.
 
Burbank is one of the hearts of television and film production. There's nothing wrong with it, but there's nothing good about it either in terms of being in a cool place to stay. It's quite the industrial neighborhood.

If you just want a place to stay, its as good as any place. But if you want to be in some cool area, then that's not the place. West Hollywood, on the beach in Santa Monica or Venice beach, Westwood, Beverly Hills. Eating at a restaurant in Beverly Hills will be a unique experience for you. Have lunch there. Go to a somewhat upscale, but not fancy restaurant and eat outdoors. Someone should be able to recommend a place.

Cheap in SF? Forget it. SF is a pretty small city (relatively speaking). It is a very expensive city. If the place is cheap, you probably don't want to stay there. Read reviews on Yelp to guide you. You could stay in the east bay, which may give you some more reasonable options. But the east bay can have some really bad neighborhoods.

A convertible Mustang on Highway 1. That's classic. You will really enjoy this.
 
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JMtheDP said:
What's Burbank like?
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The closer to the studios, the better, as there are very few really 'bad" spots around, but, if you creep out to the edges, toward Sun Valley and Tujunga, then you're inching toward some pretty rough neighborhoods. Graffiti and the barbwire will usually give that away.

Also, Burbank is not a bad place to lodge due to it being a fairly "central-to-everything" location. Even if you want to drive 50 miles or so down to Disneyland, you're very close to the "5" freeway. The Universal tours is a short bus/taxi ride away. Hollywood is just over the hillside. You can even get to the ocean while skipping the city, via Topanga Cyn.
 
Jim,

I live in Burbank, and while it's definitely not a hip cultural hot-spot, it's about the safest you city you can stay in, in LA. And it's pretty central to everything.
I've had friends from London stay here and it's been a great place for them to bed down. I don't know your budget, but Burbank will be very affordable. Yes, I'd prefer to stay in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, just depends on your budget. If you're planning on spending time near the beach check out SM or even Marina Del Rey.

BTW, hit the Getty if you can, simply amazing artworks, majestic views, and great architecture. And stop into Panavision!

Have fun!
 
What Bill said, the Getty and Panavision, see a show at the Hollywood Bowl. I don't know if you have a way in, but any major studio is a lot of fun to just walk around alone and see productions going on. I always get lost on my way to the parking garage when I've been working at CBS, Sony and Paramount. Even the smaller studios like Red's studio in hollywood is a cool spot to check out, but of course can be hard to get access without a contact.

Also if you stay in Burbank drive up the 2 highway into the Angeles National Forest. It is fun curvy mountain driving and many many spots to stop and take photos. Just bring what you need before you go out there because there is literally nothing civilized out once you enter the forrest.
 
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