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4 hrs to kill in LAX What to do
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:09 pm
by theshopper3
Well, we have decided to help out the failing ecconomy of the worlds & take a trip to Aus & the Cook Islands next month
We have a layover of approx 6 hrs at LAX before our flight & don't want to spend it roaming the airport. I don't think our luggage will be routed straight thru so I am assuming will have to collect it & then re check for the other flight, which may leave us only 4 hr until we need to check in.
From what I have read it sounds like either the Venice Beach or Santa Monica area is realativley close & we could walk around & have dinner, with luggage in tow.
Does this sounds like a good plan???Any other suggestions?
Thanks
The Shopper
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:50 pm
by RickG
LA? That's a problem.
Question: Where can you (A) drink bud light for $cheap per bottle, (B) enjoy a cigarette while you do it and (C) plays Rawhide when happy hour is over?
Answer: Not California!
LA is my own personal heart of darkness, so I can't help with much more than to suggest that once, after walking Venice Beach, I did not have the desire to drive east until I saw snowpack.
Have fun!!! This sounds like a really cool vacation.
Cheers, RickG
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:45 pm
by Joshie
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Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:52 pm
by loria
ohhhhhh lax....yuck.
if you are transitting thru to an international flight (ie: if you are switching carriers, say from aa to AIr New Zealnd) chances are that you will have to go thru security again--and that will eat up your 4 hours (and then some!).
i second rick G's heart of darkness comment--LAX makes JFK look like Maho on a beautiful calm sunny day--
on a happier note--you are going to a lovely place (and read bill bryson's book before you go!)
will you be in queensland at all? IF so i can recommend some great operators to get out on the reef with
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:20 pm
by promoguy
Unfortunately, by the time you arrive, collect your luggage and time to be ready to exit the Int'l terminal, you really don't have time to get to Venice. Venice is most fun on the weekends anyway.
Maybe a good idea would be to just get out of the airport area, get a taxi and head for some nice lunch at a very decent Mexican Restaurant in Manhattan Beach. It is the two small towns south of airport and very close.
We like a place called Pancho's
http://www.panchosrestaurant.com/
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:56 pm
by California Girl
IMHO, I surely wouldn't want to schlep my luggage around the L.A. area. You'll just be a walking advertisement - "I'm a tourist - mug me!" If you really feel the need to leave the airport, then see if they have someplace you can store your luggage for a few hours. I wonder if airports still have lockers?? It's not like you can leave your stuff with the taxi driver, like you can in St. Thomas.
And, LAX is not in L.A. per se. It's in Inglewood, one of the lovely armpits of the Greater L.A. area. So wherever you go, you will have to travel a bit. Promoguy really gave you the best advice.
Venice Beach is not so much a place to visit, as it is an "experience." Go there when you have time to hang out and stroll and watch the weirdos go by.
I really can't offer any suggestions other than to suggest you just hang out at the airport, as boring as that may sound. But if you really need to get out of there, head for Pancho's! 
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:10 pm
by promoguy
Now, now CG, let's not give the airport away. It is in Los Angeles. However, it is very close to Inglewood.
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:20 pm
by California Girl
Seriously? Hmmm.... you learn something new every day! But, then again, I'm from Orange County! LOL!
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:13 am
by promoguy
Actually it's Westchester which is just another of the myriad of communities in Los Angeles.
Although I must say that Inglewood International Airport does have a cool ring to it.
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:04 am
by California Girl
THAT'S Westchester??? I always wondered where Westchester was! You'd never know I was born & raised in Southern California, would you? 
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:39 pm
by theshopper3
Thanks everyone for your honest oppinions, I was afraid it would be as you all stated. Not enough time to do much of anything
I knew I could get my answers here, I have checked other forums, & it just isn't home
Yes, Rick, I think you would be hard pressed to find a "Woody" in LA
will certainly need the $Cheap beer,& to be able to enjoy a smoke after the flight from Vanvouver. Rick what is"snowpack" or is that a knock against us Canucks....
Loria, I am not sure what we will actully end up doing, as we are going to be visiting friends in the Queensland area, so we have left the sight seeing to them. Will look for the book you suggested. Tks
Promoguy, thanks for the info on Pancho's, it looks like a great place, unfortuatley I don't care for Mexican food, but hell I'll just have a few cold beers & let Larry enjoy the food
Do you want meet us at the airport with a cold six pack & give us the .50 cent tour to kill time
I'll bring you a GLOW BRACELET....
The Shopper
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:28 pm
by loria
have a great time--i hope your friends get you up to the daintree and over to the atherton tablelands (GORGEOUS country!)
and do try to get out on the reef (and try not to go from cairns or Port douglas, but try to go out from up in the daintree--in port d it seems like many outiftters hit the same area and try to get with a smaller outfitter)--if you like snorkeling in STJ--be ready to come back and be underwhelmed by it--it really is all that.
it's just beautiful up there!
oh, I am so jealous!!!!
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:20 pm
by Terry
We are so jealous that you are going to the Cook Islands. Have a wonderful time!!
A bazillion years ago I was offered a "Fam" trip as a travel agent to the Cook Islands for $500 per couple air and hotel to a resort. We were raising kids and $500 seemed like a lot of money. Crap...were we stupid.
Please do a trip report!