So I'm planning on taking a 5 day trip to L.A. in September. I'm seeing a friend who lives there part of the time, but I'm also going to:

-Take a trip by myself (which I haven't ever really done)
-Do some self-reflection after the difficult year I've had up to now
-Check it out again (I love California but I haven't been there in 7 or 8 years at this point)
-Go to the beach

The trip doesn't have a real sense of purpose other than that, but I've decided to do it (and I'll be renting a car).

So, people who live in L.A. or who have been there a lot. Tell me where I should stay affordably, where I should go, what I should do, what I should eat, etc. Tell me all.

TV tapings & Pink's

Have dinner once at the Stinking Rose.

The Boiling Shrimp
Tsujita LA (Ramen)

Santa Monica Pier
Six Flags: Magic Mountain

If you're in the mood for sushi I've heard there's a lot of great all-you-can-eat places there. Not sure of one specifically though lol

If you end up seeing a movie and are in Hollywood the Arclight there is pretty cool.

Also...

DISNEYLAND

In N Out burgers are good. Overhyped, but good. Their fresh fries are surprisingly not that great though, dunno why I prefer the processed crap.

YOU SUCK.

Go to In-N-Out. Because it is so much fucking better than Five Guys.

Relax people, I am definitely making a trip to In N Out at some point while I'm there. lol

Where's Ross when you need him?

Visit Torrino and Christian?

Um...there's lots to do. I can give you countless recs.

My must do's:
- Stay by the beach (SaMo) instead of Hollywood. Especially if you are traveling solo. I live in a town called Westwood (between Beverly Hills and Santa Monica) that may also be an option. It's kind of clustered between everything
- Go to the beach! Santa Monica is fun for shopping/ dining, but is too popular. I would check out the other options, too (go beach hopping one day? Or, rent a bike and ride along the coast). Malibu is secluded but beautiful. Venice is a hoot, but the beach itself isn't my favorite. Hermosa and Manhattan are nice weekday options -- very laid back and similar to, like, Rehobeth (but prettier)
- Hike up Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (500 ft of challenging stairs -- more difficult than it sounds) on a nice, smog-free day to get a view of the whole city. I can recommend some nice hikes too
- Farmers Markets! The SaMo Wednesday one is the best
- Take crazy fitness classes. Weird recommendation, but LA is the place to OD on group fitness
- Museums: we have some nice ones. The Getty Villa and Getty Museum are worth a visit for the architecture (the exhibits are meh). LACMA has upped its game recently (just had a Kubrick exhibit)
- Walk along Abbot Kinney in Venice
- Shopping districts: Rodeo Drive and adjacent Beverly (upscale); I also recommend Melrose. Lots like the Grove and 3rd Street Promenade
- LA has so many communities...I would plan on visiting a few that seem interesting. Besides Venice, Santa Monica, Hollywood, and other beach towns...I would spend some time in Silver Lake and West Hollywood

Also, have tons of restaurant recs. LA is a great dining city. But recs may depend on where you stay...

Thanks dawg. I was leaning towards staying in Santa Monica. How far of a drive is Santa Barbara?

And yeah, restaurant recs are highly encouraged. Places where I could go and not feel awkward eating alone at, lol.

torrino is a black Jew?

Invite the BF! Solo trips are a bore, I have taken way too many of them. Self reflection is done by the time you get off the flight, and you're bored after the first few hours of 'me time'. I would always try and put my phone & laptop away, but after a bit found myself texting my fam and friends. Granted it's difficult with kids who I wanna see 24/7, but still. Solo trips are good if they're for like, a night or 2.

Best advice is to do nothing. Just sleep forever, do whatever you feel like doing whenever you want to. If the weather is nice, pass out on the beach.

I greatly prefer San Diego to LA (SF too, but its a bit too cold). But if it must be LA, I would recommend the santa monica area as already mentioned, Baldwin trails are nice....um...Ventura's a cool place too, though it's north WEST of the city by a bit.

wooot

Although I haven't been in LA too much to say this too.

Nope. I'm definitely going alone. I've always wanted to take a trip by myself and never have, it's on my bucket list. Plus I really just want some time in a different place by myself considering what a crazy year it's been for me.

I live an hour south (closeish to DLand), but I'll lend my two cents off my experiences.

I'll second the motion for Pink's and Santa Monica Pier. Venice Beach is cool because of the street performers but the Pier has more to do.

Probably the best restaurant I've been to in the area is Bay Cities Deli on Broadway and Lincoln. Also really dig the Original Farmer's Market on Fairfax, both times I've been there I saw someone famous (David Spade and Lau from Dark Knight). For sweeter stuff, Diddie Reese has long-ass lines but their ice cream sandwiches are outstanding.

There's also some cool stuff on Sunset: Amoeba, ArcLight, Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, all the really famous venues from the 80's, ecetera.

Well, I suppose if you have never taken one than it will be a refreshing experience. I have taken too many for work, they get lame.

Torri I think I figured out where I'm staying. It's this super affordable ($90/night) Brazilian hotel on Washington Blvd. in Culver City. All the reviews say it's so cute.

Not sure what hotel you're referring to, but that should be a good area -- very close to most of the areas you'd be traveling to. My only thought: Culver City along Washington will not be pedestrian-heavy unless you are close to the beach (west of Lincoln; technically, this is Marina Del Rey) or towards downtown Culver. There's some good restaurants in between (including two of my favorites - A Frame and Waterloo & City)...but it isn't the best choice if you put a premium on being able to walk to things.

Unfortunately, most of the beach-adjacent hotels are ridiculously priced. Hotel Erwin used to be affordable. Viceroy, Le Merigot, Loews, Huntley, Fairmont -- not so much. You could take a swag at Priceline -- I think most of the Santa Monica hotels are decent.

Slightly north of Culver -- in an area called West LA (basically, anywhere that's not Culver, Palms, Venice, MDR, SaMo, Brentwood, Mar Vista, or Westwood), there's this Best Western that I can vouch for. I think it's called the Royal Palace and is on Sepulveda. It's not luxurious, but I've had family stay there (close to my sister's crib). It is a few blocks from the Westside Pavillion mall (with this huge Landmark theatre -- when a limited-release opens in 5 theatres...that's usually one of them) and many food options (including Apple Pan! - a burger joint that inspired Johnny Rockets).

Westwood (slightly north) could be another option. You'd be a straight-shot bus ride away from the beach or Beverly Hills (depending on the direction on Wilshire), close to a pedestrian-friendly dining area (Westwood Village), and near the 405. There's a Kimpton Palomar that's fairly nice. Also a W.

Santa Barbara is around 90 minutes away -- more if you start your route on the 1 to drive thru all of Malibu (unfortunately, the 1 is not continuous thru Santa Barbara).

Bay Cities is a fantastic recommendation, by the way. I'm not into Pink's -- but I'm not generally into hot dogs or long lines for street food.

Nah it's cool, I'm renting a car.

Thanks for all the advice!

As you should in LA...

The Redskins bar is on Washington, too!

I'll need to think thru my dining list. But, both A-Frame and Waterloo could be appealing for dinner - they're right next to each other so if one has a line...jump to the other one. A-Frame has communal seating if you're feeling adventurous. Both have bars.

I'm going back to L.A. for Christmas! (I'll be there December 23-28). Guess I can get to more of these recommendations this time.

I hated L.A. The only (of many) places in the US that I have been to, that I just outright disliked.