in your opinion? we have some ideas of stuff we want to do, but I want to hear other peoples' recommendations of what's good so we can make up an itinerary.

thanks!

p.s.- we have no problem with touristy attractions and dont' feel the need to avoid them like the plague as it seems many travelers do. I know LA has plenty of that stuff to offer, so feel free to mention any good stuff. thanks!

The Dodgers!D'oh, they were eliminated from the playoffs..nevermind.

watts towers
hamburger central in glendale
don's records in eagle rock
griffith park
wacko's
meltdown
cajun food at the farmers market
real food daily for vegans
melrose ave for "punks"
the smell

Tommy Burgers! (Double chili-cheese and a tamale)

the smell is a disgusting venue. it reminds of a cross between abc no rio and cbgbs. the name suits the place to a T.

real food daily on the other hand... mmmmm... suprme burritos and tv dinners. delicious.

I second Meltdown, and also grab a hot dog at the famous Pink's on Melrose & LaBrea.

And the tar pits, of course!

Astro Burger on Santa Monica
Cafe Sushi on Beverly
My house
3rd St Promenade in Santa Monica (excellent for ultra-touristy stores AND the homeless) - then head down to Santa Monica Pier
A drive along Pacific Coast Highway
The Getty Villa
The Getty Museum ( as long as you don't mind the lack of modern art)
Amoeba Records
See a band at the Troubadour - my favorite LA music venue
The fabulous sunset strip at night: Check out the death metal kids outside the Whisky.
A nightime Drive along Mullholland - stop at selected places to see LA city lights, and look the other way to see San Fernando Valley lights
Check out a show at Spaceland in Silverlake and see real hipsters + cool music
Check out a show at the Echo in Echo Park - and see the same people
See some campy pre-film show at the El Capitan on Hollywood Blvd
Meltdown, Span, Munky King all close enuf to each other.
Check out the morning Surf where Tenmascal Canyon hits PCH (then go to Santa Monica)
Venice Beach, where the not-so weird weirdoes are fun first time around

thats it for brain dump #1, I'll post more if I can think of it :0

I would love to see the tar pits, actually.

we are going to go to Disneyland for at least a day or two. it's actually one of the main reasons we're coming back out to CA.

but this other stuff sounds great and we're going to try to cram in as much as possible. thanks for the all the suggestions everyone!

The one thing you'll learn from visiting the tar pits is that Dire Wolves were the most stupid animals on Earth...

OK, I'll add Japan Town and China Town to the list - great eats and some cool stores.
Sawtelle Blvd for Giant Robot 1 and 2, and GR Eats (haven't eaten there tho) and some Japanese stores.
Hollywood Forever Cemetary, altho I've only been at night.
If u search it out there is another cemetary where Marilyn Monroe was buried in Westwood (I think)
Mann's Chinese Theater - I hate the crowd, but its famous.

mmmm, something else is on my mind, but can't remember now...later

what's up creep?

is there still this cuban restaurant "versailles" on la cienega???
loved the food there - 10 years back.

there is a versaille on ventura in sherman oaks/encino... i believe you can catch a glimpse of it in 40 Year Old Virgin

thanks for posting this thread skylar.

i'm heading out to LA for New Year's this year...


Anyone with New Year's ideas are free to let me know...not to hijack your thread or anything....

You'd love Phillippe's home of the OG french dip.

i'm tempted to go see the goo goo dolls new years eve!!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Ulp?

goo goo dolls = guilty pleasure!

The Versaille on La Cienega is still there.....although I prefer the one on Venice.
Mario's at 5786 Melrose Ave has AWESOME Peruvian food....but go on off hours because the place gets massively busy.

The Lakers might be playing when you're here. The home season starts on Halloween Day but they have a bunch of exhibitions before then.

I actually like the take out only Versailles at Universal City Walk, but thats cos I used to get Universal employees discount. Theres a way better cuban place in Glendale, restaurant is in a converted garage, but I can't remember the one. then of course thre is Porto's - that place ROCKS super hard. Amazing prices and food.

I say skip GR eats. I GR alphed after that crap. Besides there's this place called Manpuku in the little strip mall a little ways down that's amazing JP BBQ. Try the Karubi, you'll die happy.

you worked at Universal?

Yeah, for five years at Universal Music Group - on the lot at Burbank. Best thing about the job? The golf cart I had to run around the lot - excellent fun, especially on speed bumps!