[bkM3]

so im going to LA for the first time with my family for 10 days next month but only have about 4-5 days of free time. was wondering if anybody had any tips on which sites to go to and which sites to skip as well as any recommendations for places to eat.

im planning on setting aside almost an entire day to rent a convertible (mustang, or camaro) or exotic (depending on price) and drive some parts of PCH. anybody have any suggestions on starting and ending points? where to stop off? anywhere i can get a good deal on an exotic rental?

if it makes a difference, i will be based out of encino

thanks for your input

[ASAP]

Like you said PCH is one of my favorites of the area. Get that vert and spend some time in Malibu and take a cruise up the Hollywood Hills for the views of the valley.

[gtron]

LA is just okay, i would spend more time going on adventures outside of of LA.

for example, take a coastal drive from LA to San Diego. stop at the beaches in orange county and eat at a brazilian steakhouse in the gaslamp district of San Diego.

i like boiling crab too if you're near one.

[rjpeaks]

yelp LA and Orange County.

you will be based in Encino - there's a bunch of things you can do in LA. Try get some baseball tickets as post season is right around the corner - both the Angels and Dodgers will likely be in.

go to the beach get surf lessons.

catch a Charger game in San Diego.

go get a taco from a taco stand in Tijuana. but don't get thrown in jail.

you mentioned family- you have kids?

[bkM3]

Originally Posted by rjpeaks

yelp LA and Orange County.

you will be based in Encino - there's a bunch of things you can do in LA. Try get some baseball tickets as post season is right around the corner - both the Angels and Dodgers will likely be in.

go to the beach get surf lessons.

catch a Charger game in San Diego.

go get a taco from a taco stand in Tijuana. but don't get thrown in jail.

you mentioned family- you have kids?

chargers game isnt a bad idea, not a huge fan of baseball though

got a 4 month old, so its not like hes going to enjoy disneyland. also he wont have to tag along wherever we go as i can always leave him with family if me and the wife want to go out at night.

[GnarlyMarley]

Venice beach. That's my favorite area out here by far.

[nissan]

The Magic Castle is always a cool spot to go to @ night. Food sucks, but it's an unique experience.

[rjpeaks]

ok you have a 4 month old - well, you will want to work around nap schedules during the day. i would still try to take him to the beach. Put him in the water - it's warm right now with water temps in the low 70's.

its the best time of year.


have fun.

[bkM3]

Originally Posted by rjpeaks

ok you have a 4 month old - well, you will want to work around nap schedules during the day. i would still try to take him to the beach. Put him in the water - it's warm right now with water temps in the low 70's.

its the best time of year.


have fun.

lol not really worried about the nap schedules. he can always sleep in the stroller wherever we are or we can get somebody to babysit for a few hours

[bkM3]

Originally Posted by Jexter

If you are into Sushi, in West Hollywood, Koi is a must.

definitely into sushi but there is a koi literally down the block from my office in manhattan. i would rather try something different if possible.

[leJUNd]

Originally Posted by bkM3

definitely into sushi but there is a koi literally down the block from my office in manhattan. i would rather try something different if possible.

If you need restaurant suggestions, I can give you some.

If your going to take a drive on PCH. Make sure to plan a meal at Nobu on Malibu. Food is good but the atmosphere is awesome. Ask to be seated outside.
Bestia in downtown is excellent.
Chi Spacca is awesome if you want meatcentric food.
Trois Mec is very nice.
Alma is nice.
Urasawa if you love sushi and want truly unique Sushi experience. It's gonna cost you though. For me personally, one of the best sushi/japanese food in the world. I've been to more than 5 michelin 3star Sushi places and many 2's and 1's. Urasawa is at least on par with all the 3 stars. Short of going to Japan and learning to speak Japanese, best Sushi experience.
If you want more value for $ for Sushi, I would suggest Sushi Zo in culver/Cheviot Hill. Sushi Q, Sugar Fish.
Animal is very nice.
One of the most unique LA thing is Korea Town. So if you like Korean BBQ check out Baek Jeong.
If you are visiting Venice, check out Abbot Kinney street pretty fun shopping street.
In Venice, you should check out Gjelnia, or Tasting Kitchen on Abbot Kinney, or Superba food and bread on Lincoln blvd.
Other restaurants I would suggest are...
AOC, Baco Mercat, Republique, Father's Office, Hinoki and the bird, ink, Bazzar, Orsa and Winston...

[jdlivxx]

Originally Posted by leJUNd

If you need restaurant suggestions, I can give you some.

If your going to take a drive on PCH. Make sure to plan a meal at Nobu on Malibu. Food is good but the atmosphere is awesome. Ask to be seated outside.
Bestia in downtown is excellent.
Chi Spacca is awesome if you want meatcentric food.
Trois Mec is very nice.
Alma is nice.
Urasawa if you love sushi and want truly unique Sushi experience. It's gonna cost you though. For me personally, one of the best sushi/japanese food in the world. I've been to more than 5 michelin 3star Sushi places and many 2's and 1's. Urasawa is at least on par with all the 3 stars. Short of going to Japan and learning to speak Japanese, best Sushi experience.
If you want more value for $ for Sushi, I would suggest Sushi Zo in culver/Cheviot Hill. Sushi Q, Sugar Fish.
Animal is very nice.
One of the most unique LA thing is Korea Town. So if you like Korean BBQ check out Baek Jeong.
If you are visiting Venice, check out Abbot Kinney street pretty fun shopping street.
In Venice, you should check out Gjelnia, or Tasting Kitchen on Abbot Kinney, or Superba food and bread on Lincoln blvd.
Other restaurants I would suggest are...
AOC, Baco Mercat, Republique, Father's Office, Hinoki and the bird, ink, Bazzar, Orsa and Winston...

These are all solid food picks.
You could also try sasabune for sushi, CUT for steak, el charity for tacos( on the corner of Olympic & la brea). If you want dumplings people love din ti fung in the valley.

Cars and coffee in irvine if you want to make the trek on a Saturday morning or super car Sunday in woodland hills which is close to encino.
Peterson auto museum, LACMA, la brea tar pits.
There are also a few local breweries if you are in to that.

[pattielipp]

I took a trip out there last summer with my Girlfriend and a few other friends. I recommend making it down to San Diego and Santa Monica. The Gas Lamp district is awesome for the night life. For another Beautiful area, go a little further south to La Jolla.

[bkM3]

wow so much to do so little time! thanks for all the input, keep em coming if you got anymore!

[Red Bread]

Normally I'd recommend Langers in downtown for a pastrami sammich, but since you're from NY, you can probably skip that. Umami Burger is worth a visit though. LACMA and the Getty are both great, a drive out Mulholland/GMR is a fun way to abuse a rental car and you can hit the Getty Santa Monica when you're done. Just trolling Laurel Canyon can be fun too.

[FVM3]

Santa Monica and venice beach

[HFW003]

If you love food I can highly recommend Curtis Stone's restaurant, Maude, in Beverley Hills. Absolutely gorgeous.

I would also recommend a visit to the Farmers Market, plenty of things to eat there.

Loved the City, have fun!

[P1]

Get a table at Supperclub and ball out a bit...

[UncleWede]

IF you want a slower pace, but still nice stuff at the end of PCH, head north to Santa Barbara. The Palace Grill on Cota is our favorite spot. Martinis come in quarts or pint mason jars. LOVE the whitefish when I can get it there. You get to sing along with the wait staff, and they make a point of getting you to order dessert FIRST !

[bkM3]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

IF you want a slower pace, but still nice stuff at the end of PCH, head north to Santa Barbara. The Palace Grill on Cota is our favorite spot. Martinis come in quarts or pint mason jars. LOVE the whitefish when I can get it there. You get to sing along with the wait staff, and they make a point of getting you to order dessert FIRST !

Actually planning on going to Santa Barbara. Thanks for the restaurant recommendation, will definitely check it out. Any wineries you think are worth visiting?

[UncleWede]

^ The Palace serves martinis in pint and quart jars

[JeM9]

In N out! You have to try the animal style fries?