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AndreaLMT
:)
Member since 5/05 6856 total posts
Name:
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Any L.A. People Out There??? More questions on last post...
Looks like I'll be spending 2-3 weeks in LA this Fall. DH will be working there, so it's just me & DD (just under 2) during the week...I would love recommendations on where to go, what to do (not just the touristy stuff either), we'll have lots of time on our hands.
We're staying in Marina del Rey.
Thanks!
Message edited 9/18/2007 9:59:40 PM.
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Posted 8/29/07 8:18 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
Well for one you need to have some In N Out Burger....
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| Posted 8/29/07 8:20 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
Posted by missus-hbradio
Well for one you need to have some In N Out Burger....
Who knows, maybe you'll run into Paris Hilton there... Hopefully she's either sober or not driving!
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| Posted 8/29/07 8:21 PM |
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AndreaLMT
:)
Member since 5/05 6856 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by missus-hbradio
Well for one you need to have some In N Out Burger....
Who knows, maybe you'll run into Paris Hilton there... Hopefully she's either sober or not driving!
We'll definetly do In N Out Burger ..I'm totally going celeb stalking- so cheesy, but I just have to.
Message edited 8/29/2007 8:24:12 PM.
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| Posted 8/29/07 8:23 PM |
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Whamtastic
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 997 total posts
Name:
Big Fat Baby with a Blackberry
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
I'm an LA person. If you're going to be in MDR, you'll be right near the beach, which is great. Venice beach is like one town over from there, so there's the beach and the boardwalk, which is a bit touristy, but still fun. Santa Monica is just north of Venice, there's a 3rd street promenade, which is just a bunch of stores (mostly chains) and restaurants - it's not crazy special, but a nice place to spend a few hours. Unfortunately, I think most of the things I do are pretty touristy and pretty much everything we do is centered around shopping and/or eating! If you're looking for good vegetarian/veg friendly places to eat, though, I'm your girl!!
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| Posted 8/29/07 8:26 PM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
OMG, plan on doing IN and OUT burger like a million times, it's soooo good. Marina Del Rey is gorgeous and the water there is amazing...never got to the beach there though.
Definitely do shopping on Third street in Santa Monica, outdoor shopping and some characters for sure. Santa Monica Pier. Venice Beach is a nice walk to see things we see on TV, outdoor Gym and people skating and having a good time.
Also, if you have a weekend, definitely head down to San Diego...GORGEOUS place, I would have lived there if I could have when I was out west.
Definitely spend a half a day or more at Walk of Fame. Since I moved, they have the Hollywood and Vine complex...also, Universal is there and Disney land is like 45 minutes away, I had a GREAT dish there (there's a good downtown disney there too)
FM if you have any other questions, I lived there for 7 months in 2001.
Message edited 8/29/2007 8:31:06 PM.
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| Posted 8/29/07 8:28 PM |
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AndreaLMT
:)
Member since 5/05 6856 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
Great, thanks everybody!!!
Any reco's on local parks to take DD?
I'm trying to figure out what to do to fill my time since DH will be working all day during the week.
Any other reco's on things to do with DD would be MUCH appreciated!!!
PS- I will have a car, so driving is an option.
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| Posted 8/29/07 8:33 PM |
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Whamtastic
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 997 total posts
Name:
Big Fat Baby with a Blackberry
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
Posted by AndreaLMT
Great, thanks everybody!!!
Any reco's on local parks to take DD?
I'm trying to figure out what to do to fill my time since DH will be working all day during the week.
Any other reco's on things to do with DD would be MUCH appreciated!!!
PS- I will have a car, so driving is an option.
I don't know much to do with kids in town, but I know The Grove (an outdoor shopping area next to the old Farmer's Market) has live music and people bring their babies and the kids love it. I don't know if it goes on every day or just on the weekends, though. I'll try to find out.
The Grove event calendar plus music at 3pm on weekends.
Message edited 8/29/2007 8:42:59 PM.
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| Posted 8/29/07 8:41 PM |
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
Posted by mommy2bella
OMG, plan on doing IN and OUT burger like a million times, it's soooo good. Marina Del Rey is gorgeous and the water there is amazing...never got to the beach there though.
Definitely do shopping on Third street in Santa Monica, outdoor shopping and some characters for sure. Santa Monica Pier. Venice Beach is a nice walk to see things we see on TV, outdoor Gym and people skating and having a good time.
Also, if you have a weekend, definitely head down to San Diego...GORGEOUS place, I would have lived there if I could have when I was out west.
Definitely spend a half a day or more at Walk of Fame. Since I moved, they have the Hollywood and Vine complex...also, Universal is there and Disney land is like 45 minutes away, I had a GREAT dish there (there's a good downtown disney there too)
FM if you have any other questions, I lived there for 7 months in 2001.
I agree if you are over there, definitely check out San Diego one day. If you go there you are going to wonder why you live anywhere else than there - its gorgeous!
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| Posted 8/29/07 8:48 PM |
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
no, but if you come down to san diego there's a ton to do!
i just moved here a few weeks ago, so i'm no expert... but at the Westfield shopping center in UTC, there are always a ton of mommies and their babies all playing in the fountains, eating lunch, and shopping together!
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| Posted 8/29/07 8:53 PM |
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AndreaLMT
:)
Member since 5/05 6856 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
Thanks, about how far a drive is San Diego from Marina del Rey?
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| Posted 8/29/07 9:17 PM |
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metsgirlie
How did you get blue eyes?
Member since 11/05 3763 total posts
Name:
LC's Mommy
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
In N Out Burger is heaven!
If you like garlic a cool restaurant to go to is The Stinking Rose. I believe it is in Beverly Hills.
Stinking Rose
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| Posted 8/30/07 11:07 AM |
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cazhley
I ♥ cheesiness.
Member since 1/07 1429 total posts
Name:
Cassie
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
Gladstone's restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. It's located right on the beach. You can sit outside to eat for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Casual. And crazy huge ice cream desserts.
Also, I noticed when I lived in L.A. for 2 years that L.A. had a great selection of swimsuits, better than in the East Coast...so if you're in the market...
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| Posted 8/30/07 3:56 PM |
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weeble
LIF Zygote
Member since 4/07 46 total posts
Name:
Marie
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
San Diego is probably about 2 to 3 hours south of Marina del Rey. It depends on the traffic.
I've lived in LA for almost 5 years now and love it. I live in the "South Bay" - which I would highly recommend visiting. It's a little area of 3 beach towns: Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. Very walkable, in fact you can walk along the beach on a path that's called the "strand" from Manhattan to Hermosa and then on to Redondo. All you'll see are people with babies and dogs (and million dollar homes). 
There was also an article in today's LA Times about this website: LA With Kids I know nothing else about it, except that I saw it mentioned in the article- but it might help you plan some things to do.
I second going to the Grove because you'll be able to safely walk around and enjoy the scenery and shop.
FM me if you need anything else!
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| Posted 8/30/07 4:11 PM |
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JessInCA
live laugh love
Member since 8/06 5082 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
Come to San Diego!!! I'm not much help on LA, but I can recommend tons of things to do in SD...
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| Posted 8/31/07 12:09 PM |
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MrsBumbleb
it's me
Member since 5/05 11234 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
No reco's but just wanted to say I'm jealous, can I come? I'd go to the library or bookstore and get a Lonely Planet or Fodor's book and take notes for the basic stuff to do. You'd spend a fortune after 3 weeks if you did the touristy stuff all the time.
HAVE A BLAST, and take lots of pics of the west coast baby!
Message edited 8/31/2007 12:34:19 PM.
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| Posted 8/31/07 12:33 PM |
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AndreaLMT
:)
Member since 5/05 6856 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There???
bumping for more input..
Since I'm renting a car...Seriously, how bad is LA traffic REALLY? Is getting around fairly easy? (By that I mean is it easier than driving in NYC?)
I'm going on mapquest a lot just to see how far things are, and truthfully it doesn't sound too bad, but if something says 10-15 minutes, how long will it take really?
ex: How far is Bev Hills from Marina Del Rey? How about Malibu? The touristy places like Hollywood, Chinese Theater, etc...?
Any danger zones/areas to avoid???
Thanks for bearing w/ me.
Message edited 9/18/2007 10:00:20 PM.
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| Posted 9/18/07 9:59 PM |
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JessInCA
live laugh love
Member since 8/06 5082 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There??? More questions on last post...
I find it much easier to drive in LA than Manhattan, but the highways are always crowded and people speed like crazy and never use blinkers. Try to avoid rush hour if you want an easier ride. I would add an extra 15 minutes to whatever Mapquest tells you - even if you make it there on time, you'll need extra time for parking, etc.
For the rest of your questions, someone who actually lives in LA would be better at answering than me!
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| Posted 9/19/07 12:23 AM |
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Merf99
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3380 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There??? More questions on last post...
What about the LA Zoo or the Long Beach Aquarium? I agree about 3rd St in Santa Monica. That's fun - or the Santa Monica Pier has some rides and games. The Grove is a nice place to walk around and eat but it's mostly shopping.
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| Posted 9/19/07 7:14 AM |
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4ForMe
:)
Member since 11/05 5666 total posts
Name:
Barbara
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There??? More questions on last post...
..I'm totally going celeb stalking- so cheesy, but I just have to.
I would be doing the exact same thing!
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| Posted 9/19/07 7:32 AM |
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cazhley
I ♥ cheesiness.
Member since 1/07 1429 total posts
Name:
Cassie
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There??? More questions on last post...
I found driving there pretty easy. Traffic was bad only during rush hour on the freeways. Then it was definitely always stop and go. I didn't like the 405 within the metro L.A. area.
Marina del Rey, Malibu - not too much traffic, at all.
You can take the streets to most places. Also, on the streets, pedestrians are not cautious there. It is an assumption that pedestrians always have the right of way. If a pedestrian steps off the curb, drivers come to a screeching halt!
In the touristy areas - Chinese Theater, it is a little like driving in Manhattan, but not as crowded..difficult to make left turns, and such.
Oh, and when it rains, people drive much slower than when it rains here. I found out it's because the oil builds up on the roads due to little rain over long periods.
Mapquest should be good. When I was living there, I bought a map book called Thomas' guide. Everyone had this, but this was before mapquest. Thomas' was my bible to get through the streets.
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| Posted 9/19/07 9:51 AM |
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Whamtastic
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 997 total posts
Name:
Big Fat Baby with a Blackberry
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There??? More questions on last post...
Posted by AndreaLMT
bumping for more input..
Since I'm renting a car...Seriously, how bad is LA traffic REALLY? Is getting around fairly easy? (By that I mean is it easier than driving in NYC?)
I'm going on mapquest a lot just to see how far things are, and truthfully it doesn't sound too bad, but if something says 10-15 minutes, how long will it take really?
ex: How far is Bev Hills from Marina Del Rey? How about Malibu? The touristy places like Hollywood, Chinese Theater, etc...?
Any danger zones/areas to avoid???
Thanks for bearing w/ me.
MDR to Beverly Hills, depending on your route and time of day will be at least 30 minutes.
Hollywood tourist-y area is closer to 45 minutes - take the streets, not the highways.
Like a previous poster said, add AT LEAST 15 minutes to mapquest times.
The traffic isn't terrible if you aren't in rush hour, but there's always cars on the road and a lot more congestion than you'd ever think - I always say LA is like the Belt Parkway, because you're always going to hit congestion or traffic somewhere.
Getting around is fairly easy, though, in general. Driving isn't too crazy, although everyone thinks they're the most important person on the road, so keep that in mind when people are cutting you off, not signaling, etc.
There's rougher neighborhoods, but mostly everything is fine during the day, especially the places that you mentioned.
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| Posted 9/19/07 6:32 PM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Any L.A. People Out There??? More questions on last post...
LA is nothing like NYC, but the traffic CAN be horrendous, and also pop up at the weirdest time and one sec you can be doing 60 and then the next 0, literally stopped dead. But if you drive on LI, you'll be fine.
Santa Monica is the most far West, and during the day it would be at least a 30+minute ride to Beverly Hills...and again, it depends on what areas you are going to...
ETA: from Bev Hills, Malibu is a bit of a hike, I would say 45 min during the day...can be more...
Message edited 9/23/2007 9:19:36 AM.
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| Posted 9/23/07 9:18 AM |
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