Lost in Los Angeles - help!

[Rbecca]

I'm going back to the UK in a couple of weeks. Yipee!! I can't wait. I have a list of places to go to starting with Asda and Tesco and things to collect to bring back with me.

My ticket lets me go back via Los Angeles rather than intended Hong Kong which means I can stop off for a bit of sightseeing and shopping. However I'm travelling on my own and am worried about somewhere safe to stay and somewhere which is not way out from the touristy areas.

If you've got any advice about where to stay - areas or specific hotels (it has to be pretty cheap) and things to do I'd be mightily grateful.

[mandisfam]

Hi there, I travelled to LA on my own back in 2000. I am afraid I don't remember the name of hotel I stayed in, although it was only about 10 mins for Disneyland. I would recommend that you find a hotel with his near a good selection of places to eat because most hotels in america are room only.

When arriving in LA they have an excellent transfer service from the airport, numerous buses go round airport at different points collecting people and getting them to there hotel. Its not expensive either, well it wasn't back then, certainly cheaper than a taxi. Im sure LA airport website would probably give you more information or the hotel you end up booking with.

As for sightseeing, obviously depends on what you want to see. But if you stick to organised tours from your hotel you will be have the safety of the hotel knowing where you are headed and other people doing the same tour as you. I went all round LA like this and also spend a day on Long Island.

You could always look at trip advisor for hotel choice.

Good luck and enjoy your visit back to the UK and LA.

Mandisfam

[JoanneHattersley]

We stayed on the Queen Mary which sounds like it should be expensive but it worked out about $40 a night! It is moored at Long Beach which is about 30 mins from Disney!

I loved..... Disney, Universal, warner Bros studio tour (we got there the day after they took the Friends set down!), Manns Chinese Theatre, shopping!!, Rodeo Drive, There is so much to see!

If you can hire a car and drive around, that in itself is fun!

[fatpom]

There's a youth hostel - very tidy, pretty much like a 4 star hotel, in Santa Monica near (or on) Sunset Blvd. Fairly convenient for the airport and OK to walk around at night (or was?).

Can't remember its name but you should be able to google it.

Santa Monica is (or was) OK to wander around. Venice Beach not so good after dark but OK during daylight.

[Rbecca]

Thanks very much for the advice. After hours of research I have found 2 hotels, not too far away from Universal Studios which have good reviews on a few sights. I'm thinking about a day trip to Mexico, a movie star homes tour, Hollywood Bowl rehearsals, Rodeo Dr, Venice Beach, walk of fame, shopping centre and WALMART.
Two and a half days ouht to be about right for all that so that I have a good sleep on the plane to London (before a 4 hr wait to fly up to Manchester!).

[sykestykes]

Good luck with your trip Rebecca, it sounds like you're going to have a fab time! (Although you could easily spend 2 days in Walmart, never mind the rest lol)

Best wishes

Sue x