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Calling Los Angelinos - where to eat/what to do next weekend? (1 Viewer)

BeTheMatch

BeTheMatch

Footballguy
My wife and I are heading to LA next weekend to see Pearl Jam at the Forum. We get in Friday night and are staying a few miles away from the venue, close to airport. Concert is Saturday night. We won't have a car.

A few questions:

1) Where should we eat Friday night and/or Saturday afternoon?

2) Any recommendations for something to do fairly close by on Saturday morning/afternoon?

3) Are we going to be able to get an Uber after the show Saturday night, or is that a pipe dream? Don't really see myself hoofing it the 3-4 miles to the hotel.

 
rockaction said:
I haven't been in about twenty years but I hear nothing but bad things about it. It used to be a tourist attraction but is overrun with the homeless and indigent. 
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It depends where you are. LA is a huge sprawl. Venice has 2000 homeless and it can be disturbing. But for a quick visit, LA will probably seem like the same old place it's always been. 

BeTheMatch said:
My wife and I are heading to LA next weekend to see Pearl Jam at the Forum. We get in Friday night and are staying a few miles away from the venue, close to airport. Concert is Saturday night. We won't have a car.

A few questions:

1) Where should we eat Friday night and/or Saturday afternoon?

2) Any recommendations for something to do fairly close by on Saturday morning/afternoon?

3) Are we going to be able to get an Uber after the show Saturday night, or is that a pipe dream? Don't really see myself hoofing it the 3-4 miles to the hotel.
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Where should you eat? Very close to where you'll be there is a kabillion right answers. But Friday night and Saturday if you want to go to a good restaurant, it will be busy and there will be lines. Reservations are a good idea and don't be frustrated if you still wait. Door dashing or uber eats-ing something to the hotel might be my choice, but I've lived in SoCal for 50 years and grow weary of the scene. 

JW Steakhouse at the LAX Marriott does a nice job. It's a chain and for me has been a convenience because that's where I stay when using the airport. Love the pool at midnight. Sausal is my pick (near the airport) for a great LA Mexican meal. When in LA, eat Mexican. I don't feel like googling, but there's an Italian place... googled it... Jame Enoteca, what a name. I've only been once but it was fantastic. Vodka suace spicey pasta and a braised and glazed pork shank. Lots of sharing at the table, everything great. Small strip mall local's spot with enthusiastic loud crowds and long lines, but worth it. I recently had lunch with an old buddy in Hawthorne, very close to where you'll be. He is Iranian and swears it is the most authentic Pakistani/Indian food in LA, and the best. It was very very good. Al Watan. Also smallish strip mall locals vibe. So there's a few options and varieties. I'd do the Mexican, but it's my favorite. If your wife (or you) is the type to order a big salad for a meal, the shrimp salad there is ridiculous, pistachio pesto, pistachios, pumpkin seeds... it's a meal. 

Saturday morn/afternoon. I think I would avoid Venice and go a couple miles north to Santa Monica. The Saturday farmers market is one of the best in the world and a great time killer. You'll buy something even though you're traveling. It's open 8 to 1 but 9-12 is when it's best. From there it is a very short walk to what I think is the best burger in LA. Hi Ho. 100% Wagyu burgers at an amazing price. Long lines on Saturday. From there it is a very short walk to the always busy Santa Monica Pier. Another great time killer but maybe too touristy. The restaurant at the end, forget the name again, make spectacular fish tacos and has long lines, of course, but eat Mexican anyway. :)

Enjoy PJ. I am jealous. There should be a taxi lineup outside the Forum near the valet, if Uber doesn't work.

 
Eephus said:
The Getty Museum is a short jaunt (or interminable crawl depending on traffic) up the 405.
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If my Saturday morn to noon in Santa Monica didn't sound good, this is one of the world's great museums and free. But yup, the uber there from LAX could be a crawl. Surface streets can get you to Santa Monica but not The Getty. Still a great suggestion, beautiful, peaceful setting. Awesome museum. 

 
Tar and Roses in Santa Monica is very good for dinner before a Forum concert. Completely avoid Venice Beach. But the drive on PCH from Santa Monica to Malibu is great. Lunch at the Reel Inn. Getty Museum is very cool. Having no car is great to go from LAX to SoFi or the Forum, but everywhere else in LA you really want a car. Just sayin. 

 
This place is still so great even though we're all slowly dying. We're headed to LA and I ask my wife what we should do. And she says, "Go ask your internet friends. They always know." And she's right. As much as this place sucks at times, it kind of represents everything great in the world too.

Thanks for the info.

 
rockaction said:
I haven't been in about twenty years but I hear nothing but bad things about it. It used to be a tourist attraction but is overrun with the homeless and indigent. 
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It's still that way even after local ordinances were passed to move them out.

 
You definitely don't want to walk 3-4 miles to/from the Forum, it's just not in the greatest neighborhood. You need another plan there.

I used to work a few blocks away from the airport, but I'm failing to find evidence of the places we used to hit for lunch still existing. There's an In 'n Out not far from the airport - don't know if you have that where you're from, but it's worth hitting at some point if you like take out type burgers.

One place I used to love to get takeout from around there seems to still exist - Piggie's in Hawthorne. Looks like the prices have gone up over the years since I've been there. I used to get a "salad burrito" but it doesn't seem to be on the current menu. Anyway, it's a "grease is good" kind of place.

I haven't been there in years, but Jonnie's Pastrami in Culver City is still around - I imagine it's still pretty good, it's a short trip up the 405 from the LAX area.

Inglewood has always been home to multiple solid bbq and soul food joints, but the landscape has changed since I worked there, so I don't know the best spots at this time. Roscoe's is a default, there's one in Inglewood, and it's o.k. for soul food (make sure to get some buckwheat waffles if you go, and the smothered potatoes), but you can probably do better in that area.

The Getty will be a stretch if you don't have your own car, I have no idea what the transit options will be from your hotel. Marina Del Rey has some nice scenery and some decent restaurants, it's also close to Venice beach if you want to spend an hour walking through the stalls of cheap stuff there. The canals behind Venice beach are a nice walk too, much less low rent than the beach front itself - but it's all residential, don't expect public bathrooms, etc. Those areas will be a bit less of a commute than the Getty. Santa Monica Pier is a good touristy spot too, a bit closer than the Getty, some decent seafood restaurants around there.

As mentioned, it's hard to go wrong with Mexican food in L.A. I don't know the best local spots around LAX though, the concierge could probably help you with that. And if they recommend a taco truck, don't flinch - some of the best Mexican in town is served from taco trucks. Just plan on a nap soon after - don't have mexican food as your pre-concert meal.

 
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Chaos Commish said:
It depends where you are. LA is a huge sprawl. Venice has 2000 homeless and it can be disturbing. But for a quick visit, LA will probably seem like the same old place it's always been. 

Where should you eat? Very close to where you'll be there is a kabillion right answers. But Friday night and Saturday if you want to go to a good restaurant, it will be busy and there will be lines. Reservations are a good idea and don't be frustrated if you still wait. Door dashing or uber eats-ing something to the hotel might be my choice, but I've lived in SoCal for 50 years and grow weary of the scene. 

JW Steakhouse at the LAX Marriott does a nice job. It's a chain and for me has been a convenience because that's where I stay when using the airport. Love the pool at midnight. Sausal is my pick (near the airport) for a great LA Mexican meal. When in LA, eat Mexican. I don't feel like googling, but there's an Italian place... googled it... Jame Enoteca, what a name. I've only been once but it was fantastic. Vodka suace spicey pasta and a braised and glazed pork shank. Lots of sharing at the table, everything great. Small strip mall local's spot with enthusiastic loud crowds and long lines, but worth it. I recently had lunch with an old buddy in Hawthorne, very close to where you'll be. He is Iranian and swears it is the most authentic Pakistani/Indian food in LA, and the best. It was very very good. Al Watan. Also smallish strip mall locals vibe. So there's a few options and varieties. I'd do the Mexican, but it's my favorite. If your wife (or you) is the type to order a big salad for a meal, the shrimp salad there is ridiculous, pistachio pesto, pistachios, pumpkin seeds... it's a meal. 

Saturday morn/afternoon. I think I would avoid Venice and go a couple miles north to Santa Monica. The Saturday farmers market is one of the best in the world and a great time killer. You'll buy something even though you're traveling. It's open 8 to 1 but 9-12 is when it's best. From there it is a very short walk to what I think is the best burger in LA. Hi Ho. 100% Wagyu burgers at an amazing price. Long lines on Saturday. From there it is a very short walk to the always busy Santa Monica Pier. Another great time killer but maybe too touristy. The restaurant at the end, forget the name again, make spectacular fish tacos and has long lines, of course, but eat Mexican anyway. :)

Enjoy PJ. I am jealous. There should be a taxi lineup outside the Forum near the valet, if Uber doesn't work.
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This is fantastic.  Heading to LA in the fall.  On my list now.  

 
Gr00vus said:
You definitely don't want to walk 3-4 miles to/from the Forum, it's just not in the greatest neighborhood. You need another plan there.

I used to work a few blocks away from the airport, but I'm failing to find evidence of the places we used to hit for lunch still existing. There's an In 'n Out not far from the airport - don't know if you have that where you're from, but it's worth hitting at some point if you like take out type burgers.

One place I used to love to get takeout from around there seems to still exist - Piggie's in Hawthorne. Looks like the prices have gone up over the years since I've been there. I used to get a "salad burrito" but it doesn't seem to be on the current menu. Anyway, it's a "grease is good" kind of place.

I haven't been there in years, but Jonnie's Pastrami in Culver City is still around - I imagine it's still pretty good, it's a short trip up the 405 from the LAX area.

Inglewood has always been home to multiple solid bbq and soul food joints, but the landscape has changed since I worked there, so I don't know the best spots at this time. Roscoe's is a default, there's one in Inglewood, and it's o.k. for soul food (make sure to get some buckwheat waffles if you go, and the smothered potatoes), but you can probably do better in that area.

The Getty will be a stretch if you don't have your own car, I have no idea what the transit options will be from your hotel. Marina Del Rey has some nice scenery and some decent restaurants, it's also close to Venice beach if you want to spend an hour walking through the stalls of cheap stuff there. The canals behind Venice beach are a nice walk too, much less low rent than the beach front itself - but it's all residential, don't expect public bathrooms, etc. Those areas will be a bit less of a commute than the Getty. Santa Monica Pier is a good touristy spot too, a bit closer than the Getty, some decent seafood restaurants around there.

As mentioned, it's hard to go wrong with Mexican food in L.A. I don't know the best local spots around LAX though, the concierge could probably help you with that. And if they recommend a taco truck, don't flinch - some of the best Mexican in town is served from taco trucks. Just plan on a nap soon after - don't have mexican food as your pre-concert meal.
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Really good stuff Groovus.  Also marking this down for a family trip.

 
BeTheMatch said:
Venice Beach worth checking out?
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Went to Venice Beach with the family a couple of years ago during LA trip for my daughter's sweet 16. While there someone asked my daughter and her friend if they wanted to go into an alley with them to see a dead body.  So I'm in the "no" camp for Venice Beach.

 
Chaos Commish said:
Saturday morn/afternoon. I think I would avoid Venice and go a couple miles north to Santa Monica. The Saturday farmers market is one of the best in the world and a great time killer. You'll buy something even though you're traveling. It's open 8 to 1 but 9-12 is when it's best. From there it is a very short walk to what I think is the best burger in LA. Hi Ho. 100% Wagyu burgers at an amazing price. Long lines on Saturday. From there it is a very short walk to the always busy Santa Monica Pier. Another great time killer but maybe too touristy. The restaurant at the end, forget the name again, make spectacular fish tacos and has long lines, of course, but eat Mexican anyway. :)
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Great all around advice CC but I really love the Santa Monica farmer's market. Didn't expect much from it but was with the family and my daughter's friend and it turned out to be a highlight, for everyone really fun place. And yes, we all bought something. 

 
Going to Venice or Santa Monica on a Saturday is nuts (almost any day, really).  What for?  Half your time will be getting there and back.  Hit the South Bay, you're staying closer to those beach cities.  Hell, even El Segundo (close to your hotel) has some good breweries and restaurants if Manhattan Beach is too pricey / uppity.  Hermosa Beach is fun and close too, little lower key than MB.  

But if you're there for PJ, why waste so much time going to some total tourist traps like Santa Monica or, gawd, Venice, and on a Saturday???  Those beaches don't compare to Manhattan, btw, not close, including proximity.

 
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Harry Frogfish said:
But if you're there for PJ, why waste so much time going to some total tourist traps like Santa Monica or, gawd, Venice, and on a Saturday???  Those beaches don't compare to Manhattan, btw, not close, including proximity.
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Agreed.  Hermosa and Manhattan are the best beaches in the area.  Good is better in other places and there's a not the tourist stuff there either, but as far as beach and ocean go, those are the best IMO.

 
Harry Frogfish said:
Going to Venice or Santa Monica on a Saturday is nuts (almost any day, really).  What for?  Half your time will be getting there and back.  Hit the South Bay, you're staying closer to those beach cities.  Hell, even El Segundo (close to your hotel) has some good breweries and restaurants if Manhattan Beach is too pricey / uppity.  Hermosa Beach is fun and close too, little lower key than MB.  

But if you're there for PJ, why waste so much time going to some total tourist traps like Santa Monica or, gawd, Venice, and on a Saturday???  Those beaches don't compare to Manhattan, btw, not close, including proximity.
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This is the answer right here.

Hermosa / Manhattan beach are going to be much less touristy. Walk the Strand, find a place to eat or get some drinks, check out the beach and ocean.

You don't want to walk to the Forum. Just not a great place to be walking late at night. The Forum has a dedicated ride share pick up lot. You will probably wait for a bit but you can get an Uber there.

Have fun!

 
Gr00vus said:
I haven't been there in years, but Jonnie's Pastrami in Culver City is still around - I imagine it's still pretty good, it's a short trip up the 405 from the LAX area.

As mentioned, it's hard to go wrong with Mexican food in L.A. I don't know the best local spots around LAX though, the concierge could probably help you with that. And if they recommend a taco truck, don't flinch - some of the best Mexican in town is served from taco trucks. Just plan on a nap soon after - don't have mexican food as your pre-concert meal.
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Johnnie's Pastrami is still there, but it's a bit pricey for what you get and probably still cash only. If @BeTheMatch likes pastrami, I recommend Sorrento Italian Market (also in Culver City) that makes a big ole juicy sandwich. 

Around LAX there's a Mexican joint called Paco's Tacos off Sepulveda, their tortillas are made fresh smack-dab in the middle of the restaurant. I haven't had a bad meal there and their carne asada is crazy tender.

 
yea, i wouldn't venture north into the touristy areas like Venice or Koreatown or the likes. traffic is just not worth it IMO.

Breakfast/brunch joints in Manhattan Beach are great. Consider this place, Manhattan Beach Post, there are more than few restaurants worth checking out in this area, all walking distance from that hub near the pier. All great people watching joints.

Head further south to the Hermosa Pier for drinks and more people watching. There are six bars right at the pier entrance and more if you walk inland from there. There is a new-ish plaza (built in the last decade) just outside of Manhattan Beach that has some newere eateries worth checking out, corner of PCH and Rosecrans. Look up Mendocino Farms in El Segundo, which is one of the joints in that plaza.

Lots of great Japanese food in Torrance and Gardena, both roughly 10-15 minutes from the airport.

 
I haven’t lived in LA in years.  That being said, I grew up there and went to a million laker games at the forum. Where are you from?  What time do you land?  As others have said, don’t bother with SM/Venice. I would go to MAnhattan beach or redondo.  They are easier to get to from the airport as well.  
There’s a top golf, just south of the airport, if you’re into tht sort of thing. Friday night I would just pick somewhere to eat that looks appealing to you. Sat I would go down to the beach and wander around during the day  there’s plenty of places to eat etc on the main drags.  

for football games, there is a free shuttle service from the metro station back and forth. Depending on where your hotel is, that might work.  And no clue if it’s any good anymore, but roscoes chicken and waffles used to fun to go to after the laker games.  

 
I recommend Original Rinaldi's in El Segundo over a chain like Mendocino. I love Mendo but they're all over the city and Original Rinaldis makes massive meat sammies that you can't get just anywhere.
And I don't consider koreatown touristy at all, it's just too big IMO. But the food and desserts you get there is like nothing else in the state. It's only a 20 minute drive on a Sunday morning from LAX so there's no traffic issues getting to delicious food. The only problem is that it's hard to have a quick meal, there are too many side dishes and courses for a short trip.

 
If by chance you have time and transportation, I would recommend Philippe's which is where the French Dip sandwich allegedly originated.  Whether or not that's true, their sandwiches are simply insane and they have a good selection of side dishes and beers.  It's just north of downtown LA, so kind of a haul from the Forum area, but if you're considering Koreatown it's pretty close to that area.  

 
Starting our day off at The Kettle in Manhattan Beach for breakfast. Glorious California day. Going to wander around and see how many bloody Marys in how many different bars I can drink after breakfast. 

Can't wait for PJ tonight.

 
Pigskin Fanatic said:
corner of PCH and Rosecrans.
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My favorite hole in the wall burrito place was there.  In HS I was there once a week after spending a morning and early afternoon in water/sand at Manhattan.

Just looked it up, El Tarasco is still there!  So many good memories from those carefree times. 

 
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First two bloodies down at the Shellback Tavern. Watching them set up for a beach volleyball tournament from our seats. 

 
nirad3 said:
If by chance you have time and transportation, I would recommend Philippe's which is where the French Dip sandwich allegedly originated.  Whether or not that's true, their sandwiches are simply insane and they have a good selection of side dishes and beers.  It's just north of downtown LA, so kind of a haul from the Forum area, but if you're considering Koreatown it's pretty close to that area.  
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I'm not going to poo-poo an opinion, but I'll just say that if someone's going to be in Chinatown, there are so many better and more interesting eats in a few block radius than Philippe's. Get pho, get dim sum, get BBQ pork buns, get Peking duck, get roasted pork, hell... get Howlin' Rays!

 
Chris B. said:
I'm not going to poo-poo an opinion, but I'll just say that if someone's going to be in Chinatown, there are so many better and more interesting eats in a few block radius than Philippe's. Get pho, get dim sum, get BBQ pork buns, get Peking duck, get roasted pork, hell... get Howlin' Rays!
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Meh.  I would take a French dip over any of that stuff 100 times out of 100.  To each their own.

 
nirad3 said:
Meh.  I would take a French dip over any of that stuff 100 times out of 100.  To each their own.
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I find that hard to believe but ok. Then go to Cole's. Phillipes is downright mediocre. I mean... sawdust and cold cheese? C'mon man.

 
Manhattan and Hermosa Beach were great. Had breakfast at The Kettle, and then we just walked down to Hermosa Beach and stopped in at a bunch of different places for drinks and made our way back to Manhattan Beach. Concert was great. Although, the LA crowd seems pretty laid back compared to everywhere else I've seen PJ, which is quite a few places.

 
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Heading back again soon. The wife is trying to convince me that Venice Beach has changed (according to the internet). That it's a place you can go hang out at during the day now at least. True? Blasphemy?
 
BeTheMatch said:
Heading back again soon. The wife is trying to convince me that Venice Beach has changed (according to the internet). That it's a place you can go hang out at during the day now at least. True? Blasphemy?
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It’s disgusting. SM doesn’t allow homeless to overnight on the beach. If she insists on going to Venice, SM is very close and will be a better experience imho.
 
DA RAIDERS said:
BeTheMatch said:
Heading back again soon. The wife is trying to convince me that Venice Beach has changed (according to the internet). That it's a place you can go hang out at during the day now at least. True? Blasphemy?
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It’s disgusting. SM doesn’t allow homeless to overnight on the beach. If she insists on going to Venice, SM is very close and will be a better experience imho.
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I agree. Start in Venice and head north on scooters or something. The Santa Monica pier and 3rs St. Promenade are much more interesting and safer.
 
BeTheMatch said:
Heading back again soon. The wife is trying to convince me that Venice Beach has changed (according to the internet). That it's a place you can go hang out at during the day now at least. True? Blasphemy?
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I was there in December. Stayed right on the beach pretty much, and spent a few days there. I liked Venice Beach a lot. I guess it's different than back in the day, but I never saw back in the day.
Had dinner at Wallflower, loved it, walked Abbot Kinney, did a bit of shopping. There's a lot of creatives who live there, WFH types with MacBooks, coffee shops, Casablanca is a Mexican classic, kitschy with amazing tortillas and margarita cart.
In terms of not having a car, Venice to Santa Monica is as convenient as LA gets. I liked Venice, I imagine i wouldn't want to live there. We also hung out by the skate park, watched this kid skate:
There were definitely homeless people all over LA. Whatever. I loved it
 
Drive out to Malibu and hit Lily’s for an unbelievable burrito. Also, prettiest drive of my life to get there. We were just there in December, can’t wait to go back.
 
LA is such a spread out city that you kinda need to have a vehicle if you want to really check things out. One thing that I recommend if you guys have time is to do a private city tour. I’m from Orange county—just south of LA—and when my gf from Canada came out several years back—I booked a tour of LA through a company that does them in vintage Cadillac convertibles. The tour lasted something like 4 hours and it was awesome not having to worry about driving. The tour guide was really informative and took us to several places—Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Malibu..etc. It wasn’t cheap—but it was a super fun and memorable experience. It was soo cool, that I ended up taking my mom on the same tour later that year for her birthday.
 
Any hotel recommendations in the West Hollywood area? We are coming into town for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in a few months, probably wont have a car.
 
spoons said:
Any hotel recommendations in the West Hollywood area? We are coming into town for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in a few months, probably wont have a car.
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Stay at the Roosevelt, right down the street! Or the Standard maybe.
 
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