One Day Near LAX - What can I do?

[The Old Guy]

I will have a one day stop over at LAX on my way to Thailand. I got a really cheap ticket out of LAX and I'm useing NWA Worldperks to get to LAX. The only thing was the flight times didn't match up. With only 1 hour between arrival and departure I thought it best I just book a room and take the next flight. That way if I'm delayed getting to LAX I will not be freaking out.

Here's the question. I will arrive at LAX mid afternoon with my wife and daughter (10 years old). I wanted to get a hotel fiarly close to the airport as we need to be back there at about 9AM the next day.

Can anyone suggest something to do for a few hours? I was looking on the map but I don't know the area. I would love a stroll along a beach and some dinner or maybe a tourist attraction. Any nice areas closeby? I noticed Manhattan Beach on the map, is that a nice area?

I don't want to be walking around in the hood looking like an easy mark. My wife also gets a discount at Choice Hotels, which are Econolodge, Quaility, Comfort Inn etc.

[Buck]

I'm not sure about nice areas, but I've seen a lot of dumpy areas near the airport. Be careful on your choice of hotels, too.

The last time I was there my station put me up at a Marriott Courtyard, usually a good choice. When we pulled up and got out of the car a truck drove up and we were propositioned by a couple of hookers.

[RichVid]

Go south out of the Airport to Imperial Hwy and then take it west -should be a right turn- all the way to Vista Del Mar...make a left and head south into the beach cities (Hermosa/Manhattan /Redondo)...the farther south you go the nicer it gets...you'll end up about 8 miles south if you go all the way but you'll find your pier and little harbor and even a Cheesecake Factory and some other decent places to eat...

Rich

[ January 16, 2005, 03:25 AM: Message edited by: RichVid ]

[<MD>]

Originally posted by Buck:
The last time I was there my station put me up at a Marriott Courtyard, usually a good choice. When we pulled up and got out of the car a truck drove up and we were propositioned by a couple of hookers. Umm...Could you give me the address of that Marriot???

[<NewsguyMark>]

There are plenty of big name hotels right near the entrance to LAX... Hilton, Marriott, etc.

The Hermosa and Redondo Beach suggestion listed above is good.

Here's another... And a little easier to find...

Go east out of the airport. Get on the 405 (about a mile away and the first freeway you'll find) and go north to the 10 west... which ends in Santa Monica right at the beach. There is a famous fun zone on the pier...

Enjoy!

[Coug86]

There are plenty of Hotels near the airport...as mentioned before heading South from the airport towards Manhatten Beach and Hermosa Beach is a good area...in fact the is a hotel right on the beach in Hermosa called the Beach House. walk right out onto the beach...restraunts and bars near by....and only 10 to 15 min to the airport...even have a web site www.beach-house.com/hermosa-beach-hotels.html (http://www.beach-house.com/hermosa-beach-hotels.html)
Good Luck

[The Old Guy]

WOW. Thanks guys for those great suggestions. I'm feeling more comfortable already. That's why these firums are so great, you can always get help to make things easier.

The last suggestion looks fabulous but a little over my budget at $329 a night for ocean view :)
You must be an anchor? haha.

I did find a nice Quality Suites in Hermosa Beach?

[Coug86]

Not an anchor....sign up for the web special button....we were out there 2 years ago and had an ocean view room for 180 a night.

[Coug86]

Also try the website www.kayak.com (http://www.kayak.com) it's a travel search engine...goes through a bunch of travel sites....just check hotels...Los Angeles...then filter for LAX area....good luck

[David R. Busse]

FYI, "long layover" crews from your country's major carrier stay at the Hilton in Torrance...about 15 mins. south of LAX via the Hilton shuttle (from terminal 2--NWA, AC, etc). You might get a discount there if you ask for a media rate...a pilot friend used to do layovers there and said it was far enough from LAX to be quiet, but close to restaruants and across the street from Del Amo mall....and a good bike/hiking path to the beach.

If you want beachfront, try Manhattan Beach, Hermosa or Redondo....the Quality Suites in Hermosa might be good, but none of the South Bay beach places are particularly quiet.