Los Angeles

It depends why you're going there. If it is simply a pleasure trip I would stay in one of the beach communities. My recommendation is Venice Beach. It is more fun and down to earth than snooty Santa Monica. Or maybe one of the other less famous beaches. I do not recommend Hollywood or downtown at all. The problem with LA is that it is so sprawled out that no one place captures the essence of the city like say Manhattan does of New York.

I must confess I'm from Orange County and everyone from OC wants nothing to do with LA -- and vise versa.

Quote: Wizard

I must confess I'm from Orange County and everyone from OC wants nothing to do with LA

I vividly remember my first trip
to LA. It was crushing disappointment.
I'd heard about it all my life, and
Hollywood and Malibu. It was
mostly mile after mile of dirty
strip malls, on and on. No pedestrians,
just bumper to bumper cars. That
was 40 years ago, I'm sure it's
far worse now.

Quote: Evenbob

I vividly remember my first trip
to LA. It was crushing disappointment.

We have another rare agreement.

Quote: Wizard

I must confess I'm from Orange County and everyone from OC wants nothing to do with LA -- and vise versa.

I'm afraid I spent most of my time in OC as well. Southwest g\has "Wanna Get Away" fares from Mexico City to John Wayne Airport in Orange County. They are slowly beginning international flights. I see fares for $340 round trip.

Flight #1810 Travel Time 3 h 45 m (Nonstop)
02:40 PM Depart Mexico City, MX (MEX) to
04:25 PM Arrive in Orange County/Santa Ana, CA (SNA)

Flight #522 Travel Time 3 h 40 m (Nonstop)
09:45 AM Depart Orange County/Santa Ana, CA (SNA) to
03:25 PM Arrive in Mexico City, MX (MEX)

LAX has not replaced Chicago ORD as the second busiest airport in USA (behind Atlanta), while John Wayne is smaller by a factor of 7, and you can walk to everything including most rental cars.


When I did stay in LA, I really enjoyed 24 Hour Check-In / Check-Out which you can get at several places near the airport like Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport 9750 Airport Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045

Instead of being forced to conform to 3PM check in and 11AM check out which may have nothing to do with your schedule on a business trip, you simply get 24 hours from the time in until you get hourly additional charges. It often avoids those long hours without a hotel room that I have experienced in so many cities.

Most hotels won't do it, as it forces them to keep three cleaning shifts operating, but the hours can be so strange at LAX that it helps to sleep when you have time.

Quote: Pacomartin

When I did stay in LA, I really enjoyed 24 Hour Check-In / Check-Out which you can get at several places near the airport

I once checked in at 3 am and checked out by 9 am. This was in Morelia, at a Quality Inn.