Visiting LA? Where to go? What to do? Ask here

[jml87]

http://www.staplescenter.com/guest-services/general-information-faq

I know people have said in the past that if you bring a camera with a giant lens, you will probably be asked to have it held with guest services until you leave.



It depends where in LA you are going but I grew up in Claremont and used to work in Downtown LA when I lived there. The commute is a nightmare in rush hour. By rush hour I mean between the hours of 6am-9am going west and 3:30pm-7pm going east on the 10 freeway. The only way to make it semi-tolerable will be to carpool and that requires 3 riders during those hours. They also sell Fastrak passes to use in the carpool lane as a toll lane. If you rent a car and they offer that to you for an add'l charge, it may be worth it. I had that offered to me while I was in Georgia and regretted not getting it. I have no idea if that offer that here as we only have a handful of toll roads and most are in OC but the 10 freeway recently changed its carpool lane to include solo drivers paying a toll. For a ridiculous amount I might add (upwards of $5 each way at peak hours).

The other option you have to get to LA from Claremont is on the Metrolink train. There is a train station with free parking in downtown Claremont. That train will take you to Union station in Downtown LA. From there you can get on the red/purple line Metro subway and take that to 3 different stops in Downtown LA, Koreatown, Wilshire and Hollywood. If you want more info on this, I can give you more detail just let me know specifically where you are going.

I recommended you eat mexican food while you are in LA. Patty's in Claremont is a fantastic hole in the wall fast food mexican joint worth checking out. They are vegetarian friendly too.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/pattys-mexican-foods-claremont

And if there is anything else you are looking for in and around Claremont, feel free to ask. I presume you'll be visiting the colleges. There are a ton of good restaurants in the Village.

Thanks for the info. I'm actually going there for an Orthopaedics massage seminar. It'll be over the weekend, probably starting at 9 am in Claremont. Is the morning traffic just as bad going to Claremont? I wanted to stay with a relative in LA but I'm not sure about the drive and whether I should stay in Claremont then just visit LA after the class.

I will definitely try a Mexican restaurant but I have pretty high standards. I lived in San Antonio for a few years so I don't know if LA can top them I'm lucky enough that the Kings will be at home too so I finally get to go to Staples Center.

 

[onlyalad]

Sat/Sun morning traffic going from LA to Claremont should be fine.
San Antonio is the only city in Texas that can give LA a run for Mexican food.
Just make sure you know your routes before you drive. The freeways all overlap in East LA and if you are not carefull you will find yourself heading north instead of east

 

[jml87]

Sat/Sun morning traffic going from LA to Claremont should be fine.
San Antonio is the only city in Texas that can give LA a run for Mexican food.
Just make sure you know your routes before you drive. The freeways all overlap in East LA and if you are not carefull you will find yourself heading north instead of east

Thanks. I will definitely do that. I've heard it can get complicated but I'll make sure to do a test run. And since we are talking about Mexican restaurants, where can I get the best Margarita? Living in PA is not cutting it for great Mexican.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Thanks. I will definitely do that. I've heard it can get complicated but I'll make sure to do a test run. And since we are talking about Mexican restaurants, where can I get the best Margarita? Living in PA is not cutting it for great Mexican.

El Cholo has the best margarita. Their margaritas are freaking potent! One margarita is like 3 beers.

There are several in LA depending on where you are staying.

El Cholo | Los Angeles
1121 S Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90006

El Cholo | Santa Monica
1025 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401


El Cholo | Downtown L.A.
1037 S. Flower St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015

http://www.elcholo.com/

LA Mexican food is different than San Antonio, since we get Mexicans from different part of the country. Mexican food is also a little more Tex/Mex than Mexican. Just like food in the South is different from food in Cali, that is different from food in the Midwest

There are three basic styles of Mexican food in LA. Sonoran, Jaliscan(Guadalahara) and Baja.

The Baja food is generally seafood based. Not as flavorful as the other two.
Sonoran are your basic tacos and enchiladas
Jalisco is pozole, sopitos, menudo, birria, and tortas ahogadas.

Most food in So Cal is a mix of Sonoran and Jalisco.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

Thanks for the info. I'm actually going there for an Orthopaedics massage seminar. It'll be over the weekend, probably starting at 9 am in Claremont. Is the morning traffic just as bad going to Claremont? I wanted to stay with a relative in LA but I'm not sure about the drive and whether I should stay in Claremont then just visit LA after the class.

I will definitely try a Mexican restaurant but I have pretty high standards. I lived in San Antonio for a few years so I don't know if LA can top them I'm lucky enough that the Kings will be at home too so I finally get to go to Staples Center.

Like onlyalad said, traffic shouldn't be an issue on the weekends. You might hit some slowdowns here and there but nothing like weekday traffic. Not to get all Californians on you but depending where your friend lives, you might be better off taking the 210 into Claremont. The 10 just sucks and I'd avoid it if possible. Claremont sits in between both freeways so if your friend lives north of downtown like in the Hollywood area or the valley, take the 134 east to the 210 east and vice versa.

El Cholo does have great margaritas and I don't really like margaritas but I find their food overrated and overpriced. Just my opinion which plenty will disagree with. The last few times I was there I felt like I was going to vomit when I left. I had the Sonoran enchilada which tasted good but was real heavy. I don't really have other suggestions on that since I'm more of a whiskey/beer guy. And yeah, the first time I went to New Mexico, I thought all their mexican food was weird but that is because it is New Mexican food not traditional mexican. Since going back, I've really started to like it. Like ceasar said, the food will probably be different than what you're used to eating in Texas but I've never been to San Antonio so I can't really say.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Try their cheese enchiladas Buddy

 

[DocWest]

If you like mexican food, you have to go to Guisados. It's cheap and amazing. They have two locations now (E Chavez Avenue and Echo Park) with a third opening in downtown LA in the next few months. I've seen the staff wear a lot of Kings and Dodgers hats too, so that's a bonus!

 

[Buddy The Elf]

And what do you know, I'm going to El Cholo for lunch again today. BTW... not sure if you knew this or not, the Irvine location for El Cholo is apparently closing. Irvine Company is jacking up the rents on them so they are like "see you later, mane"! Not sure if you ever go there or not...

I'm trying to be healthy so I'm gonna try and find something not cheesy and tortilla-y. I'm not even sure if that is possible..

 

[Captain Mittens*]

And what do you know, I'm going to El Cholo for lunch again today. BTW... not sure if you knew this or not, the Irvine location for El Cholo is apparently closing. Irvine Company is jacking up the rents on them so they are like "see you later, mane"! Not sure if you ever go there or not...

I'm trying to be healthy so I'm gonna try and find something not cheesy and tortilla-y. I'm not even sure if that is possible..

Crap. That el Cholo is like a second home to me

 

[KBA4life]

Claremont is fantastic! I've been out there a bevy of times for dinner, check out "Union on Yale" and "Viva Madrid". The first offers up a decent mix of everything, including a solid drink menu, the latter is the best tapas I've had in Southern California...get there super early if you go on a weekend night though.

 

[dudedrop26]

Hey guys Devils Fan coming in peace. I am wondering if anyone has any idea where the visiting teams usually practice or where they stay in town? im hoping to get a chance to see my team.Thanks in Advance. Also if anyone knows about what time the kings practice and if its open to public, id Appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Hey guys Devils Fan coming in peace. I am wondering if anyone has any idea where the visiting teams usually practice or where they stay in town? im hoping to get a chance to see my team.Thanks in Advance. Also if anyone knows about what time the kings practice and if its open to public, id Appreciate it. Thanks!

Opposing teams practice at the Toyota training center in El Segundo

 

[Carlzner]

I'm seriously thinking about going to Coachella with Outkast and Arcade Fire probably being headliners... any beginner tips for someone who has never been to LA?

 

[CNS]

I'm seriously thinking about going to Coachella with Outkast and Arcade Fire probably being headliners... any beginner tips for someone who has never been to LA?

Start by not going to Coachella

 

[Sybil227]

Hey guys Devils Fan coming in peace. I am wondering if anyone has any idea where the visiting teams usually practice or where they stay in town? im hoping to get a chance to see my team.Thanks in Advance. Also if anyone knows about what time the kings practice and if its open to public, id Appreciate it. Thanks!

Practices
All Kings practice sessions (at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo) are open to the media and the public and free to watch. The training facility located at: 555 South Nash Street, El Segundo, CA 90245. Please call 310.620.4510 for more information.

http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=41376

(I'm not sure the last time that page was updated, so I'm not 100% sure the phone # is correct. You might want to just call the main # and ask someone: 1-888-KINGS-LA)

 

[dudedrop26]

thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

thanks for all the help guys.

Bring us some pizza

 

[KingLB]

I'm seriously thinking about going to Coachella with Outkast and Arcade Fire probably being headliners... any beginner tips for someone who has never been to LA?

Well....the first thing would be. Coachella is definitely not LA. Its hours out into the desert. So if your coming in, its likely you will need a car to get out there. And Cochella weekend can regularly hit 100 out there.

 

[Column5]

Oilers fan here, coming down to LA for a few days this weekend and will stick around to take in the Oilers-Kings on Tuesday. I'm staying in a Hollywood hotel right near the Metro and was planning on taking the train down to the game. Prefer drinking over driving when I can!! Any safety concerns walking back to the 7th street station from Staples after the game and taking the train back to Hollywood and Vine at around 11:00pm?

Thanks in advance for any replies and also to those who have posted so much helpful info throughout this thread. Here's hoping for a good game on Tuesday!

 

[Buddy The Elf]

Oilers fan here, coming down to LA for a few days this weekend and will stick around to take in the Oilers-Kings on Tuesday. I'm staying in a Hollywood hotel right near the Metro and was planning on taking the train down to the game. Prefer drinking over driving when I can!! Any safety concerns walking back to the 7th street station from Staples after the game and taking the train back to Hollywood and Vine at around 11:00pm?

Thanks in advance for any replies and also to those who have posted so much helpful info throughout this thread. Here's hoping for a good game on Tuesday!

I wouldn't worry too much. You'll likely run into a crazy person or two, maybe get hit on by a tranny but I doubt you'll have to worry about having your wallet stolen unless you are a single woman traveling alone. Even then I'd say you should be fine but just be vigilant. Other than that, the rail way is pretty safe for the most part. There is the occasional weirdo or crazy homeless person and that is about it. There will probably be at least a handful of Kings fans riding it too.

 

[Column5]

I wouldn't worry too much. You'll likely run into a crazy person or two, maybe get hit on by a tranny but I doubt you'll have to worry about having your wallet stolen unless you are a single woman traveling alone. Even then I'd say you should be fine but just be vigilant. Other than that, the rail way is pretty safe for the most part. There is the occasional weirdo or crazy homeless person and that is about it. There will probably be at least a handful of Kings fans riding it too.

Haha....we have our fair share of occasional weirdos and unfortunate homeless folks up here too. And I can imagine my wife's expression if a tranny tries to hit on me!!!

Thanks for that, you are a real wealth of local knowledge here.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

Haha....we have our fair share of occasional weirdos and unfortunate homeless folks up here too. And I can imagine my wife's expression if a tranny tries to hit on me!!!

Thanks for that, you are a real wealth of local knowledge here.

No prob.. happy to help! Have fun..






















watching the Oilers get their butts kicked!

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Haha....we have our fair share of occasional weirdos and unfortunate homeless folks up here too. And I can imagine my wife's expression if a tranny tries to hit on me!!!

Thanks for that, you are a real wealth of local knowledge here.

The big thing in LA (or any big city) is to act like you belong and you aren't intimidated.

Don't get too confident though or more trannys will hit on you.

 

[Winger23]

Hey im taking my son to our first ever game at staples on Tuesday against the oilers and just have a question. What time do the gates open and what time do the warm ups take place for a 730 game? I'm guessing 6 and 630 but thought I would check.

 

[etherialone]

The big thing in LA (or any big city) is to act like you belong and you aren't intimidated.

Don't get too confident though or more trannys will hit on you.

Which train did you guys tell him to take?

I'm feeling.......blonde.








I am here to tell you that I would make the most hideous tranny of all time. That and I am nowhere near Cali.