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

Stories said:
Moving to LA in January for a great job. We're going to be settling down in Westwood for the first year (see how it goes before exploring other neighborhoods).

Any tips on good hockey leagues to play in that won't take me 5 hours to get to (adult non-check)? I've been spoiled in the DC area where we have a good league (HNA) that is setup with 5 rinks in the area that are all within 30 minutes drive.

I've been told getting to Staples can take a long time, too, but I've more or less accepted the traffic situation. Let's hope tickets are reasonably attainable!
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You'll ****ing love living in Westwood. Welcome to the Best Coast!
 
Hey guys. Me and a few friends are going to the Yotes game at Staples on the 20th. We're coming Friday morning, and we're trying to skate Friday night/afternoon or Saturday night after the game (2pm game time). If any rinks in town are having stick-times or open hockey, I'd love to know! Even a list of rinks to check out would be helpful. We're staying fairly close to the Arena.
 
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O23L said:
Hey guys. Me and a few friends are going to the Yotes game at Staples on the 20th. We're coming Friday morning, and we're trying to skate Friday night/afternoon or Saturday night after the game (2pm game time). If any rinks in town are having stick-times or open hockey, I'd love to know! Even a list of rinks to check out would be helpful. We're staying fairly close to the Arena.
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Some local ones, check the schedules though.

The Skating Edge Ice Arena, Ice Chalet Inc, Glacial Gardens Skating Arena, Toyota Sports Center, Pasadena Ice Skating Center, and LA Kings Valley Ice Center.

All should be at most a 30 minute drive from Staples. The bolded are the furthest away.
 
Forgive me if this has been asked already somewhere in this thread, but I don't want to look through 20+ pages to see but.....

I plan on making the trip in March to see the Pens play at Anaheim and L.A. I've been looking through various travel sites and am having a hard time figuring out which area is best to book a hotel in in the LA area.

I'd be flying in on Thursday, March 5 and leaving Sunday, the 8th, and they play in Anaheim on the 6th, but I'd much rather stay in just one hotel, and I'd rather stay closer to LA than OC since it looks like there really isn't anything interesting at all around Honda Center. From what I've read about the areas, it looks like its either down to Downtown, Hollywood or West Hollywood. Just looking for a little bit more insight of what would be the best bet, especially if I wanted to go out and do stuff after the games. Thanks.
 
jrolley325 said:
Forgive me if this has been asked already somewhere in this thread, but I don't want to look through 20+ pages to see but.....

I plan on making the trip in March to see the Pens play at Anaheim and L.A. I've been looking through various travel sites and am having a hard time figuring out which area is best to book a hotel in in the LA area.

I'd be flying in on Thursday, March 5 and leaving Sunday, the 8th, and they play in Anaheim on the 6th, but I'd much rather stay in just one hotel, and I'd rather stay closer to LA than OC since it looks like there really isn't anything interesting at all around Honda Center. From what I've read about the areas, it looks like its either down to Downtown, Hollywood or West Hollywood. Just looking for a little bit more insight of what would be the best bet, especially if I wanted to go out and do stuff after the games. Thanks.
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You'll probably get a variety of answers but it depends on what is most important to you. Is price the biggest factor? Night life? Proximity to both arenas?

I can tell you that if you don't plan on moving hotels, you'll more than likely need a car to get around. If you do stay downtown, you might be able to take the metrolink between DTLA and Anaheim (depending on the schedule - some days they don't operate late enough).

I'm biased but I personally would stay in either the South Bay (manhattan, hermosa or redondo beach) or Santa Monica. There is plenty of night life and the areas are real nice. Hollywood is good for the most part but there are still sketchy parts and lurkers a night. Plus I'm not into the Hollywood night life. There is a bit more variety in the Santa Monica area (South Bay too) but probably just as expensive or maybe even more for a decent hotel there. Pasadena is another cool area.

You also might consider staying near one of the Orange County beaches like Newport or Huntington. Plenty of night life but you'll have to drive to both Honda Center and Staples from those places. Hollywood does have the red line which will take you to downtown and an Uber ride probably isn't that expensive from their either.
 
Buddy The Elf said:
You'll probably get a variety of answers but it depends on what is most important to you. Is price the biggest factor? Night life? Proximity to both arenas?

I can tell you that if you don't plan on moving hotels, you'll more than likely need a car to get around. If you do stay downtown, you might be able to take the metrolink between DTLA and Anaheim (depending on the schedule - some days they don't operate late enough).

I'm biased but I personally would stay in either the South Bay (manhattan, hermosa or redondo beach) or Santa Monica. There is plenty of night life and the areas are real nice. Hollywood is good for the most part but there are still sketchy parts and lurkers a night. Plus I'm not into the Hollywood night life. There is a bit more variety in the Santa Monica area (South Bay too) but probably just as expensive or maybe even more for a decent hotel there. Pasadena is another cool area.

You also might consider staying near one of the Orange County beaches like Newport or Huntington. Plenty of night life but you'll have to drive to both Honda Center and Staples from those places. Hollywood does have the red line which will take you to downtown and an Uber ride probably isn't that expensive from their either.
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Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. I was going back and forth on whether to get a car, but I'll probably have no choice but to get one even if I'll barely use it. Would probably be a heck of a lot cheaper than a taxi/shuttle/etc.
 
jrolley325 said:
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. I was going back and forth on whether to get a car, but I'll probably have no choice but to get one even if I'll barely use it. Would probably be a heck of a lot cheaper than a taxi/shuttle/etc.
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It's not just a song, it's a way of life
 
jrolley325 said:
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. I was going back and forth on whether to get a car, but I'll probably have no choice but to get one even if I'll barely use it. Would probably be a heck of a lot cheaper than a taxi/shuttle/etc.
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It depends where you stay to be honest. If you stayed in DTLA and were able to take the train to Anaheim for the Ducks game, you could probably save money using Uber if there is more than one of you splitting the tab. You could take the red line up to Hollywood ($1.50). I had friends out here from Western New York last year and they used Uber to go everywhere because they were going out at night and drinking. There were three of them so they were just splitting the cost three ways.

Just as an example, it costs me ~$40 to get to DTLA from Long Beach (about the same distance as Anaheim) using Uber. If none of you have ever used uber, you should all get your first ride (up to $30) for free.

Oh and I forgot to mention that Long Beach has a whole slew of nice hotels Downtown and they might be more affordable that some of those other areas. From Long Beach, you are about 20 miles from both arenas. You're 10 miles from Huntington Pier. About 15 miles from Hermosa pier. You can also see some of the worst areas in the city by riding the blue line from Long Beach to DTLA. Its actually pretty safe but I wouldn't suggest someone from out of town ride it because we like to keep those areas hidden from tourists. :) Downtown Long Beach is pretty safe and there is also lots of night life there along with tourist stuff like the Queen Mary and the Aquarium. You're about 2 miles from Belmont Shore which is where I live and its pretty nice. Just another option.

Uber from Long Beach to Anaheim Stadium (right next to the Honda Center) cost me about $25 one way and $30 the other. Uber is really useful in LA because the most efficient way to get around is in a car and you don't want to be drinking and driving. Uber is roughly 40% less than normal cabs (unless it is peak time when they surcharge).
 
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Buddy The Elf said:
It depends where you stay to be honest. If you stayed in DTLA and were able to take the train to Anaheim for the Ducks game, you could probably save money using Uber if there is more than one of you splitting the tab. You could take the red line up to Hollywood ($1.50). I had friends out here from Western New York last year and they used Uber to go everywhere because they were going out at night and drinking. There were three of them so they were just splitting the cost three ways.

Just as an example, it costs me ~$40 to get to DTLA from Long Beach (about the same distance as Anaheim) using Uber. If none of you have ever used uber, you should all get your first ride (up to $30) for free.

Oh and I forgot to mention that Long Beach has a whole slew of nice hotels Downtown and they might be more affordable that some of those other areas. From Long Beach, you are about 20 miles from both arenas. You're 10 miles from Huntington Pier. About 15 miles from Hermosa pier. You can also see some of the worst areas in the city by riding the blue line from Long Beach to DTLA. Its actually pretty safe but I wouldn't suggest someone from out of town ride it because we like to keep those areas hidden from tourists. :) Downtown Long Beach is pretty safe and there is also lots of night life there along with tourist stuff like the Queen Mary and the Aquarium. You're about 2 miles from Belmont Shore which is where I live and its pretty nice. Just another option.

Uber from Long Beach to Anaheim Stadium (right next to the Honda Center) cost me about $25 one way and $30 the other. Uber is really useful in LA because the most efficient way to get around is in a car and you don't want to be drinking and driving. Uber is roughly 40% less than normal cabs (unless it is peak time when they surcharge).
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Again, thanks for the info, it's a huge help. About how long would the commute be from DTLA (just an example) to Honda Center? I know it's only 30 miles, but in big cities, I know 30 miles can mean over two hours. But I was surprised a few years ago when I went from my cousin's place in SF to HP pavilion in San Jose in less than an hour.
 
jrolley325 said:
Again, thanks for the info, it's a huge help. About how long would the commute be from DTLA (just an example) to Honda Center? I know it's only 30 miles, but in big cities, I know 30 miles can mean over two hours. But I was surprised a few years ago when I went from my cousin's place in SF to HP pavilion in San Jose in less than an hour.
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They have much better mass transit and quite a few less people in the bay area. I would guess that the drive would be between 45 minutes and 2 hours(at worst) on conditions. I would figure realistically about an hour
The good news is that several freeways can get you from DTLA to The Ponda if one or more are messed up. If you get their early, there are several bars right down the street from Katella where you can party pre-game.
Here is one place to use as a landmark. There are a ton of places right around there

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
https://www.lazydogrestaurants.com/
Stadium Promenade Shopping Center, 1623 W Katella Ave #212, Orange, CA 92867
(714) 769-7020
 
The Penguins/Ducks game is on a Friday night. That is very bad for traffic. Probably the busiest time of the week. That being said, I'd leave in the afternoon and either go visit a beach down there or go get lunch and hang at a bar. If you left by 3pm, it shouldn't take you more than an hour to get down there.

The other option is to take the Metrolink/Amtrak which lets you off right across the street from the Honda Center. Or take the Metrolink there and then take uber back to your hotel.
 
Buddy The Elf said:
The Penguins/Ducks game is on a Friday night. That is very bad for traffic. Probably the busiest time of the week. That being said, I'd leave in the afternoon and either go visit a beach down there or go get lunch and hang at a bar. If you left by 3pm, it shouldn't take you more than an hour to get down there.

The other option is to take the Metrolink/Amtrak which lets you off right across the street from the Honda Center. Or take the Metrolink there and then take uber back to your hotel.
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The Elf is spot on here. Head to OC at 3pm and either visit a beach and get really ****ing drunk. Trying to drive in LA at 5pm on a Friday is suicide
 
Buddy The Elf said:
The Penguins/Ducks game is on a Friday night. That is very bad for traffic. Probably the busiest time of the week. That being said, I'd leave in the afternoon and either go visit a beach down there or go get lunch and hang at a bar. If you left by 3pm, it shouldn't take you more than an hour to get down there.

The other option is to take the Metrolink/Amtrak which lets you off right across the street from the Honda Center. Or take the Metrolink there and then take uber back to your hotel.
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Uber lets you go from one area to another? I looked at their website and they have an LA service area and an OC service area.
 
jrolley325 said:
Uber lets you go from one area to another? I looked at their website and they have an LA service area and an OC service area.
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That just means they are operating in both areas. I think Uber opened in LA county first but it has been in OC for a while. When you get here, download Uber and Lyft on your smart phone. Both offer free rides for your first trip and then if you have a friend with you, send them your referral code and get another free ride for each of you. Both operate the same way and cost about the same amount. Just pay attention to when they have surge pricing as sometimes that can exceed what it would cost to ride in a cab. They app will prompt you when surge pricing is happening. That usually only happens in areas where there aren't an abundance of Uber drivers available or at an hour where the demand is high (like 2AM - bar closing).

I take Uber/Lyft to and from John Wayne Airport to Long Beach (LA County) all the time. Don't worry, the driver isn't going to hit the county line and ask you to get out and walk the rest of the way. :)
 
Reclamation Project said:
If you can, make it to Griffith Observatory. Preferably once during the day and once at night. You'll love it.
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Is that accessable by public transportation at all? Trying to avoid renting a car if possible to prevent the loss of my sanity this trip.

In theory, this sounds fantastic!

http://www.escaperoomla.com
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Has anyone done this by chance? The idea sounds amazing and perfect for something to fit the morning of the game I'm going to.
 
We are going to the Kings game vs SJ on Dec 27th. Is there a easy way to get from Anaheim (Disneyland area) to Staples Center? It seems like the trains don't return late enough and the taxi and town car fares are crazy pricey. Is it just easier to drive ourselves?
 
Francis10 said:
We are going to the Kings game vs SJ on Dec 27th. Is there a easy way to get from Anaheim (Disneyland area) to Staples Center? It seems like the trains don't return late enough and the taxi and town car fares are crazy pricey. Is it just easier to drive ourselves?
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Last train out of Union station is 10 pm
You must drive. It would be cheaper to rent a car and pay for parking than using a taxi or Uber.
 
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