Anything to do in LA before the concert?

[wisconsinboozer]

Im flying in with my gf and a friend from here (WI) is driving to LA from here to pick us us (road trip) the wednesday before coachella starts, none of us are familar with LA or SoCal at all so were just wondering whats there to do for 2 days before we travel to Indio, thanks for the tips
much appreciated- Jeff

[airguitarvet]

go buy some churros.

[dontfeedthebird]

We're going to Starbucks and wait for Paris.

[Courtney]

What sort of stuff are you into? Shopping? Sports? Celebrity-spotting? Shows?

[GTI_GRL]

Head over to Venice beach................ Thats an easy way to kill a day. Plenty of shops, walls for graf, skaters, 1/2 naked people tanning, bums that try to chase you, street artists (every form), the beach, good food, etc..... btw you can buy churros and frozen lemomade on venice beach, and you will see why they are so great.

[GTI_GRL]

I forgot to add the following

Venice beach can be very cheap if you want it to be. I believe its $5 or $8 to park on the city parking lot. A non-city lot can be around $25, and you have to leave your keys with them. Other than the parking fee, the only money you spend will be on food or if you want to buy stuff. Food prices range, but you can get pizza slices for $1, churros $1, hot dogs $1, and so forth. Other places that are sit down are a little pricey. There are showers and some what clean bathrooms on the beach.

[dontfeedthebird]

Venice beach is where I'll be camping for Coachella.

[GTI_GRL]

Bums that try to chase you???..................

That actually sounds kinda fun. The bums here run from everybody.


Venice use to have a really bad drug and bum problem. They have cleaned up most of the bums, but some are still there. I try to head down to Venice Beach a few times a year, and over the years I have been chased by a few. Two or three years ago, there was a crack head lady (not whitney houston), that was yelling at her crack head boy friend (pimp?). He would go to walk away and she would pick up sand and throw it at him. They did this for at least 20-30min until the police showed up. The cops were just like, you two again, and that was it. Way before this, maybe 8 years ago, was when it was pretty bad. There would be a group of 10 bums, and they would follow people on the beach asking for money. It was pretty bad, but at least it's not like that anymore.

anyone else have venice beach stories?

[GTI_GRL]

Venice beach is where I'll be camping for Coachella.


You just want to camp there for the $8 glass pipes

[arbouler]

roscoe's house of chikin n' waffle!!!

[dontfeedthebird]

Is it easy to sneak into Venice Beach? Do I need a ticket?

[FlipGo]

Fuck dude, it's LA!! I would personally avoid the "touristy" locations. Hollywood is FUCKING lame, unless you're into stuck-up people with too much money or pretending to have it. I would definitely check out the Getty Museum, the architecture and view of West LA is beautiful. There's more museums as well on Miracle Mile and Dowtown. Silver Lake has some pretty good restaurants and Echo Park has some very cool "dive bars" without the Hollywood attitude (for now at least....) I personally find walking in Little Tokyo very relaxing and the food is not bad at all. The San Pedro fisher's market has EXCELLENT seafood, although it is basically at the end of the 110 (South...South....LA....County) Hope it helps!

[vinylmartyr]

There are lots of cool bars in Hollywood without the attitude. White Horse, Power House, and the Snow White are great. Just avoid the Sunset Strip bars.

[vinylmartyr]

I would say just avoid downtown if at all possible especially at night.

[SubBass49]

Do a google search for Tokyo Delves (if you like sushi)...it's the shit...seriously. It's definately NOT a normal sushi bar. It's near Universal Studios and it is AMAZING. I said in another thread that I've driven all the way from San Diego just to go there on more than one occasion.

[flora mouse]

Head over to Venice beach................ Thats an easy way to kill a day. Plenty of shops, walls for graf, skaters, 1/2 naked people tanning, bums that try to chase you, street artists (every form), the beach, good food, etc..... btw you can buy churros and frozen lemomade on venice beach, and you will see why they are so great.



that is exactly what I want to do. Me and my friends are flying in from the UK on the Wednesday and hang out in LA during Thursday and head down to Indio Thursday evening to get pitched.

Always wanted to go to Venice Beach.

[SubBass49]

It's cool in Venice Beach...look for giant Tiki statues (either made of cement, or spraypainted). That's all done by Tiki Jay One...click my Myspace link and look in my friends list for his site. He's cool as hell and does a $hitload of work in Venice.

-- J

[flora mouse]

Just avoid the Sunset Strip bars.


really? Why? I've always wanted to do Whiskey a Go Go etc......

[MsTekno]

I'd avoid Hollywood touristy stuff as well - the Getty is a good suggestion. If you go to Venice try to check out the actual canals that are left there. Also it's right next to Santa Monica which has good shopping, restaurants, beach, boardwalk and pier.

Dodger stadium is a really beautiful baseball park - it'll be baseball season - you should see if they'll be in town and check out a game.

If you can squeeze in a trip to San Diego I recommend it - lots to do down there. Old Town (historic buildings and great Mexican food), harbor (ships to tour), gaslamp downtown (bars and restaurants), Petco park (Padre baseball games), Balboa park, and touristy stuff like the zoo and Sea World.

Hope that helps - enjoy SoCal!

[Mr. E]

Im arriving @ L.A the 25.... Im thinking hit that night to Sunset,the 26 I think im going to venice again,the last time I went there was this past september and have a blasttt!!! then the 27 im gonna took a greyhound bus to Indio!!

[RickeyinLA]

Eat a meal at El Coyote on Beverly Blvd (west of La Brea, east of Fairfax). There might be a glam rock star at the bar, or Tim Roth (last time I was there). Awesome margaritas, awesome Mexican food for tourists.

If you have a car and Thursday free - get out of town and go to Joshua Tree with a stop at Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown http://www.pappyandharriets.com/index2.html. I saw Daniel Lanois play there a couple of summers ago and Rickie Lee Jones played there recently, it's a great spot.

[wisconsinboozer]

yea thanks a lot everyone, sounds like Venice is the place to be, i actually did wanna hit up hollywood to see the area and get some cool pictures, wanted to see long beach too... i want to drive through compton down cranshaw no matter how scared the girls im with are, just not gettting out of the car lol.
buck for a hotdog and pizza and whatnot sounds like quite the deal in Venice too, thats the kind of lifestyle im gonna live for the week so im not draining my whole bank account

hey arbold wheres that chiken and waffle place at? you mentioned it but never said where it was..
i think im gonna go to jay leno or the price is right because when i did an online search of the free tickets today i signed up for jay leno just out of curiosity and ended up getting 3 tickets for the tuesday show so it seems like that'll be easy to obtain
thanks again for all those who replied, i hope it helps anyone else that was in the same boat as i
jeff

[chiapet]

Out of curiousity, where is a good place (area) to stay less expensively in LA? I usually hit the Getty and some of the other museums and hang out in Venice for a bit... hotels near Venice and Santa Monica seem to either be really shitty or kind of pricy, though.

[SubBass49]

Try the Farmers Daughter motel on Fairfax...pretty cheap, clean, and near Hollywood Blvd & the Farmers Market.

-- J

[wisconsinboozer]

Out of curiousity, where is a good place (area) to stay less expensively in LA? I usually hit the Getty and some of the other museums and hang out in Venice for a bit... hotels near Venice and Santa Monica seem to either be really shitty or kind of pricy, though.

good question were thinking the same but i want to stay in Venice or S.Monica... nice hotels dont really matter as long as its in a decent area where we dont have to use our guns for protection lol

[vinylmartyr]

I have lived in both Venice and Hollywood. Both for many years and I would say in Hollywood there is by far more to do. Once you have walked down the boardwalk in Venice once or twice your done. Its awesome don't get me wrong but unless you plan on doing some surfing or sunbathing you will get bored fast. You can walk down to the Santa Monica pier and ride the ferris wheel.

[airguitarvet]

hollywood. everybody comes to hollywood.

[wisconsinboozer]

are there any cool places to camp around there, i checked into hotels and it looks like theyre pretty expensive around the venice area
thanks

[JOEJOEJOE]

really? Why? I've always wanted to do Whiskey a Go Go etc......

The Whiskey is historical, as is the Roxy, but now, they book lame bands for the most part.

Here are some cool things to do:

Amoeba Music (HUGE record shop.....bigger then the Virgin/HMV)

Melrose Avenue (used to be the center of punk/new wave fashion...sorta like Chelsea)

Rodeo Drive (most posh street in the world...look at the lost souls spending $1,000s on Gucci purses, and you will be thankful that you don't need such excess!)

Kings Head Pub in Santa Monica - most authentic British restaurant/pub in the area...they have a shop with British sweets/biscuits

UCLA - if you want to see a huge American university

There are some cool areas in Downtown L.A., but they are often hard to find

Dodger Stadium - if there is a baseball game, you can sit outdoors and experience 40,000 yanks cheering for a sport that most of the world can't be bothered....its like a yank going to a premiership match...fish outta water!

[Californicator]

The drum circle on Venice Beach is cool. Get stoned, lay on the sand, and listen to those crazy folk. But you know whats infinitely better than L.A.?

San Diego.

[Zipkoppie]

Cool stuff! I'm also in L.A from about 3 days before heading to coachella, looks like ther is lots to do.

I plan on spending the first day just checking out the area around my hostel, then another day at the beach, and I want to spend one day jamming some parkour with the local traceurs.

[boarderwoozel3]

Hookers, LA has quite a few of them.

[GTI_GRL]

are there any cool places to camp around there, i checked into hotels and it looks like theyre pretty expensive around the venice area
thanks

hostel's = 1 in santa monica

[Sally Cinnamon]

how far is venice beach from hollywood? we checked into the motel 6 there and havea day and night to kill before we hit coachella. so the beach would be sweeeeeeeeeet. and i could get my new tat there instead of here before i go!

[vinylmartyr]

Its 2 buses and it takes like 45 mins to get there by public transportation.

[crazzz2007]

Its 2 buses and it takes like 45 mins to get there by public transportation.

public transportation is soooooooo not l.a.

you have only 3 days here.....why waste it trying to get around by public transportation?

[SubBass49]

Yeah...plus LA public transportation is like taking your life into your own hands...

[MozInterpol]

over by coechella theres MORONGO GO gamble

[ch33tah]

yeah my friends and i are driving from palm springs to L.A. on monday and staying until thursday. we'd liek to go out to some clubs.. anyone know of any big clubs with some headlining djs?
monday/tuesday are not really club nights, but i would think that anything goes in L.A.

[SubBass49]

New one for ya here...

Go to True Tattoo and get a tat done by Kat Von D or Chris Garver of Miami Ink fame...

They work there when not filming for Miami Ink.

Here's the address:

1628 N Cahuenga Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028

-- J

[GTI_GRL]

If you are going to be on Venice beach in the evening or late after noon, check out C & O Trattoria or C & O Cucina. It a great italian place that has huge servings (3-4 people) for a cheap price. The garlic rolls are amazing, free, fresh, and all you can eat.

www.cotrattoria.com

C & O Trattoria
31 Washington Blvd
(near Venice Pier)
(310)823-9491

C & O Cucina
3016 Washington Blvd
(1 block west of Lincoln)
(310)301-7278

[Sally Cinnamon]

Its 2 buses and it takes like 45 mins to get there by public transportation.

we have a rental car to pick up at the airport so we'll be able to drive down...so how long would that take?

[Sally Cinnamon]

If you are going to be on Venice beach in the evening or late after noon, check out C & O Trattoria or C & O Cucina. It a great italian place that has huge servings (3-4 people) for a cheap price. The garlic rolls are amazing, free, fresh, and all you can eat.

www.cotrattoria.com

C & O Trattoria
31 Washington Blvd
(near Venice Pier)
(310)823-9491

C & O Cucina
3016 Washington Blvd
(1 block west of Lincoln)
(310)301-7278


i know i'll prob sound like a wierdo, but im actually saving all this info
who's anal about holidays *puts hand up*

[vinylmartyr]

From Hollywood about 45 mins.

[vinylmartyr]

Be prepared for traffic. Form the Motel 6 on Whitley. Go South down Whitley to Hollywood Blvd and take a right. Take Hollywood to La Brea and take a left. Take La Brea to Venice Blvd and take a right. Follow Venice to you hit the ocean. Find parking . Enjoy.

[Sally Cinnamon]

legend
thank you kindly

[york707]

Why would you get a new tat one day before spending three days out in the sun and dust?

[pocketfullofshells86]

Go see JET. They are playing in Anaheim on the 23rd and LA on the 25th.

[vicorintian]

Kat is very talented, but no really my style. i do like Chris tattoo style

[Sally Cinnamon]

Why would you get a new tat one day before spending three days out in the sun and dust?

i got a 2 full days and 1 night after too
so not just for before the gig
may leave the beach till after

[amyzzz]

I'd go to the outlet shops (Desert Hills?) in Cabazon. They've got just about every namebrand store you can think of. I don't know if we'll have time to backtrack our way over there this year since we're driving from AZ. It's off the I-10.

[SubBass49]

True about the sun exposure...maybe wait until AFTER the show if you have time to get that tat...

[momof5]

Check out the Orbit (hostel) on Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.They have a shuttle to and from the Airport--a group room is about$60 and a private room is $80. We used this for some guests for my daughter's wedding.They have cheap meals too! El Coyote on Beverly Blvd. is one of our favorite dives--stong margaritas.

[KiwiCoachella]

yea thanks a lot everyone, sounds like Venice is the place to be, i actually did wanna hit up hollywood to see the area and get some cool pictures, wanted to see long beach too... i want to drive through compton down cranshaw no matter how scared the girls im with are, just not gettting out of the car lol.
buck for a hotdog and pizza and whatnot sounds like quite the deal in Venice too, thats the kind of lifestyle im gonna live for the week so im not draining my whole bank account

hey arbold wheres that chiken and waffle place at? you mentioned it but never said where it was..
i think im gonna go to jay leno or the price is right because when i did an online search of the free tickets today i signed up for jay leno just out of curiosity and ended up getting 3 tickets for the tuesday show so it seems like that'll be easy to obtain
thanks again for all those who replied, i hope it helps anyone else that was in the same boat as i
jeff

Hey Wisc can you please tell me the website for searching for free tickets to shows?

[KiwiCoachella]

i know i'll prob sound like a wierdo, but im actually saving all this info
who's anal about holidays *puts hand up*

I'm creating a word document as we speak. It just makes sense cos you know lots of cool stuff to check out.

[wisconsinboozer]

Hey Wisc can you please tell me the website for searching for free tickets to shows?

Just google "free tickets jay leno, price is right" and there should be a couple different ones, i signed up for Jay leno and they gave me free tickets for a show in 2 days so im probably going to try and get free tickets again like 3 days before i plan on going to it so ill get tickets that i can actually use when im down in that area. good luck

[GTI_GRL]

Also check out

http://www.1iota.com/home.aspx

for Jimmy Kimmel, Carlos Mencia, Carson Daly, Wild'n Out, 101, etc.....

[ediger]

The Whiskey is historical, as is the Roxy, but now, they book lame bands for the most part.

Here are some cool things to do:

Amoeba Music (HUGE record shop.....bigger then the Virgin/HMV)

Melrose Avenue (used to be the center of punk/new wave fashion...sorta like Chelsea)

Rodeo Drive (most posh street in the world...look at the lost souls spending $1,000s on Gucci purses, and you will be thankful that you don't need such excess!)

Kings Head Pub in Santa Monica - most authentic British restaurant/pub in the area...they have a shop with British sweets/biscuits

UCLA - if you want to see a huge American university

There are some cool areas in Downtown L.A., but they are often hard to find

Dodger Stadium - if there is a baseball game, you can sit outdoors and experience 40,000 yanks cheering for a sport that most of the world can't be bothered....its like a yank going to a premiership match...fish outta water!


I love how every North American city has a Kings Head Pub and it's generally the best British style pub in that city.

[hollywood scum]

hike to the top of the hollywood sign (3 hrs. round trip).

[pocketfullofshells86]

I love how every North American city has a Kings Head Pub and it's generally the best British style pub in that city.

haha its so true, the King's Head Pub in Vancouver is a wicked place for a few pints and pitchers with friends. Ahh good times...

[wisconsinboozer]

i figure im just gonna venture out and wherever i end at is the place to camp, i hate being on a schedule anyways.
we can always shower up at some beach too

[wisconsinboozer]

hike to the top of the hollywood sign (3 hrs. round trip).
thatd make a nice afternoon

[anna-v]

how far is venice beach from hollywood? i could get my new tat there instead of here before i go!
so ur telling me that u r getting a tattoo one day before coachella?? are u crazy? u will be sweating like a pig, its gonna be sore, hygienia will be crappy etc etc