Fun things to do in Los Angeles?

[Swhitcomb]

Ok, I grew up in LA and have taken my wife there 4 or 5 times. I'm looking for some new ideas of cool places to take her. She's from Northern Virginia and hadn't experienced much outside of it before we started dating.

Anyone have any cool ideas? I've taken her to a bunch of LA landmarks. Trying to be creative. We're going to be there Thurs through Monday the 24th.

[Porsche9]

If you are looking for a fun drive that also offers awesome views of downtown LA and the whole Valley go to the top of Mt. Wilson. Go at sunset that way you can take in both a daytime and nighttime view. Assuming a clear day the views are great. On good days you can see clear to Catalina island. This is something I did on a somewhat regular basis having grown up in Pasadena. Have fun.

[Chuck W.]

Peterson Auto Museum for you and the J. Paul Getty Museum for both of you. Make a reservation for the Getty.

[schnellman]

Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits.

[woodsman]

East LA (?)

[jb92563]

Underground clubs if your very adventurous.

My gosh the stories I could tell...you could find yourself having breakfast with Hollywood Celebs.

Its too much though for all but the most adventurous and cool open minded folks.

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by woodsman

East LA (?)

South LA is better!

[Taipanic]

When I was out there several years ago for my first time I did all these in a three day span:
Universal Studios back lot tour
Warner Bros. Lot tour (was very cool)
Live Sitcom Taping
Hollywood Blvd., Walk of Fame, Graumans Chinese Theatre
Rodeo Drive
Santa Monica Pier
Dinner on the Queen Mary (in Long Beach)
Drove Mullholand Drive, both directions
Finally, drove from L.A. to San Francisco via Pacific Coast Hwy.

[thstone]

Skip the tourist stuff, this is usually for locals only;

- Drive up PCH to Malibu and have lunch/dinner at the Netpune Net (don't worry, the bikers are cool)
- Tour the Getty Museum and then have lunch/dinner in Westwood
- Shopping in Old Town Pasadena and lunch/dinner at Il Fornaio
- Take a walk on Redondo Beach Pier, relax and watch the harbor while having a beer at Naja's Place
- Peterson car museum and then lunch/dinner at LA Farmers Market (Fairfax)

[teleski]

If you are into museums, James Turrell exhibit at La County Museum of Art. Buy tickets in advance. Saw it yesterday, very cool.

[Topless]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

If you are looking for a fun drive that also offers awesome views of downtown LA and the whole Valley go to the top of Mt. Wilson. Go at sunset that way you can take in both a daytime and nighttime view. Assuming a clear day the views are great. On good days you can see clear to Catalina island. This is something I did on a somewhat regular basis having grown up in Pasadena. Have fun.

Ha! This was our Valentine's Day adventure. A sunset picnic overlooking all of LA with the full moon rising behind us over Mt. Baldy. Weather was in the high 60s and no wind. Good vis and we saw 5 islands off shore.

[Slate 01]

Originally Posted by jb92563

Underground clubs if your very adventurous.

My gosh the stories I could tell...you could find yourself having breakfast with Hollywood Celebs.

Its too much though for all but the most adventurous and cool open minded folks.

"most adventurous and cool open minded folks" = drugs and sex, lol

[Swhitcomb]

Bunch of great ideas here guys. These are the things we've done in the last 17 years:

Palm Springs Ariel tram
Baja vwing in Palm Springs
Venice
Santa Monica
Knotts
Day trip to Baldy village
Queen Mary (spent the night there too)
Pch from San Diego to San Fran
In-n-out 100 times (still not enough)
Griffith
San Diego zoo
Just about anything you can see in Hollywood. My dad worked there growing up. I've shown her so much there shes actually bored with it.
Sunset blvd
Rodeo drive
Nicole browns house


I'm thinking the Getty would be nice. Huntington Beach too. Trying to do the less touristy things this time. I lived in Los Angeles for 19 years. It has a great culture I want her to see. You guys have some great suggestions. I grew up in Glendora and never even heard of the gamble house. May have to check it out.

Also, because she grew up in the 90s, I am planning a 90210 filming locations tour. Shes excited about that. The Walsh house is in alta dena close to Pasadena. Might have to do a Back to the future filming locations tour for my own amusement.

[BYprodriver]

The 90210 beach house where Donna & the smart girl lived is on the Strand in Hermosa Beach where it borders Manhattan Beach. In other words, it is the northernmost house on the Strand in Hermosa Beach. Manhattan & Hermosa pier area is best beach area etc.

[black_box]

Thai places on sunset are legendary -- best Thai I've had in the states. Best road I've ever hit in a Porsche was the highway through Los Padres Nat'l forest in Ventura county, north of Ojai and about an hour out of LA.

[Perfectlap]

TMZ tour? ....

[jb92563]

Originally Posted by Slate 01

"most adventurous and cool open minded folks" = drugs and sex, lol

Definitely not drugs nor sex really, but if respectable Hollywood folks go, without film crews or security you know its gotta be fun!!!

There are lots of good suggestions here that I should give a try, the underworld was just a passing fad for me when I was new to CA.

I've been in CA for 14 years now and have not done any of these touristy things on the lists...well, I suppose SeaWorld counts.
I have had a beer with Billy Idol and his drunk security dude, and breakfast with Connie Chung, so I suppose thats like touristy stuff as well, but thats all so far!

[Timco]

Shoot back / return fire. They never expect that.

Drive through Compton, top down, with Vanilla Ice blaring away.....try to blend in. See how long you last and perfect your getaway driving skills.

Drill your own Hekyl & Jekyl?

[Timco]

Remove the wheel lock and replace with standard lug nut. Set stop watch first!

Find one intact piece of authentic Compton crime scene tape. It's all over the place. I brought one back once.

Go 24 hours and try to avoid either speaking Spanish of any kind, or being told to "yo, give me something" as you exit any store. I've never been asked to "give me something" before I flew down to buy my Box there. Stayed 2 blocks from Circle Porsche.

Try to find a single free public restroom. Cannot be done.

[fusionist]

Originally Posted by Swhitcomb

Also, because she grew up in the 90s, I am planning a 90210 filming locations tour. Shes excited about that. The Walsh house is in alta dena close to Pasadena. Might have to do a Back to the future filming locations tour for my own amusement.

The 90210 high school is Torrance High on Carson St. in Torrance. It's also in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bruce Almighty, Less than Zero, and a bunch of other movies.

Most of Back to the Future was shot on the Universal lot but I believe it all burned down in a huge backlot fire.