What to see/do in LA?

[moonshake]

I am going to be in LA with my wife for 4 full days (Apr 14-17). So far, I have these things in mind-

* Museum of Jurassic Technology
* Getty Museum
* Griffith Park Observatory
* Amoeba

Any other cool places that I shouldn't miss? What about food/restaurants? I'm gonna try and see if I can get into a DLM taping at UCB but not sure how that works.

I gather it's most practical to stay in Hollywood (gonna rely fully on public transport)- but the Orchid Suites and Magic Castle are both booked. So my most urgent need is probably a hotel recommendation (trying to keep it under $150/night).

Any other tips/recommendations are welcome too. I did see this one previous related thread.

Thanks!

[Keith Whitener]

LACMA, UCB LA, What's up Tiger Lilly?

[buffcoat]

The Hotel Roosevelt is great and centrally located, but it's more in the neighborhood of $285 a night.  I'd maybe look for hotels around that one.

I agree with the Getty recommendation.  Also, if you guys like hiking, Runyon Canyon is free and provides an incredible view of the city.  It's hard to believe the contrast between where you are and what you're looking at.

[ted_]

The Angels Flight funicular in Bunker Hill is extraordinary, and a historical part of Los Angeles that is fast fading away.

[Hugman 3.0]

A great way to save money might be to look for a hotel near the north hollywood redline station.  It's a five minute subway ride to Hollywood/Highland from there and the noho redline station is actually at the north end of the "cool" part of noho.

[Mr. Spacely]

Museum of Jurassic Tech is awesome. They have wonky hours, though, so plan ahead. Also, they're pretty far (in LA traffic terms) from where you'll be staying.

I'm not sure of their schedule, but every spring, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena is open to the public for free tours.

[Hugman 3.0]

Two musem exhibits going on that I think are cool:

Scooters at the Petersen Automotive Museum
California Design at LACMA.

[moonshake]

Thank you all for the recommendations. I ended up booking a room at the Brentwood Inn which was in my price range and also has terrific reviews on tripadvisor. I think I will also go ahead and rent a car - I was kinda intimidated at the prospect of that initially - but seems like I will be saving a lot of time that way, and it's just so freeing to have one. I will then also get to drive the PCH, which I've heard is a lot of fun.

I haven't really developed a plan yet (except that I will definitely be visiting the Getty and MJT while there) so I will gladly accept more tips/recommendations.

[buffcoat]

I have found that LA driving is not as bad as people think it is.  For best results, try to start your tourism day around 10AM and finish by 4PM or concentrate on weekend days, especially if your driving involves the freeways.  The Getty, for example, is off the 405, so that's a good late-morning thing.  The grounds are incredibly beautiful.

In and around the area you'll be (Brentwood/Westwood/Beverly Hills/the various Hollywoods), I find that east-west traffic on SMB is usually worse than Sunset is usually worse than Olympic is usually worse than Pico.

[Josh]

the Getty Villa, also

the Grove/Farmers' Market for celeb stalking (bring your spec scripts)

the Arclight/Cinerama Dome is pretty cool and near Amoeba

places in movies: Doheny Mansion (There Will Be Blood) (you can't go inside, but, when I went, there was literally no one else there and the grounds are really nice), Bradbury Building (Blade Runner)

unguided downtown walking tour routes

any place used as a location on Entourage

obviously tons of great buildings (1, 2)

[Mike Desert]

Tiki-Ti
Museum of Death (I haven't been to the new one)
Wacko / La Luz De Jesus Gallery (check listings they have art walks around that area sometimes)
Checkk for shows at the Bordello...awesome decor and some good garage rock shows (if they're still doing them there)
Venice Beach!
Bronson Canyon
This place is on the "strip", is free and fun to walk around on and you've seen it in countless TV shows: http://www.greystonemansion.org/
Santa Monica Pier area
La Brea Tar Pits

[Emerson]

Check out machineproject.com and see if they're doing anything interesting.

Ask about the old abandoned zoo in Griffith Park.

The Sunday night ASSSSCAT shows at UCB are free, but you have to show up way, way early.

I agree with everyone else - the MJT is mind-blowing.

I also recommend the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition if you're not prone to car-salesman persuasion or fits of giggling.

[Mike Desert]

And Thai Elvis

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

The Watts Towers!

[Hugman 3.0]

The Watts Towers!

That's on my list of things to do. Only been here 12 years.