Me and my buddy who have Bruins season tickets up in the nosebleeds want to go see our boys in black and gold out west in January. Neither of us have ever been west of Ottawa, nevermind California. I was wondering if you guys could help out on a few questions.
1. We plan on staying in LA and we won't be renting a car. Are there any easy and affordable ways of getting to Anaheim from LA and back the same night? (trains, buses) I hear it's not too far away.
2. Any advice on where to go in LA.. restaurants, bars, etc. Obviously there are tons of things to do in LA but we try to avoid the tourist thing.. growing up in Boston we learn to stay clear of the tourist traps and would rather not be those people. We aren't too worried about being heckled by Kings fans either, we some how end up getting along with Canadiens fans in Montreal, anything is possible.. we can handle it.
3. How tough are Kings tickets to come by? Any seats to absolutely stay away from (bad views, stuff like that) We sit in the last row in Boston, we don't mid sitting far away, but some arenas are ridiculous.
4. Any advice on where to stay in LA? Any specific hotels or neighborhoods? Want to try to stay near the Staples Center and an area with a decent night life.
1. Rent a car. While you can get from Anaheim to LA on buses (don't), or on subways (reasonable), it's getting from place to place within Anaheim or LA that will kill you. LA is not a city that is enjoyable without a car. With a car, LA has almost everything you could want. Without a car, its a prison.
2. Totally depends on your tastes. Give us some guidelines on what kind of bars and restaurants you like.
3. Easy as pie. No really bad seats in Staples. Snobs will say otherwise, but there are no really restrictive views. You won't end up staring at a stone column if that is what you are worried about.
4. Budget? Ritzy (175 and up per night), middle (100-175 per night), cheap (60-100 per night)?
1. Rent a car. While you can get from Anaheim to LA on buses (don't), or on subways (reasonable), it's getting from place to place within Anaheim or LA that will kill you. LA is not a city that is enjoyable without a car. With a car, LA has almost everything you could want. Without a car, its a prison.
2. Totally depends on your tastes. Give us some guidelines on what kind of bars and restaurants you like.
3. Easy as pie. No really bad seats in Staples. Snobs will say otherwise, but there are no really restrictive views. You won't end up staring at a stone column if that is what you are worried about.
4. Budget? Ritzy (175 and up per night), middle (100-175 per night), cheap (60-100 per night)?
Any idea on the age restrictions on car rentals in CA? Here it is 25 and we are 22 and 21.
We're not looking for biker bars, but we don't want anything boring. Good sports places or Irish pubs. (go figure, Irish kids from Boston..) Not into clubs, dive bars and european style pubs are cool. Gotta try the In and out burger. Any good BBQ places?
Cheap but not roach infested and/or in a bad neighborhood. Sketchy is cool as long as it doesn't involve a hospital visit.
Minimum Age
Renters must be a minimum of 21 years of age to rent a standard car. Underage fees do apply to renters between the ages of 21-24. Renters under the age of 25 are not permitted to rent oversized vans, large SUVs or luxury cars. A-one Rent A Car may rents to renters under 21 years of age under special circumstances. Please call at (310) 410-1414 for details.
LA Live, which is literally right across the street from Staples Center, has some cool places to hang out after the game that night. Some cool restaurants and bars, lots of activity usually. There aren't any bad seats in Staples, so don't worry too much about that. You shouldn't have trouble at all buying tickets to the game. It won't sell out, and if it does, go to BarrysTickets.com and buy a ticket. They have an office that is in the hotel right across the street.
Public transit is not a very good idea at all. If you have a car, you are golden, but walking the streets of LA is not a very good idea. Staples Center is safe, but go a mile to any side of it... well, you probably just don't want to.
How long do you think you are going to be staying?
How long do you think you are going to be staying?
We plan on flying into LAX on Tuesday Jan 12th, getting to the Bruins vs Ducks game in Anaheim on Wednesday, trying to find a place in LA to watch the Bruins vs Sharks game on Thursday, doing whatever we can in LA on Friday, Bruins vs Kings at the Staples Center on Saturday, flying back to Boston on Sunday night.
We plan on flying into LAX on Tuesday Jan 12th, getting to the Bruins vs Ducks game in Anaheim on Wednesday, trying to find a place in LA to watch the Bruins vs Sharks game on Thursday, doing whatever we can in LA on Friday, Bruins vs Kings at the Staples Center on Saturday, flying back to Boston on Sunday night.
Assuming you do rent a car, the most difficult part of your trip will probably be finding a place to watch the Bruins/Sharks game.
We plan on flying into LAX on Tuesday Jan 12th, getting to the Bruins vs Ducks game in Anaheim on Wednesday, trying to find a place in LA to watch the Bruins vs Sharks game on Thursday, doing whatever we can in LA on Friday, Bruins vs Kings at the Staples Center on Saturday, flying back to Boston on Sunday night.
The ESPN Zone across the street from Staples Center will probably have that Sharks/Bruins game on.
Friday the 15th is the Lakers/ Clippers game at Staples Center.
The upper section (300s) is really kind of high and steep. Personally, I prefer the 100 or 200 sections.
You should check out Ebay, Stubhub.com or even the Kings website (there's a section where season ticket holders sell their tickets) for tickets at a decent price.
Me and my buddy who have Bruins season tickets up in the nosebleeds want to go see our boys in black and gold out west in January. Neither of us have ever been west of Ottawa, nevermind California. I was wondering if you guys could help out on a few questions.
1. We plan on staying in LA and we won't be renting a car. Are there any easy and affordable ways of getting to Anaheim from LA and back the same night? (trains, buses) I hear it's not too far away.
2. Any advice on where to go in LA.. restaurants, bars, etc. Obviously there are tons of things to do in LA but we try to avoid the tourist thing.. growing up in Boston we learn to stay clear of the tourist traps and would rather not be those people. We aren't too worried about being heckled by Kings fans either, we some how end up getting along with Canadiens fans in Montreal, anything is possible.. we can handle it.
3. How tough are Kings tickets to come by? Any seats to absolutely stay away from (bad views, stuff like that) We sit in the last row in Boston, we don't mid sitting far away, but some arenas are ridiculous.
4. Any advice on where to stay in LA? Any specific hotels or neighborhoods? Want to try to stay near the Staples Center and an area with a decent night life.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys.
Sean
1. I can give you transit advice if you want. Everyone here is a hater and I understand why but there are absolutely ways to get around if you need to. The problem is most people have a hard time navigating the transit system so you need a little experience. I can say that it might be hard trying to get back from Anaheim on a weeknight but I'll look into it but let me know you are actually still interested in this. I can also tell you how to get from LAX to downtown and vice versa relatively cheap and easy ($5).
2. I can recommend all kinds of bars downtown. If you like Whisky, try Seven Grand on 7th St and Grand. It is a whisky bar and they have all kinds of scotch and other whisky/whiskey. If you want fast food and a pitcher of beer, Carls Jr has 3 locations downtown that actually serve pitchers of beer for ~$5 (only Bud and Bud light). Another dive in downtown that is just up the street from Staples is the Backalley bar which is in the alleyway behind Roy's restaurant and Pizza Next Door on 8th Street between Fig and Flower. I love this place! It is all pretty much business people that go to this place but it is a complete dive w/ cheap drinks. Casey's is an irish pub on Hope Street and Wilshire (I think - just google/yelp) but I rarely go there. Cheap beers at Weiland Brewery underneath the City National Bank building (6th St between Flower and Fig). $2.50 happy hour drafts of their own brews. I think they are $3.50 regular.
I can give you a whole list of bars downtown if you want just ask.
3. Tickets are easy to find. You should be able to find cheap tickets on ebay or craigslist and unlikely it will sell out.
4. There are nice hotels downtown and downtown is basically like the transit hub for the whole area. If you do plan on going without a car, it is probably your best bet to stay downtown. The hotels are going to cost you but you can get all over the LA area from downtown. There are also lots of new restaurants and bars downtown to hit up. If you don't stay downtown, well there are plenty of nice places to stay. I'd recommend staying in Hermosa or Manhattan Beach (plenty of hot chicks at the bars there). Maybe Santa Monica. I'd even recommend the OC beaches but the locals there can be a-holes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 306er
Any idea on the age restrictions on car rentals in CA? Here it is 25 and we are 22 and 21.
Check enterprise.com. I used them before I turned 25. I'm not sure anything has changed. They are usually one of the cheapest although you might try priceline.com negiotator too. I've heard people getting cars for $10-$15 a day.
Ride the blueline if you want to see housing projects. You'll go right by Jordan Downs which is the home of the Grape Street Crips. Nickerson is just down the road on Imperial.
We plan on flying into LAX on Tuesday Jan 12th, getting to the Bruins vs Ducks game in Anaheim on Wednesday, trying to find a place in LA to watch the Bruins vs Sharks game on Thursday, doing whatever we can in LA on Friday, Bruins vs Kings at the Staples Center on Saturday, flying back to Boston on Sunday night.
Well, if you plan on coming here in middle of winter, make sure to bring your shorts, tank tops and sunscreen. This is la-la land after all.
And if by freak of nature it should rain here in the winter, just keep in mind that angelinos can't drive in the rain. I can because I'm a badass but the rest...not so much.
Public transportation in LA isn't very sufficient, avoid the headaches and get a car. If you have the money, stay at the Bonaventure which is located in Downtown.
Get your tickets on stubhub as close to the game day as possible. You will most likely find good seats for under $50 each....ive bought lower bowl seats that have a face value of $95 for $40 on a few occasions....
I wouldnt want to stay in a hotel right next to Staples Center, as it is not the greatest area, but thats just me...Hollywood is fairly close and comes with free entertainment with all the weirdos that populate that area..
3. Tickets are easy to find. You should be able to find cheap tickets on ebay or craigslist and unlikely it will sell out.
I think a Saturday night game against Boston (many many many Bostonians living in SoCal) will likely sell out. And it's probable that stubhub and craigslist won't have as many epic deals as we often see.
As a Bostonian who used to live in LA, trust me, get a car if you can. There is nothing like the T in LA so you will be much better off with your own wheels. The freeways are a jumbled mess at times, but they will get you anywhere, not like us where it's 93, 128 or bust
If you can get to Sonny McLean's in Santa Monica, do it. Great Boston bar.
No real bad seats at Staples, much like TD, but like mbar said, try to get tickets in advance. The B's are usually a good draw.
I think a Saturday night game against Boston (many many many Bostonians living in SoCal) will likely sell out. And it's probable that stubhub and craigslist won't have as many epic deals as we often see.
May be a good game to get tickets in advance.
My opinion, anyway.
Yeah that is a good point. Although, I wasn't at the last Boston/Kings game, I'm not sure if that sold out. It was on a Friday though.
I think if you are traveling across the country to see a game, it is probably a good idea to have tickets in advance.
Public transit is not a very good idea at all. If you have a car, you are golden, but walking the streets of LA is not a very good idea. Staples Center is safe, but go a mile to any side of it... well, you probably just don't want to.
Why not? They could stay at any hotel along the red line (Hollywood) or gold line and do just fine (probably avoid anything south of Staples on the Blue line, unless if they're going all the way to Long Beach). I see plenty of fans taking the Metrolink or Amtrak to Anaheim for games after work (not sure about the Amtrak trains back to L.A. after the game though).
With some research, they could do just fine w/o a car (depending on what they want to see of course, but seeing a Ducks game and a Kings game should be no biggy).
L.A. is not the most mass-transit-vacation-friendly city, but it can be done.
Why not? They could stay at any hotel along the red line (Hollywood) or gold line and do just fine (probably avoid anything south of Staples on the Blue line, unless if they're going all the way to Long Beach). I see plenty of fans taking the Metrolink or Amtrak to Anaheim for games after work (not sure about the Amtrak trains back to L.A. after the game though).
With some research, they could do just fine w/o a car (depending on what they want to see of course, but seeing a Ducks game and a Kings game should be no biggy).
L.A. is not the most mass-transit-vacation-friendly city, but it can be done.
Well getting to Staples or Honda Center is easy with the subways. Its the rest of your time and day that is the problem, unless you just come to LA to sit in the hotel room or see how many corner liquor stores you can hit. If you want to do anything, or have any sense of freedom outside of getting to the arena's, the public transit will only confuse you.
Why not? They could stay at any hotel along the red line (Hollywood) or gold line and do just fine (probably avoid anything south of Staples on the Blue line, unless if they're going all the way to Long Beach). I see plenty of fans taking the Metrolink or Amtrak to Anaheim for games after work (not sure about the Amtrak trains back to L.A. after the game though).
With some research, they could do just fine w/o a car (depending on what they want to see of course, but seeing a Ducks game and a Kings game should be no biggy).
L.A. is not the most mass-transit-vacation-friendly city, but it can be done.
Exactly. That is my point. Everyone is so quick to say rent-a-car. I assume those people probably make a good living a set aside a good chunk of cash when they travel. For a younger person or somebody on a shoestring budget (as I have been on a number of occasions), cheapest is the best with exception to being assaulted. I looked on enterprise.com and they are looking at paying upwards of $300 for the days they are here and that doesn't include gas and was for a economy car. I'm sorry but I could get them to just about everywhere they want to go for much less. The only problem I see is getting back to downtown LA from Anaheim on a weeknight although I know of a bus that goes between the two. And the bus doesn't travel the side streets in LA through the ghetto. It goes on the freeway except in anaheim and downtown.
I friggin ride the bus to work everyday. You elitists with your fancy automobiles and such! I actually took the blueline today which I'm not a fan of but I'll be on it to go home too. Right through good ole Watts. There is usually some free enterainment on that train!
Well getting to Staples or Honda Center is easy with the subways. Its the rest of your time and day that is the problem, unless you just come to LA to sit in the hotel room or see how many corner liquor stores you can hit. If you want to do anything, or have any sense of freedom outside of getting to the arena's, the public transit will only confuse you.
There is only one subway in LA (the red/purple line). And you can get to just about anywhere on the trains (metro, metrolink and amtrack) and connecting to a bus. I do understand that it isn't easy if you don't have experience but that doesn't mean it isn't doable and it does usually take some planning ahead. That is why he was asking so somebody could give him some help. Having options is never a problem.
EDIT: I rarely used the transit system here until about 3 years ago and now I swear by it. I'm functionally retarded and I've figured out how to get around. There is really only one area I'll avoid that and that area is between the 405/710 and the 91/10 freeways. That is the trapezoid of death! And going between the I.E. and Long Beach is nearly impossible or just a waste of time.
Lot of good advice here, but I must agree that staying in downtown is a good way to go if you are used to walking around and/or riding public transportation. You can take the subway from dowtown to hollywood and beyond (to the valley of the dolls).
Downtown has the best bars in LA IMHO.
Angelenos know their city is a pain in the ass so feel free to keep coming back here for advice.
There is only one subway in LA (the red/purple line). And you can get to just about anywhere on the trains (metro, metrolink and amtrack) and connecting to a bus. I do understand that it isn't easy if you don't have experience but that doesn't mean it isn't doable and it does usually take some planning ahead. That is why he was asking so somebody could give him some help. Having options is never a problem.
EDIT: I rarely used the transit system here until about 3 years ago and now I swear by it. I'm functionally retarded and I've figured out how to get around. There is really only one area I'll avoid that and that area is between the 405/710 and the 91/10 freeways. That is the trapezoid of death! And going between the I.E. and Long Beach is nearly impossible or just a waste of time.
I did just remember that googlemaps will give you bus routes.
With that, its much easier. Otherwise I couldn't imagine figuring out the transit system here as a tourist on a 3 day vacation.
I'm sure I can figure it all out, I'm just trying to see if it is possible. With Winter Classic tickets going on sale to us (running $350 each), paying off the season tickets ($820) and looking at round trip flights and 5 night hotel stay ($550-700) the car rental is looking like a stretch.. still gotta get game tickets and spending money. If I can get around on the NYC subway, I'm sure I can figure out LA's metro (just assuming.)
Thanks for all the help guys, keep it coming. I want to do this thing right.
