I'm paying a visit to L.A. (los angeles). Its for work but i'm taking a week off (to be exact 5 days) to see the place. Any good recommendations other than Disneyland?

Who's going, and what ages? Just you? Family? Friends?

And what are your interests -- theme parks, sports, movies, museums, shopping, wine.... the possibilities are almost endless.

And for a good chuckle, you could always visit the Lakers. :D

*zing* [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

I'm visiting LA with my wife. I'm trying to get the best of LA within a time of 5 days. Usually I go for scenic trips. But I don’t think there is such thing in LA eh? It’s a desert town right? I’m not sure and have no idea.

I don’t think I’ll go for night life cause I’m sure if it is safe  and there is a wife tagging along LOL...

T.Parks are cool. How long does it take to see all of Disneyland and Universal Studios? (yeah… I found this much on the net).

Lakers? Where is that? I’m just lazy to search the net.

The Lakers are a basketballteam...or at least they used to be one. :D In case you're interested...the Staples Center, where they play their games, is located at 1111 S. Figueroa St., in downtown Los Angeles.

Disneyland... a day, easy. Universal... same thing. You could also look at Knott's Berry Farms or Legoland, too. Just bring you wallet... and a friend's too.

LA is certainly huge, but it's not everything. When you're in LA you're 90 minutes from Santa Barbara, which is beautiful coastline farther north. You can also drive the PCH, the Pacific Coast Highway, to see what you can see.

You can sit in on the taping of a TV show (get your tickets in advance, though, I think).

Rodeo Drive. Hollywood. The walk of fame. Venice Beach (keep an eye on your wife there ;) ). Tons o' stuff... limited only by your imagination.

Does anybody know of a local tour service that can pick up from LAX, dump me in a hotel, then pick up next morning?

There are Super Shuttle buses that will take you to your hotel and pick you back up. Generally cheap (starts around US$9, I think, depending on where you're going), but they are cattle cars -- you'll be packed in with as many people as they can fit who are going to that same general area.

If you're close to the airport, most hotels have complimentary shuttles that will do that.

If you know what hotel you're going to be at, drop them a line and ask.

You're Australian? You'll need to see the mountains and the beaches. Mountains and beaches.
I'd start with Venice Beach and Santa Monica, and then head up to Malibu.

Check out the boulevards, Sunset, Santa Monica and Hollywood. Take a drive around Beverly Hills to see how the other half live. Pretty. If you get out and walk in the Beverly Hills central, you may do some star spotting if that interests you.

Sunset Blvd has some famous music venues as you get into West Hollywood. The Hollywood Hills are pretty. nice houses and great views of L.A. Take a cruise along Mullholland drive too, and head east back towards the coast.

Don't go to the Lakers Stadium. You're from Australia. Big waste of time, as there's no emotional connection. Not like seeing Lords or whatever.

Universal Studios can give you a taste of the whole theme park thing. It's in a nice setting too.

If you can get outside, get over the mountains. Head west perhaps on the way to Vegas and you'll find some desert in time. Might be worth taking the drive to Vegas, as it's not that long. If you want to see a desert that is. (Not dune desert, but American desert) Very pretty landscapes.

If you can get to Vegas, that's it's own universe in there. The strip is one thing, but you can drive around and see uniquely interesting houses. The desert outside Vegas is stunning. Red Rock in particular.

All of this presumes you have a car. Which you will need in L.A. There are busses, and expensive cabs, but you'll want to drive in L.A.

Hope this helps.

~Melchior~