May be coming to Long Beach

Shaun @ Tru6 · 01-06-2009, 11:08 AM

Would fly in Jan 24 leave Jan 25.

What are my airport options?

Zeke · 01-06-2009, 11:14 AM

SNA, LGB and LAX. Probably just as cheap to fly into the better priced destination and rent a car that you would most likely rent anyway. The difference in price can pay for the difference in miles. Staying in LB might be cheaper for the night and more convenient. If not needing to be by the LB airport, there are a lot of options.

Downtown there are several full on hotels near the convention center with good food and entertainment all around.

Zeke · 01-06-2009, 11:17 AM

BTW, can you get any deals on a 2 day trip? It might even pay to come in a day early. The ticket diff might pay lodging for one more night. I really don't know, I don't fly. My wife would shop it to death.

Hugh R · 01-06-2009, 11:23 AM

You'll most likely get the best price to LAX.

Zeke · 01-06-2009, 11:26 AM

True,, but SNA can be pretty close, maybe not as many flights. It's a toss up for distance, but I'd rather drive to SNA than LAX anytime.

HardDrive · 01-06-2009, 11:39 AM

We detest LAX. Third world schit hole. We literally paid almost $1000 more the last time we went to India, just to avoid changing planes at LAX.

We fly into Burbank when we hit LA, but we are typically staying in Pasadena (actually, a crime ridden hell hole area of LA that my sister likes to pretend is part of Pasadena.)

Jim Richards · 01-06-2009, 11:53 AM

Shaun, if you can fly out of Manchester or Providence, I'd suggest taking Southwest Airlines to John Wayne (SNA). Your intermediate stops will be in places like Phoenix or Las Vegas, and will be less likely to be impacted by winter weather-related cancellations/delays. With our son now living in OC, it's my favorite way to get there during the winter months.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 01-06-2009, 12:15 PM

Thanks Guys, I'll work this all through Travelocity. Hugh and Milt, you guys up for dinner on the 24th?

Not 100% yet, but I really should go to this show: http://www.issshows.com/long_beach/

problem is that it's right in middle of spring production/fall development.

Hugh R · 01-06-2009, 12:24 PM

Saturday night is a tough one with the wife. Lunch maybe.

Zeke · 01-06-2009, 12:54 PM

I'd be happy to have dinner Sat night. It would be my pleasure. I'm close, but Hugh is like on the other side of the world.

Crazy Jeff is right here as well.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Fly Jet Blue (think it's flight #481) overnight to LGB direct from Logan. I do LGB->BOS semi-often, as do members of my family (pretty much everyone else lives back in New England). It's worth any extra cost (usually very little) to avoid LAX.

I'd love to hook up with ya' for a beer if you end up local!

Shaun @ Tru6 · 01-06-2009, 05:31 PM

Sounds good Jeff, will let you know my plans when final.

woodman · 01-06-2009, 06:26 PM

LAX isn't that bad...plus the landscape improvements and illuminated pylons are nice to see when you get in.

9dreizig · 01-06-2009, 06:26 PM

Shaun, flights are pretty cheap right now.. I usually find what's up on travelocity then go to the airline they list directly , ,usually saves a few bucks. I found Reno-Mht for $201 the other day, FWIW

Zeke · 01-07-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodman

LAX isn't that bad...plus the landscape improvements and illuminated pylons are nice to see when you get in.

I think Steve had something to do with this.....

Hugh R · 01-07-2009, 09:11 AM

Don't count me out Milt, I'm just saying, Newhall to Long Beach is sort of like Boston to Providence, RI in terms of drive.

Jim Bremner · 01-07-2009, 09:26 AM

it's worth flying into LBG there's room on the tarmac for 4 planes! it's so small that you need to use a ladder to get up into the plane!!!!

The baggage claim is outside. There's two belts for baggage claim.

For diner go to Enrique's at PCH and Loyns (sp) do not order a burrito or taco go for something off of the specials or Carne en su Jugo! Jeans and comfy shirt

Jim

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I agree that LAX is nice in terms of the landscaping and lighted pylons and hey, the backlit arch windows at the termination of the American Terminal 4 concourse are pretty nice too... ( <- shameless self-promotional plug...

).

In general though LAX is horrible - it's smack in the middle of traffic-jam hell, the parking is awful and extremely expensive and honestly I think it's one of the most difficult layouts to navigate as a passenger while toting baggage (there are numerous level changes and elevators/escalators/stairs tend to be in less-than-obvious locations sometimes and can get cramped). Security screening can either be a breeze under 5 minutes or literally an hour an a half - depends on time of day in my experiences.

Long Beach is a bit weird and "old school" but it has character. My biggest complaint is that it's a bit of a hike from parking to the terminal (although it's all at-grade, with no level changes), the holdrooms get extremely crowded and busy and of course there are the stairs/ramps to contend with getting up to/onto the aircraft - no jet bridges. I actually kind of like it and don't mind these things. Parking is reasonably cheap too and compared to LAX it's a lot more casual and less of a ratrace. Just one guy's opinion though.

And being in Long Beach, it's a heck of a lot more convenient to get to.

Laneco · 01-07-2009, 01:41 PM

Hey Shaun,

Why don't you fly in a day early and go to Cars and Coffee in Irvine? Show up 7 or 7:30 - it doesn't last real long. Two hours or so?

Worth the trip - not kidding - stuff that you only see in museums or in pictures shows up every weekend. FANTASTIC!!!!

The jaded fellows who live in sunny southern CA sometimes forget to tell us out-of-towners about this weekly event.

angela

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Thanks Guys, I'll work this all through Travelocity. Hugh and Milt, you guys up for dinner on the 24th?

What, I'm not invited?

Sure, stand me up in Boston *and* LA...