What should Mrs. Lee and the in-laws see in LA this weekend?

[Rick Lee]

I won't be able to meet up with them until Sunday, I'm riding out to Ramona to see two insane concerts on Fri. and Sat. But this is the last weekend the in-laws are here (hooray) and they want to go to LA. I suggested a few things like Santa Monica Pier, 3rd St. Prom., Malibu, Hollywood, Bev. Hills. What else is cool and/or off the beaten path? I'm almost always there on a bike, so I love to ride around the canyon roads and visit music stores, but they can't do that. We'll, of course, hit up our favorite Chinese places to eat, but what can they do on their own pretty easily? They're probably going to stay in Sherman Oaks.

[Noah930]

Why are they staying in Sherman Oaks?

Huntington Gardens? Descanso? Go down to the Redondo Beach Pier and eat freshly-steamed crab? I had dinner in Beverly Hills/Rodeo last night and it was as beautiful and fashionable as ever.

[Tobra]

Go see Hugh? He is probably out of town somewhere though.

I kid, what do they like to do? Lot of touristy stuff to see, but I always seem to end up at the beach.

[nostatic]

Santa Monica will likely be crowded this weekend so if they go they should get there early (morning).

[Rick Lee]

I spoke with Hugh two days ago. He can't show them anything on a weekend. They're staying in Sherman Oaks because they thought Pasadena was too far away, asked about SO and I said it was a decent neighborhood. I didn't book it.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Santa Monica will likely be crowded this weekend so if they go they should get there early (morning).

I don't think Mainland Chinese are afraid of crowds. The in-laws are from a small town bigger than NYC.

[Noah930]

Sherman Oaks is a nice (if unexciting) place to live, but I'm not sure I would want to visit there. Of course, if they're into sushi, oddly enough it's hard to beat Ventura Blvd. City Walk is up on the hill at Universal, so it's close by and adequately touristy. They can kill a couple hours there. As a cheapskate, I can't stand parking there, though. If I'm going to have to pay for parking, there are lots of other places I'd rather go.

[Nostril Cheese]

I Think he means to avoid traffic, leave early. Sherman Oaks is close to the valley and traffic will be a pain getting to Santa Monica. Norm's Rare Guitars is in the area as well.

Be careful if riding on the 405. They don't expect bikers.

I'd suggest driving up to Topanga Canyon Blvd or Mulholland Hwy and taking that down to Malibu, then PCH down to Santa Monica. Plenty to see and do along the drive.

There's Will Rogers Park and the Self Realization Lake Shrine off Sunset. Both beautiful. Don't forget McCabes Guitar shop in Santa Monica.

As for driving/riding, get north of the city. off the 5 or 14

[slodave]

Rick, I secured a photo pass for Maragold on Saturday. I am driving down and will take you up on sharing that room you booked.

[Rick Lee]

Good deal, Slodave.

I'm pretty well-versed in riding around LA. I've done it countless times. We've done the Topanga Canyon drive a few times too. I'll remind her of that. I figure her dad would get a kick out of the scene at Rock Store on a weekend, but it will be a zoo there and probably impossible to park the SUV.

[Noah930]

I've been able to park my car directly across the street (Mulholland) from the Rock Store, even on weekends. There's also the overlook over the Rock Store. And if they make it out to PCH, there's Neptune's Net for bikes and surfers.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Sherman Oaks is a nice (if unexciting) place to live, but I'm not sure I would want to visit there. Of course, if they're into sushi, oddly enough it's hard to beat Ventura Blvd. City Walk is up on the hill at Universal, so it's close by and adequately touristy. They can kill a couple hours there. As a cheapskate, I can't stand parking there, though. If I'm going to have to pay for parking, there are lots of other places I'd rather go.

Can't you take them to that strip club you were at the other day?

[look 171]

Santa Barbara. Have a simple lunch on the pier is always nice. Griffith Observertory has been remodeled, so its a very nice place to visit. Get there early (weekend), after 9am should be ok if you want to park in their lot and its free. If they are up to it take them for a short hike 1/2 mile to the top of Mt Hollywood. The dirt trail is nicer then walking through someone else's dirt lot. Its the highest point of the city and the view is about 300 degree plus of Los Angeles and the valley. If you make it there, I am working on a house about 1/4 miles south of there in Los Feliz. Give me a shout and I can take you guys to a local place and do lunch. How about a tour of the studio in Burbank? A nice harbor cruise around Long Beach or Redondo Beach. Plenty of places to eat at the beach. They come all the way to CA and they must see the famous beaches. Too bad they are not nearly as nice as they used to be when I was a kid, but it will do.

Pasadena is a little closer to the Chinese communities just a few miles south of there. I am sure they had enough Gwai lo food by now. Take them to lunch at Burger's Continantal on lake Ave. in Pasadena and watch the belly dancer and enjoy a nice lunch. Its middle eastern and not burgers. You can do that too if you like.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Can't you take them to that strip club you were at the other day?

Yeah, next to Kevin's old shop...

[Rick Lee]

I asked them about going to SB and Mrs. Lee doesn't want to do the drive. They might want to hike up to the top of Mt. Hollywood, though. What's the best way to do that? I won't be there until Sunday and am probably meeting them then in San Gabriel for dim sum at our favorite place.

[craigster59]

I don't know if they're into eclectic pseudo-hippie fests, but Topanga Days is this weekend. Right in their neighorhood, short drive from S.O.
Topanga Days 2014

[id10t]

I've been to LA a few times for lunch and dinner (leave east coast at 6am, lunch at Jerry's at about 1pm, visit grandparents, dinner at 530, back on a plane at 9pm, back on east coast at 6am). But, when I've stayed over night especially on a weekend my favorite thing to do was wander the Farmer's Market for breakfast. Some fruits from here, a crepe from there, etc.

[scottmandue]

The Getty? Did Universal studios city walk get thrown out there? +1 on sushi on Ventura Blvd.

[Cajundaddy]

Quirky piece of LA history: Watts Towers. Always best to see in the morning. The neighborhood can get edgy in the afternoon/evening but it's a rare piece of one man's lifelong art project.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers

[manonmasi]

If they like riding bikes try and get a couple and ride along the la river bike path. They could start around the area of Griffith park.