3 Rainy Days in LA - what to do?

[tdw28210]

So I will be out on the West Coast Thursday night through Sunday with the wife. The weather looks like it will be soggy garbage all 3 days So what's to do? I've already talked her into hitting the Peterson, but she will indulge me with the car infatuation thing only so much.

We were originally going to cruise out to Catalina, but that seem unlikely now given the weather. Any other ideas?

[ckissick]

What part of LA? Griffith Observatory is nice. It's hard to park, though. Also, La Brea Tar Pits and the natural history museum. You'll be blinded by science.

[craigster59]

Gene Autry Western Museum. https://theautry.org/

[Noah930]

If you do the Petersen, you can also pay an extra $20 to do one of the Vault tours (cars in their collection but not on display).

Getty Museum (over by UCLA in the Sepulveda Pass) and the Getty Villa out in Malibu. Make reservations for parking.

The new Broad (pronounced Brode) Museum for modern art. Probably need reservations for that, too.

Aquarium of the Pacific down in Long Beach.

There are also a couple of museums in Exposition Park down by USC. Natural History and Science, IIRC.

If you do choose to do something outdoorsy in LA, people shun the rain, so it's less crowded. Angelenos also don't get out the door until noon or 1, so whatever you do, do it before then and parking is way easier.

[craigster59]

Someone just sent me this link. Any Pelican Angelenos been to this restaurant? Looks pretty cool!
http://la.eater.com/2017/2/15/14621564/porsche-restaurant-917-los-angeles-carson

[scottmandue]

You will already be downtown for the Peterson if you are into art you will be across the street to LACMA (art museum) and the tar pits.

Explosion Park has Science Museum (Pixar exhibit showing now but an extra charge), Imax, Natural History but there is an event at the park called Air & Style Sat./Sun. that may make parking a little tricky however we do have a huge underground parking structure and the train stops here.

Catalina is fun bet the boat ride with a storm would definitely NOT be fun!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Someone just sent me this link. Any Pelican Angelenos been to this restaurant? Looks pretty cool!
http://la.eater.com/2017/2/15/14621564/porsche-restaurant-917-los-angeles-carson

WHOA! That thing is open now? Adding that to my bucket list!

[Cajundaddy]

LA is vast and has everything you could ever want to see or do here somewhere. Narrow your location and interests and us SoCal cats will weigh-in...

Groovy food, Art, music, science, history, car stuff, old Hollywood sights, entertainment... What else??

Note: Crossing the channel to Catalina in a major storm is almost certain to relieve you of the contents in your stomach.

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by ckissick

What part of LA? Griffith Observatory is nice. It's hard to park, though. Also, La Brea Tar Pits and the natural history museum. You'll be blinded by science.

Marina Del Rey area.

[tdw28210]

Thanks guys...keep them coming.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by ckissick

What part of LA? Griffith Observatory is nice. It's hard to park, though. Also, La Brea Tar Pits and the natural history museum. You'll be blinded by science.

[Cajundaddy]

Maybe an evening of Do-wop with Lil Mo at the Don the Beachcomber Huntington Beach.
https://www-donthebeachcomber-com.seatengine.com//shows/49829
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVV2EDbfmvQ

Adam Ant at The Observatory
Observatory

They are forecasting a Texas flood with 2-3" of rain Friday which means major street flooding and all the freeways will be a snarled mess. Choose public transportation or hunker down for the day indoors somewhere.

[scottmandue]

Historic jazz club not far from where you will be:
The Lighthouse Cafe

A lot of good food and drink around the lighthouse too... I suggest you Uber if you are going to drink but you could blow a whole day bar hopping in that area.

This is near you too, always a good time:
http://comedyandmagicclub.com/

[speeder]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

You will already be downtown for the Peterson if you are into art you will be across the street to LACMA (art museum) and the tar pits.

The Petersen, (not Peterson), museum and LACMA are near Wilshire and Fairfax, not downtown. Not even near downtown. A short walk from Beverly Hills. Look at a map, you'll see.

As for things to do, I'm not good at these threads because the suggestions are usually things I'd never do. But museums would be good on a rainy weekend. The Getty, while definitely one of the most beautiful places on earth, should be visited during one of our 340 days of sunny weather a year because of the outdoor plaza spaces, balconies and stunning views. You can see Catalina, as well as everything else within 50 miles, from some of the decks.

I don't mind the rain because it's rare and we need it but it's unfortunate for a short visit. I'm torn between an invite to Mammoth, (huge snow coming), or Palm Springs for Modernism Week which is one of the coolest things on earth, IMO. Seriously up there w Car Week in Monterey or Art Basil in Miami, etc.

I think that Palm Springs is going to win out.

https://www.google.com/search?q=modernism+week&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

[speeder]

To give you an idea of what I'm referring to:

[rcooled]

The Farmer's Market on Fairfax & W. 3rd is always an interesting place to browse around and maybe grab a meal. It's been at the same covered location since 1934 and is mostly out of the weather. It's also right next to The Grove, which is a shopping destination that your wife might enjoy checking out.

The Original Farmers Market
The Grove


About an hour's drive south of L.A. is the city of Long Beach. There you can tour the Queen Mary, which is now permanently docked at the waterfront. You can even stay aboard, as it's also a working hotel.

Queen Mary Tour Passport


If you have some interest in architectural history, you can also tour the Hollyhock House, designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright around 1920.

http://barnsdall.org/hollyhock-house/about/

While in L.A., try to confine your activities to a specific geographical area...driving around the greater L.A. area can be a challenge, especially for out-of-towners. Be sure to stay off the freeways that pass thru the downtown area and don't attempt to use any freeway during commute hours.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by speeder

...Palm Springs for Modernism Week which is one of the coolest things on earth, IMO.

Good to hear...my wife & I are heading down there on Friday. It's been on our bucket list for quite a while.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by speeder

I don't mind the rain because it's rare and we need it but it's unfortunate for a short visit. I'm torn between an invite to Mammoth, (huge snow coming), or Palm Springs for Modernism Week which is one of the coolest things on earth, IMO. Seriously up there w Car Week in Monterey or Art Basil in Miami, etc.

I think that Palm Springs is going to win out.

https://www.google.com/search?q=modernism+week&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

Mammoth, major snow, 3 day weekend, no thanks. Modernism Week is very cool, you'll have a good time!

[red-beard]

Go to the LA river and see actual water in it...

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by speeder

The Petersen, (not Peterson), museum and LACMA are near Wilshire and Fairfax, not downtown.

Seven miles to downtow... well excuses me!

Marina Del Ray to Palm Springs = 125 miles... just sayin...