Los Angeles Help!

[WadsUpDoc]

Hi Guys,

Anyone visited LA and can share their experience with the public transport? I understand there's another thread about US, but the info for LA is lost in the hundreds of pages...

Just like to find out:

1. Hows the public transport like? Is it as bad as some claim to be? (bad waiting timings)
2. If not, how's parking like in LA?
3. Disneyland vs Universal Studios? Anyone can share their experience too? Not really keen on the other theme parks though!
4. Are the outlet malls worth a visit as compared to the shopping centres? If so, which is the most convenient/worth a visit?
5. If I have 4 days away from LA, where else can/should I go besides San Diego? (But have to return to LA for flight back to SG)

There's a lot i'm asking, but hope someone can share with me their experience

 

[danielkok]

Hi Guys,

Anyone visited LA and can share their experience with the public transport? I understand there's another thread about US, but the info for LA is lost in the hundreds of pages...

Just like to find out:

1. Hows the public transport like? Is it as bad as some claim to be? (bad waiting timings)
2. If not, how's parking like in LA?
3. Disneyland vs Universal Studios? Anyone can share their experience too? Not really keen on the other theme parks though!
4. Are the outlet malls worth a visit as compared to the shopping centres? If so, which is the most convenient/worth a visit?
5. If I have 4 days away from LA, where else can/should I go besides San Diego? (But have to return to LA for flight back to SG)

There's a lot i'm asking, but hope someone can share with me their experience

1. Public transport in downtown LA is quite, erm, an eye opener. You'll see all kinds of folks at bus depots, bus stops, and on the bus themselves. If you are a dude who is traveling alone, with no real use for a car, then you can take public transport. Timing is not that accurate. When you're done with that, you'll appreciate Singapore's "world-class" transportation system.

2. Again, you mention LA. Do you mean downtown LA? Because, tbh, there's nothing downtown! Except the California Science Center which has the USS Endeavor. If you're planning to go to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard, etc. then use a car. Parking is available along the roads (don't park along the kerb that have red (no parking) or blue (loading/unloading) markings.) Metered parking. Else, park in MSCPs which are more expensive.

3. Can't really comment on this. Never been to either.

4. If you are looking to buy stuff, then yes, it's worth going. Because their stuff are really cheaper than the usual retail shops. I don't buy clothes in Singapore at all. Except maybe Uniqlo underwear (hurhurhur). Only at these malls. Then it's worth it. If you are gonna be in LA area, you can go to Camarillo (north). If you're gonna be at Orange County area, you can go to Desert Hill (east). They have quite good brands.

5. I did San Diego as a day trip. Two hours one way, you travel opposite direction of rush hour. Things to check out: USS Midway, Coronado Beach, the Gardens (can go to zoo if you want but I skipped it), Jolla Beach (see sealions and seals), Point Loma. If you're lucky, you'll see ships sailing out of the naval base out to sea (have to be really lucky). Other place to go to, of course, is Las Vegas. About 6 hours each way. Or, you can take the Pacific Coast Highway and go up north to maybe Monterey. Make stops along the way. There's a town where Clint Eastwood was mayor for a while. If you do this, Camarillo will be on the way.

 

[WadsUpDoc]

1. Public transport in downtown LA is quite, erm, an eye opener. You'll see all kinds of folks at bus depots, bus stops, and on the bus themselves. If you are a dude who is traveling alone, with no real use for a car, then you can take public transport. Timing is not that accurate. When you're done with that, you'll appreciate Singapore's "world-class" transportation system.

2. Again, you mention LA. Do you mean downtown LA? Because, tbh, there's nothing downtown! Except the California Science Center which has the USS Endeavor. If you're planning to go to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard, etc. then use a car. Parking is available along the roads (don't park along the kerb that have red (no parking) or blue (loading/unloading) markings.) Metered parking. Else, park in MSCPs which are more expensive.

3. Can't really comment on this. Never been to either.

4. If you are looking to buy stuff, then yes, it's worth going. Because their stuff are really cheaper than the usual retail shops. I don't buy clothes in Singapore at all. Except maybe Uniqlo underwear (hurhurhur). Only at these malls. Then it's worth it. If you are gonna be in LA area, you can go to Camarillo (north). If you're gonna be at Orange County area, you can go to Desert Hill (east). They have quite good brands.

5. I did San Diego as a day trip. Two hours one way, you travel opposite direction of rush hour. Things to check out: USS Midway, Coronado Beach, the Gardens (can go to zoo if you want but I skipped it), Jolla Beach (see sealions and seals), Point Loma. If you're lucky, you'll see ships sailing out of the naval base out to sea (have to be really lucky). Other place to go to, of course, is Las Vegas. About 6 hours each way. Or, you can take the Pacific Coast Highway and go up north to maybe Monterey. Make stops along the way. There's a town where Clint Eastwood was mayor for a while. If you do this, Camarillo will be on the way.

Thanks a lot for the info!

1. I'm actually travelling with my family so we're considering between renting car or taking public transport... There are bus stops near our accommodation, but my worry is about the arrival timings..

2. Hmm not really downtown LA, but LA in general.. Is parking easily available? (seeing that almost everywhere is considered "touristy" area). Whats MSCP btw?

4. Both of them seem pretty far, and almost of equal distance.. Have you been to both? If so, which would you recommend?

5. Thanks for the recommendations, will take a look at those places!

 

[danielkok]

Thanks a lot for the info!

1. I'm actually travelling with my family so we're considering between renting car or taking public transport... There are bus stops near our accommodation, but my worry is about the arrival timings..

2. Hmm not really downtown LA, but LA in general.. Is parking easily available? (seeing that almost everywhere is considered "touristy" area). Whats MSCP btw?

4. Both of them seem pretty far, and almost of equal distance.. Have you been to both? If so, which would you recommend?

5. Thanks for the recommendations, will take a look at those places!

1. In that case, think getting a car will be more convenient. You don't really want to be bumming around bus stops waiting for the bus to arrive. Oh yeah, pump prices vary depending on station and whether you use credit card or not. I find Shell and Mobil to be the most expensive ones...

2. Parking isn't a big deal. In parking lots, don't expect long queues at the gantries like at Singapore malls. In fact, speaking of malls, mostly free open-air parking. MSCP (Multi-Storey Car Park).

4. I've been to both. They both have the same brands. Actually I forgot Citadel Outlets. It's much closer to downtown LA compared to Desert Hill and Camarillo but smaller. Check out their website and see if they have the brands you are looking for. There's another one in Orange County (Outlets at Orange County). Another option which is nearer.