Tips when visiting L.A

[ubi_est_via]

Hi,
I'm planning a family vacation to L.A ( & southern California) in June. My wife would like to know the best discount shopping mall factory outlet centre for clothes & stuff...Any tips would be appreciated....Cheers, John

[Catigale]

John - LA is a 'big city' - not a place where you can go 'everywhere and anywhere' you want without personal safety concerns.Traffic at peak times can be tremendous - I once got a call to go to Riverside from Torrance, some 50 miles, and was told that I could probably make it in 3 hours...and just made it. This was off 'rush hour'

I think the Metro area is about 30 M people?? There are shopping centres galore - Orange county has some pretty good ones in Irvine, south of LA around the 405/5 highway split.

[Mistral]

Hi John,

If you are going to San Diego there is an outlet center in Carlsbad just off the I5. Approx 75 - 90 minutes south of LA airport and take the Palomar Airport turn off. We always shop there. Purchased a lot of clothes there in March.
The perfume shop is closed, but you are better of to buy that stuff at LA airport on the way home. (A lot cheaper than here).

There is another just before the Mexican border, but was never impressed by that one.

The obvious touristy bits are, and you probably know them already are Disneyland, Legoland (Carlsbad), The Zoo in San Diego,Aircraft carrier in San Diego, La Jolla (Lovely town and the smelly sealions).

Dirk

[dennisneal]

John,

I assume you will have a car and can find your way around.

Here's a link to a list of the nicer outlet malls in the greater L.A. area. Most are located a good distance away from downtown Los Angeles, but its usually worth the drive.

http://www.family-vacation-getaways-at- ... Malls.html

Welcome to Southern California.

Have a great stay!!

Dennis

[kmclemore]

Just don't get lost and do like I did.... ending up, early in the evening, at the corner of Florence & Normandie!

[Theo]

John,

There are numerous outlet malls in SoCal. Most are on the periphery such as Ontario. I can't vouch for any of them.

On the whole, I would not describe LA as cheap place to go shopping. This is also true for marine items. Unfortunately, West Marine has a retail choke hold on us for now. Our main alternative is the internet. On the other hand, Minneys in Newport Beach is a must visit for used boating items of every sort.

Theo

[Bransher]

Kevin wrote:

Just don't get lost and do like I did.... ending up, early in the evening, at the corner of Florence & Normandie!

OK, I'll bite............What is special about the corner of Florence & Normandie?

[kmclemore]

Kevin wrote:

Just don't get lost and do like I did.... ending up, early in the evening, at the corner of Florence & Normandie!

OK, I'll bite............What is special about the corner of Florence & Normandie?

Clicky.

[pokerrick1]

Excuse me - - - but I've had some memorable times cruising around Normandie & Florence - - - just not during the riots - - - when my (then) wife (my fourth I believe I remember) and I abandoned LA and drove to Vegas until the heat died down.

If you are at all interested in WWII history, the aircraft carrier in San Diego harbor that Dirk mentioned is a must see - - - it is the USS Midway, it is not an expensive tour, and if all areas of the ship are available (sometimes they are renovating), you can easily be there most of the day - - - one of the pleasures there is talking to the sailors who served on the ship who now serve as tour guides; they will explain everything and the tour features a tape recorder that you carry to guide you around the ship; located near the SD airport, next to the cruise ship docks - - - planty of FINE restaraunts nearby for after the tour - - - then head north to Carlsbad for shopping (or south to Tijuana if you are REALLY adventurous) - - NO - - - I'm kidding - - - not safe there now (but they do have great shopping).

Rick Less

[Bransher]

Yes indeed Kevin, now I understand. I looked at the satellite picture of that infamous intersection this morning, and it looked rather peaceful without the fires, emergency vehicle lights, and the gunfire blasts. Probably why I did not recognise it.

I am more familiar with any intersection in Oakland, CA. I spent a considerable amount of time up there in the mid 60's while attending USN school on Treasure Island. The Black Panthers were getting charged up then and all #ell broke loose only a few weeks after I left. I have been back to that area several times, as recently as 5 years ago. I cannot say things have improved during my 40-year absence.

[Catigale]

,,,all that mayhem when the blue hull was announced....

[pokerrick1]

Final driving tip - - - try not to drive on the LA area freeways between 12:01AM and 11:59PM - - - you will get hung up somewhere and wonder why

Answer: it's just too many cars; not enough freeway.

Rick Less

PS Actually, you're ALMOST ALWAYS OK on the freeways between 9:30PM and 3:30AM and between 10:30AM and 2:30PM