Westward Ho!
Come this time next week, I’ll be preparing for a flight to Los Angeles on my yearly sojourn out of the Humidity of Tampa Bay and into smog (and drier, cooler temperatures) of LA.
Yet I’m curious about a few things — and would love some input…
For example, for those of you who have been to LA before (or perhaps live there), where would you suggest someone go for a good breakfast downtown? I’m more of a pancake person than eggs person, and I have heard and seen more offerings of omlets and egg specials than of a good stack’o’jacks. Sure, I could order room service at the hotel, but I’d rather get out of the building.
Number two, where would you go? My options are limited as I am depending on Metro to get around (no car) so while I can get to Hollywood, Long Beach, Pasadena and some points in between, getting out to Santa Monica or Beverly Hills is a bit more difficult.
And here is a complication that may or not be remedied through comments: I don’t own a laptop, right? I do own a Blackberry and can be kept abreast about problems with work or things that need to be done. If I DID need to get on a PC – where should I go? (Bonaventure business center?)
Is it so expensive to live in CA now that things are not cheap here anymore?
P.
Yeah, if it’s expensive here in TB Paulie, it’s worse out west. Cost of living has always been higher in LA and other points throughout the Golden State than here in Florida. Here? Everything’s done on the cheap.
Computer usage? I’d look to see if your hotel has a business center, if there’s a local interwebs cafe with computers, or look up a local library in the area. Internet cafes are more of a euro thing, but I imagine they might exist in more densely populated areas. On the library thing, you can probably look up the policy online before you take off. In Sandusky, OH, anyone with a valid ID can use the computers, but in some St. Louis libraries, you have to have a library card. Regardless, I always find old city libraries to be pretty interesting to walk around in, though I don’t really think of many things in LA as “old”.
Yeah, the Library thing came to mind when I was out in 2006 — I found out a library was a mere 2 or 3 blocks from my hotel and had computers and wi-fi if I had a laptop.
There are several “old” things in Los Angeles but they fall between the cracks of the new or they inspire the new so much — they never look old. You go to the Gruman’s chinese theater and they take so much care of the handprints that the concrete looks brand new. Odd when you see Natalie Wood (long gone) or someone else with what looks like a fresh pair of prints.
Last time around I didn’t have much time to explore downtown — this time around, I may make it the point of my time in town. Just gotta conquer intimidation of the streets.