I shall soon become a cheesy tourist!

[Werewolf Girl]

I am planning a very extravagant trip to L.A in the distant future (As soon as I save up enough cash to escape this miserable hellhole) and I was wondering if any LA chewers could give me a few suggestions on places to visit around that area. I need to start planning now so any suggestion will do.

[Kronos]

Long Beach...Django's there.

Actually there's a deli in Santa Monica...

[Jim Pappas/Jabba]

You've come to the right place, my dear . . .

Your enjoyment level will be enhanced by providing us with some details, as in what do you like to do for fun?

Beach? Movies? Music? Art? Comedy? Surfing and or skiing (snow or water)? Hanging out? Drinking? General mischief?

etc. etc. etc.

Also, L.A. is an incredibly spread out area, so a lot depends on where you plan on residing while here. So, give us some data and we'll fill your head with visions of . . . well . . .

[Smilin' Jack Ruby]

Go up to Griffith Park, check out Topanga Canyon and Malibu Beach, hang out on Melrose on Sunday afternoon, do the Santa Monica pier, drive (don't walk) down Rodeo in Beverly just to say you had, and eat at Canter's.

[JenGe Chick Flick Destroyer]

I recommend the Getty Museum if you enjoy art.

[Werewolf Girl]

You've come to the right place, my dear . . .

Your enjoyment level will be enhanced by providing us with some details, as in what do you like to do for fun?

Beach? Movies? Music? Art? Comedy? Surfing and or skiing (snow or water)? Hanging out? Drinking? General mischief?

etc. etc. etc.

Also, L.A. is an incredibly spread out area, so a lot depends on where you plan on residing while here. So, give us some data and we'll fill your head with visions of . . . well . . . Well, I would have to say that movies and the making of them is one of my main interests so you know I am going to be all over Hollywood and anything else related. Also, I love shopping in really strange stores and I love anything related to art and culture. I would also love to put a BIG emphasis on the hanging out, drinking, and general mischief. The mischief is a big goal for me. I am not much for water (mild phobia) but I love hanging out around beaches and suntanning. I am a snowboarder so any hills around there would be a great place to visit. Not much else to say. I would just love to hear about a few landmarks, must see beaches stores, theatres, museums whatever the city has to offer. (don't forget the mischief!)

[Krak-At-Arms]

I've only been here for like 3 months but I love a drive down Highway 1. A lot of beaches and there are some good hikes over there. Hit up the La Jolla Canyon trail. You get some nice views of the ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains. Definitely hit up a double feature at The Egyptian. Being here for your first time is going to be odd. It was for me at least because you've seen it all on TV and in movies and it just doesn't feel real. Give a dollar to a homeless schizo.

[Jim Pappas/Jabba]

Well, Hollywood is certainly a place you want to hang out in, given your tastes. Plenty of clubs, plenty of opportunities for general mischief. (Play with the Japanese tourists in front of the Chinese Theater.) The Getty Museum is a world class art museum.

I agree with the above reference to Hwy 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). Start in Santa Monica and drive north up through Malibu. Check out some of the restaurants along the way, you might see a celeb or two or three.

The Griffith Observatory is an interesting place, also.

The 3rd street Promenade in Santa Monica has some cool clubs as well. Again, a lot depends on where you'll actually be staying and your transportation. A car is a MUST in L.A., as you don't even want to get on the MTA busses, unless you like total weirdness. Also, stay away from downtown L.A., but visit Chinatown which is nearby.

Further south is Anaheim, home of Disneyland. Magic Mountain in Valencia is also a great amusement park.

I also recommend visiting the various movie studios, Universal, Warner Brothers, Paramount for example. Heck, just go there to put in applications if you're interested in working in the industry. Most of the studio personnel are friendly and helpful.

Also, you can attend the filming of various TV shows as an audience member, for free! Try out for a game show too, if you want a shot at getting on TV yourself.

Pick up a copy of the L.A. Weekly when you see it at a store around Hollywood. That will show you what is happening, and lists all the clubs and concerts and who's playing where and when. There are so many choices here.

But, L.A. is NOT like N.Y. We roll up the streets here at 2 a.m.

Another fun thing you might want to try is some of the casting agencies. Sign up as an extra and you might be able to get in a commercial or movie that way. I did it and made about 4 commercials and met a couple of name actors while doing so. Of course, that depends on how much time you'll have, as it might take a week or so after you've signed up with a agency to actually get an extra job.

If you get stuck or need some help, you can e-mail me for assistance if you like. I'm sure any of the L.A. area chewers will be glad to lend you a hand should you need one.

[Rylander]

Smilin' Jack Ruby:
Go up to Griffith Park, check out Topanga Canyon and Malibu Beach, hang out on Melrose on Sunday afternoon, do the Santa Monica pier, drive (don't walk) down Rodeo in Beverly just to say you had, and eat at Canter's.Melrose and Venice for funky shops. And Hollywood, I guess. Or my neighborhood.

Mmm, Canter's... pastrami reuben....drool.

Venice Canals? Pretty trippy. I saw ducks fucking when I was there.

[Blofeld]

Mmmm, ducks fucking.

[Rylander]

And then at 2 am, drunk and hungry, defy your insides with chili-cheese burger & fries. It's the dark underbelly of LA Cuisine, namely, the health food scene.

[Rylander]

Blofeld and Forwards:
Mmmm, ducks fucking.It was rather funny because there was a lot of wing-flapping and honking, and the male biting at the back of her shapely neck as he mounted her.

[Anne]

Werewolf Gurl:
Well, I would have to say that movies and the making of them is one of my main interests so you know I am going to be all over Hollywood and anything else related. Also, I love shopping in really strange stores and I love anything related to art and culture. I would also love to put a BIG emphasis on the hanging out, drinking, and general mischief. The mischief is a big goal for me. I am not much for water (mild phobia) but I love hanging out around beaches and suntanning. I am a snowboarder so any hills around there would be a great place to visit. Not much else to say. I would just love to hear about a few landmarks, must see beaches stores, theatres, museums whatever the city has to offer. (don't forget the mischief!)</strong>[/QUOTE]

Boy, do I wish I were going. I have never been to the LA area, never seen anything remotely Hollywood related. I have to save up money.

[Jim Pappas/Jabba]

L.A. is one big area. I flew here the first time I came and was just amazed by the vastness of the place. The actual city of Los Angeles isn't all that big, but when you add in all of the surrounding cities you have this gigantic place, seemless with no breaks whatsoever.

But, it is a zoo most of the time. If I didn't have to live here because of my job, I'd be outta here so fast that glue wouldn't even stick to me. I hate this hellhole . . .

[JenGe Chick Flick Destroyer]

Werewolf Gurl:
... I love shopping in really strange stores ...</strong> You're coming to the right place for those. When you say strange...how strange???

We've got plenty in a wide price range depending on what street you're on. The Huntington Beach area or Santa Monica have some great shops but the city is littered with them.

... I am a snowboarder so any hills around there would be a great place to visit. ...We've been having a heat wave (80s) so I'm not sure how much snow is left but the resorts often do make their own snow. Local areas include Arrowhead, Big Bear, & Mountain High. Mammoth Lakes are nice but its quite a drive away. Wouldn't recommend it for a day trip.

[JenGe Chick Flick Destroyer]

Rylander (Mr. Particular):
And then at 2 am, drunk and hungry, defy your insides with chili-cheese burger & fries. It's the dark underbelly of LA Cuisine, namely, the health food scene.Would you be referring to <a href="http://www.originaltommys.com/burger.html" target="_blank">Tommy's Chili Burgers</a>??

[Jim Pappas/Jabba]

Probably, There are a number of them, but I like the one right near the Coliseum and 'SC campus the best.

There is a 24 hour restaraunt called The Pantry in downtown L.A. (I think it is on Figueroa and 8th street, maybe 9th, 10th or 11th though) that makes great steaks and has awesome bread and potatos, if you like red meat.

[Rylander]

In my neck of the woods, it's Jay's Jayburger on Virgil & Santa Monica. I rarely go to to Tommy's.

[Kronos]

Rylander: What's the name of that place in Santa Monica with the fries? The place is simply known for it's fries and dipping sauces.

[Rylander]

Sorry mang, I don't know that place. If it's somewhere you went in August, I wasn't there.

[Z-Man]

It's Benita's Fritas, and sadly it no longer exists. It moved to Universal City a few years ago, but I think it's gone from even there now.

[Kronos]

Rylander (Mr. Particular):
Sorry mang, I don't know that place. If it's somewhere you went in August, I wasn't there.Nah, wasn't there in August but I saw it on FoodTV.

Z-Man: I think that was the title of the place...

[Krak-At-Arms]

Majin Kronos:
Rylander: What's the name of that place in Santa Monica with the fries? The place is simply known for it's fries and dipping sauces.If anybody is ever in CT there is a punk club in New Haven that is known for it's fries and sauces. Great stuff. It's called Rudys. It's actually more of a bar and it use to be a Yale hang out. Fun place for a date.

[Kronos]

I know a girl in CT...but I haven't seen her in ten years...she was hot...met her in Honduras...

[Z-Man]

Well, let's not beat around the bush. Just ask CT who's in him.

[Kronos]

Heh...or would that be who's into him?

[Krak-At-Arms]

I lived in CT for over 22 years. I hope he didn't mind.

[Werewolf Girl]

You're coming to the right place for those. When you say strange...how strange???

We've got plenty in a wide price range depending on what street you're on. The Huntington Beach area or Santa Monica have some great shops but the city is littered with them. The stranger the better, I love gawking at wierd things, even if I would never buy them. But I love looking at anything really. Clothes, shoes, souvenir stores, antique shops, craft stores, farmers markets, whatever you can throw at me.

And thanks for all the tips, I am composing a giant list as we speak...man I need a lot of money.

[Z-Man]

There's some really weird shit on Sunset in Silverlake. One shop called "Wacko", it's actually not on Sunset but the last stretch of Hollywood Blvd, but they're just a treasure trove of weird books, toys, tiki mugs, art and the like. Melrose has it's share of weird shops, the weirdest being Necromance, which is like a goth gift store--they have antique medical instruments, animal skulls, all kinds of weird shit. There's also a whole shop dedicated to those old wind-up metal toys, an anime shop, and god knows what else. In Hollywood, a trip to the Hollywood Toy and Costume Shop is essential, and there's another shop selling movie posters and such right near there, and a bookstore dedicated entirely to books on film and TV.

[Werewolf Girl]

...Awesome... (adds more places to little list.)