if you have lounge access, stay at the airport. if not, it depends on the time of the day. For day time, you can take Uber to get around. Uber is pretty cheap there. A cheaper option is to take Uber to LAX aviation, then metro to the Science Centre and the Museum of Natural History (if you like museum), down town (not much too see apart from the Walt Disney concert hall in my view) or even the walk of frame (for people watching!). Train ticket is only 1.5$ but be prepared to change between different lines and to face unexpected scenery at some stations!
LA is very spread out with a massive traffic problem, so be cautious when calculating the travel time.
Depends on the month, also time of the day... I'd suggest to go to Santa Monica for a nice lunch near the beach! I've done that before and then back to the lounge to shower prior the flight.
Or, at the other end of the cultural scale, the Getty Center is well worth a visit, and is only 13 miles up the 405. A phenomenal art collection, great views (smog permitting), pleasant gardens, interesting architecture and decent food options. And entry is free.
Otherwise, I concur with the Santa Monica / Manhattan Beach suggestions - readily accessible and vastly more interesting than a day spent in airport lounges. The ubiquity and low cost of Uber and Lyft render the hassle of single-day car rental difficult to justify, I would suggest, especially given that all the rental companies at LAX are off site and require a shuttle transfer.
As others have noted, the major risk with day trips from LAX is traffic congestion in the evenings, which can be unpredictably woeful - getting from the freeway exit to your terminal can take the best part of an hour, so plan accordingly.
Getty Centre is my choice, I went there once with a spare day. It really is an amazing experience even apart from the Art [which is equally outstanding]
There is a local bus that goes all the way from the airport. Ask at the help desk. You also get a ground level of LA.
As mentioned the traffic can be horrible so allow time for your return
I was going to ask something similar, as I will be soon staying one night in Venice Beach before flying out on QF96 (the 23:55 flight).
Interested in what you would all suggest as a day plan, from suggestions for meals through to sites I should see (I'm a complete novice when it comes to LA as I usually fly via DFW)
Also, what should I do with bags? My one night in LA follows a longer trip so I will have a case or two that I don't want to drag around all day. Is it possible / worth it to drop them off at LAX first thing and then head off for the day or should I see if they can be held by the hotel, or some other option?
I was on that flight last week. As I was flying into LAX late with luggage, I checked into an airport hotel. Next morning Uber to Santa Monica which has also has great shopping as well as beach and then met friends there for a long and late lunch. Picked up bags at the hotel en route to the airport. If you haven’t been to the Getty as previously suggested, it’s a wonderful thing to do as well.
I was going to ask something similar, as I will be soon staying one night in Venice Beach before flying out on QF96 (the 23:55 flight).
Interested in what you would all suggest as a day plan, from suggestions for meals through to sites I should see (I'm a complete novice when it comes to LA as I usually fly via DFW)
Also, what should I do with bags? My one night in LA follows a longer trip so I will have a case or two that I don't want to drag around all day. Is it possible / worth it to drop them off at LAX first thing and then head off for the day or should I see if they can be held by the hotel, or some other option?
Thanks folks!
Santa Monica is just up the road and wonderful......I'd be more concerned about being on the street at night in Venice. It gets weird in parts after sundown
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 114
What do you do with a 12 hour layover in LAX? Any suggestions or ideas?
BatteryBen
BatteryBen
Member since 08 Aug 2017
Total posts 46
Manhattan Beach. 15 min away by Uber. Go for a swim. If you have lounge access back at the airport you can shower before your next sector.
Longtoo
Longtoo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 Jun 2017
Total posts 29
if you have lounge access, stay at the airport. if not, it depends on the time of the day. For day time, you can take Uber to get around. Uber is pretty cheap there. A cheaper option is to take Uber to LAX aviation, then metro to the Science Centre and the Museum of Natural History (if you like museum), down town (not much too see apart from the Walt Disney concert hall in my view) or even the walk of frame (for people watching!). Train ticket is only 1.5$ but be prepared to change between different lines and to face unexpected scenery at some stations!
MattJelonek
MattJelonek
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
Member since 08 Jun 2014
Total posts 90
Rent a car and go crazy
silvyvc
silvyvc
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jun 2017
Total posts 62
Depends on the month, also time of the day... I'd suggest to go to Santa Monica for a nice lunch near the beach! I've done that before and then back to the lounge to shower prior the flight.
Brassy
Brassy
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Apr 2016
Total posts 36
Dis. Ney. Land.
DrSK
DrSK
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 08 Jul 2014
Total posts 44
Or, at the other end of the cultural scale, the Getty Center is well worth a visit, and is only 13 miles up the 405. A phenomenal art collection, great views (smog permitting), pleasant gardens, interesting architecture and decent food options. And entry is free.
PB57
PB57
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 Nov 2014
Total posts 23
Catch the Big Blue Bus and go to Santa Monica. Takes about 40 minutes.
tuzza1
tuzza1
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Aug 2012
Total posts 93
Getty Centre is my choice, I went there once with a spare day. It really is an amazing experience even apart from the Art [which is equally outstanding]
lobby
lobby
Member since 26 Feb 2017
Total posts 8
if you head out just make sure you get yourself an In-N-Out burger!
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
No way! I live in Orange County and leave home 4 hours before a flight from LAX. If the 5 is backed up you’ll spend most of the trip in traffic.
Steve987
Steve987
Member since 23 Feb 2015
Total posts 268
I was going to ask something similar, as I will be soon staying one night in Venice Beach before flying out on QF96 (the 23:55 flight).
Janeblogs
Janeblogs
Member since 27 Nov 2016
Total posts 15
I was on that flight last week. As I was flying into LAX late with luggage, I checked into an airport hotel. Next morning Uber to Santa Monica which has also has great shopping as well as beach and then met friends there for a long and late lunch. Picked up bags at the hotel en route to the airport. If you haven’t been to the Getty as previously suggested, it’s a wonderful thing to do as well.
Gazza129
Gazza129
Member since 11 Nov 2017
Total posts 13
Santa Monica is just up the road and wonderful......I'd be more concerned about being on the street at night in Venice. It gets weird in parts after sundown
Steve987
Steve987
Member since 23 Feb 2015
Total posts 268
Thanks both for your notes. Moving to an airport hotel so I can leave bags there makes too much sense. Will be looking at rates on line tonight!