LA
Coastal California is the MOST COVETED area which means MORE $$$.Affordability does not exist in Los Angeles. Starting prices begin at around $1000+/mo. and that s usually for a studio in a somewhat decent area.Jobs are also nonexistent at the moment. Unemployment rates have jumped to 13% so good luck finding a job. Even if you find a job, that job will barely pay the rent (or not even come close to paying the rent.)Keep in mind you do NEED to buy groceries, hygiene products, clothes, emergency money, gas, electric, water, insurance, car, etc.Speaking of cars, you NEED a car in order to live in Los Angeles. The insurance for the car is not going to be cheap since the rate in Los Angeles are high and the gas prices are going to make you want to move back to your hometown.Bottom Line: You sound unprepared so my best suggestion for you is don t even bother moving to California because we already have a crisis going on and people like you are just contributing to the problem.
I live in Long Beach, and love it. I work in Los Angeles, near LAX, and many of my co-workers live in Long Beach, though it is about 20 miles from work. It is an unpretentious beach city, not too crowded, less expensive housing than other beach cities, with great schools and civic services, and lots to do. But to visit? That would be like vacationing in Milton Keynes. *Visit* Santa Monica.
There are literally hundreds of things to do here in LA. Here is my list of ��must sees��. Visit as many as you have time for.:Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Half a billion visitors can��t be wrong. #1 Destination. Universal Studios: A theme park that grew out of a studio tour. #2 Destination.Even if you don��t visit Disneyland or Universal Studios Tour, Downtown Disney District and Universal City Walk are very fun places to visit for shopping and eating. And they��re free to visit. Hollywood: Enjoy the Walk of Fame, Entertainment Museum, Chinese Theatre and more. You can see a lot for free. The Hollywood Highland complex has lots of shops and restaurants, and the Kodak Theater. The El Capitan theater, right across the street, is where Disney shows their movies. And the Hollywood Bowl is a GREAT place to listen to concerts outdoors. Olvera Street/Union Station: Olvera Street is the birthplace of LA, and it emphasizes our Mexican heritage. In addition to the Avila Adobe (oldest building in LA), you can eat at some pretty good Mexican Restaurants, do a little shopping, and taste a churro. If you don��t want to go to Tijuana, this is as close as it gets without going there. Union Station has great architecture from a bygone age. Also, you are 2 blocks from Phillippe��s (see below).Rodeo Drive, 90210: Packed with exclusive shops, full of gawkers. They all came to enjoy the excess. Free, unless you intend to buy something.Venice Beach: Los Angeles kitsch and over-the-top culture at its best. Here you ll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore. Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste. Santa Monica: Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach. Sunset Boulevard began as a route between the stars posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the Sunset Strip on its way.Farmers Market and The Grove - A new shopping complex right next to a Los Angeles landmark, It is right next to CBS, so walk across the lot to see if they are taping The Price is Right . You might even get in.Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage.Getty Museum - The Getty s architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art, architecture, or view better, the Getty is sure to please. Free.Attend a TV taping - You can get free tickets at audiencesunlimited.com, tvtix.com, or see the booth at Universal City walk. It s very interesting to see a show being taped. The most popular, by far, is the Tonight show. Check the NBC web site for all the details there.Places to eat:In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.Pink��s Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. You might even see a celebrity. Maybe.Tommy��s Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. The original location is at Beverly Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.Canter��s Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly Melrose. Near CBS, you might spot a celebrity.Phillippe��s: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station and Olvera Street. Watch the mustard, it��s hot.Tito��s Taco��s: Voted best tacos in LA, even though it��s in Culver City.The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close, GREAT steak and eggs.Places to Stay:Since LA is so spread out, there is no single place that is close to EVERYTHING. Most people who come here tend to stay in Hollywood, Santa Monica, or Anaheim. In Hollywood, I recommend the Orchid Suites, Hollywood Celebrity Hotel, or Holiday Inn Walk of Fame, all near Hollywood and Highland. Another one is the Best Western Sunset Plaza. In Santa Monica, the Holiday Inn Santa Monica is close to the pier and reasonably priced. In Anaheim, I recommend the Howard Johnson (HoJo) Anaheim, and the Candy Cane Inn. There is also a nice place in Burbank called the Best Western Media Center, very close to Warner, NBC, and Universal Studios.Places to Shop:Third Street Promenade, Santa MonicaThe Grove, Los AngelesAmericana @ Brand, GlendaleBeverly Center, Los AngelesCitadel Outlets, CommerceBrea Mall, BreaThe Block at Orange, OrangeSouth Coast Plaza, Costa MesaFashion Island, Newport BeachSantee Alley, Los Angeles
Hi Folks,To make your planning simple for Christmas Holidays travel plan, I thought that why don t I share some options and experiences of my own and came up with following.Option 1=======DISNEYLAND (Universal Studios)Last time we visited, things I liked were, the drive as well, either you are coming from San Diego(I5) OR San Francisco(101) both sides it is along the coast. But what we have seen are there are so many rides and shows, that you need to come with complete planning. Specially some of the attractions are so nice that even you will want to repeat them.Actually once you will go to Disneyland you will fall in love with the place, even on Birthday these guys are giving free entry. This place is like Heaven on Earth, you will find yourself in between fairies.I have wrote our experience on Disneyland and also included some videos and tips and tricks, you can see in following sitehttp://www.feelandreview.com/places_...isneyland.htmlOption 2=======San DiegoI got very excited and amazed by the diversity of this place. If you see this place looks like a desert, but only if you go out of city limit, else it is a heaven. Beaches, Parks, SeaWorld, Zoo, you name it and you will find it here.Even I was so excited about this place that I wrote a whole article for people to visit this place and enjoy every spot I explored. You can read in your leisure time on my San Diego visit here:http://www.feelandreview.com/places_.../sandiego.htmlOption 3========REDDINGWe have been to Redding last ThanksGiving and found that place is simply amazing. Actually make your base camp in Redding and go to Lava Beds, Lassen Park, Shasta Trinity as day trips. I would strongly recommend Redding.For detailed trip plan and our report you can refer our web article as below:http://www.feelandreview.com/places_...c/Redding.htmlOption 4========LAS VEGASIf you love to gamble this is the place. If you like crowd, shows happening places, this is your choice. Las Vegas is the most happening city in US, gambling capital of World, it is approx 580 miles from San Francisco. It is the beautiful blend of fun entertainment. It is internationally renowned for its hotels and casino s.Complete attractions and trip plan can be found in below path:http://www.feelandreview.com/places_...las_vegas.HTMLOption 5========Lake TahoeIf you love Snow, Ski, casino then this is your destination. Lake Tahoe is the largest and second deepest lake in United States. Tahoe is 192 mile from San Francisco is an American treasure. It is located on the border of Nevada and California. It is renowned for its crystal clear water the border of lake are surrounded by Nevada mountains.Complete attractions and trip plan can be found in below path:http://www.feelandreview.com/places_domestic/TAHOE.html