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CO Nestie Looking for LAX/Santa Monica Help
Hi Ladies! I'm hoping you can help a Colorado Nestie out with your expertise. My apologies in advance if this is a frequently-asked question here. But DH and I fly to Hawaii next Tuesday and have an 8 hour layover at LAX from 9 am until 5 pm. I do not want to sit in the airport and want to get out of the airport before we're stuck on a flight for another 6 hours.
I've done the touristy Hollywood/Stars Homes tour before in LA but DH is not interested in that at all. I thought we could go to downtown Santa Monica and take in the Third Street Promenade, pier and beach area. That way we can walk around, shop, grab lunch, have some drinks and still be back in time to deal with traffic and get through security again.
My question is are the buses safe and well-traveled in LA? It looks like a cab will most likely cost us about $50 each way with tip. Ouch! However, it looks like we could take the Big Blue Bus from the LAX transportation center for only a few dollars. The trip doesn't look to be that far so I thinking a bus might not be a bad idea. However, I can't tell if it's one of those trips that looks easy on a map but might be a nightmare once we're there and trying to navigate.
Any thoughts or advice? Should we just suck it up and get a cab? Any other suggestions for things to do that are nearby? Thanks for your help!
Married July 21, 2007
Re: CO Nestie Looking for LAX/Santa Monica Help
I think that on a weekday morning/afternoon, the Big Blue Bus would be pretty safe. Most likely they will take Lincoln Blvd. down to Santa Monica, which will most likely have traffic (it always does down to SM), and therefore, I would say its better to be on a bus than in a cab where the meter is running while sitting in traffic. The buses get around faster, I think, too.
I think Third Street would be fun, although it will probably be a little dead that early in the morning. Just be aware that Santa Monica has a lot of homeless that hang out down there, but if you just stay a little alert, you should be fine. For the most part they are not dangerous, they just might panhandle a little. I have to admit, though, I am not usually down there on a weekday, so it could be different.
The Pier is fun, but it might be a little chilly/windy out there, so wear a jacket.
On Wilshire Blvd., close to 3rd St, there are also two little cupcake places you might want to check out, Yummy Cupcakes and Vanilla Bake Shop. They are pretty good (though in my opinion, nothing is as good as Sprinkles in Beverly Hills).
Have fun and enjoy Hawaii! HTH.
I would catch a cab - it will be easier for sure.
The Big Blue Bus is fine. Santa Monica is fine. The Promenade is fine. Will you have much carry-on luggage? Another option is to have one of the Airline Transportation shuttles drop you off at a hotel near the Promenade (that should be cheaper than a cab ride).
(I went to Santa Monica High School which is blocks away from the Promenade and took the very route you'd be taking for four years.)