header image for printed pages
RSS

Archive for November, 2007

LA Guide to Hotels

November 27th, 2007 by jamie a

11272007lax_emby-rooms.jpg
Embassy Suites, LAX International Airport
Photo courtesy of Hotels.com

Whether you’re traveling with your furry four-legged friend or with your three kids, we’ve got your bases covered on finding the right hotel in Los Angeles.

For family...
With direct access to the beach, the Santa Monica Loew’s Hotel is great for families who want to boogie board and build sandcastles. There’s also a pool with ocean views, special child care programs, and skate, bike, and rollerblade rentals. Aside from all the amenities, you’re only a few minutes away from Universal Studios, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, and the Pier Aquarium.

For business…
Located in the heart of the financial district, the Downtown Los Angeles Marriott is perfect for the business traveler. It’s only four blocks from the LA Convention Center, which makes it even easier to attend conferences. For work, there’s state-of-the-art meeting facilities, wireless access, and a 24 hour self-service business center. When you’ve finished up for the day, check out the California Science Center, the Museum of Contemporary Art, or the Autry National Center Southwest Museum of the American Indian.

For pets…
At the Residence Inn by Marriott Beverly Hills, you’re only 12 miles from the airport, 7 miles from Venice and Santa Monica beaches, and you can bring your furry friend along! There’s a complimentary breakfast buffet, a barbecue/picnic area, newly renovated fitness center, and a jacuzzi. It’s only a few minutes from the Museum of Tolerance, The Skirball Cultural Center, and the Museum of Television and Radio.

For a romantic trip…
At the LAX Embassy Suites, you’re just minutes from the airport with 24 hour shuttle service to catch your flights. Take advantage of the whirlpool spa, complimentary cocktails at the nightly manager’s reception, and a free cooked-to-order breakfast. All this and just a short drive away from the Hollywood Museum, Hollywood Park Racetrack, or take the Sony Pictures Studios Tour!

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Los Angeles Card.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 19th, 2007 by susan j

11142007buffet.jpg
Photo uploaded by Cloned Milkmen

This week is one of the busiest times of the year for travel, so if you’re one of the 27+ million people who plan to fly this Thanksgiving, you’ll want to read Today Show contributor Peter Greenberg’s holiday travel tips. Greenberg’s suggestions include checking in online the night before and flying out of a smaller airport to avoid fly delays and traffic getting in and out of the airport (good tips for other times of the year, too). To relieve travel congestion, President Bush recently approved a “Thanksgiving express lane” from Florida to New England and added additional measures to avoid delays. Happy travels!

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Los Angeles Card.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

Posted in

Why I Love LA in the Winter

November 15th, 2007 by carrie t

11122007universal.jpg
Universal Studios, photo provided by Carrie T.

If you’re not from here, I encourage you to take a trip to LA this winter. I bet you’ll be surprised at how nice a place it is to visit in the winter. I love to travel and sightsee during the months of November and December (pre-Christmas), because there aren’t long lines at attractions and traffic is much more manageable. This is one of the best times to get out and explore the city. Some of my favorite seaonal activities in LA include:

Exploring Griffith Park: Take a bike ride through the park on a Saturday afternoon. At sunset, head up to the Griffith Park Observatory to see the stars and enjoy a bird’s eye view of Los Angeles. The newly reopened Observatory is one of L’s best kept secrets.

Spending the day at a theme park like Universal Studios Hollywood or Knott’s Berry Farm. This is a great time to head to a theme park since it’s low season. Avoid long lines and find great discounts available for the gate entry!

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Los Angeles Card.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

Posted in

LA’s Cultural Side, Part 2

November 12th, 2007 by jamie a

11092007autry.jpg
Statue of Gene Autry outside the Autry Museum
Photo uploaded by dnhoshor

Before soaking up some sun on the beach or star-spotting on the streets of Hollywood, check out all the amazing museums that LA has to offer! Last week we covered some of LA’s best art museums, and now we’re exploring historical and cultural museums.

To learn more about the West…

Be sure to check out the Autry National Center Museum of the American West. Explore ranch life and cowboy culture along with histories of the people who made the West what it is today.

There’s also the California Heritage Museum, built in a home from 1894, now an official city landmark. Complete with art exhibitions, Monterrey furniture displays, and California tile and pottery, this museum is akin to a still life of California history. If you enjoy exploring historical homes, the Heritage Square Museum is also recommended, which explores Los Angeles’s beautiful residences of the past.

For more information on the city of Santa Monica, visit the Santa Monica Historical Society. Known as the “Paradise by the Sea,” this city boasts a rich and varied cultural past which is certainly worth exploring.

For the film junkie…

No stop in LA is complete without a Hollywood experience! To see an amazing collection of movie memorabilia, visit the Hollywood Museum. With over 10,000 cinematic treasures, there’s everything from Rocky’s boxing gloves to Boris Karloff’s mummy.

For an inspiring day…

Visit the “Finding Our Families, Finding Ourselves,” the new multimedia exhibit at the Museum of Tolerance. Through personal stories from Dr. Maya Angelou, Billy Crystal, Carlos Santana, and Joe Torre, explore what it means to be part of the American family though this innovative museum. It will surely leave you inspired to define your own mentors and heroes, as well as explore your family history and heritage.

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Los Angeles Card.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

Pet-friendly Travel

November 9th, 2007 by susan j

boomer.jpg
Photo by Morgan Sullivan

Go Card USA has just welcomed a new member to our team. We love his enthusiasm for exploring new places and the way he has instantly bonded with his officemates. He hasn’t quite mastered his typing or telephone skills yet, since he’s a four month old golden retriever, but we think he adds a lot to the office.

In honor of Boomer (the gorgeous golden retriever pictured above), I’d like to share a few pet-friendly resources for visiting Los Angeles in case you’d like to travel with your cat or dog. BringFido.com lists pet-friendly hotels in all 50 states and outlines pet policies on several major airlines. Click here for their LA travel guide. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau also lists pet-friendly hotels in an article called “LA Offers Something to Meow and Bark About.” With dozens of pet-friendly hotels to choose from, you and Fido (or Fifi) can travel in style.


Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Los Angeles Card.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

2 Comments

Posted in

LA’s Cultural Side, Part 1

November 7th, 2007 by susan j

11062007getty.jpg
Courtyard at the J. Paul Getty Museum
Photo uploaded by Allan Ferguson

Los Angeles is perhaps best known as one of the movie meccas of the world. But did you know that LA and the surrounding area also have some excellent art museums, too? Here are some of our picks for art museums to visit on your next Los Angeles vacation.

The J. Paul Getty Museum: This museum has two locations: the Getty Villa in Malibu and the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Both focus on American European art, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, and photographs. Current exhibitions include Medieval Treasures from the Cleveland Museum of Art at the Getty Center and Reflecting Antiquity: Modern Glass Inspired by Ancient Rome at the Getty Villa.

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA: Housing one of the country’s finest collections of American and European art created since 1940, the Geffen’s displays range from abstract expressionism and pop art to new works by emerging artists. Current exhibitions include a multimedia display of art by Takashi Murakami.

Museum of Contemporary Art Grand Avenue: MOCA’s building itself is a work of art, as evidenced by the American Institute of Architects listing it as one of the “10 Best Works of American Architecture Completed Since 1980.” Inside, you’ll find exhibits like Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas and Gordon Matta-Clark: You Are the Measure.

Hammer Museum: This UCLA-affiliated museum encourages cross-cultural understanding and examines the impact of art on society. The collection includes works by classic artists like Monet and van Gogh, as well as more recent contemporary works in painting, sculpture, and media arts.

Check back next week for a round-up of historical museums to continue our exploration of Los Angeles’ culture.

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Los Angeles Card.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

1 Comment

Photo Gallery