In Late August I will be spending 2 days in L.A with my girlfriend on route back to New Zealand from London. I know nothing about what L.A has to offer than Disney which does not interest us. My default expectation was just to stay in Santa Monica for two days and eat and drink and shop (for the Mrs). Looking at the price of hotels has been a shock though, about USD$600 for just 2 nights in an average hotel.

So, should I be looking at alternatives or are these prices normal. A friend suggested Venice or Marina Del Rey but I know even less about them than Santa Monica. So can any Westsiders give me some advice on what would be a good two day relaxed stopover with lots of good bars and dining options. Plus the Mrs wants to spot some celebs as other than Brett and Jermaine we don't really have any down here.

Can't vouch for "relaxed", but - back in the day - the original Standard (on Sunset) was really cheap for what it offered. Saw the following there:

Reese Witherspoon

Vince Vaughn + Jon Favreau

Famke Janssen

Rebecca Gayheart

Marilyn Manson + Rose McGowan

S Club 7

Spike Jonze

Maybe others (This was, like, over 10 years ago).

I'm sure it's long past trendy, though.

Ace said:

Can't vouch for "relaxed", but - back in the day - the original Standard (on Sunset) was really cheap for what it offered. Saw the following there:

Reese Witherspoon

Vince Vaughn + Jon Favreau

Famke Janssen

Rebecca Gayheart

Marilyn Manson + Rose McGowan

S Club 7

Spike Jonze

Maybe others (This was, like, over 10 years ago).

I'm sure it's long past trendy, though.

is that pronounce Far vrah.....or Fah va roo?

1) go to Rodeo Drive...do some window shopping. Saw Heather Locklear and Tommy Lee..and lots of expensive stuff

2) go to Getty Musuem

3) get a map of the stars homes...cheesy fun

4) go to Laurel Canyon...wander around..lots of musicians live there

BlackAdder7 said:

Ace said:

Can't vouch for "relaxed", but - back in the day - the original Standard (on Sunset) was really cheap for what it offered. Saw the following there:

Reese Witherspoon

Vince Vaughn + Jon Favreau

Famke Janssen

Rebecca Gayheart

Marilyn Manson + Rose McGowan

S Club 7

Spike Jonze

Maybe others (This was, like, over 10 years ago).

I'm sure it's long past trendy, though.

is that pronounce Far vrah.....or Fah va roo?

"FAHV-roe".

We stayed in a hotel for US$80 a night there for 2 of us (we asked if we could have a room for $20 less than what they were asking and they said OK)

might have been a Best Western?

Thanks everyone.

I have held a room at the Hooliday Inn by Santa Monica Pier, looks shit but great location. I may do something else though. $310 per night sheesh. I am staying in Paris for a 3rd of the price. Maybe I'll just go round to 3121 (insert st name) and see if I can couch surf