I am going to Los Angeles
By bostonphil
@bostonphil (4459)
United States
September 8, 2011 2:33pm CST
I am attending The AARP Convention in Los Angeles the 22nd through the 24th. It will be held at the Convention Center. I have signed up for a Meet & Greet at L.A. Studios and an ice cream social on the Nokia Plaza.
I could not afford the four star hotels offered by AARP. Instead I found a budget hotel close to the convention center. It is called The Ritz Milner and has no relationship at all with "The Ritz". The reviews are mixed. Some person were very satisfied and some were very unhappy with the place. Any mylotters familiar with Ritz Milner?
Any mylotters going to AARP in Los Angeles?
I lived in Los Angeles in the 1960's and have not been back since the late 60's. I know that it has changed a lot and I am getting excited.
I would love to go to one of the beaches for a day. I have not seen the ocean in years. Does anyone know if there is public transportation from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica or any of the other beach communities?
2 people like this
4 responses
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
8 Sep 11
I haven't been to the convention center since the 1990's, nor am I familiar with the Ritz Milner. Just be careful about walking alone near the convention center at night. I usually drove and parked in the Convention Center parking lot when I attended gift show there. I believe the Wilshire bus still goes to Santa Monica. I used to take it to the beach from UCLA. Or you might find a bus to Long Beach,which has also changed quite a bit. I don't know if I would still take a bus today. I think the Wilshire bus used to take two hours to get to Los Angeles when it would have been only a 45-minute dirve by car. Maybe there's also a metro you could take. They are new since I left the area. I have some Squidoo friends who live in LA. Maybe I could find out from some of them, or from some FB friends. But you could probably find info much faster online.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
8 Sep 11
My hotel is a couple of blocks from the convention center and I read in a safe area. I was assuming the area was very safe because of all the foot traffic. There will be about 25,000 at the convention but there is also several halls and facilities in the immediate area. I was hoping it would be safe even after dark. I will heed your warning.
My hotel is very close to the metro link. I am going to see if I can get to the beach by an express bus or light rail. I do not relish the idea of two hours on the bus although that is a good way to see the sights.
I used to live off of Wilshire. I got mugged the first month I was in L.A. and had several scary experiences living there. I took the Wilshire Bus to downtown and other places but seldom went to Santa Monica because it was such a long ride. But maybe as a tourist, it will be more fun.
I might even consider taking a day tour to one of the beaches if any are offered by Grey Line or a similar service.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
8 Sep 11
That would be two hours + one way unless they have stream-lined the route. That bus also used to go through the VA hospital, and it was heartbreaking to see those lonely men on the bus coming back after hitting the bars in Santa Monica. I felt so sorry for them.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
8 Sep 11
It is possible that they might have an express bus. Maybe Metrolink goes to one of the beach communities. It does not have to be Santa Monica. I would just love to see the ocean and maybe put my toes in.
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
8 Sep 11
I cannot help you with the tourist stuff or the hotel, but I wanted to say "have fun" and "be safe" and tell us all about it when you come back.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
8 Sep 11
Thank you for your good wishes. I will take pictures and post some of them on mylot when I return. I will post on mylot during the convention.
AARP conventions are a lot of fun. Those seniors know how to party. Remember, we are the kids of the 60's.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
9 Sep 11
I would contact the Convention and visitors bureau or tourist information. There are many great things to do and you may even find some deals. I went to a national convention in San Diego and found the convention trips very expensive. I got a great deal on a whale watch for 1/2 of the adult fair and that covered both my wife and I. Look around and use the Internet.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
9 Sep 11
Thanks for the info. I have found that convention hotel prices are always high. I have gone outside the AARP block of rooms and found a budget hotel in a good location very close to the convention center. However, the reviews are mixed so I am taking a wait and see attitude.
The two AARP events that I have signed up for and paid for seem reasonable enough. And AARP does throw a good party. The seniors know how to have boogie and have fun. We are all kids of the 60's.
But, I am going to contact the convention and visitors bureau or tourist information about a side trip to one of the beach communities.
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
9 Sep 11
Los Angeles is one of those places I have visited four times due to flight routes. The first time I went there with my sister and we stayed at the youth hostel in Santa Monica. The second time I went there I stayed at the youth hostel at San Pedro. The third time I stayed in a backpackers hostel in Venice Beach. The last time I stayed at the youth hostel in Santa Monica. I arrived at Union Station in Los Angeles at midnight due to the train arriving five hours late. I easily caught a bus on to Santa Monica at that hour of the night. Plenty of the buses go from the center to Santa Monica and Venice Beach. I hope that you enjoy the AARP Convention in Los Angeles and manage to get down to one of the beaches.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
9 Sep 11
Oh, to be young again! Once, I was adventurous but not as much so in my senior years. I am only beginning to travel again after many years of not traveling. I am beginning to loosen up and relax as I travel more. And am having more fun and enjoying myself better.
Glad to know that public transportation is so available all hours of the day and night. I am going to do my best to get to the Santa Monica Pier or one of the beach communities. I have not seen the ocean since 1985. It is so close when in L.A. and yet so far when you don't drive and are in downtown L.A.
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
9 Sep 11
Yes, I traveled there in my younger days. I never can imagine stopping traveling. I went out on a whale watching trip at San Pedro. It was ages before we saw the whales. Wow! Then it came back to shore after dark. I had to walk all the way back to the youth hostel which was far. Getting there I got off at the 1st Street and found out the youth hostel was on 40th Street. Most American people drive a car. I can't imagine living more than one hour's distance from the sea. It can take two hours from LAX Airport to the coast like Santa Marta.
