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Well, as some of you probably already know, I'm leaving for my month-long jaunt around the US and the Caribbean next Saturday, March 25. We will be beginning the trip in LA, arriving at 8.30am on March 25.

Our dilemma right now is whether we should stay in Hollywood or Santa Monica. I had assumed that Hollywood, particularly around Sunset Strip, is the place to be in LA, especially for nightlife. But I'm starting to wonder if it's just going to be too pretentious and we'll be bored of it rather quickly. So we've been thinking of staying at Santa Monica instead, as it seems to be a bit more culturally fulfilling and maybe more of a 'real' experience. We have considered maybe spending two nights in Hollywood and two in Santa Monica, but not sure if we want to bother with the hassle of changing accommodation, especially as we are then going on to spend two nights in Vegas. At the same time, we don't want to get stuck in one area and miss out on something great, or pay a lot of money for taxis to go and explore the other area's nightlife. Another option we haven't really considered is staying downtown, but I've heard that there is nothing to do there at night and is basically just a business district.

So really just looking for some advice on what we should do - also, if it is recommended that we split our nights evenly between the two areas, which would be best to do on the Saturday/Sunday nights and which on the Monday/Tuesday nights? Of course, jet lag might prevent us from doing much on the first night anyway.

Is there anything else I haven't really considered?

The facts:

* We are not planning to hire a car.
* We are on a fairly tight budget, but we've already accounted for accommodation. Let's say, play money of about US$30 per day each?
* We are aged 23 and 26, interested in culture and seeing unique things, aquariums (of course) for me, electronic music/bmx-ing/skateboarding (for him), art, architecture, museums etc. (for both of us).
* We want to spend pretty much every night out on the town, in one way or another.
* We're keen to have a look at the whole celebrity culture thing, but we hope to find that there is something more than this to LA as well.
* We are planning to spend a day at Universal Studios, a day just checking out the tourist sights of Hollywood (the Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre, the sign, etc.), and would like to spend a day at Venice Beach as well. Which leaves one day that we have no plans for - should we venture downtown? Is there anything to see or do there? Beverly Hills maybe?

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

I really think you should reconsider a rental car. LA is just to big to not have a car. If it were me I would stay in the Santa Monica area though close to the beach somewhere

I dont live in Cali but I have been up the coast at least twice and love it. My personal preference was Santa Monica because I found that Venice Beach and Hollywood arent what you think. Personally I thought Venice was trash and the Hollywood area wasnt that interesting. Make sure to tour some of the TV studios if you can, NBC is the one we went to very entertaining.

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

I suggest Santa Monica as opposed to Hollywood. I'll second the motion that you'll probably need a rental car.

Thirty bucks per day sin't a great deal, but yes, Santa Monica is where it's at.

Well, that's a fairly conservative estimate, we realise there are parts of the trip where we will spend more money (LA, New York) and parts where we will spend almost nothing, such as when we are on the ship (food and entertainment are all-inclusive, plus because of our friend we get 50% off all drinks, snacks, etc.) But I really don't think we'll hire a car - too expensive, too scary (for my phobic-self) to be dealing with different road rules, plus we prefer public transport or walking and are used to walking long distances.

If we were to choose one or the other, is it possible to get a bus at any hour of the night if we wanted to spend the night doing things in the other area? Or, how much would a taxi normally cost for that distance?

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

I've only been in Los Angeles for 30 minutes, but Babel and I both agree on the following tip:

LOOK

BOTH

WAYS

ALOT


... before crossing, and remember, they drive on the wrong side of the road so you have to look left first - it seems simple, but I could never get the hang of it

Adam, this is me we're talking about - I'm so paranoid on roads that I look the other way on one-way streets, JUST TO BE SURE!!

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

I think the lack of time has made the decision for us - at this late stage, there is nothing in our price range available in Santa Monica, only in Hollywood. Was hoping we could stay at the hostel there, but they don't have any private rooms left, just 10-bed dorms. I'm not a stranger to hostels by any means, and we'll be staying in one in New York, but sharing a room with 9 strangers (and in a different room to my boyfriend, as they are male and female only dorms), just isn't appealing! Looks like we'll be making a day trip out there instead.

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

just two days in vegas? oh my, you may change your mind on that

A ton to do and a heck of a lot of fun!

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.

Just to give you some kind of idea of the size of the city. Santa Monica - Hollywood with a car at least 30min -1 hour depending on the time of the day. Per bus at least 1 hour. If you want to go from Santa Monica to Universal studios tag on another 15 - 20 minutes. Walking is really not an option in LA since you are limited on time. I can't really tell you if buses are available at all times since I have never taken 1 in 10 years of living here.

I can deal with an hour on the bus. It takes me that long to get to work every day. But yeah, I do think the size of the city is going to overwhelm us a little - Brisbane is very big area-wise when you include suburbs (the biggest city in Australia by area, I think), but the actual city area is extremely compact. I think we'll at least see how we go - car rental is just so expensive, as is parking, and I don't want to blow our budget in the first four days - we have a month to get through afterwards!

Koi - I wish we could change our minds! I have a feeling we're going to love Vegas, but it was such a last-minute addition to the trip, and we already have a flight booked from LA to Orlando on the 31st, so have to be back there for that. And our ship departs on the 1st of April in Orlando, so extending the time in Vegas will unfortunately not be an option.

We're staying at Circus-Circus, by the way. I'm so excited. We weren't going to go to Vegas at all, thought it would be too expensive, but a couple of weeks ago I started searching around on the net and found a package deal with return flights from LA-Vegas and the two nights in Circus Circus for US$175 each. How could we say no to that! So I'm just really glad we're going at all.

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

Sorry I forgot to say that you probably want a car. LA is huge and if you take a wrong turn you end up in not so nice side of town. Cars will make it much easier IMO.

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

really JB is right, the car is going to be an expensive addition to the trip and I wouldnt be too surprised if they gave them a higher deposit with a foreign ID.

When I rent a car it is often more expensive than the hotel for the amount of time I have it.

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.