Queen Elizabeth World Cruise - Pre-Cruise stay in Los Angeles

[Kindlychap]

Right. Here's the dilemma.

 

I'm arriving in LA on 29th March 2007. 2.00 pm - on a flight from London Stanstead. I'll be suffering from the jet lag, and I'm not as resilient as the average joe.

 

I've two nights before boarding RMS Queen Elizabeth 2.

 

That is clearly one full day, and the remnants of the 29th.

 

I'm interested in ideas of things to do. I am NOT interested in theme parks, film studios, tours of the rich and favours, upmarket shopping or huge amounts of walking. Whilst I know how to drive, and have driven in California, I know full well that driving would be unsafe in all the circumstances.

 

I've been looking at my California Guide book. I have seen the Joshua Tree National Park, and note that Death Valley and the abandoned mining town aren't a million miles away. The Hoover Dam seems a bit far too.

 

I'm not wanting anything too energetic. But I could manage a coach trip providing it wasn't an early start IF AND ONLY IF it was something really special. Otherwise I'll just stooge around the Queen Mary.

 

My instinct is that there is little in LA for me. But I don't want to write the place off totally. Ultimately I need to be rested for QE2, and that must remain my priority.

 

Ideas anyone? I think this is a dilemma that a number of the world cruise people will have.......

 

Matthew

[Piton1]

Matthew,

 

We depart LA on the 30th. We also are arriving on the 29th. We'll be staying on the QM.

 

Paul

[Kindlychap]

Matthew,

 

We depart LA on the 30th. We also are arriving on the 29th. We'll be staying on the QM.

 

Paul

 

I got the dates wrong....

 

I'm arriving on the 28th. I have two nights on the Queen Mary......

 

I'm confused already.....

 

Matthew

[wrp96]

If you post your question on the North American Homeports, West Coast Departures board, http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=413, there are a few very knowledgeable Southern Californians who should be able to give you good advice on what things you can do in LA and the vicinity within your time and transportation limitations.

[NomDePlume]

Hi Matthew--QM2 is actually berthed in Long Beach, so I dug up the following link to help you focus a bit more on what's available:

 

The Convention and Visitor's Bureau has good information at http://www.visitlongbeach.com/

 

They have a calendar with activities, but there isn't much yet for March, other than some sort of Home Show taking place that weekend at the Convention Center.

 

On the other hand, Catalina Island may be just the no-stress break you are looking for. And here's a special way to get there, just around the block from the QM2: http://www.islandexpress.com/

 

M-L

[Piton1]

We'll be arriving in LA around 12:45 pm and at QM somewhere around 1:30. We'll probably stay on the ship and if not, probably not too far away.

 

Paul

[Wadadli1]

I got the dates wrong....

 

I'm arriving on the 28th. I have two nights on the Queen Mary......

 

I'm confused already.....

 

Matthew

 

We are arriving on the 29th, and also staying on the Queen Mary. So you will be there first!

 

My observation has been California is a very big state, and if you don't wish to do something relatively nearby, you should arrive a day or so earlier. It's a big state. As in, "Hey!, let's go to Yosemite!". Well, that looks to be about 10 hours away from LA. It's a big state. And the things you don't want to do are pretty much what would be within your time frame and preferences. Kind of the opposite of NYC, but I have to say the parks and wild places a few hours away from NYC are just as beautiful as the wild places of California.

[Traveler Nina]

Hi Matthew--QM2 is actually berthed in Long Beach, so I dug up the following link to help you focus a bit more on what's available:

 

On the other hand, Catalina Island may be just the no-stress break you are looking for. And here's a special way to get there, just around the block from the QM2: http://www.islandexpress.com/

 

M-L

 

I second Catalina Island, my husbands aunt & uncle went just a couple months ago and loved it. They were not interested in "popular" Hollywood sights and are much more into local culture. They said Catalina was relaxed and enjoyable.

[Vic The Parrot]

Hi Matthew

 

 

If wanting to relax is a priority (and can't blame you), stay in Santa Monica.

It's convenient to a lot of places in the LA area, and an easy drive to Long Beach. (Or San Pedro, if you're sailing from there)

 

Nothing like unwinding on the balcony of your room, or on the beach, as the breeze from the Pacific soothes your nerves.

 

 

Some food for thought ... :)

[TAH]

I would recommend a trip to the Getty Villa in Malibu. It is a bit of trip so plan it around the rush hour traffic. The museum and location is just amazing and well worth the time. It is also of a size that one can see the entire site in an afternoon. The museum also has a wonderful restaurant in the grounds for lunch.

 

http://www.getty.edu/visit/

 

If you have not selected your hotel as yet may I recommend the Peninsula. The pool is wonderful to relax at, the abiance of all the rooms is simply perfect, and if you do not have your own car the hotel has their RR at the guest's disposal for local drop off and pick up.

 

Enjoy your trip and I hope this has helped a bit in your planning.

[TAH]

Sorry for the above post, I just noticed the original date of your post and when you have traveled. Perhaps it may be of use in the future.

[cunarderqm2]

As resident of the area I can suggest some places off the beaten track. If you want a sweeping vista and one of the best views in the city then it would have to be Griffith Observatory. http://www.griffithobs.org/

 

There is alway the Getty center or the Getty villa which are museums with some impressive collections. The villa is much smaller and will be able to do in a half a day if you do it right. http://www.getty.edu

 

In San Pedro which is about ten minutes from the QM there is the Maritime Museum. Not very large, but I think it still works off of donation entry. http://www.lamaritimemuseum.org/ There is also Ports of call in San Pedro (within walking of the maritime museum) that has some shops and places to eat. Not much really, but some people really love the place.

 

Also remember the tours of the Queen Mary will take the whole day if you are interested. Don't forget to have a drink in the first class bar now known as the observation.

 

There is always Hollywood. That tends to be the biggest attraction for tourists. They just tossed in a lot of money and refurbished Hollywood and Vine complex. There are such notable attractions as The Chinese theater and the Roosevelt hotel and the Kodak theater were the Oscars are held. http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/explore/index.asp

 

Across the harbor from the QM there is Shoreline Village. You will run into to some good places to eat and shop. They have harbor cruises of Long Beach and Los Angeles that last about two hours that are quite fun and interesting. It will take you by the cruise terminal and you will see where the QE2 will be docked. http://www.spiritmarine.com/

 

Catalina is another option, but it can be expensive for some. You need to book a seat on a boat where the trip takes anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour depending on the vessel. Once in Catalina you really need to rent a golf cart to get the whole idea of the island. It is winter so I don't think the town will be as active as in the summer. But, if you do go you have to go the the Casino. http://www.catalinaexpress.com/ and http://www.catalina.com

 

I have tons of other ideas, but I let you look over these for now. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions or I will send you my email.

 

Cheers,

 

Tim

[guernseyguy]

World Cruise - Los Angeles to Southampton Queen ELizabeth 2

[

 

When did you sneak this in? Got time off for good behaviour? Is 'er indoors coming along? BTW when do the two Queens get to Sydney - I might be there then.....

[steeragelady]

Matthew don't write off LA just yet. I go there about 3 times a year and I am about an hour and half away. The real city, not the hyped Hollywood version is an experience. It is unfortunate that none of the Cunard CA tours will show the many sides of LA. The multicultural aspects of the city and not the glossy magazine version is what makes it an interesting place. There is the outstanding Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena but I would not drive anywhere in the Los Angeles area. Of the tours offered by Cunard both the Getty Center or the Getty Villa tour would be the best bets in my opinion. They both have Getty in the tour name but are very different experiences. Joshua Tree and Death Valley are quite a ways from Long Beach and then you have our traffic problems, everywhere takes a least twice as long as expected. The Los Angeles and the California I know are not what you see in the news, movies or TV. Just don't get locked in the elevator on the Queen Mary tour like my son and his wife did, they shared the freight elevator for 4 hours with 40 other trapped people. When I arrived in Southhampton for the first time I remember thinking it looks just like Long Beach.

[Kindlychap]

Matthew don't write off LA just yet.

 

I'm not writing LA off, although I can see how you come to that conclusion.

 

My main concern is that I hit the QE2 fully fit. I'll have done a flight from London, and the day before that I'll have had a full day in hospital. I will therefore be tired.

 

LA doesn't excite me, but that's not the main point. Perhaps I'm ambitious thinking of doing anything - I have serious health issues that leave me considerably more fatigued than most.

 

I won't be in a position to take a Cunard tour - even if I wanted too....

 

Matthew

[steeragelady]

Matthew my message to you disappeared. I was unaware that you had a health problem and I hope you will be feeling fit for your upcoming voyages.

 

Jo-Ann

[Kindlychap]

Matthew my message to you disappeared. I was unaware that you had a health problem and I hope you will be feeling fit for your upcoming voyages.

 

Jo-Ann

 

Thanks. I'm sure I'll be okay if I pace myself carefully.

 

Matthew

[exlondoner]

As a classicist, I found the Getty Museum almost worth flying to California for. But then I am supposed to find these things interesting. But it is a splendid collection. Jane

[Wadadli1]

Thanks. I'm sure I'll be okay if I pace myself carefully.

 

Matthew

 

My message is gone, too! The one where I said I'd look out for you and get you rested and ready for the onboard ship games (C+C).

[Kindlychap]

My message is gone, too! The one where I said I'd look out for you and get you rested and ready for the onboard ship games (C+C).

 

If Kirsten isn't around, then I suppose I'll have to hunt round for suitable cleavage!.....

 

Matthew

[NomDePlume]

If Kirsten isn't around, then I suppose I'll have to hunt round for suitable cleavage!.....

 

Matthew

Down boy!

Heel!

[Wadadli1]

If Kirsten isn't around, then I suppose I'll have to hunt round for suitable cleavage!.....

 

Matthew

 

Down boy!

Heel!

 

Oh, so is that what the kids are calling it these days!?

 

Perhaps there will be some warm California sun for you to recharge your batteries in?