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

[Kindlychap]

Right. Here's the dilemma.

 

I'm arriving in LA on 28th March 2008 at 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 for departure on the 30th March.

 

That is clearly one full day, and the remnants of the 28th. I'm not interested in doing anything on the morning of the 30th other than being very excited!

 

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 too far.

 

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

[maxamuus]

Have you thought about http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/ ? Its very close to the Queen Mary. It would give you something to do, but not wear ya out.

[Splinter]

Do you like museums? There is the Getty Center or the Getty Villa (in Malibu), or the Huntington Library & Gardens in Pasadena.

 

The desert might be a good option if you can find a tour, but it will take you at least 3 hours to get to Joshua Tree or Palm Springs from the coast, and depending on the day of the week, traffic getting there and back can be horrendous. Death Valley is at least another hour. March is usually cool and if you are lucky, you will get to see a lot of wild flowers (if we have rain in late April). If you can find a day tour, it will be a very long day. Many tours go out of Las Vegas as it is actually closer to those locations.

[Keith1010]

One thought would be to stay in Long Beach rather than do the Los Angeles scene. We have stayed at the Hyatt Long Beach Hotel. It is convenient for getting to the port and we enjoyed Long Beach. Places were in easy walking distance and there are a nice variety of restaurant in close proximity of the hotel along with a few things to see such as the old Queen Mary and the Long Beach aquarium. We stayed there for three nights prior to a cruise and just had a relaxing time there.

 

Keith

[Rickey 88]

Matthew,

Los Angeles is quite a large area to visit in just a day or two - it's a bit daunting even for those who live here!

 

Since you only have one day or perhaps two, I'd suggest you arrange for a tour guide to escort you or perhaps a group tour which can be arranged in advance or through your hotel.

 

As you know, we drive on the opposite side of the road - and since our distances are great and signs can be baffling, I'd really think you'd be better off if "you left the driving to others".

 

I remember our first visit to the UK many years ago, and I chose to drive ourselves around, including in the middle of London! We're still alive, but I don't think I'd do it again, now that I'm older and wiser!

[donanderson]

Right. Here's the dilemma.

 

I'm arriving in LA on 28th March 2008 at 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 for departure on the 30th March.

 

That is clearly one full day, and the remnants of the 28th. I'm not interested in doing anything on the morning of the 30th other than being very excited!

 

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 too far.

 

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

 

Matthew...Do you like magic? I am a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood, and could give you a guest card to go there. It is a private members only club. Here's the web site where you can see what is all about.

http://magiccastle.com/ . Let me know if you're interested. Don

[Cruisin' Chick]

One thing to consider if you're not interested in sightseeing: spending some time in Santa Monica. It has a large population of Brits who have settled here.

 

Just getting to the desert would involve a long trip through some busy traffic. Plus, there's always the possibility (don't laugh, you fellow Angelenos, you know this is true) that it may rain then. Rain always adds travel time. And if it's windy or snowy on the upper desert passes, you'll have to stick with I-10.