Modern Art in Downtown LA

If you are a modern art buff, you will have two great museum choices in Downtown Los Angeles thanks to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).

MOCA Grand Avenue

First, there is MOCA Grand Avenue.  MOCA is the only museum in the city that features only contemporary art.  The collection includes Minimalist, Abstract Impressionist, Post-Modernist and Pop Art.

Make sure you plan ahead, since the museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Thursdays are FREE from 5pm-8pm.


MOCA Geffen Contemporary

The Geffen Contemporary in the Little Tokyo district of downtown is home to a collection of more unwieldy and playful collections and exhibits.  Like the Grand Avenue museum, Geffen is also closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and free admission is available on Thursdays from 5pm-8pm.

Click here to see current pricing and hours of operation for MOCA.

In other exciting news, The Broad Museum will be opening soon in 2015 and will house post-war and contemporary art collections.  Best of all, admission will be free.

Dodger Game Time: Getting There

Jerry's Motel is conveniently located approximately 2 miles from Dodger Stadium.  Although pretty close distance-wise, we do not recommend you walk to Dodger Stadium.  Unlike stadiums and arenas in other cities that are located in the thick of the city, Dodger Stadium is awkwardly tucked away within a park on a hill.  Trust us, once you make your way there, you will understand what we mean.

Be sure to experience a game if you are in town during baseball season.  Several game nights include free giveaways and souvenirs like bobble heads, beach towels, backpacks and more!  Additionally, not only are Dodger games a great LA experience, but Dodger Stadium is one of the best looking stadiums in the country with its classic mid-century modern design.

Griffith Park Observatory DASH Weekend Shuttle

The Griffith Park Observatory and its surrounding grounds are great for views of the city and the Hollywood sign.  One of the best times to visit is before sunset, so you get a day time plus a nice evening view of the lights of LA.

The Griffith Park Observatory building is open Tuesday-Friday (12 noon-10pm) and Saturday-Sunday (10am-10pm).  The Observatory is closed on Mondays, but the surrounding grounds to enjoy the views are still open until 10pm.

Entrance to the observatory building and the grounds is free, but there is a small fee to watch the show in the Planetarium.

Best Place to See the Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood sign is a must see for most first-time LA visitors.  Although you cannot walk right up to the sign, you can get great views and pictures from a distance.  Here are some ideas on some of the best and easy to get to spots.

1)  Hollywood & Highland Center - This shopping mall is located on Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Avenue in the heart of Hollywood.  There is a patio on the top northeast corner of the shopping complex that provides a perfect view of the Hollywood sign.  Best of all, if you will be driving, they offer affordable $2 parking for 2 hours of parking (with validation from participating shops, restaurants and night clubs).

2)  Griffith Park Observatory - The observatory provides sweeping views of the entire city, as well as the Hollywood sign.  Several guests enjoy visiting around dusk to get a day and evening view of the city.

Happy picture taking!

Metro Fare Increases As of September 15, 2014

Metro bus and rail rates will increase as of September 15, 2014.  Please note that fares will be:

BASE FARE: $1.75 (Includes 2 hours of transfers ONLY when using money loaded on a TAP card)
DAY PASS: $7
7 DAY PASS: $25

Day Passes can be purchased and reloaded right on the bus or from a ticket vending machine at Metro stations.  For additional info on using and loading a TAP card, read our blog post on this topic or click here to visit the official Metro site.

Mulholland Drive Scenic Route

If you want to get a taste of glamorous Hollywood Hills homes and great views of the city, the Mulholland Drive scenic drive can be a great experience.  Be aware that some stretches of road are very windy/curvy, so drive safely.

One of the best highlights of the tour is the Hollywood Bowl Overlook, which is best accessed when traveling from West to East.  It will be easy to stop at that point since it will be on the same side of the road you are driving on.

Click here to visit LA Tourist for additional tips on where to access Mulholland, and a full Mulholland Drive scenic route map.

GPS is Essential in LA

When renting a car in Los Angeles, it is absolutely essential to use GPS to make your way to your destinations.  The city is huge, so having guidance will help make your trip easier and much more enjoyable.  Even LA residents oftentimes rely on GPS when venturing to new areas.

You have the following options for getting GPS:

1) Rent a GPS through your rental car company. Depending on how many days you have your rental car, this can be the most expensive option.

2) Purchase a GPS system at a retailer located near Jerry's Motel like City Target (at FIGat7th) in downtown, or a nearby Best Buy.  

3) If you have a GSM smartphone, you may want to consider adding an international data plan to use Google Maps while on the road.
  
4) You can also purchase a SIM card from mobile stores like AT&T or T-Mobile and add a data plan to your smartphone. 

This is very important, so make sure you have this in mind when creating a budget for your trip.

Bargain Shopping on the West Side of LA

Shopping in Los Angeles is great.  Best of all, there is a place to shop for any budget.  So whether you are looking for high-end or bargain shopping, there is a place for everyone.

Another great option for bargain shopping in particular is the Beverly Connection shopping complex in Beverly Hills.  Located across the street from the upscale Beverly Center mall, Beverly Connection has stores like Nordstrom Rack, TJMaxx, Marshalls and Ross for bargain shoppers.  These stores carry brand name and non-name brand clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories at discounted prices.  Most items are from past seasons, discontinued items, and overstock or clearance items from other stores.  So if you are ok with this, these stores can be a great option for shopping.  Just be prepared to sort through racks and racks of clothing.

Happy shopping!

Hop On, Hop Off Tour of Los Angeles

Hop On, Hop Off Tours (or HOHO) are a great way to visit LA's most popular tourist destinations. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of figuring out what to see and makes trip planning a little easier.  These tours are especially great for visitors who will not be renting a car.  You can purchase a 1 day ($44), 2 day ($59) or 3 day ($74) pass.*

You are provided with headphones to listen to a narrator (multiple language available) telling you all about the areas you drive through on a red double-decker bus.  Best of all, you have the freedom to get off the bus, explore, and then jump back on and continue at your own pace.  This type of tour is a great alternative to guided tours that limit the amount of time spent at each location.  Click here to see a map of all routes.*

The closest HOHO bus stop to Jerry's Motel is located just 5 blocks away at the nearby Westin Bonaventure Hotel.  This location is part of the PUPLE route that runs through Downtown LA.  Be sure to visit the Starline website to see timetables if you want to get dropped off in downtown when you return.  If you want to stay out longer, no problem!  You can easily return to Jerry's Motel from Hollywood via the Metro Red Line by getting off at the 7th St/Metro Center or Pershing Square stops.

Remember, Los Angeles is huge, so you have a lot to see and although it's typically not possible to see everything, doing some research ahead of time and deciding what you definitely want to see and what you think you can skip will help you organize your trip and thoughts ahead of time.  By doing this, you will save extra time that you can use to explore the city.

Enjoy!

*Prices and information are current as of August 2014.  Visit starlinetours.com to see updated information.

Tasty Cupcakes in LA

The cupcake revolution started in Los Angeles a few years ago, and transformed a traditional cupcake into an amazing gourmet treat.  Sprinkles Cupcakes started it all with their first cupcake bakery in Beverly Hills.  Since then, they have opened locations across the country, and one conveniently located near us at FIGat7th in downtown Los Angeles.  Make sure you stop by and try a tasty classic flavor like red velvet or limited time delicious flavors like S'mores or Raspberry.

Trust us, you'll love it.

Getting From Santa Monica to Venice Beach

Santa Monica and Venice are conveniently located close to one another.  You can either:

1)  Take a nice walk from one location to the other (2 miles, approximately 30 minutes walking).

2)  Take the short bus ride outlined below.  This bus ride will take about 15-20 minutes and is on the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus.  Note that the fare is $1 (as of 6/24/14) and Metro Day Passes/Tap Cards are not accepted on this bus.

3)  Rent a bike.  The bike path is straight, flat and very easy to ride while taking in the sunny Southern California weather.

If you're starting in Santa Monica, you can rent a bike at Sea Mist Rentals.  Rates are $7 per hour or $18-20 for an all day rental of a basic bike.  Beach Cruisers and tandem bikes are available for a little extra.  Make sure you get a lock from them (it's included in the price) so you can lock your bike and explore the eclectic Venice Boardwalk shops and eateries.  A deposit is required and they only accept cash, so make sure you are prepared.  They also hold on to your ID until you return your bike, so make sure you have 2 ID's with you if you plan on visiting local bars, and preferably leave a drivers license with them instead of your passport.

If you're starting in Venice, you can rent a bike from Venice Boardwalk Bike Rentals or any other rental locations located right on the boardwalk.

4)  If you will be driving, you may just want to drive from one location to the next, and park again if you want to maximize your time. But it will all depend on your sightseeing pace and how much time you have to spare.

Retro Arcade Bar in LA's Trendy Arts District: EightyTwo

"Barcades" are popping up everywhere across hotspots in major US cities.  Among them is the nostalgic EightyTwo in the Arts District in Downtown LA.

EightyTwo combines a bar with you guessed it, classic arcade games.  Their collection includes classic games like Street Fighter II, Galaga, Frogger, Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat II, Tron and many more.  Full bar includes 10 draft beers, bottled beer and a specialty cocktail menu.

We are located just 1.5 miles from us at 707 East 4th Place in Downtown LA.  A taxi ride will cost approximately $10, or you can opt for Lyft or Uber.

Metro Bus/Train Fares and Passes

If you will not be renting a car, you will probably end up riding a bus or train.  Each ride will cost you $1.75 or you can buy either a Day Pass ($7) or a 7 Day Pass ($25) to get around by Metro bus and train.  You must purchase a TAP card for $1 then add a pass to it.  Passes are valid on Metro buses and trains only, and not valid on other municipal buses (i.e. Culver City, Santa Monica, etc.).  Cards are non-transferable and cannot be shared.

Where to buy a DAY PASS: 

1. On a bus - just ask the bus driver for a day pass and insert money.  Cost is $1 for TAP card plus $7 for the pass ($8 total).  If reloading your card for a new day pass, you only need to insert $7.   
2. At any Metro train station customer center or ticket vending machine.
3. Retail pass outlets.  The closest location is less than one block away from us at Phil's Discount Store located at 1451 1/2 West 3rd Street. 

Where to buy a 7 DAY PASS:

1. At a Metro station customer center or vending machine.  
2. Retail pass outlet like Phil's Discount Store one block away from us.
3. IMPORTANT: 7 day passes are NOT available for purchase on buses.

Once purchased, all you have to do is TAP your card to the card readers, wait to hear a "beep," and you're all set!  

How to Get Here: Union Station to Jerry's Motel

We are located just 2 miles from Union Station.  If you are arriving via Amtrak, Metrolink, or LAX FlyAway Bus, these are your best options to get here are:

1) Taxis are readily available from Union Station and will cost you approximately $10.

2) Take Metro Purple OR Red Line to Pershing Square and connect to bus line #16 toward Cedar Sinai/Century City. Bus #16 drops you off right across the street from us.  See complete directions below.

Get Excited About Your Upcoming Trip To Los Angeles.....

Check out these awesome videos and visually prepare yourself for your trip to LA!