Manhattan Beach is a beautiful place. Unfortunately I don't know of any great places to visit in that area. Pretty anywhere you want to go that anyone here mentioned you'll have to start off taking the 405 north. It's famous for traffic, but most freeways in LA are congested as well.

PS http://local.google.com/ is a great place to get addresses, directions, and traffic information.

Charles, have a great time in LA. I've been living close to LA, 40 mi radius, on and off most of my life, but I haven't been in several placed mentioned above.

Not that you are, but if you are ethnic/'other' minority or interested in exploring perhaps LA will be a good place. There are members who could help you. ;)

i.e., I love eating out at Monterey Park, China Town, ordering some food that I have no idea what that is...

I have to ask....any names of places where I might see someone famous? :thumbup:

-Charles

For sure, Try the Beverly Center, Or The Ivy Or I my favorite bar in the whole wide world, The Abbey in West Hollywood but I warn you that it is more of a Gay Bar but it IS where I met Anna Nicole (RIP) In 2004 and her horrid designer-friend Bobby Trendy (throws up!)

Charles, unfortunately, famous people in LA don't really congregate in any one area. They are sort of just, all over the place. Two days ago, I ate lunch next to Leonard Nimoy.
In otherwords, you see them in the supermarket, at the restaurants, dept. stores, dry cleaners, etc. They are just "normal" people around here, with normal lives.

Half the time, you walk by them, you don't even recognize them. They have a way of just sort of "blending in." That is unless the paparzzi happen to be following them, that day.

But if you go to "certain" locations, with the intention of spotting stars, you will likely not see any. It's much more likely, you'll see them at the airport, etc.

And I do not really agree with Boi about the Abbey, It's not a "star" hangout. It is a full fledged gay bar, with a good restaurant, that straight people sometimes go to, with gay friends, for lunch or something.

B

OMG B, the Abbey is SUCH an AMAZING bar, I'm going next weekend!

I'm sure it's amazing, if you're gay, which you might recall, I'm not.
However, I was there for a birthday party a few years ago. I saw two lesbians going at it, shirts were getting pulled off, boobs flying everywhere, that was pretty hot..

B

Two chicks at one time. Thats what I'd do anyway. :thumbup:

Since you're in Manhattan Beach already, you can drive North on the PCH (it will start off as a 'street' then turn mor into a Hwy). This will take you to Venice, Santa Monica (you'll see the Peir - celebs there sometimes) or continue north to Malibu. When in Santa Monica, you get off by the pier and make your way to the 3rd street Prominade and various resturaunts etc and nice place to walk etc.

If you go all the way up to Malibu, you'll see some pretty good resturaunts right on the PCH with good ocean views. Gladstones, Chart House (Mel Gibson's spot) or a little further up is Dukes. You'll likely enjoy any of these places and Celeb potential is above average - but as someone else mentioned, they don't necessarily hang out the same places all the time and never know if you'll see one or not.

Closer by Manhattan Beach, going South on the PCH is Hermosa and the Redondo Pier - not bad for the views of the ocean and decent food. Go a little further South (within 20 minutes) and you'll get into Palos Verdes - Nick Cage and others live in the area and you may see a celeb (but I wouldn't bet on it.)

Hollywood and Bev Hills are other obvious choices, but if you don't have a lot of free time and want to be able to do something at night after you meetings, then N or S on the PCH may be your best bet. Also, if you get an entire day, you may want to consider going to Santa Monica (promenade area but on Second street) and catch one of the LA city bus tours. They will take you through Hollywood, view the sign, see celeb houses (at least where some use to live), Rodeo Drive, etc.

Good luck and have fun.

:rofl: