West LA - Where to shoot? Where to stay?

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Hello APUGers of the Los Angeles area. I'll be coming down this coming weekend through Tuesday (2/14 - 2/17) to the West LA area with my 13 yr old son and a friend of his. We're going tour a few of area's skateboard parks and the like and I'll be just be hanging out with them.

Looking for a decent but affordable motel/hotel to stay somewhere along the 405 or the 10, maybe the Santa Monica, Culver City or Inglewood areas. Quite frankly I do not want to spend too much money, if I can get away with $50-$80 a night that's what I'm looking for.

Now that said where should I shoot while there? Not looking for anything too fancy or too far-flung, just some suggestion of where I can go while my son and his friend hang out at skateboard parks for the day. We'll probably hit the Getty one day I imagine.

Restaurant suggestions welcome too by the way. Thanks much.

 

[wildbill]

One of my favorite places while i lived there was Malibu Creek State Park. If you're up for a hike, that is. Lots of cool oaks, rock formations, and the creek.

 

[gr82bart]

Looking for a decent but affordable motel/hotel to stay somewhere along the 405 or the 10, maybe the Santa Monica, Culver City or Inglewood areas. Quite frankly I do not want to spend too much money, if I can get away with $50-$80 a night that's what I'm looking for.

Can't help here. Try AirBNB?

Now that said where should I shoot while there?

Downtown LA if you like something very different from typical LA stuff. See my other thread for links and stuff. Drive along Mulholland for scenic views. Otherwise someone mentioned Malibu State Park. Griffith Observatory at night is cliche but still worth it.

We'll probably hit the Getty one day I imagine.

Also see the Annaberg Space for Photography. http://annenbergphotospace.org

Restaurant suggestions welcome too by the way.

Where do I begin? Start here: http://laist.com

Enjoy LA!
Regards, Art

 

[Sirius Glass]

Santa Monica pier, especially at night.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Santa Monica pier, especially at night.

Big thumbs up!

The start/end of Route 66.

(At least that's the official designation, historical maps notwithstanding.)

Ken

(Who was born in Hollywood, raised in the Greater Los Angeles area, but now lives in cold and damp Washington State.)

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Thanks for all the suggestions all, especially for airbnb. We nailed down a cool little loft-style guest house in Venice.