24 Hours in LA

Mack Reed posts a great opinion about MSNBC's 24 Hours in LA.

My reaction would be first, fly into Bob Hope Airport instead of LAX, which would allow a whole lot more time from a whole different perspective.

If that doesn't work and you have to go to LAX, here's how I would enjoy LA for just one day (this is geared towards someone who knows how to use a map, has a great sense of direction, and has never been to Los Angeles for leisure before)...

1. Plan in advance,
2. spend the time it takes to rent a car,
3. Catch a breakfast at the Firehouse on Rose & Abbott Kinney,
4. then cruise to the Venice Boardwalk; touch the Pacific Ocean,
5. then head north to the Westwood for a late-morning snack at Diddy Reese,
6. drive Sunset to get that "Beverly Hills" feel as well as experience the Sunset Strip (day or night, it's still The Strip),
7. Drive Hollywood Boulevard & do the "Hooray for Hollywood" thing,
8. take Franklin over to Yucca's for a late lunch,
9. Head to Olvera Street/Chinatown/Union Station via Echo Park's Sunset Boulevard (with a brief drive-by detour in Angelino Heights),
10. get some Mochi in Little Tokyo to hold you over,
11. enjoy a performance at Music Center (from the Disney Hall to the Taper, depending on your fancy),
12. catch a late night Tommy's Burger at Beverly and Rampart on the way back west,
13. and finally, lounge at the Encounter until your flight arrives.

Photo of Little Tokyo from the Little Tokyo Service Center