Los Angeles Travel Forum

we will be in the Los Angeles Airport for 8 hours. We have a flight out at 10 pm on a Saturday - is there someplace close by that we can go to for 4 or 5 hours or less.

Any suggestions.

Manhattan Beach is a small beach town about three miles from LAX. I'd go there, near the pier where it is a nice place to walk and enjoy the beach and Pacific Ocean. The street facing the pier is Manhattan Beach Boulevard and there are nice little restaurants and bars to relax with a meal and a drink.

I forgot to mention that we have 3 children 13, 11, 9

As mentioned you can do Manhattan Beach going South of LAX, or take a short taxi ride North to Marina Del Rey or just past MDR enjoy walk at Venice Beach. Either way you are talking abou 10 minute taxi rides. The kids might enjoy Venice Beach more.

my vote would be manhattan beach also. i think the kids would like it. there's a pier there and the area is very active on the weekend with bicyclists, surfers and volleyball players. plenty of shops and restaurants. parking is horrible if you chose to rent a car. taxi would be better but plan ahead regarding your trip back to the airport. taxi drivers out here are not readily available. you will have to call for one in manhattan and there is some risk that he won't show so you should budget some time for that scenario.

Thank you - it sounds much nicer then the airport security area for 6 hours.

Have a great day.

Definitely don't want to sit in the airport for that length of time...it's really a shameful airport considering the # of travelers it services.

Venice Beach can be a bit racy, so be prepared for that if you take your kids there.

El Segundo is another option. It is a small town on the southern boarder of the airport. The city is small, friendly and been used in various TV shows for its Mayberry feel. Think small shops and neat food. If you like beer and great local pub grub head over to the Richmond Bar and Grill on the street of that name (they make fresh potato chips etc and a local favorite called the Mad Dog). There is also a small 9 hole golf course called The Lakes on Sepulveda Blvd (PCH) with a driving range as well.
If you have kids there is a small aquarium at the end of the Manhattan pier with a touch tank and a few other neat things. There is a small snack shop in front to grab a bite when you are done looking at the local sea life. Aquarium is free but they have the usual donation box. If you want good Mexican food then head up from the pier to Pancho's...the place is as close to a local landmark as they get in the beach cities.