Subject: Re: LAX Layover
Barbara,

Your nine hour layover will probably not yield nine hours to play with. If you have to claim your luggage after your flight from the east coast, subtract an hour. Then you should be back at the airport two hours before the departure of your NZ flight.

So you probably have six or seven hours available. The places you might want to go and method of transportation to get there depend on the time of day and day of the week that you will be travelling.

If you will be here during daylight hours, you could stroll the shops and galleries along Abbott Kinney Blvd in Venice or Main Street or Montana Ave in Santa Monica. Afterward, you could stop at The Lobster overlooking the Santa Monica Pier (awesome views at sunset) or I Cugini or Ocean Avenue Seafood nearby for a cocktail and a meal. The Venice/Santa Monica area is within 10 miles of LAX so you could have quality time to visit and not feel like you have to rush back to the airport (although allow plenty of time for traffic). Another popular (and easy-to-do) activity would be a visit to the Getty Center (http://www.getty.edu/visit/)

Sharon in Tennessee has also given you some good alternatives for services at the Relaxation Center at the Radisson at LAX. Perhaps some pampering beforehand might make the looooooooong flight to Christchurch a little easier.

If the Angeleno Ziners can help you further, please let us know.

Mark in Los Angeles