LAX Layover

Big Dean's Cafe

Restaurant | "Cafe on the Beach"

Quote:

Big Dean's is what I would refer to as a great 'hole in the wall' cafe. Strolling along a few feet away from Muscle Beach, it would be ridiucloulsy easy to pass it by, if you were not paying keen attention. In my case, I didn't see the cafe either, but I did smell the lovely aroma which was wafting through the air. After following my nose, it led me to Big Dean's.Stepping inside, my immediate thought was that the interior seemed like a beer fanatic's dream joint. Literally every surface in the establishment, including the roof was decorated with various beer signs, posters and slogans. Some were flashing neon signs, but the most prominent of all, was a large surfboard with the words Budwei...Read More

Big Dean's is what I would refer to as a great 'hole in the wall' cafe. Strolling along a few feet away from Muscle Beach, it would be ridiucloulsy easy to pass it by, if you were not paying keen attention. In my case, I didn't see the cafe either, but I did smell the lovely aroma which was wafting through the air. After following my nose, it led me to Big Dean's.

Stepping inside, my immediate thought was that the interior seemed like a beer fanatic's dream joint. Literally every surface in the establishment, including the roof was decorated with various beer signs, posters and slogans. Some were flashing neon signs, but the most prominent of all, was a large surfboard with the words Budweiser plastered on.

To give them credit, they had a wooden sign propped up infront of the bar with the question 'R U 21'? It's good to know that they discourage underage drinking. They had a relatively decent collection of draught beer on display, including Bud Light and Heineken. As if that wasn't enough to convince people that they sold beer, there also an obscene amount of beer bottles lined up in a pyramid!

However, I wasn't there just for a drink. It was the smell from their kitchen which drew me inside to begin with, so I grabbed a bar stool and requested a menu. After leafing through it, I settled on a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and a can of coke. I was quoted a total of USD $10, which was quite ok with me.

While waiting for my food, I busied myself with looking around my rather eccentric surroundings. The customer sitting next to me introduced himself, and admitted that while the owner of the cafe seemingly went a bit overboard with the décor, his cooking skills were pretty awesome. We spoke for a bit, until his order of onion rings arrived.

He told me that since this was my first visit to California, that I shouldn't leave without trying the onion rings. They were cripsy and golden on the outside, but tender and tasty on the inside, and only served to whet my appetite for my sandwich. I could literally feel my stomach protesting, as the aroma from the kitchen grew stronger.

Finally, my order arrived! Truth be told, the service wasn't slow, but when you're hungry..every minute makes a difference. The owner himself served my sandwich, and thoughtfully placed bottles of ketchup and mustard infront of me. Good customer service is always appreciated.

After dressing up my Philly Cheese Steak sandwich, I took my first and long awaited bite. Boy, was it worth the wait! The bread was lightly toasted, the meat was well done and melted cheese was in abundance. All those ingredients blended together just perfectly, and needless to say, only crumbs remained after a few minutes.

Big Dean's is a prime example of the fact that great food doesn't always come from the most glamorous of establishments. Pubs like this can rely on regular customers to keep the business going, and the customer service was genuine. I highly recommend.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 22, 2025

Big Dean's Cafe
1615 Ocean Front Walk,
Santa Monica, California 90401
(310) 393-2666

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Santa Monica Pier

Attraction | "Santa Monica Pier!"

Quote:

The entrance to Santa Monica Pier is extremely hard to miss once you're in the area. The big iconic sign which hangs over the street is visible from quite a distance, alerting visitors that their destination is within close range. Santa Monica Pier is one of the most famous and visited piers within the entire state of California, and I decided to pay a visit during my 24 hour layover in Los Angeles.Immediately after passing under the Santa Monica entrance sign, there is a park area with a few statues and monuments. Large numbers of pigeons choose this space to be their personal hanging out spot, and they are not shy about approaching humans for hand outs. Some little children took joy in r...Read More

The entrance to Santa Monica Pier is extremely hard to miss once you're in the area. The big iconic sign which hangs over the street is visible from quite a distance, alerting visitors that their destination is within close range. Santa Monica Pier is one of the most famous and visited piers within the entire state of California, and I decided to pay a visit during my 24 hour layover in Los Angeles.

Immediately after passing under the Santa Monica entrance sign, there is a park area with a few statues and monuments. Large numbers of pigeons choose this space to be their personal hanging out spot, and they are not shy about approaching humans for hand outs. Some little children took joy in racing through the pigeons, causing them to fly into the air. Several families were having a picnic in the vicinity, and a few old men sat on benches, totally absorbed in their newspapers.

I continued along the main road towards the pier, stopping ever so often to gaze at the ocean. Santa Monica beach is gorgeous, with a wide expanse of white sand, with a winding bike path right in the middle. Life guard houses stood as regal fortresses, with their 'soldiers' standing outside and scanning the horizon. Extremely tall palm trees swayed in the wind, providing that SoCal element to the already picturesque panorama.

After a while, the concrete beneath my feet turned into wooden planks as I took my first steps on the pier. Although it was only 11am, there was already quite a buzz, and all of the shops and stalls were open and already in full swing. Lots of families were strolling around, or being pulled along by little children. Sea gulls flew overhead while cawing loudly, and others perched themselves along the railing of the pier, seemingly unafraid of the activities around them.

I happened upon a small stall which called itself The Candy Carousel. I'm a candy fanatic, so of course I had to stop and choose a snack to munch on. There were bags of cotton candy and caramel popcorn hanging from the roof and the counter, which I'm sure was done with intention of grabbing the attention of little children. After settling on cotton candy, I paid $3 and continued down the pier.

Large buildings were aslo lining the pier, and the one which stood out to me was 'Bubba Gump Shrimp Company'. I loved the movie, so I had to go in and look around for a little while. They mostly sold souvenirs and clothing with their name stamped on. I didn't see anything which really captured my interest, so I moved on.

The Pacific Park, which is located on the pier itself is one the main attractions. It looked like fun, with a large yellow rollercoaster and a massive ferris wheel. Given that it was the off season and I was visiting on a weekday, the park was closed and many disappointed children watched the park with almost identical sad expressions. Tip for families: Visit the Santa Monica Pier during the summer months so that your children will have a chance to play in the park.

On reaching the end of the pier, I saw a group of fishermen throwing their poles over the railing and hoping for a catch. Several wanna-be musicians and singers were displaying their talents as well, promoting their cds to anyone who showed interest. Some were actually pretty good.

I leaned against the railing and gazed out towards the ocean. A harbour patrol boat cruised slowly nearby, and bigger vessels sailed out in the distance. The Santa Monica Pier was full of life, and I had a great morning just taking in the sights and eating my cotton candy. Although visiting in September was a nice experience, I'm pretty sure the summer months are the best time to visit this wondeful attraction in California.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 22, 2025

Santa Monica Pier
Ocean and Colorado Avenues
Santa Monica, California 90401
(310) 458-8900

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Getting Around LA

Story/Tip

LA Traffic Photo - Los Angeles, California

Quote:

Most of the greatest cities on earth, have a decent if not extensive public transportation system. One which is easy to understand, simple to use and above all else, affordable. Visitors prefer to spend their hard earned cash on special experiences, fine dining and indulging on shopping sprees. Setting aside a large amount of money for transportation purposes, is never high on anyone's list when planning a perfect vacation or weekend trip.Los Angeles, also known as the City of Angels, is a massive metropolitan area, and one of the greatest cities in the world. However, it's public transportation system is severely lacking. There isn't a proper subway system such as that in New York, nor a ...Read More

Most of the greatest cities on earth, have a decent if not extensive public transportation system. One which is easy to understand, simple to use and above all else, affordable. Visitors prefer to spend their hard earned cash on special experiences, fine dining and indulging on shopping sprees. Setting aside a large amount of money for transportation purposes, is never high on anyone's list when planning a perfect vacation or weekend trip.

Los Angeles, also known as the City of Angels, is a massive metropolitan area, and one of the greatest cities in the world. However, it's public transportation system is severely lacking. There isn't a proper subway system such as that in New York, nor a substantial public bus service. Most visitors who do not research the best ways to get around in Los Angeles, are taken off guard and find themselves shelling out unprecedented volumes of cash on taxis to take them everywhere they need to go.

With a little bit of homework, either by searching online or speaking to locals in advance, one will find out about the Big Blue Bus. This bus service, is the best and most far reaching of the three bus companies in Los Angeles. They have a considerable number of routes, leading to many areas of the city with lots of stops in between.

The Big Blue Bus which I'm sure you've already suspected by now, is of a bright blue colour. This is very helpful when standing at the bus stop, as it's possible to see it coming from quite a distance away. The bus stops are plentiful, and are located along the main highways. There is also a bus route which leads to the Los Angeles International Airport, offering a cheap alternative to hiring a taxi or using a crowded airport shuttle bus.

I used the Big Blue Bus to take me to Santa Monica Pier from the bus stop closest to my airport hotel, La Quinta Inn & Suites. I stood at the bus stop for roughly seven minutes, waiting for the bus to show up. Considering the size of the city, a mere seven minutes wait is a true testament to the admirable frequency of the service. There is a sign at the bus stop which indicates what number bus goes to which destination, and lucky for me, the first bus which approached was the bus going to Santa Monica.

I read in advance that you should have dollar bills and coins in your hand when boarding the bus. The machines which takes the payment does not give back change, so if you put in a $20 for a $2 fare, you're $18 is as good as dead. After getting on the bus, I told the driver that I wanted to get off at Santa Monica Pier, and he told me to put $1 in the machine.

Santa Monica Pier is a considerable distance away from the airport region, so the $1 fare was ridiculously cheap! Unfortunately, the bus was already quite crowded, so I had to stand and hold onto the railing for the duration of the ride (about 15-20 minutes). I didn't mind, as experiences like this only serve to make my trip memorable.

An automated voice would come over the intercom, and a flashing sign would appear on the bus monitor at the front to alert passengers of the upcoming stop. The combination of visual and audible messages is thoughtful in my opinion, as some passengers may not hear, and others may not be able to see the bus monitor given their seating position.

Another positive factor about the Big Blue Bus, is the fact that it's handicap friendly. There are several features put into place for people with disabilites, and I actually witnessed a procedure in action. There was a lady in a wheel chair onboard, and when her stop came about, the driver pulled a lever, and a ramp was pulled out from beneath the bus door, allowing her to roll out onto the sidewalk with ease. Once again, this was very thoughtful of the bus company.

Soon it was my stop, and I pulled the cord to announce my departure. The bus pulled over and I thanked the driver before hopping off. I made it all the way to Santa Monica Pier, and the trip only put me out of one dollar. The Big Blue Bus saved me a lot of money during my layover in Los Angeles, and the service provided is of a higher quality than most public transportation services in a large city. I easily recommend. Read Less

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La Quinta Inn and Suites LAX

Hotel | "Layover at LAX"

Quote:

I arrived into LAX International airport after midnight, and I simply wanted to go to sleep. The day before, I confirmed my reservation with the hotel, and they assured me that a shuttle bus would be running outside of the airport to pick me up. After wating for roughly ten minutes, the shuttle bus arrived at the waiting area, and I hopped on.The shuttle served The Holiday Express hotel as well as La Quinta Inn and Suites. There were two other couples riding with me, and since their hotel was closer he dropped them off first. The driver was friendly and courteous, so I was not uncomfortable being alone with him in the bus.He dropped me off at the entrance to my hotel, and after...Read More

I arrived into LAX International airport after midnight, and I simply wanted to go to sleep. The day before, I confirmed my reservation with the hotel, and they assured me that a shuttle bus would be running outside of the airport to pick me up. After wating for roughly ten minutes, the shuttle bus arrived at the waiting area, and I hopped on.

The shuttle served The Holiday Express hotel as well as La Quinta Inn and Suites. There were two other couples riding with me, and since their hotel was closer he dropped them off first. The driver was friendly and courteous, so I was not uncomfortable being alone with him in the bus.

He dropped me off at the entrance to my hotel, and after thanking him I went inside. I was shown the way to the check in counter by the security guard, and after exchanging pleasantries with the lady at the front desk, I handed over my reservation and passport. Everything went smoothly, and within five minutes I had my room card and I headed upstairs.

The first thing I noticed after opening the door, was the fact that the room was quite large. It was oviously cleaned, and everything appeared to be in order. The bed was King sized, with a relatively bouncy mattress and the comforter was of a very high thread count. The sheets and four pillows were extremely white and pristine, and in my sleepy state, they were unquestionably a welcome sight.

Apart from the highly inviting bed, there was a couch, a large dressing table on which a large flat flat panel television was perched. On either side of the bed were two small tables with medium sized lamps. One of the tables had an alarm clock, which I promptly set to alarm at 8am in the morning. After such a long flight, I didn't want to risk oversleeping. Other gadgets in the room included a coffee maker, a small fridge and a microwave.

The bathroom was immaculate, with many clean towels neatly folded. The bathroom counter was of a black marble surface, and a light coloured wooden body. Above the counter was an extemely large and spotless mirror, which gave the bathroom an appearance of being larger than it actually was. Interestingly enough, the tub and the toilet were of a brilliant white, providing a stark contrast to wooden bathroom counter and mirror frame. There were several complimentary bars of soap, and small shampoo packets.

After a great night's sleep, I got ready and headed downstairs to the lobby. The hotel was serving a complimentary 'Bright Side' breakfast. This was comprised of a buffet style meal of fresh toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, jam, fruits and blueberry muffins. I had a great and filling meal to start the day, with a glass of orange juice.

I had a great stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites, and for the price of US $90 plus tax, I highly recommend to anyone, especially if you're on a layover in Los Angeles.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 18, 2025

La Quinta Inn and Suites LAX
5249 W CENTURY BLVD
Los Angeles, California 90045
310-645-2200

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26-Mile Bike Path

Attraction | "Awesome Bike Ride"

Quote:

While in Santa Monica, I thought I it would be a great idea to rent a bike and cruise along the bike path from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach. I stepped into a shop called Sea Mist Skate & Bike Rentals, and told the girl at the cashier that I would like to rent a bicycle for an hour. I received a price quote of US $7, which was on the expensive side, but expected seeing that the company was located on one of Los Angeles' most visited beach side towns. I agreed to the fare, and she rattled off the rules and regulations. I would be charged only upon returning the bicycle, and I needed to hand over a government issued ID as security. I didn't have my drivers license on me, and I wasn't...Read More

While in Santa Monica, I thought I it would be a great idea to rent a bike and cruise along the bike path from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach. I stepped into a shop called Sea Mist Skate & Bike Rentals, and told the girl at the cashier that I would like to rent a bicycle for an hour. I received a price quote of US $7, which was on the expensive side, but expected seeing that the company was located on one of Los Angeles' most visited beach side towns.

I agreed to the fare, and she rattled off the rules and regulations. I would be charged only upon returning the bicycle, and I needed to hand over a government issued ID as security. I didn't have my drivers license on me, and I wasn't about to hand over my passport.

After a few seconds, she relented and said that she would trust me to bring back the bike, and I was allowed to leave. She simply verified my name and address using my passport, then off I went! I was fortunate to have great weather… blue skies peppered with tiny waves of clouds, brilliant sunshine and the cool ocean breeze. Perfect conditions for a perfect ride. The other bikers on the bike path were very thoughtful of how fast they were going on the narrow lane, and always remained on their side.

Along the way, I cruised by small parks, with kids building sand castles, pushing each other on the swings and having lots of fun. It was really cute, and I to paused to watch for a little while… I love kids!

Continuing along at a steady pace, I took in all of the sights which are synonymous with the name Los Angeles. From outside gyms to surfboards.. I saw it all. At this point I admit that I was very much surprised by the beaches. Seeing that I live on a tropical Caribbean island, I wasn't sure what to expect from the coastline of Western USA. The beaches surpassed any mental image I may have conjured, and they were absolutely gorgeous. Miles upon miles of white sand, leading towards rough but very blue waters.

Venice Beach was a very interesting place. All along the sidewalks were little stalls where people sold every item imaginable. Pottery, wooden carvings, paintings and even surfboards were all for sale. Since I was riding a bike, I didn't want to stop and shop so I pedalled along. I came across a building with the best graffiti I have ever seen. It was a painting of a man spraying a wall, and it looked so life-like, I had to check twice!

Another point to mention, was the seemingly large number of tattoo parlours which were everywhere along the street. I counted over half a dozen, and I wasn't even looking out for them. People were literally lining up to have their tattoos done. If you like to see odd yet fascinating places, Venice Beach is definitey an option.

After spending about 10 minutes cruising around, I headed back the way I came. I arrived at the bike shop 50 minutes after leaving, so I didn't have to pay for another hour by default. I handed over the $7 and asked the staff to take a photo of me on the bicycle. Experiences like this deserve a photo, so they will never be forgotten! Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 20, 2025

26-Mile Bike Path

Santa Monica, California

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Los Angeles Journals

LAX Layover

Big Dean's Cafe

Santa Monica Pier

Getting Around LA

La Quinta Inn and Suites LAX

26-Mile Bike Path

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