Help! Traveling to LA and I need some advice

Since my previously planned trip to see the Coyotes and Kings at Staples in October was cancelled (thank you lockout), I'll be driving out to Anaheim to catch the Coyotes season/franchise finale on April 27th vs the Ducks. The following day I'll be making my first trip to Dodger Stadium to see an afternoon game vs Brewers.

I have never stayed the night in the LA area, and I have no idea what part of town would be the best/safest/convenient. Stay near the Honda Center, Dodger Stadium, or somewhere in between? What's the bar scene like near the Honda Center? Any places around there I should avoid? Any advice for parking at either place...I hear Dodger Stadium parking/traffic can be a pain.

I dont really care about shopping, clubs, or any of the sites around LA. My only goals for the weekend:
#1- drink alot of beer
#2- dont get arrested
#3- dont get mugged/shot/stabbed
#4- enjoy a quiet sports weekend away from the kids.

Any help would be appreciated!

Well I can give you some info about the area around the Pond (Honda Center). Not too many bars close by. JT Schmids across the street is where a lot of people will go before during and after the game. I hear the food is decent but I have never been there before. Further west on Katella there is a Hooters. Even further west on Katella near Disneyland there is the area know as the Garden Walk. A lot of nice restaurants there, Cheesecake Factory, Roys, McCormick and Schmick etc. and one club Heat Ultra Lounge. I would stay away from the Heat on the weekends since there is always the drunken brawl breaking out there. We do have cops working down there on the weekends but still the drunken fools will fight each other and sometimes us too. Further east on Katella in Orange there are a bunch of restaurants Lazy Dog Cafe, Kings Fish House don't know about the bars in there though. As for hotels in the area unless you have money to burn at a Hilton, Marriot or Sheraton you are better off staying elsewhere. All of the above are in the convention center area of Anaslime, Harbor Bl. / Convention Way. That is about a 5-10 minute drive west of the Pond.

If you do venture west of the Pond do not go to any place on the south side of Katella or go anywhere south of Katella in between Lewis St. and Harbor Bl. Trust me on this and I'm sure you can see the difference in clientele on the south side of Katella. Unless you're into this type of entertainment, watch out for the Ladies of the Evening trolling around the above listed Hotels in the C Center area.

Do not try to buy or sell tickets from scalpers anywhere near the Pond. Code Enforcement as well as us are always looking to bust scalpers and their customers. There are cameras all around the roof of the Pond and they see everything.

PM if you need anymore info on Anaslime......:taser:

Lazy Dog or Kings Fish House in Orange a mile or less from the Ponda on Katella is a great place to hang at. I would go with SloMo's suggestions for accomodations if you're staying in OC.

Dodger Stadium parking is a pain. Get there early, they open their gates about 2 hours before game time. You can enter the field level from left field for batting practice if you get there early enough. Plan on hanging around for 30-60 minutes for the lot to clear out. Don't bring any beer, LAPD and security are all over that lot.

Best Dive bar near the Ponda: The Cherry Pit

Cherry Pit - Orange, CA

You can stay downtown and drink up at several fine establishments then take the red line to the free Dodger Stadiun shuttle. Its what I do. Dont know squat about Anacrime.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by eddieshack23

Dodger Stadium parking is a pain. Get there early, they open their gates about 2 hours before game time. You can enter the field level from left field for batting practice if you get there early enough. Plan on hanging around for 30-60 minutes for the lot to clear out. Don't bring any beer, LAPD and security are all over that lot.

---

I do not think Parking is that bad anymore. For the last couple of seasons, the lot clears out alot faster. Depending where you enter, if you drive in, dictates where you park and where you exit. So it is A LOT more streamlined. Entering through sunset, and hooking a left and parking on the 3rd base side lots, is usually the best. The Sunset entry- exit is by far the largest. I usually get to Sunset, and free of traffic within 5-10 minutes of getting to the car. Even on sold out nights.
Entering through the 110 side, or cutting China Town and using that entrance, hooking an immediate left, and parking in those lots is also very good. Great way to hop on the 110, or navigate to downtown.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SloMo26

do not go to any place on the south side of Katella or go anywhere south of Katella in between Lewis St. and Harbor Bl. Trust me on this

---

HEY! What about Fritz That's It? That place is legit....right????

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. Looking forward to my weekend trip out there. First time back in LA since I took in a Kings/Penguins game back in like 2006.

Funny seeing "Anacrime" and "Anaslime" comments, I always assumed Anaheim was nice because Disneyland was out there. Live and learn I suppose...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SloMo26

Unless you're into this type of entertainment, watch out for the Ladies of the Evening trolling around the above listed Hotels in the C Center area.

---

Whelp, that's my evening planned. Thanks, SloMo.