Remember this: L. A. has square mile after square mile after square mile of dangerous ghettos plus much additional territory which is borderline. Culver City is borderline. L.A.’s South-Central area alone is larger geographically than most cities. It's extent is almost incomprehensible to many first time visitors.
Another, which would be ok if you choose the time carefully to avoid rush hour.....run 20 minutes north on the 405 and take the 118 west for another 20 minutes. Result: Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum, complete with his Air Force One.
What sort of activities do you enjoy doing?
Drive up to Simi Valley to the Reagan Library
Go to the Getty art museum. DO NOT go to South Los Angeles or the Westlake Park area. The Getty is really worth a visit.
Downtown culver city is hopping for restaurants. You and your colleagues should just stay around there. Going far a away to other parts of the city would be a waste.
http://www.downtownculvercity.com/dine.html
If you have more time then drive west o. Washington to where the venice pier is and walk out on it if it’s not too cold.
If you just want to soak up local flavor you are already In the right place. Walk around the Venice canals. Mapped at link below
http://www.downtownculvercity.com/dine.html
Gorgeous photo: http://www.hillhaus.com/photos/2007.03.19.Los.Angeles/16.Venice.Canals.jpg
Read the history of how the canals came to be. Walk along the canals, bring some breadcrumbs for the ducks.
Then there is the freaky Venice beach boardwalk, and muscle beach (great photos for you guys on the rings or ropes?).
Some major people watching.
Driving around la is the worst part of the city and you are already in a very interesting (though liberal) part of the city with a lot to see and do..
It’s a little bit of a drive but if you plan it right the traffic shouldn’t be too heavy...go North into the valley and visit the Reagan Library. I was just there on Labor Day. You will never forget it. I’ve been to a number of the Presidential Libraries and this one is fantastic.
Tito’s Tacos on Washington and Sepulveda is good. I was there last night.
Also, The Kingshead Pub on Santa Monica Blvd. just inland from Ocean. It is a true British Pub.
My favorite and, from what I have heard, Sandra Bullock’s is Chez Jay in Venice/Santa Monica. The Sand Dabs and Banana Augraten (sp?) Potatoes is a great dinner. I know, it makes you cock your head like a labrador but it works! ‘Jay’ died a couple of years ago but it is really good.
Hope this helps!
The Getty Center is a good bet considering your time limitations (afternoon and early evening). You should have no trouble getting there in the early afternoon by driving north on the 405. Getting back to Culver City will take a bit of time as you sit in some traffic on the 405 south.
The Reagan Library may be too much of a shlepp, and you’ll get back to your hotel later than you may like. Universal Studios and CityWalk USED TO BE good, but have gone too ghetto for my taste. The Downtown Farmer’s Market and The Grove are far nicer.
If you like gardens, the Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena are good, but this time of year may be a little brown. Again, it’s a bit of a drive. If you like architecture, try either the Hollyhock House (Frank Lloyd Wright), or better, the Gamble House in Pasadena (Greene and Greene).
If you like a really great BBQ type dinner then you would really enjoy “Gaucho’s Village” http://gauchosvillage.com/index.php in Glendale. It’s pretty easy to get to and the driving is easy in the evenings.
Are you good at yard work?
If not.
The Ronald Reagan Library is not to far away in simi valley
