LAX is a popular hub to get to many places including Asia, Hawaii, Central and South America, and so much more…
While the airport itself has some things to do and see including a panoramic viewpoint and a museum that is close by, if you have a longer layover (4 hours or more), you should plan to get out for some fresh air and maximize your travel.
That’s what we did during a 9-hour layover at LAX.
Originally, we had a short layover, but we ended up modifying our travel plans at the last minute because of bad weather, flight delays and cancellations when our Austin airport got flooded. Following our own travel tips, we opted to leave on the earliest flight out to Los Angeles.
Things to do during a long layover in LA
Having a long layover in LAX doesn’t have to be boring. We did a little research and found all kinds of ideas on the web! In the end, we rented a car and drove to the coast exploring the Santa Monica pier and Venice Beach.
It was great to go out on the pier where local fishermen come out to fish under the watchful eye of seabirds and the odd sea lion waiting for a free lunch.
We then drove to Long Beach where you can see the original Queen Mary, which is now a hotel and open for tours.
Be careful not to stray too far, traffic can be troublesome in LA and give yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport to clear security and make it to your gate. To play it safe, we came back early and ended our day by visiting something close to the airport so we would not have to worry too much about traffic.
About 10 minutes away from LAX is a beautiful little community called Manhattan Beach. This charming spot is close enough that even with a 3 or 4-hour stopover you could taxi back and forth without much trouble.
Dig your toes into the sand and surf, grab a bite to eat and watch the surfers. If you’re adventurous and the typically cold water doesn’t bother you, jump in! There are showers on the beach to rinse off before getting back to the airport and embarking on your next flight.
Many shops and restaurants are in close proximity to the Manhattan Pier. We ended up having a late lunch at Sharks Cove before returning to the airport for our flight.
Tip: If you don’t want to rent a car, you can also get to Manhattan Beach by taxi or by taking the Ocean Express Trolley.
This was a perfect teaser to get us ready for some excellent scuba diving in Hawaii. Check out my scuba diving pictures and videos on my scuba diving page including our night dive with the Manta Rays.
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