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Topic:
Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown
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ValedaKor
Title: C-IV RSA
Registered:
Oct '00
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 11:55am
Subject:
Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown
- Date Edited:
5/21/07 7:04am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
ValedaKor
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My last "site inspection"  . Went today because there is no traffic in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday mornings. A lot about places to eat, but there's other stuff, too. It's in no particular order LOL.
Pictures, we love pictures .
This is what is currently "uploaded" LOL on both sides of the Hotel Figueroa:
 
Spoke to the staff at the Holiday Inn (was confirming my reservation). He said that SW-specific key cards are indeed going to be used. However, he hadn't gotten them yet. So -- we will see. If you don't get one -- ask!
First of all, there's still an R2 mailbox at 2nd and Grand -- on the corner down from the Disney Concert Hall (which is a pretty cool place to see)! Don't know if it was forgotten or what, since all the others I know about are gone. Here's a picture, in case it disappears in the next few days:
Sorry, the Ralph's market that has been long anticipated will not be open until July.... Things like milk and whatnot can be picked up at the gas stations indicated below, or the Rite Aid on Hope Street across from the Sheraton Hotel.
Starbuck's are everywhere. There's one across from the Bonaventure on Flower.
Don’t' forget Macy's Plaza at 7th and Flower -- food court there.
Subway and IHOP - at 8th and Flower next to the Ritz-Milner Hotel.
Liberty Grill -- right behind the Holiday Inn on Flower Street. New restaurant, big buzz. Open for breakfast at 7 AM. Not Denny's prices, but the restaurant is real close to the CC.
There is a lot of parking still left around the convention center, even with all the construction. Parking lots are underneath and behind the center. Private parking lots are all over, especially across Figueroa. There's a big parking garage on Hope between 10th and 11th; sorry, forgot to find out how much it is to park there. There's a big lot on Figueroa next to the Hotel Figueroa -- only $6.00 per day.
The Palm Restaurant -- 11th at Flower, next to the Metro Pico Station stop. Steakhouse, pricy, but one of the best in the country. Also convenient. Open for lunch and dinner.
Downtown Car Wash has a hole in the wall Mexican food place that is really good. It's around the corner from the Hotel Fig. There's an Italian place right there, too.
Gas -- Chevron at Union and Olympic - has a mini mart. Cheapest gas -- closest Arco is at 11th and Blaine, right past the freeway overpass. It's on the right hand side, you can't miss it. There's also a mini-mart right there, too. Gas right now is about $3.35 a gallon.
The Original Pantry Restaurant (on Figueroa and 9th) is open 24 hours, very, very busy on weekends. Be advised. Huge portions of food, be advised about that, too.
Denny's on Figueroa just up from the convention center is open 24 hours. There is a $2.00 parking charge if you don't get your ticket validated (ticket is good for 90 minutes).
7th and Fig mall has a food court. It's across from the Wilshire Grand.
Hill Street Gourmet Café -- coffee, snacks, next to the Kawada Hotel. Don't think it's open on Sundays, though.
There's another Subway on 5th and Hill near the Biltmore.
La Cita -- below the Omni Hotel at 336 South Hill (kinda next door to Grand Central Market). Cheap cocktails, place has been there forever, dancing and a place to hang out, for sure.
They were filming like crazy downtown today, so I didn’t get to drive down a few streets that I wanted to, like behind the Omni. But believe there is a Koo Koo Roo restaurant behind there, and a Starbucks, I think. Lots of filming going on today, uptown and in Little Tokyo. Y'all might see some of that next weekend.
Carl's Jr. and Subway at 6th and Grand, near Casey's Bar. This is all near the Biltmore and Wilshire Grand.
NOTE: For those driving, meters downtown are not enforced on Sundays -- but feed the little puppies the other days of the week, or you might be very sorry. There is street parking around the convention center.
As I mentioned above, there is a Rite Aid across from the Sheraton, on Hope Street. Good for water, other drinks and snacks!
Library Bar, and Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express -- Hope and Sixth.
Loose Leaf -- salads and more salads! Great new place downtown, Sixth and Grand -- near the Subway and Carl's Jr. I mentioned above, so this is near the Biltmore and Wilshire Grand. Actual address is 630 South Grand. Open 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, don't think they're open on weekends, though, unfortunately.
For those needing more money, there are Bank of America ATM's (Star Network-compatible) on the street side at 7th and Figueroa.
Qdoba Mexican Grill -- 7th and Hope across from the Sheraton.
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Quizno's across from the Metro Station at 7th and Flower.
As you can see, a lot of these places are just a few minutes away from the convention center because of the trains -- so think of these as places for lunch. It really will only take you a few minutes to get to them.
Zita Trattoria - next to the Pantry at 9th and Fig. Open for lunch, I believe. Pizzas are supposed to be really good.
Lots of places to eat that are in Little Tokyo, for the New Otani/Miyako Hotel crowd. Weller Court is "right there," for instance. Be adventurous! There was filming going on down there today, too.
Pitfire Pizza Company and Groundwork Coffee -- on Main and 2nd near the New Otani. Groundwork is open 7 AM to 7 PM daily. Pitfire Pizza open 10 AM to 11 PM. Pitfire getting a rep for being very tasty.
There's a Starbucks at the New Otani, too.
And if you're going to try and find an In N Out, a #1 combo (Double Double) was $5.66 today including the tax (I was eating in). If you're driving in on the 10, you'll see the big In N Out sign on the other side of the freeway, at the Francisquito exit. Get off and eat there for your In N Out fix. It's a hop and a skip on and off the freeway.
Use this interactive map to find all these places. It's an easy way to "see" where everything is downtown:
DOWNTOWN MAP
So -- enjoy, keep an eye on your valuables -- inside, too, you'd be suprised -- be patient, visit with your fellow fans and just have a great time. You'll be glad you did!
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Grimby the Hutt
Title: RMFF Webmaster
Registered:
Apr '00
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 12:20pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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Thank you for that outstanding update Val!
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JediJustin
Registered:
Aug '06
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 1:04pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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Val, this list is going to be one of the most important things that I bring with me to CIV. I printed it out and placed it right with my CIV badges and itinerary.
Excellent job, and we cannot thank you enough! 
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"The movies may have ended, but the SW Saga lives on forever!"
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Amidala081499
Registered:
Sep '03
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 2:14pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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Excellent Val...Thank you so much for doing all this hard work for us, you are truely a great friend!!!
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Lufta Shif
Registered:
May '00
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 3:00pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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Outstanding job, Val! Thank you so much! You have been a most excellent CIV RSA! Well done!
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Darthkat76
Registered:
Mar '07
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 4:50pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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Qdoba? YES!
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TK--421
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 4:58pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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Hey Val, if it's not too late, could you take pictures of the entrances they wrote about? The South Show Gate and the West Show Gate?
Also, has anyone heard if there's a fan club only entrance this time around?
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AmmersVI
Title: Seattle FanForce Historian
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 4:59pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
- Date Edited:
5/20/07 5:00pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
AmmersVI
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Wonderful info as always Val!
I just realized that we'll be on a collecting pannel together! I'll see you there!
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ValedaKor
Title: C-IV RSA
Registered:
Oct '00
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 5:31pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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TK--421 posted:
Hey Val, if it's not too late, could you take pictures of the entrances they wrote about? The South Show Gate and the West Show Gate?
Also, has anyone heard if there's a fan club only entrance this time around?
Sorry, was only down there this morning. But I'm a little confused by those references that I've read, because there are no "gate entrances" that I know of. The South Hall area is entered from the South Tower Lobby. The West Hall is entered from the West Tower Lobby. I'll see if I can find anything out when I get there on Tuesday; otherwise, we'll just have to see what they're doing.
I haven't heard or read anything about special entrances for the fan club members, so don't know what's going on there, if anything.
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ValedaKor
Title: C-IV RSA
Registered:
Oct '00
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 5:32pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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AmmersVI posted:
Wonderful info as always Val!
I just realized that we'll be on a collecting pannel together! I'll see you there!
Wonderful! Did you get my e-mail about getting together a little early? Think that would be nice if we can swing it.
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AmmersVI
Title: Seattle FanForce Historian
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 5:45pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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E-mail sent! I think it is a great idea!
I'm so excited! 3 more days to go!
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darthgator69
Registered:
Jul '06
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 7:06pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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Thanks ValedaKor for the awesome update. I flew into LAX this morning and had planned to take a downtown tour myself, but after lost luggage, a 2 hour rental car line and of coarse having to adjust to a 3 hour time zone difference, I decided it would be best to go stright to the hotel and re-group tomorrow.....The trip WILL get better as the wek goes on. Thanks again for all the great work that you have done for the past year to keep us informed.
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ardavenport
Registered:
Dec '04
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 9:24pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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Thanks much for the extra leg work!
Do you know why they were filming? Were there any signs about it? I don't know what they're going to think of all the SW people on the street if they're doing it next week, too.
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Grimby the Hutt
Title: RMFF Webmaster
Registered:
Apr '00
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 9:40pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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ValedaKor posted:
Gas right now is about $3.35 a gallon.
 I'm so glad I'm only renting a car for two days.
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ValedaKor
Title: C-IV RSA
Registered:
Oct '00
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 10:15pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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ardavenport posted:
Thanks much for the extra leg work!
Do you know why they were filming? Were there any signs about it? I don't know what they're going to think of all the SW people on the street if they're doing it next week, too.
Nah, couldn't tell. There's just a ton of studio vehicles down by Disney Hall. I'll have to see if they're still there when I go back on Tuesday.
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Obey Wann
Title: Former RMFF CR
& SW Region RSA
Registered:
Jan '00
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Date Posted:
5/20/07 10:16pm
Subject:
RE: Last minute ramblings and info -- from a trip downtown this morning
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Thanks for the info --see you there!
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