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America West Arilines Flights from Las Vegas (LAS) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Orbitz is pleased to offer airline tickets on America West Arilines, which operates 6 regularly scheduled daily non-stop flights from Las Vegas (LAS) to Los Angeles (LAX), departing between 10:30am and 11:59pm, and 2 additional non-stop flights, departing between 8:00am and 9:15am on select days of the week. The average travel time from Las Vegas, NV to Los Angeles, CA is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
During your Los Angeles vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Museum of Contemporary Art/Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
MOCA is Los Angeles's only institution devoted to art from 1940 to the present. Displaying works in a variety of media, it's strong in works by Cy Twombly, Jasper Johns, and Mark Rothko, and shows are often superb. For many experts, MOCA's collections are too spotty to be considered world class, and the conservative museum board blushes when offered controversial shows (they passed on a Whitney exhibit that included photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe). Nevertheless, I've seen some excellent exhibitions here.MOCA is housed in three buildings: The Grand Avenue main building (250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles) is a contemporary red sandstone structure by renowned Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. The museum restaurant, Patinette (Mon, Wed, Fri 11am-5pm; Thurs 11am-8pm; Sat-Sun 11am-6pm; tel. 213/626-1178), located here, is the casual-dining creation of celebrity chef Joachim Splichal (see Patina). The museum's second space, on Central Avenue in Little Tokyo (152 North Central Ave., Los Angeles), was the "temporary" Contemporary while the Grand structure was being built and now houses a superior permanent collection in a warehouse-type space that's been renamed for entertainment mogul and art collector David Geffen. An added feature is a detailed timeline corresponding to the progression of works. Unless there's a visiting exhibit of great interest at the main museum, I recommend that you start at the Geffen building, where it's also easier to park. The third gallery, which opened in January 2001, is at the Pacific Design Center (8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood) -- it's the compact building next to the Pacific Design Center. Unlike the other two, admission to this galley is only $3, and emphasis is on contemporary architecture and design, as well as new work by emerging and established artists.
Museum of Television and Radio
Want to see the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show (1964), or Edward R. Murrow's examination of Joseph McCarthy (1954), or Arnold Palmer's victory in the 1958 Masters Tournament, or listen to radio excerpts like FDR's first "Fireside Chat" (1933) and Orson Welles's famous War of the Worlds UFO hoax (1938)? All these, plus a gazillion episodes of The Twilight Zone, I Love Lucy, and other beloved series (including numerous pilots never aired on national television), can be viewed within the starkly white walls of architect Richard Meier's neutral, contemporary museum building. Like the ritzy Beverly Hills shopping district that surrounds it, the museum is more flash than substance. Once you gawk at the celebrity and industry-honcho names adorning every hall, room, and miscellaneous area, it becomes quickly apparent that "library" would be a more fitting name for this collection, since the main attractions are requested via sophisticated computer catalogs and viewed in private consoles. Although no one sets out to spend a vacation watching TV, it can be tempting once you start browsing the archives. This West Coast branch of the venerable New York facility succeeds in treating our favorite pastime as a legitimate art form.
The Southwest Museum
This is the city's oldest museum, considered by some a "best-kept secret" that suffers from lack of recognition and space for its superlative collection. Originally opened in 1907 by amateur historian and Native American expert Charles F. Lummis (who also designed Downtown's landmark "castle," El Alisal), this privately funded anthropological museum contains the finest examples of Native American art and artifacts found anywhere, including rare paintings, weapons, and a Cheyenne summer tepee. The largest exhibition chronicles 10,000 years of history of the people of the American Southwest. The California Hall focuses on the lifestyles of the first Californians; a separate two-level hall is dedicated to the culture of cold-climate tribes. The museum has a particularly active events calendar that includes a Native American Film Festival, regular lectures, and special children's programs (log onto the website for more info). In the shop, you'll find authentic Native American drums, kachina dolls, pottery, and sterling-silver jewelry by Native American artist Vernon Begaye. Tours are available by request. Tip: You can purchase a $12 two-site ticket that also includes entry into the excellent Museum of the American West; it's valid for 3 months.
Make your reservations for discount hotel rooms in the
Los Angeles area, including:
Best Western Ocean View Hotel
This ocean-facing chain hotel, located just across the street from Santa Monica Beach and amusement pier, offers welcome price relief in high-rent Santa Monica. The clean and modern property offers terrific bargains to those willing to forego an ocean view from their room. But even the deluxe-view rooms, which all have private balconies looking out across Ocean Avenue to beach and pier, are a steal for this area. Rooms are comfortably outfitted in chain-hotel style; all have coffeemakers, while oceanview rooms have fridges, too (microwaves are available upon request). Don't pay extra for a balcony, though, unless you know it has an ocean view, or you may end up overlooking the subterranean parking lot. The staff is courteous and professional, and many fine restaurants are within walking distance. Heck, they even offer complimentary continental breakfast.
Westin Los Angeles Airport
This newly renovated 12-story hotel stands a cut above the rest, thanks to an invention that borders on miracle status: Westin's own Heavenly Bed. Touted as "10 layers of heaven" -- from the custom pillow-top mattress to the fluffy down comforter and a family of pillows -- the Heavenly Bed is the best hotel bed in the business. The like-new rooms are nicely outfitted in chain-standard style, and some have balconies (don't expect anything resembling a view). All of the conveniences are on hand, including a free airport shuttle and a very nice pool and fitness center.Facilities: California-style restaurant; lobby court for cocktails; heated outdoor pool and whirlpool; exercise room; billiards room; Westin Kids Club; 24-hr. concierge; car-rental desk; free airport shuttle; business center; secretarial services; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry-cleaning service.
Hotel Stillwell
The Stillwell is far from fancy, but its modestly priced rooms are a good option in a generally pricey neighborhood. Built in 1906, this once-elegant 250-room hotel is conveniently located near the STAPLES Center, the Civic Center, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Rooms are clean, basic, and simply decorated with decent furnishings; much-needed new paint and carpeting were installed in 2000. The hotel is quiet, though, and hallways feature East Indian artwork. That said, I much prefer the Hotel Figueroa, but this is a less eccentric and perfectly reasonable choice. The lobby-level Indian restaurant is a popular lunch spot for Downtown office workers; other options include a casual Mexican restaurant and the so-old-it's-retro Hanks Cocktail Lounge.
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