Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Los Angeles

By Jeff Spurrier

Book Overview

Looking for a travel guide that goes where other guides fear to tread? One that rides roughshod over ad-copy puffery to smartly deliver the real scoop on a destination's sites and attractions? One that dares to be honest, hip, and fun? Look no more. Frommer's Irreverent Travel Guides are wickedly irreverent, unabashedly honest, and downright hilarious, and provide an insider's perspective on which attractions are overrated tourist traps and which are the secret gems that locals love. You'll get the lowdown on restaurants, lodging, and shopping, and even find out what the locals think of you . "Like being taken around by a savvy local," said the New York Times . "Hipper and savvier than other guides," concurred Diversion magazine. Never shy about confronting the issues, the Irreverents are guides to real travel in the real world. Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Los Angeles, 4th Edition ?gives you the lowdown on:??? How to survive a smog alert Where to stay in Catalina and pretend you're a 1920s millionaire Why Tail O' the Pup is the city's most significant architectural statement Beaming up to the Star Trek bridge at LAX Where to catch the Groundlings-the improv group that launched the careers of Jon Lovitz, Lisa Kudrow, and Will Ferrell And much more! ?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764598856
• ISBN13: 9780764598852
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Frommer's
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.6" x 4.5"

Customer Reviews

See the quirky side of Los Angeles

Whether you are visiting Los Angeles or live here, this book is filled with things to do that you never would have thought of or even knew existed. Tons of fun!

Great even for natives!

As an LA native, I must say that this book is right on the money. Although I'd have to disagree when the author refers to "the city" as consisting only of Downtown (any true native knows that "the city" is Mulholland to the 10, and Downtown to the beach!), everything else is just perfect. I learned things that even my 26 years of exploring never showed me. It's a great book for travellers, especially those who have never been and don't have friends here (it is truly difficult to navigate the SIZE of Los Angeles without a guide!) . But it's also a great book for those of us who have lived here all of our lives!

Great travel guide with attitude.

This is not your typical travel guide. In fact, it's more like a mini sociological study of LA with great tips on where to watch the natives in their local habitat. LA isn't so much a city as it is a collection of neighborhoods, and author Jeff Spurrier does a great job of describing how this all works. The book is a handy size for carrying along, so you can take advantage of the manuy great maps as you tour the area. Spurrier warns you again and again that the only way to really get around LA is by car, but he does offer alternatives for those intimidated by the freeways and/or parking dilemma. His selection of hotels and restaurants is broad - everything from Beverly Hills luxury to places with lots of attitude but not much polish. In many ways, the rest of the book is an ideal primer for anyone moving to LA or planning to spend lots of time there. Not only will you find a carefully selected list of recreational options, but you will also get helpful hints on when to go and how to get there. There is a great section on what to do - and not to do - with children, but there is no mention of Disneyland. Indicative, I think, of how this book is a true insider's guide to the city, not just a promotion for tourisim.