I will be stuck in transit at LAX for about 8 hours (realistically, I guess that means 4-5 hours). I have heard that you can get to Venice Beach easily and quickly, also nearby malls. Anybody done that? How practical, realistic is it to try to get out of the airport? Also - any good bookstores nearby I could visit? Or hotels that have day spa-like places?

the place is chaotic and its huge to navigate so you may not want to venture too far outside the airport
have the usual restaruants and bookshops, but not sure about the spa
i'm asian and been there a couple of times, the last about a year ago
you may want to check out http://www.WhoIsInTown.com
travel site, and they have a large community of friendly americans that should be able to give you the latest

good luck

kiatchan

I agree that LAX can be busy and packed. I would suggest bringing a good book and headphones. If you try and venture out, there is always the risk that you won't make it back to your flight in time. Especially with LA traffic!

www.yourlifepassion.com

There's no way to get to the beach and back unless you have friends in the area that can pick you up. Redondo Beach is nice, and about 20 min away, but again, how will you get there and back? I don't recommend public transportation in LA, and a cab will cost a fortune.

There's plenty to do in LAX. It's like a city within the city. You might want to check out the Encounter. It's a cool place to hang out and people watch. It's got a funky Jetson's theme, and a panoramic view.

http://www.encounterrestaurant.com/encounter_cocktails.html

"Wander where there is no path"