I am going to LA for my spring break to look at colleges, but I thought I might as well fit some time in between campus tours for some spotting action   . I already know of the In-N-Out and the park right across the street. But I was wondering if anyone had any input as to which hotel along Sentry Blvd. is the best for spotting, and also to stay in. So far it seems like the two best ones are the Raddison, and the Embassy Suites.

Colin

The Embassy Suites was awesome when I stayed there. Spent half the night watching heavies take off for Asia. The Crown Plaza, I was on the wrong side to see the action.

I prefer Imperial Hill to the In and Out as a good place for spotting, but to each his own.

I also enjoyed spotting from the state beach that is at the end of the runways, although you can't see the planes until they are almost right overhead. It also costs $7 to get in, but it's worth it IMO.

Don't care much for LA in general but I *heart* LAX.

Was your room at the Embassy on the north side?
I actually might go try the beach if I have the time. Do you know what the traffic pattern is like?

Quoting brons2 (Reply 1): Don't care much for LA in general but I *heart* LAX.

Could'nt put it better myself  

Thanks,
Colin

Colin what dates you going to be at LAX?

Quoting cprenger7 (Thread starter): I am going to LA for my spring break to look at colleges

Are you looking at USC?  

Quoting cprenger7 (Thread starter): Sentry Blvd.

Just for your reference, it's Century Blvd.

Quoting cprenger7 (Reply 2): I actually might go try the beach if I have the time. Do you know what the traffic pattern is like?

The vast majority of the time, they take off and land to the west. So you can see aircraft taking off from Dockweiler Beach (the aforementioned state beach), but they're often already several hundred feet off the ground. And if it happens to be foggy, you may be out of luck there.

The In'n'Out is great for getting up close to the action on the north side, as the landing aircraft go probably 100 feet over your head.

Imperial Hill is good for takeoffs from the south side. But it's not particularly close to the action, so if you're planning on taking photos, you'll need a zoom lens.

Quoting brons2 (Reply 1): It also costs $7 to get in, but it's worth it IMO.

To the beach? I've never had to pay - you can park for free along the street (on Vista Del Mar). Go all the way to the end of Imperial Highway, and make a right.

Worth noting that you should probably head to the north side when at the beach. The takeoffs should be lower, as those runways end significantly closer to the beach than the south side runways.

In my opinion the Radisson is terrible. I would stay away from it. If you are renting a car, I would highly recommend the DoubleTree in El Segundo. Just a short drive down Sepulvada on Grand Avenue, about a 5 minute drive to LAX. Lots of things around there too. Grocery stores, restaurants and so on. Something you will not find on Century. I have stayed there several times and always have been happy. Check out the reviews, it is very highly rated.

Andrew

Great! Thanks to all for the information, it tremendously helps!  

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 4): Are you looking at USC?

Yes, as a matter of fact I am  

Also one more quick question. I notice on pics on a.net it seems the a/c are quite low (and not mention really big). I have a 18-55 Nikkor lens and a 55-200 mm. Will the 18-55mm be wide enough to handle the large a/c landing while at Imperial Hill?

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 4): so if you're planning on taking photos, you'll need a zoom lens.

How much of a zoom are we talking here?

Quoting brons2 (Reply 1): The Crown Plaza, I was on the wrong side to see the action.

The Crowne Plaza isn't bad, but get a room high up, and there is another building in the way so not good for photos.

Quoting cprenger7 (Reply 6): Also one more quick question. I notice on pics on a.net it seems the a/c are quite low (and not mention really big). I have a 18-55 Nikkor lens and a 55-200 mm. Will the 18-55mm be wide enough to handle the large a/c landing while at Imperial Hill?

Imperial Hill is actually about a quarter-mile south of the runways.

The closeup photos from the In'n'Out are actually closeup  

Quoting cprenger7 (Reply 6): How much of a zoom are we talking here?

Dunno, to be honest. A more experienced photographer can answer that one  

Quoting cprenger7 (Reply 6): How much of a zoom are we talking here?

I'd say a 200mm is not really sufficient, 300mm (+cropfactor) is good enough.

Quoting JRadier (Reply 9): I'd say a 200mm is not really sufficient, 300mm ( cropfactor) is good enough

200 is fine for the heavies. I do most of my shooting from the hill with my 200.

View Large View Medium

Photo © Nicholas Vollaro

Quoting NIKV69 (Reply 10): 200 is fine for the heavies. I do most of my shooting from the hill with my 200

Ok thanks, that really helps. And Nick, where is that shot taken from?

That shot is taken from Imperial Hill

Quoting cprenger7 (Reply 11): Ok thanks, that really helps. And Nick, where is that shot taken from?

Quoting NIKV69 (Reply 12): That shot is taken from Imperial Hill

If you're not sure exactly where that is, here you go:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...412&spn=0.001763,0.002063&t=h&z=19

There's a flagpole and some benches (I think) at the top. And usually people spotting and/or photographing.

Quoting NIKV69 (Reply 12): That shot is taken from Imperial Hil

Ohhhhh, I got it now. I was a bit confused but now I'm not! lol

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 13): If you're not sure exactly where that is, here you go

Thanks! That sure made it a whole bunch easier for me  

I've stayed at the Embassy Suites off Century Blvd (there's another Embassy on Imperial but I've never been there...doubt it has any view). For good photos, you need to be high up over the outside power lines...the hotel is only eight or nine stories tall. I've had rooms on both north and east side. East has some buildings partly in the view, but you can get good shots of the planes at an angle. North rooms are more side-on shots. I guess depends on which way the small balcony faces. Yes, the sliding door opens onto a very small balcony, so no window in the way. The hotel overlooks the Budget Car Rental and Burger King lots.

The Radisson has or had a rooftop bar but I haven't kept up on whether it's still open or not. It had an outside deck that had good views in either direction.

Quoting cschleic (Reply 15): (there's another Embassy on Imperial but I've never been there...doubt it has any view

A few rooms (5th floor front) do have views and very small balconies, but you're right that the vast majority of ES South rooms are useles. Its one advantage is that it's within walking distance of Imperial Hill.