"SubiSanchez" (sanchez20)
12/03/2013 at 14:25 • Filed to: LBGP
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"SubiSanchez" (sanchez20)
12/03/2013 at 14:25 • Filed to: LBGP | 0
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So I've made an executive decision to attend the 2014 Long Beach Grand Prix to check out the IndyCars and USCR this coming 2014. Now last time I went to the grand prix I was about 6 years old and getting around on my dad's shoulders so I don't remember squat about getting to the event but I sure remember those lovely turbo Champ Car howls and thundering Trans Am cars. I'm really excited to be back after 18 years but would like some suggestions on trip planning. Hotels in the area? Best airport to fly into? Transport options to get around? Don't think I'll be renting a car so I'll probably rely on public transit to get around. Last time I lived in the LA area though I was about 8 years old so I have no idea as far as getting around goes. So any suggestions or tips Opponauts? Any Jalops meeting up for this event? Thanks in advance!
For Sweden
> SubiSanchez
12/03/2013 at 14:34 |
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Hotels: Long Beach hotel prices will be blown up. Stay in downtown Los Angeles and take the Metro to Long Beach. You can get great deals on downtown Los Angeles hotels using Priceline.
Best Airport: LAX. Long Beach if you somehow get a hotel in Long Beach.
Transport: If you're staying in Long Beach or downtown Los Angeles and will only go to the race, you don't need a rental car. If you want to go elsewhere in the metro area, get a rental car. Priceline always sells them for cheap.
Seating: Spend your money here. The traditional option is the reserved seating on the curved front straight; this option blows. You can't see the entry or exit corners. If you like early mornings, there is a general admission grandstand at turn one, but someone will have to save your seats from when the gates open until the end of the race.
Squid
> SubiSanchez
12/03/2013 at 18:31 |
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It will most likely be cheapest to fly into Long Beach depending on where you are comming from. Look at Jet Blue for prices as they are a main airline out of Long Beach. It is also easier to check in and get through security at Long Beach Airport rather than attempt the hell hole that is LAX.
Hotels I got nothing. You might get lucky and find a hotel in long beach but look to Huntington Beach as well it is just a short jaunt down the 405 or PCH.
Public transportation is abysmal in southern California. Best thing is to rent a car and suck up the parking fees at the race if you don't get a hotel in Long Beach. If you don't want to rent YOU NEED to find a hotel in downtown Long Beach as there are no quick and reliable ways to get into Long Beach from either LA or OC. But definitely fly into long beach as a cab will be cheaper from there and so will your flight. Just look up places around the convention center, they may even have a free airport shuttle that you could take advantage of. You should start making reservations for your hotel now just so you can get a room near where the circuit is set up.
It has been a long time since I've been to the race but I do know it is kind of a pain to get around in that city. Just plan well in advance and what ever you do don't fly into LAX, if LGB is not available look into flying into SNA as it just flat out sucks flying into or out of LAX.
jgreen11
> SubiSanchez
12/04/2013 at 09:50 |
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Bring lots of water. You don't want to be paying 3 or 4 bucks for a small bottle of water a couple of times throughout the day. If possible, pack a cold meat sandwich and a small snack. This will help keep you from spending a great deal of money throughout the day on meals. Buy a paddock pass/pit pass if available. It is a great deal of fun to walk through the paddock and rub elbows with drivers, mechanics, and team members. I can't comment on too much on any of the other stuff, but having been to 3 Indy races in the past 4 years (2 at Mid - Ohio where we camp next to the track, and 1 at Belle Isle in Detroit), this is basically what my friends and I have learned. And lastly, don't be a douche bag. Be friendly with other people there, and especially friendly with the grid girls/promo girls (but not creepy friendly), if you do this last one right you can walk away with some good memories, bags full of "swag", and the off chance you are as lucky as we were, a free grid walk before the race started.
So good luck and enjoy the race.