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christiana wants to drink coffee at Daybreak Cafe
looking for Female
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3mos ago
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irmela wants to drink coffee at The Leaf Room
looking for Male
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3mos ago
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janinakerscher wants to drink coffee at Brew Lab
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4mos ago
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First Time Visiting the US: Is Driving from LA to Las Vegas Worth It for the Experience?

Hi everyone,

I'm an Asian tourist visiting the US for the first time, and I'm planning to travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. I've heard this drive is a classic American road trip experience, but I…
Hi everyone,

I'm an Asian tourist visiting the US for the first time, and I'm planning to travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. I've heard this drive is a classic American road trip experience, but I'm wondering if it's actually enjoyable or if I should just fly instead.

Some context: • I'll be the only driver (my travel companion doesn't drive), so I'll have to do all the driving myself. • I'd love to experience the American "road trip vibe" if it's worth it. • We're not in a huge rush, but we're not planning a lot of stops along the way either, just enjoying the scenery and maybe grabbing food somewhere.

Would you recommend driving for the experience, or is it not worth the effort (or the desert heat)? Is the scenery interesting enough, or is it mostly empty highways?

Also, we're staying near Hollywood during our time in LA. I've heard mixed opinions about safety in that area. Is it generally safe to go out at night, or should we avoid wandering around after dark? Any specific tips for tourists would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for sharing your insights!
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honestly the drive is worth it once for the novelty but i wouldnt call it scenic. the 15 freeway through the mojave is mostly desert, some wind farms, and a lot of trucks. if youre set on the road trip vibe just do it in one go, stop at the madras cafe in cajon pass for a decent greasy spoon breakfast. 5 hours with one break is fine

as for hollywood safety youll be fine around the main blvd and tourist spots until like 10 or 11pm. past that it gets sketchy with homeless camps and some aggressive panhandlers near the walk of fame. stick to ubers if youre out late, dont walk down side streets after dark. also dont leave anything visible in a rental car, break-ins are common even in daytime

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ethankim local ·

I think you should do the drive, but consider it part of the experience rather than the main attraction. The desert has its own stark beauty, especially around the Kelso Dunes area if you take the slightly longer route through Baker. Just know that cell service drops out for stretches between Barstow and Primm, so download your playlist or podcast beforehand.

For Hollywood, the block around Hollywood and Highland is fine until late, but the real issue is your rental car. Thieves specifically target rentals because they know there's luggage inside, so never leave anything visible, not even a phone charger cord hanging out. If you're walking around after dinner, stick to the main boulevard and don't cut through the residential streets to the north.

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The drive is worth doing once, but I wouldn't build it up as some epic scenic journey. It's mostly flat desert and semis, though the stretch near the California/Nevada border has some nice red rock formations. If you do drive it, leave LA by 9am to avoid the worst traffic through the Cajon Pass, and fill up gas in Barstow because prices jump significantly after that.

For Hollywood safety, the area around Hollywood Boulevard and Highland is fine through early evening. The issue is the side streets one block north or south of the main strip, where it gets dark and quiet fast. I wouldn't walk around Franklin or Selma after 10pm. Also, don't park on the street overnight if you can avoid it, the car break-ins are real, especially around the residential streets near the Hollywood Bowl.

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How can I find mobile hot dog vendors for a private event?

I'm looking to hire a small group of mobile hot dog vendors for a celebratory event in the San Gabriel Valley area within the next month. These vendors typically operate from portable carts or vehicle… I'm looking to hire a small group of mobile hot dog vendors for a celebratory event in the San Gabriel Valley area within the next month. These vendors typically operate from portable carts or vehicles at public gatherings. Does anyone have information on how to contact such vendors or recommendations for reliable services?
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honestly the SGV has a ton of licensed cart operators who mostly do private stuff now. look up "hot dog cart catering San Gabriel Valley" on Yelp and you'll get a handful that are fully permitted, which matters if your venue needs a health permit on file. expect around $400 to $700 for a few hours plus a per person minimum, usually 50 or so. the ones based in Alhambra and Rosemead tend to be cheaper than Pasadena because they're not paying that rent.

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Image irmela local ·

fwiw the county health dept keeps a public list of permitted mobile food operators, its searchable by city on the LA County Public Health site. filter for "pushcart" or "MFF" and you'll get vendors cleared for SGV zip codes, which saves you the headache of a venue asking for paperwork later. also worth checking with the Old Town Monrovia or Alhambra farmers market folks, the carts there are usually booked solid but they know who's free and they'll pass along names. just dont wait till the last week, good ones book out 2 to 3 weeks in teh summer.

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Image evchen local ·

You could try hitting up the folks who set up outside Home Depot or the DMV in El Monte on weekends, a lot of those carts are owner operated and they'll do private gigs if you ask. Just walk up and grab a card, they usually have one taped to the cart.

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