Friday Evening Plans in LA in May'25

Question

Hi All,

Is this doable?

5:15pm : Arrival in LAX (from YYC Calgary)

6:30pm : Car Hire at Hertz

7:00pm : Check-In Hotel at Marina del Rey

8:00pm : Dinner at Santa Monica

I am deciding whether to have dinner at Santa Monica, The Grove, or along Abbot Kinney.

However, I am leaning towards Santa Monica as there will be more shops to browse.

Thanks for any advice.

Answer

Your planned Friday evening in LA is technically doable, but it will be a bit tight, especially considering traffic, luggage pickup, and getting your rental car. LAX traffic in May, even around 5-7 pm, can be heavy, so allow for possible delays. Here’s a breakdown of your plan:

5:15pm: Arrival at LAX – Depending on the arrival gate and customs/immigration process, you may need 30-60 minutes to get to baggage claim.
6:30pm: Car hire at Hertz – If your flight is on time and baggage claim goes smoothly, this is achievable, but it leaves little margin for delays. Sometimes long lines at car rental counters can add 15-30 minutes.
7:00pm: Hotel check-in at Marina del Rey – It’s about a 20-30 minute drive from LAX to Marina del Rey without heavy traffic. With Friday evening traffic, allow at least 35-45 minutes.
8:00pm: Dinner at Santa Monica – Santa Monica is only 5-10 minutes from Marina del Rey, but by 8pm, the best restaurants may have limited seating or require reservations.

Suggestions:

Consider making a dinner reservation in advance, particularly for a popular spot in Santa Monica.
If traffic or flight delays occur, you may have to adjust dinner time slightly later or choose a restaurant closer to Marina del Rey.
The Grove is further inland (West Hollywood area), which would be a longer drive in Friday evening traffic—probably not ideal for a first night after flying.
Abbot Kinney in Venice is trendy and walkable from Santa Monica, but slightly further south. Could be considered if you want a more hip, local vibe.

Overall, Santa Monica is a solid choice for your first evening: it’s close to your hotel, offers many dining options, and has shops you can browse if time allows. Just keep your schedule flexible and have a backup plan in case of delays.