Experience L.A without ever leaving the airport

With LAX the gateway to the Americas for many Australians, it’s quite possible that when you touch down in the ‘City of Angels’, you may not get the chance to leave the newly refurbished airport.

Fortunately, the airport, fresh from its US$8.5 billion facelift, offers plenty of ways for those on a stopover to get a real taste of Los Angeles without ever having to step outside its cutting edge terminals.

For a dose of travel envy, check out the latest developments at LAX here:

Here are four ways to get your L.A. fix from the comfort of LAX:

Fight those hunger pangs L.A. style

To truly reflect Los Angeles and the best in Californian produce and cuisine, LAX and retail partner Westfield has chosen to avoid cliché fast food chains.

Instead, they have hand selected a range of dining experiences to tempt the tastebuds of any traveller, no matter if they’re in a mood for a Umami burger, or would prefer to indulge in a decadent Vanilla Bake Shop cupcake.

Craig Gibbons, the Regional Director Australia & New Zealand for Discover Los Angeles, said that the airport has created a “culinary collection of local favourites and global flavours”.

A star of LAX’s dining experience is the rotating Gourmet Street Truck in Terminal 4, paying homage to the city where the global trend was born. Previously hosting legendary Roy Choi’s Kogi truck, which served up his famous Korean short-rib tacos, the pop-up remains to celebrate and showcase the best of L.A.’s diverse culinary scene.

Right now, L.A. favourite Border Grill has taken over the honours and is feeding the crowds at LAX. Travellers can treat themselves to gourmet tacos, quesadillas and more, courtesy of local chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.

Chow down on Green Corn Tamales at Border Grill.
Credit: Westfield

LAX also brings the clean eating trend of L.A.’s beautiful people to travellers with healthy dining hotspots such as Real Food Daily in Terminal 4 and Lemonade in Terminal 5.

Of course, indulgence is another feature of the local dining scene and one you can certainly enjoy at LAX. Opt for a juicy steak dinner at Three Forks or go luxe with caviar and champagne at Petrossian. Head over to Rock & Brews to wrap up your meal with a local craft beer.

Soak up the L.A. art scene

As part of its expansion and renovation, LAX has transformed many of its public areas into art spaces featuring exhibitions and installations that bring the dynamic, vibrant L.A. arts scene to life.

Many of the featured artists are L.A. locals, including Mark Bradford, Pae White and Ball-Nogues Studio. Funds for the commissions come from the airport, which participates in the city’s “1% for arts” program, under which developers pay an amount equal to 1% of the construction value, with the money going to public art.

The Ball-Nogues Studio created a multicolour installation, titled “Air Garden,” located in the terminal’s “Great Hall”. The curtain-like suspension is made of approximately 90 miles of metallic chain, but the piece has a light, airy vibe designed to offer a reprieve to weary travellers as they move through the building.

Relax under the Air Garden by Ball-Nogues Studio. Photo Credit: PanicStudio L.A.

Admire Bradford’s Bell Tower in the departure Hall. Credit: PanicStudio L.A.

There is also Bradford’s “Bell Tower” installation that is located on the mezzanine level of the terminal’s Departures Hall. The “Bell Tower” is made from 712 panels of salvaged plywood and posters collected from construction sites throughout L.A. The impressive work is suspended from a skylight above the TSA security screening area, so both ticketed passengers and the general public can enjoy the creation.

Load up with some quintessentially L.A. items

Explore L.A. icon, Fred Segal. Credit: Westfield

LAX offers travellers a truly L.A. shopping experience, featuring local and global names that will tempt even the most brand-loving jet setters.

Few stores ooze that L.A. vibe to quite the same extent as Fred Segal. This L.A. icon founded his own denim boutique in West Hollywood on the corner of Crescent Heights and Santa Monica Boulevard long before the area became trendy.

In his latest collection, he pays homage to his hometown, L.A.

“We want to celebrate what makes this city one that people dream about, and where history is made,” Segal said of the new range.

Now you can find his laid back style among the numerous boutiques of LAX. The Fred Segal stores are the ideal place to indulge any retail cravings with an authentic L.A. twist.

For all the foodies out there, you can get your dose of L.A. shopping by heading to the Farmers Market in Terminal 5. The Farmers Market is the perfect pitstop for those looking for quintessential L.A. souvenirs, with locally produced treats such as Sriracha-spike powders and Compartes chocolates.

Indulge in some Hollywood pampering

What better way to pass the time between flights than to enjoy some R&R time at a spa? Indulge in a truly luxurious L.A. experience and be pampered like a Hollywood star.

Ladies, if you want to make sure you’re beach ready, head to XpresSpa at Terminal 5 and Tom Bradley International Terminal and try a local treatment such as a Hollywood wax. If you’re not as daring, treat yourself to a pedicure or massage and let your therapist ease those travelling aches and pains.

This popular L.A. beauty destination will also be coming to Terminal 6 soon.

Have 30 minutes to spare? Touch up your manicure at XpresSpa. Credit: LAWA

Find out more by checking out the LAXisHappening.com website.

Main image: South Concourse, LAX. Credit: LAWA

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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