Flying to Long Beach Coin Show

COALPORTER

What airport do you use ? Do you take a taxi from the airport to the show ? Does anyone fly in private charter ?

commoncents05

I try to use Orange County if possible.

-Paul

Sunshine Rare Coins

I take the CRO jet

blu62vette

I would think Burbank is a bad idea. Long Beach would be the first choice, then LAX.

But I drive so maybe not the best person to respond.

ianrussell

A few of my clients fly to Orange County (more flight options compared to Long Beach) and it's usually a quick and easy drive up the 405.

LAX can sometimes be a mess to get to/from.

- Ian

ianrussell

And Ontario is a really bad idea. We drove there from LAX two weeks ago after flying back from Orlando. It's about 60 miles. The only saving grace was In & Out.

- Ian

mustanggt

All depends on what the options are from your city of departure. Ian is the voice of experience.

TopographicOceans

John Wayne Airport (Orange County) is easier to get in and out of than LAX and is just as close.

But if you fly into LAX you can stop at Pioneer Chicken in Bell Gardens or Mid-Wilshire on the way to Long Beach.

These are the last two of the chain that went out of business in the 1990's.

Elcontador

Compare flight times, what works for you, etc., and check prices. I'd rule out anything other than LAX, Long Beach, or OC.
FWIW, if you are not bring a bunch of expensive coins with you, from LAX, it's easy to hook up with the Metrorail @ Aviation and Imperial. Figure not quite an hour there and back, plus shuttle time from LAX to and from the train stop. No rental car, no parking, no hassles on the 405 and a possible "interesting multicultural experience." Set you back $5 or $6.

messydesk

Usually LAX. More non-stop flight options. It's also a little closer than Orange County, but the in/out time makes up for it.

ianrussell

Wait - are we going to start making restaurant recommendations based on airport locations?????? Okay, I'll make mine.

Jay Bee's in Compton - really amazing BBQ. It's about 10 minutes south of LAX on the way to Long Beach. Not the safest area. But the food makes up for it. It's the only BBQ restaurant I've been to that you have to order through bullet-proof glass. As a result, outdoor seating only.

Broddard's in Fountain Valley (easy 15 minutes from Orange County airport, kind-of on the way to Long Beach). This place is worth driving to from the Long Beach show. Vietnamese food, authentic. Coin dealers have been known to make the drive.

Sushi on Fire in Belmont Shores (Long Beach). Really good food in a lovely part of Long Beach called Belmont Shores. You'll likely see some coin dealers at this restaurant. It's about 10 minutes down the coast from the show.

- Ian

WTCG

LGB is by the the closest airport but commercial airline operation slots are severely restricted thanks to the local community. If your airline of choice doesn't fly to LGB now chances are they won't in the future either.

SNA and LAX are about equal distance to Long Beach. LAX has a lot more flights but SNA is a better facility that is more convenient and easier to use. The traffic going from SNA to Long Beach is easier to cope with than from LAX to Long Beach.

BUR and ONT are too far from Long Beach. The drive from BUR passes through some sightseeing areas but is always congested. The drive from ONT ranges from uninteresting to butt ugly.

WTCG

Ian in Compton...now that's worthy of a reality show.

Swampboy

<< <i>Ian in Compton...now that's worthy of a reality show. >>



He had me at bullet proof glass.
My kinda joint.

WTCG

<< <i>

<< <i>Ian in Compton...now that's worthy of a reality show. >>



He had me at bullet proof glass.
My kinda joint.
>>



First time I had ever seen a bulletproof restaurant was when I was about 12 my dad and I went to a Taco Bell in Oakland. Now that place was secure. The windows were bulletproof and the kitchen and employee area was completely secure from the seating area. Your food was handed through one of those two-way enclosed chambers where only one end could be opened at a time. You had to be buzzed in through the front door, a first for a fast food joint. Banks had nothing on that place. Since then I've seen a few more bulletproof restaurants Ian described.

Cameonut

I must be living a sheltered life - I have never seen nor eaten at a bulletproof restaurant in my 60 years. Closest I can come is a bullet proof hardware store.

And I'll fly to Orange County - been there many times - and time my flight around the inevitable traffic jams.

CoinJunkie

<< <i>I would think Burbank is a bad idea. >>


It's not optimal, but it's not horrible, either. It's a straight shot down 5 to the 710, which
moves pretty well as long as you're not in the middle of rush hour traffic. The airport
itself is a breeze to get in and out of, and I have a friend nearby there who often goes to
the shows with me.

I think flights to/from Burbank can be cheaper (and perhaps less crowded) than LAX,
in particular.

COALPORTER

I wish more airports were like Burbank. you Land - walk 200 ft to the rental car place and drive 200 ft to the
nearest exit and you're on town streets already.

I understand the limitations of the Long Beach Airport. I look up the cost once and it was several times more than going to LAX


Do any "whales" come in on private jets.

There is another airport in Van Ness that serves mainly private jets...and you should get a load of some of them.

I

CoinJunkie

<< <i>There is another airport in Van Ness that serves mainly private jets...and you should get a load of some of them. >>


Van Nuys. At one time (1970s), that was the busiest airport in the world. Not sure if it still
holds that distinction.

WTCG

Van Nuys is the busiest general aviation airport in the world. Its main runway is 1200+ feet longer than BUR's longest runway. Van Nuys is safer as well. Unlike Burbank it doesn't have rising terrain in 3 of 4 quadrants immediately outside of the airfield area. Another peculiarity of BUR is there is no separation between the terminal ramp area of the A gates and runway 8-26. One plane with a blown tire on the starboard side on landing can easily result in a collision with several gate parked aircraft. But on the other hand you get to deplane via air stairs which in good weather is always cool.

BUR just opened a new consolidated rental car center which is in a parking garage at the corner of Hollywood Way and Empire Ave. near the Metrolink station. It's in a covered garage but it's a 10 minute walk from the terminal area.

BryceM

I've flown there via John Wayne and Long Beach. I avoid LAX at all costs.

Long Beach is 100% the best option if airfare is similar and you can get there from where you're starting. I usually just grab a cab and have it drop me off at my hotel a short walk from the convention center. Easy, easy, easy.

I'm lucky though. There are two direct flights a day from my airport to Long Beach and it's usually the cheapest route too.

ranshdow

What's the best way to get from John Wayne Airport to Long Beach convention center?