Anyone really familiar with LAX?

We are going away next week and meeting up with my mom and stepdad at the airport. Our flight gets in two hours before their's, and we initially planned on hitching a ride with them to our final destination-- about an hour or so away-- then flights changed, and now we have to sit around and wait a while.

We are thinking its best to rent a car, so we don't have to sit around and wait for them. We will have ALL our luggage, carry on and checked, and we won't be able to go through to security again to get into the airport lounge or the other restaurants.

The cost of a car is about $150 for the week. If we didn't rent a car, we'd still have access to another car for me and DH to use, but we won't be able to get it til the next day.

Is there stuff around the baggage claim area-- or will it be real sh!tty two hours in the bowels of the airport?

Re: Anyone really familiar with LAX?

I would just rent the car. I would hate to have to wait around. And 150 bucks is not bad at all.

Re: Anyone really familiar with LAX?

yeah-- we are leaning toward that. But, if there are enough areas to chill comfortably, get something to eat-- it's a waste of $150 for the week.

Originally we were getting in an hour apart so it would be over before we knew it. Now, it's just too long after a coast to coast flight-- with more driving once we get there.

Re: Anyone really familiar with LAX?

if you really prefer to stay within the airport, there are a few places where you can eat without having to go through security. There are also hotel shuttles (about only 10 minutes from the airport) that you can take and eat there (although I know you'll have all your luggage, so who wants that). There are also more restaurants choices if you go over to the international terminal.

I hope that helps.

I haven't been in lax in over 2 years. so I'm afraid of rattling off names in case those places are no longer there!

Re: Anyone really familiar with LAX?

Can you get a one-way car rental? Enterprise has a ton of locations in socal.

I don't recall many restraunts before security. DH and I tried to go to the restaurant in the old air traffic control tower, but it wasn't open and we wandered around the outside of it.
Here's a link -- you may want to call first! LAX