How to Do the LAX In-N-Out Layover
If you’ve got a lengthly layover at LAX, you should consider the In-N-Out layover. There’s an In-N-Out not too far from the airport, and you can sit outside and watch the planes pass by overhead as you enjoy your animal-style fries and burger.
While the In-N-Out is within walking distance of the airport (it takes about 25 minutes to walk from Terminal 3 to the In-N-Out, but it’s not a particularly well-marked walk), there’s a shuttle that makes the trip much shorter. The Parking Spot Sepulveda parking garage is right behind the In-N-Out, so if you take the Parking Spot shuttle to Sepulveda, you get dropped off right behind the In-N-Out. Heck, there’s even a marked door in the parking garage that says that it’s the way to In-N-Out.
So make your way out of the terminal and wait under one of the “Hotel & Courtesy Shuttles” signs (there should be one in front of every terminal), and wait for one of the spotted shuttles with a red sign saying “Sepulveda”. Do not go on one that has a blue sign that says “Century”. When you board, if the driver asks, tell them you did self parking.
Once you’re at the In-N-Out, order whatever you want. Check out their not-so-secret menu for more options.
And then go outside and enjoy the sun and plane watching. You can see some planes moving on the apron and taking off, but the real fun is the planes that are landing that fly seemingly directly overhead. There will be plenty of other airplane fanatics milling around, and I’m sure you’ll run into other points/miles enthusiasts if you’re willing to strike up a conversation.
After you’re done watching planes and stuffing your face, you can take the Parking Spot shuttle back to LAX. Or you can try to burn off some calories and walk (again, it’s about a 25-minute walk to Terminal 3–longer if you need to go to a different terminal).
For me, I’d want a layover of at least 2 hours to go to In-N-Out. Assuming I want to be back at LAX about 30 minutes before my flight, that leaves about 90 minutes to get to/from In-N-Out, order and wait for food, and enjoy the food and planes.
If you take The Parking Spot shuttle, just make sure to tip the driver. Even $1. Since you’re not paying for parking, none of your parking fees go towards the service they just provided.
Good point!
Good tip regarding shuttle. I go there a few times a year specifically for spotting and the walk usually takes me 10-15 minutes….you can stop in the employee parking lot about halfway to in-and-out and take photos from the south side of the north runway which makes for some very well lit photos especially in late morning:
http://aero-shots.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Air_China_777_B-2090_LAX.jpg
Also, walk about 1/2 mile down the PCH and stand on the mounds directly across from the runway ‘numbers’ and you’ll get beautiful flared landings with the Iconic LAX scenery behind the aircraft:
http://aero-shots.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ChinaAirlines_B747_B-18212_LAX_08072013.jpg
&
http://aero-shots.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Alaska_737_N525AS_Los_Angeles_LAX.jpg
Its one of my favorite spotting spots in the world….right behind FRA and HKG
Incredible photos!
+1 on tipping the driver at least $1.00 each way.
Did the walk one afternoon last year while staying at the FourPtsLAX. Didn’t know about the Sepulveda Parking Spot shuttle but will certainly use it next time I have a long connection at LAX. The afternoon I was there noticed a blue and white 747 on approach. At first thought it was a KLM but as it got closer (and almost directly overhead as I was still walking to the In&Out) I could see it was AirForce1! Of course for those wishing a more refined dining experience, but still with a window on the flight path, there’s the Proud Bird on the other side of the airport across the approach field from the Westin by the LAX Green Line Metrorail station.
I order animal everything and let the fart fest begin!
I spray fart after animal style so I stick to animal fries and a normal double double