Where to stay in LA?

[cwtkm3]

Have successfully managed a direct swap for my two Spanish weeks next summer for Newport Coast Villas.

We're flying into LAX on the Friday afternoon and don't check-in to NCV until the Sunday so I need somewhere to stay for 2 nights. There'll be 5 of us - husband, me and 3 teens.

Husband wants somewhere cheap!! I thought perhaps the Springhill Suites at Manhattan Beach but have absolutely no idea about this location. Also I guess we'd like to take the opportunity to see Downtown LA.

Any ideas/tips gratefully received.

 

[Bill4728]

Since NCV is in the south part of the LA area and traffic thru LA can be a nightmare, IMHO, I stay the first 2 nights north of LA.

You could try the area by Six flags and visit that theme park. ( it well north of the city and lodging would be cheap)

Or you could try around Universal. It just north of the city and would be a must do for any family visiting the LA area. But lodging would be alot more. There is both a Hilton and Sheraton right at the park, lots to do and there is also the Universal City walk which is one of my familly's favorite places in LA. Plus you'd be close to Griffith Park or the Getty museum ( both are must sees in LA) All three places ( universal, Griffith park & Getty) could be done on day trips from NCV but beware traffic can be really bad. If you plan any of these from NCV, go north after 9:30 and plan to stay till at least 9:00 before returning south to NCV.

Have a great time.

 

[Big Matt]

I stayed three nights in a good residence inn right up the block from Disneyland. There was a lot to do and you are pretty close to some other things in Orange County and 25 minutes to NCV.

Depending on when you land on Friday, you may be able to avoid rush hour. Another thought would be to go south past NCV and stay in Oceanside or Carlsbad. San Diego is probably about 1:45 to San Diego without traffic. There's a good RI there also, and one near Sea World.

 

[CATBinCO]

Having been born and raised in the Los Angeles area, I can comfortably say that you will not be missing much if you skip the downtown LA area....

Since you have 3 teens, I would recommend spending two nights in a relatively cheap motel/hotel near Disneyland or Knotts Berry Farm. In that area of Anaheim you have Disneyland (mega expensive for 5), Knotts Berry Farm (also a theme park, but much more reasonably priced and less "kiddy" than Disneyland) and Medieval Times, which is a dinner/show with knights on jousts. In this same area is Downtown Disney which is an open air complex with shops, restaurants, etc. And the best thing is that you're only 30 mins. away from NCV. We stayed at NCV just a couple months ago and loved it.

Another poster mentioned San Diego - also doable for a two nights, as a "taste". It really depends on what you want to do for two nights and how much you want to spend.

Another idea would be to stay somewhere near Universal Studios in N. Hollywood. You could do Universal Studios one day, City Walk the next day, catch a movie there. However you'd be a good hour from NCV and much closer to the nasty downtown LA traffic. Doing all the Disneyland/Knotts/Orange County stuff keeps you closer to NCV.

 

[cp73]

I have lived here all my life also. Nothing in downtown LA to see. Drive through it on your way to NCV and that will be enough.

However I also think (agree) you might want to spend a night in the N Hollywood, Westwood area. You could do Hollywood, Universal Studios, City Walk, drive through Beverly Hills, see Movie Stars homes (pick what appeals to you). Then on Sunday head down to NCV. From NCV you can easily do Disneyland and or Knotts.

 

[mamadot]

I kind of agree with Chris. You will want to see Hollywood, buy a map of the stars homes and do that. We had a blast doing it with our 2 teen girls. They will want to see Beverly Hills, etc. I don't think there are too many hotels the size you need in the area which is why I think the SpringHill idea is good. I love that area of LA. Manhattan Beach is really fun to do. It is close to LAX and after a long trip getting in on a Friday afternoon it is sooooo close to the airport you would not have to fight the traffic that day.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[gregloucks]

There is a great Residence Inn in Manhattan Beach that has two bedroom units, so between the two bedrooms and the sofa bed in the LR you could sleep all five for the price of one room -probably aroound $200/night including the typical RI breakfast. It's in the nicer residential part of Manhattan Beach. Stay away from the Springhill Suites - it's on the border of Manhattan Beach and not in a great area.

From Manhattan Beach you are 45 mins or so to the great attractions that everyone is telling you to see - both the stuff to the north as well as the south. So you can get to Disneyland/Knotts, Six Flags, Hollywood, Venice Beach, the Getty etc. all with 45 mins or less (barring LA traffic, of course). I think this central location would be good for touring, plus Manhattan Beach is a safe, clean town.

If you choose this option, call and request a room at the back of the property (which is easy to get) - it's very quiet back there.

 

[Lawlar]

Disneyland

I suggest, if you are going to visit Disneyland, that you stay at the Fairfield Inn Anaheim Disneyland Resort (a Marriott property). You can usually get good deals at that location.

The big advantage is that the hotel is across the street from Disneyland. So you can walk to the park, maybe go back to the hotel for a rest, and then return to the park. Parking at the hotel is free. It is next to a number of family restaurants (IHOP, etc.). It also has a pool and jacuzzi. This will save you a long drive, and the parking hassle, if you go to the park from NCV.

If you decide to go south instead, I've stayed at the Irvine Marriott on many occasions. It is right on the 405 Freeway, near the John Wayne Airport, and is adjacent to Newport. It is a short drive from there to NCV (and a short straight shot to Balboa Island and the shopping centers). A really nice pool and jacuzzi. Full restaurant.

 

[mamadot]

I forgot to add that Newport Coast Villas is only about 30 mins. to Disney and Knotts. I would do those when at the Newport property.

 

[Latravel]

I agree with Chris. When people come to visit, I always take them to Universal City, Beverly Hills and the Santa Monica area. There really isn't anything to see in downtown. There is a Univeral Sheraton and Hilton that should be pretty affordable in Universal City. Universal City Walk is there and it's a nice place to walk around at night.

Manhattan Beach is a very nice beach area. It's not very far from Santa Monica but you would have to drive at least 1/2 hour to other areas. Disneyland would be an option but you are about 50min away from the tourist areas of Los Angeles.

 

[sk330]

I live in LA (Westwood) on western border of Beverly Hills.
Manhatten Beach is generally a quite nice area, I don't know the specific location of the hotel you mention but it should be fine.
Your plans here should depend on what you want to see. If your kids would like amusement parks, there is a lot of inexpensive lodging in Anaheim and you can go to Disneyland and Knotts, see Newport Beach for boogy boarding/bodysurfing, and perhaps even take the ferry to Catalina.
If you'd prefer non-amusement park sights, you could stay in West LA or Santa Monica and see places like Venice Beach, Graumans Chinese theater, Beverly Hills/Rodeo drive, Universal studios, Getty Center, star tours, La Brea tar pits, etc. Downtown, the new Disney Concert Hall is probably the only thing worth seeing and probably can be skipped, I wouldn't stay downtown. There's a Travelodge on Santa Monica Blvd and a Stars Motel near Century City or I think a Comfort Inn on Santa Monica in the city of Santa Monica which is where we used to have relatives stay. Another convenient location would be near the Beverly Center in LA just south of West Hollywood.

 

[KforKitty]

I think one of the beach communites would be the best bet. We did this in 2006 after the 11 hour flight from Heathrow you really don't want a long drive and LAX is not far from the coast. We stayed in Redondo Beach in 2006. We're planning another visit in 2010 and will probably spend a couple of nights again in one of the beach areas.

Regards

Kitty

 

[cwtkm3]

Thanks so much everyone!

Think we'll stay at the Residence Inn in Burbank as close to Universal and we def want to go there.

We won't be visiting Disneyland as been to the one in Florida and Paris a few times.

Anyone been to the Burbank Residence Inn? Or would we be better off sticking to plan A and stay at Manhattan Beach after all?

KforKitty - I know what you mean about driving after an 11 hour flight. Last time we flew to San Diego and then went by bus to collect out hire car from Alamo I think. The queues were massive - we waited in line over an hour and a half. And then we drove to Palm Desert (Desert Spring Villas 1)

Needless to say my husband was not happy. I'd arranged it all and didn't appreciate what I was putting us all through! So I know we won't be driving too far this time!

 

[Big Matt]

I just stayed in this RI in July. The property is very, very nice and brand new. Much nicer than most RIs. I was there for one night on my way back east. We flew home out of Burbank airport. Now having said that...there isn't a lot to do there unless you want to tour the studios. There is a decent downtown and a big indoor mall, but I wouldn't say you could walk to a lot more. It isn't far from Universal. You will have a lot of traffic getting from LAX to the hotel depending on what time you arrive. The drive from the RI to NCV is about 50 minutes with normal traffic.

Thanks so much everyone!

Think we'll stay at the Residence Inn in Burbank as close to Universal and we def want to go there.

We won't be visiting Disneyland as been to the one in Florida and Paris a few times.

Anyone been to the Burbank Residence Inn? Or would we be better off sticking to plan A and stay at Manhattan Beach after all?

KforKitty - I know what you mean about driving after an 11 hour flight. Last time we flew to San Diego and then went by bus to collect out hire car from Alamo I think. The queues were massive - we waited in line over an hour and a half. And then we drove to Palm Desert (Desert Spring Villas 1)

Needless to say my husband was not happy. I'd arranged it all and didn't appreciate what I was putting us all through! So I know we won't be driving too far this time!

 

[cwtkm3]

Thanks Big Matt! We arrive at LAX at 3.15pm so will check-in to the Residence Inn, find somewhere to eat, sleep lots and then head out for a full day at Universal or vincinity on the Sat. Can check-out at 12.00 and slowly head down to NCV.

Haven't told hubbie I've booked this yet and think he'll think it's too expensive at $299 per night but it will sleep all 5 of us comfortably and feed us breakfast!

However, the Manhattan Beach RI is cheaper but not much so I'm not so sure as to what to do.

 

[gores95]

I spent one full day in LA earlier in the year and used Fodors.com and received some great suggestions for a quick trip. Search under the California tab and "Los Angeles one day": http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

Also the Warner Brothers VIP tour is a must-do in Burbank and I booked ahead online: http://www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour/

 

[Latravel]

That hotel is close to the Burbank Village which is an area with lots of restaurants, anything you could want. If you like sushi, Kabuki is very good. I saw Jay Leno from the Tonight Show at Market City Cafe (Italian). You will be very close to the studios but there is nothing much as far as sight seeing. The location is close to Universal City and just over the hill from Beverly Hills. It's safe to walk at night. You might get caught on one of Jay Leno's skits he does for his show since it's taped very close by. Have a great time!