A couple of days in the Los Angeles Area in January

Hi, lunabug:

Can you give us some idea of your interests - museums, fine dining, dancing, theater?

Also what is your budget for the hotel? This might help with the hotel recommendations.

If you are thinking of staying in West Hollywood, I can recommend the Parc Suites Hotel. Walkable to a million places but set on a lovely residential street! DH and his fiancee just moved to WeHo in June and it is a great neighborhood. Lots of people out all the time and as stated above, a walkable area, which is a big plus in LA.

Both SM and BH have distinct different advantages. I do not have hotels that I know there, as when we stayed in that area long-term, we did a VRBO rental.

I mean DS!!! I have to quit using internet abbreviations if I cannot get them straight!

The Getty Museum is an excellent destination for a half to a full day. You cannot do it all in a day, so catch some highlights, have lunch, enjoy the beautiful scenery. No admission, $15 parking.

If you have not been to San Diego Zoo, you might consider visiting from the Anaheim hotel prior to moving north.

The beach communities have an excellent path for a walk or a hike. Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo have nice shopping and restaurants.

Balboa Island is a short ride from Anaheim for a walk around the island, lunch and shopping.

Two of the major shopping destinations: Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza are nearby Anaheim for those looking for activity while you are businessing.

Comedy & Magic club at Hermosa always has a good show. Consider the Magic Castle in Hollywood if you stay up that way for show and dinner.

In the past, one had to be invited before being able to get into the Magic Castle. Is this still the case?

luna are you flying in and out of SNA or LAX?

You might consider staying in Laguna Beach - it is a great little town... I have no idea what your budget is but you can get some decent rates at the Surf & Sand at times midweek in Jan.

Will you have a car? Los Angeles is one of those cities where things can be quite far apart from each other and traffic can be very troublesome. With just 2 or 3 days, you really need to decide exactly what you want to see and do and then choose a hotel. Everything in West Hollywood is fine and safe, but Gordon Ramsay is no longer associated with that restaurant...there was some kind of falling out and I believe it retains his name but that's about all. If dining, sightseeing is your main plan, WeHo is great...but not very good if you plan on visiting the beaches and don't have a car. Or even with a car, once you get out to the beach you'll probably want to stay there for dinner and wait out the evening traffic, it's not advisable to plan a dinner that is miles away from your daily itinerary. Everything looks close-by on a map but it's an hour or more in traffic, especially near dinner time!

I agree that we need to know your interests before recommending an area for lodging.

RE: Magic Castle. I believe you still need to be a member or guest of a member to attend unless you are staying at the Magic Castle Hotel.

<<<I mean DS!!! I have to quit using internet abbreviations if I cannot get them straight! >>>

This is very funny - my first reaction to the original post was, "wow, her husband has a fiance. That's very forgiving of her"

From Alberta? How about a nice hot spring getaway in the desert? Take a look: http://www.dhsspa.com/

lvk, Thanks!

The Magic Castle is such a fun place! Makes for one of the most unusual dinners ever!

I know sf....I also LOL as soon as I had sent it, thinking *exactly* what you posted above!!

Wow, thanks for all the replies

We will have a car and will plan to fly to LAX

I have been to San Diego and Laguna Beach when we took our kids to CA in 1989.

Budget would be up to about $300.00 per night I think.

Interests are museums - that's me though and it isn't a priority for DW and business partner - fine dining - sightseeing - walking

What is the Magic Castle?

I would like to do a true 'Gordon Ramsay'ish experience but if that is not recommended I know there are plenty of other interesting choices. ???

I would prefer to be staying close to the evening restaurants and willing to drive to sight see in the daytime. (You wouldn't want me drinking and driving on the LA freeways!)

Oh Yes, We are already planning on a Spring getaway to the desert. This little trip is to bide us over until then!

Then, by all means, stay in West Hollywood! Even tho my son and his fiancee are not the world's biggest drinkers, the freedom they feel now that they can walk to so many restaurants and clubs, takes a lot of pressure off when enjoying a drink or two. Le Parc Suites, where my husband and I stayed had some great bed and breakfast specials that included room service brkfst, which for me is heaven, as I like to have my coffee while still in my pajamas! Here is the site, if you want to look at it. Have a great trip!

http://www.leparcsuites.com

Would you be interested in seeing the taping of a television show? You can Google for FREE tickets for your favorite shows, or go to to sites like
http://hollywoodtickets.com/?gclid=CMjp1MuriJ4CFR0CswodRQcxpg or
http://abc.go.com/site/tv-ticket-request

It's fun to see a behind the scenes version of a show.