Jolzy_Wolzy

Hello

I will be travelling to Los Angeles in May this year. I will be in the area for about a 6 nights. I have no idea where I should book accommodation. Any suggestions as to where the better parts of LA are to stay? I plan on doing day trips out to Universal Studios and Disneyland but I do not have to stay near there.

Thank you,

Jolzy_Wolzy

Also, it will be myself and my husband, no children and with a car rental if that helps.

Jean

You need to tell us what you want to see/do here (besides Universal and Disney) before lodging locations can be recommended.

Santa Monica will doubtless be suggested, but I don't think it's a great location if most of the things you want to do are east of the 405 freeway.

FYI, you don't "have" to stay near Disneyland, but I think staying at least one night near the park would make for a more enjoyable day overall. Depending on when your arriving flight lands (and what day of the week it is), it might make sense to drive directly to Disneyland and stay for 2 nights. I hope your stay here does not include Memorial Day weekend....

It would also be helpful to know your budget.

rdpesq

I would consider Santa Monica, Pasadena, Manhattan Beach or possibly Long Beach, which is closest to Disneyland. I know you have a car. But from Pasadena or Long Beach you near an improving metro rail lines that can get you to some great places without a car. Have fun.

rjw_lgb_ca

Given the two things the OP mentioned, NO beach city is really appropriate as good for basing such a vacation; it's just too hard to get in and out of them. Let's get some basic facts out of the way first of all:

-- Universal Studios Hollywood (the original, and to this day STILL a theme park incorporated into a working movie and TV studio, unlike the Florida theme park, which is exactly the opposite) is 35 miles from Disneyland. In another COUNTY.

-- Jean is exactly right; plan on at least one night, maybe two, somewhere very near Disneyland. Time was that Disneyland's surroundings were underdeveloped Motel Hell and bad chain restaurants; now you can find quite nice lodging choices and fine dining right on the grounds of the Disney parks as well as right nearby. If you want to splurge, the Disney Grand Californian (https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hot...fornian-hotel/) is lovely (and dinner at Napa Rose is a treat), but the budget choice will always be, despite the diabetes-inducing name, the Candy Cane Inn (http://www.candycaneinn.net/).

-- You could potentially stay in Anaheim and schlepp up the Golden State Freeway (I-5 N) to Universal (via US-101 N). There ARE transport options between the two parks (one service can be found at this link, but I do NOT vouch for its quality: http://www.viator.com/tours/Anaheim-...97-3357USHTO); Google can help you here.

-- However, if you also want to check out other LA-area stuff, you might think about starting out with lodging in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood, depending on your budget.

-- By the way: What's your budget?! That would be extremely helpful. I could recommend the Beverly Hills Hotel-- but the per-night charges are pretty shocking there, so....

-- What other things would you like to do while you're here? Give us a bit more info on your interests. If the arts scene interests you, that will steer lodging possibilities (in LA proper, you could stay in Beverly Hills/WeHo; in Orange County, we're talking Laguna Beach, which is pretty wonderful too). If you DO want beach time, maybe you might just head to Huntington Beach or Newport Beach. If you just want golf and a bit of R&R, maybe you start with the theme parks and head into the desert to Palm Springs or Rancho Mirage or something.... We need a bit more to work with.

clarkgriswold

@ arrival I would drive to Anaheim or Newport Beach and then get Disneyland out of the way (requires an early start and the drive from anywhere in L.A. will ruin that idea). Then the final 4 nights maybe West Hollywood (Sunset Plaza Hotel or The Sofitel....or if you're more budget conscious the Wilshire Crest).

janisj

If you want to do both Disney parks, it really requires two nights n Anaheim . . . On property if it fits in the budget since that gets you an extra hour in the parks before the hordes arrive at opening time. Because your arrival day will only be about half a day, 3 nights would be even better if you get a 2 day park hopper. But 2 nights minimum.

Then get out of Dodge and up to somewhere convenient to the other sites you want to see around LA.

jamie99

I agree with staying in Anaheim for the day(s) that you do Disneyland and California Adventure. If you buy a 3 day Parkhopper online you get a free magic morning when you can enter Disneyland (not CA) one hour before opening so you can get in more rides, in the hours after opening the park is less busy, in the afternoon you can visit CA or maybe walk back to your motel for a swim and even a nap. There are motels and hotels in all price ranges.
Hopefully you will have a car as it will make getting around in LA and Orange County so much easier.
Where to stay in LA depends on your budget per night in USD which you need to provide, and if you have a car or not.

janisj

Re the 3 day park hopper and 'magic hour' special entry . . . If you stay on-property you get the extra hour in both parks - even w/ just the two day park hopper.

Jolzy_Wolzy

Thank you very much for your replies. I was thinking of $150 a night in LA. Would that be scraping the barrel? (we will be spending the next two weeks in other parts of California). We would like see the sights and sounds (doesn’t have to necessarily be typical tourist stuff). We are not in any rush to see a thousand things whilst we are in LA but definitely want to be able to do some tourist stuff as well as have a relaxing time; not spending all our time travelling.

Memorial Day will be spent in San Francisco. Any suggestions on accommodation? We will be there for about 2-3 nights so our budget can be bumped up to about $200 a night.

Thanks

longhorn55

I'm not an LA expert, but when I was helping one of my children move out to L.A., we stayed at the Super 8 North Hollywood. This is not a fancy hotel in a fancy part of town, but our room was clean, quiet and comfortable. The area was safe and close (in LA terms) to a lot of LA tourist sites. The rates in May are around $80 per night for a room with 2 queen beds and parking is free. Why pay more than you have to if the room is only for sleeping?

Tabernash2

"Why pay more than you have to if the room is only for sleeping?"

We feel the OPPOSITE of this.

Yes, you sleep there, so you want a clean and comfy place.
You also shower there, so you want it to be immaculate with some extra touches.
You drive in and out of there at all hours of the day and night, so you want a safe and charming neighborhood.
You eat there, or nearby, so again you want a nice neighborhood.

We look at it as our home-away-from-home, so we don't settle for minimal lodging when we travel.

I don't get the notion that it doesn't matter where you stay when you travel. Yes, it does. It paints your entire experience.

Tabernash2

I agree with the notion of getting a Park pass and staying near there for two nights, in the areas recommended. LA traffic is not to be taken lightly; a "day-trip" can easily turn into a freeway nightmare for newbies.

A good, mid-priced hotel brand is Pacifica Hotels: http://www.pacificahotels.com/

We have stayed several times at their properties: Jamaica Bay Inn, The Inn at Venice Beach, Marina del Rey Hotel (not so great years ago, but it's been remodeled), and one at Laguna Beach which they might not own anymore.

We like to stay near the water, so have chosen these places. They run special discounts quite often, so check their site.

maitaitom

Here are lots of ideas for So. Cal (and a few up north) from my California Dreaming portion of the website. Besides a write-up I've included numerous photos on each place to see.

Some of my favorites:

Getty Villa (need to book in advance...free except for parking cost)
Getty Museum (no Estelle Getty, however)
Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens and
Griffith Observatory...there's a fun hike up to the observatory (Fern Dell)
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Norton Simon Museum (Pasadena)
The Farmers Markets\Both the Nixon and Reagan Presidential Libraries
Not up on the website, yet an interesting visit, is to go to San Pedro and go on the USS Iowa.
and much, much more...Have a great trip

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/california-dreaming-1/

jamie99

$150 is a bit low for a nice place in LA, since there is a 15% room tax per night. Maybe you could stay at a cheaper place in Anaheim (many more affordable options there) and then up your budget a bit for LA. Otherwise look into Hollywood or West Hollywood maybe. We presume you have a car (you never did say).