Family-friendly accommodations close to an LA area beach
May 29th, 2007, 12:43 PM
#1
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Family-friendly accommodations close to an LA area beach
My wife and I had planned a Caribbean cruise, but our kids voiced a preference for a repeat of a roadtrip we did six years ago, when they were 14 and 9 years old. They want to keep the Los Angeles part of the itinerary pretty much the same as back then: Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Venice Beach, maybe a Dodger game. Yeah, I know.... but hey, we're tourists!
Six years ago, we stayed at Best Western Hollywood Hills, which we liked well enough, excepting we felt the location was maybe a little dicey. So, this time, we're hoping for something in the same quality range, but preferably closer to a beach, and still reasonably centrally located to other stuff we'll be doing. Since we'll be reserving two rooms, I'm hoping to keep the cost/room/night somewhere around $150. Any and all suggestions welcome.
Six years ago, we stayed at Best Western Hollywood Hills, which we liked well enough, excepting we felt the location was maybe a little dicey. So, this time, we're hoping for something in the same quality range, but preferably closer to a beach, and still reasonably centrally located to other stuff we'll be doing. Since we'll be reserving two rooms, I'm hoping to keep the cost/room/night somewhere around $150. Any and all suggestions welcome.
May 29th, 2007, 01:01 PM
#2
Well, for beach hotels, I’m a stay-in-Santa Monica person, so...
The Travelodge on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica is no great shakes, but it’s well-located and inexpensive.
The Shangri-La, also on Ocean Ave, is a bit more interesting, but more expensive -- depends upon if you can get a good deal, which is possible. http://tinyurl.com/yhk7cr
http://tinyurl.com/2kgo22
And btw, what's this "maybe a Dodger game"? Maybe? You have to go to Chavez Ravine, no matter who you root for, no matter if you're not even a sports fan!
The Travelodge on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica is no great shakes, but it’s well-located and inexpensive.
The Shangri-La, also on Ocean Ave, is a bit more interesting, but more expensive -- depends upon if you can get a good deal, which is possible. http://tinyurl.com/yhk7cr
http://tinyurl.com/2kgo22
And btw, what's this "maybe a Dodger game"? Maybe? You have to go to Chavez Ravine, no matter who you root for, no matter if you're not even a sports fan!
May 29th, 2007, 01:19 PM
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Hey Lucie, thanks! I'll check those places out. Santa Monica area would be my pick too, but we have a friend in Newport Beach..... and my wife said something about Huntington Beach. Too far south, right???? (Say yes)
The maybe a Dodger game is because I haven't checked the schedule yet. We did get to a game last time. I remember Shawn Green hitting two out of the park that night. Love Chavez Ravine, but Dodger Dogs don't hold a candle to what they're serving at Safeco.
We'll be coming home via San Francisco, where we'll spend three nights. We found a nice little hotel/motel on Lombard in Cow Hollow last time, but my wife would like something closer to Union Square. Any chance of finding anything decent with that budget? Oh, and if you have an inside track on Giants tickets, you'd be my hero(ine).
The maybe a Dodger game is because I haven't checked the schedule yet. We did get to a game last time. I remember Shawn Green hitting two out of the park that night. Love Chavez Ravine, but Dodger Dogs don't hold a candle to what they're serving at Safeco.
We'll be coming home via San Francisco, where we'll spend three nights. We found a nice little hotel/motel on Lombard in Cow Hollow last time, but my wife would like something closer to Union Square. Any chance of finding anything decent with that budget? Oh, and if you have an inside track on Giants tickets, you'd be my hero(ine).
May 29th, 2007, 01:30 PM
#4
Er...when are you coming to SF? We have 1/4 partnership in season tix (great LB seats in between home & first), and we just may have tix for a night that I just might be able to make available to you. 
(I do have to consult with the Baseball Fan first; if it's when the Dodgers are here, fehgeddaboutit. But...)
Yes, on HB being too far from everything. Seriously.
And I won't argue w/you about Dodger Dogs, because I don't eat hot dogs, even at a baseball game. I know, I'm a moron.
(I do have to consult with the Baseball Fan first; if it's when the Dodgers are here, fehgeddaboutit. But...)
Yes, on HB being too far from everything. Seriously.
And I won't argue w/you about Dodger Dogs, because I don't eat hot dogs, even at a baseball game. I know, I'm a moron.
May 29th, 2007, 01:51 PM
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Ooohhh! :-? Hmmmm.... We'll be driving up from LA on 8/23, staying that and the next two nights. Cubs are in town 8/23, Brewers 8/24 and 8/25. Maybe I shouldn't tell you there'll be five of us (son's girlfriend is coming along), but even if we could just snag two tix.....
Thanks again for the Santa Monica recs. Both look great. Haven't found rates on Shangri-la yet, but if Travelodge is $170 plus tax, do I want to? ;-) I kinda like the looks of the Travelodge anyway.
Thanks again for the Santa Monica recs. Both look great. Haven't found rates on Shangri-la yet, but if Travelodge is $170 plus tax, do I want to? ;-) I kinda like the looks of the Travelodge anyway.
May 29th, 2007, 01:55 PM
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You might want to look at the CalMar in Santa Monica (actually is probably more in the $200 range, but they have suites with kitchens and may have a family accommodation). Also check out the Donatello in San Francisco. Haven't stayed at either, but I just helped a client plan a similar trip with a similar budget. Trip Advisor reviews and location seem great.
Hope that helps! Good luck and happy travels.
Hope that helps! Good luck and happy travels.
May 29th, 2007, 02:11 PM
#7
bb, we've only got Atlanta on the 26th, and we've only got two tix.
BUT...if you go to craigslist, you should have no problem getting good seats, I promise. People like us put our seats up for sale on craigslist all the time. There's stubhub.com, too, as you probably already know. Do not bother with the Giants DoublePlay window. Too expensive, imo.
You're going to have a ball. I love road trips. You guys must be pretty good parents if your 20(?)- and 15(?)-year-old kids are willing to travel with you. We had to bribe our kid to take trips with us as soon as his stupid hormones kicked in.
BUT...if you go to craigslist, you should have no problem getting good seats, I promise. People like us put our seats up for sale on craigslist all the time. There's stubhub.com, too, as you probably already know. Do not bother with the Giants DoublePlay window. Too expensive, imo.
You're going to have a ball. I love road trips. You guys must be pretty good parents if your 20(?)- and 15(?)-year-old kids are willing to travel with you. We had to bribe our kid to take trips with us as soon as his stupid hormones kicked in.
May 29th, 2007, 02:39 PM
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You guys must be pretty good parents if your 20(?)- and 15(?)-year-old kids are willing to travel with you.
Yeah... 20 and 15 next month. And thanks, but it helps that we're taking the girlfriend, and much of the rest of the credit lies in the genes of the biological parents.
Ya know, I hadn't thought of craigslist, and never heard of stubhub.
Thanks for your suggestions, too, fun4all4. I'll check 'em out. Are you in the travel biz?
Yeah... 20 and 15 next month. And thanks, but it helps that we're taking the girlfriend, and much of the rest of the credit lies in the genes of the biological parents.
Ya know, I hadn't thought of craigslist, and never heard of stubhub.
Thanks for your suggestions, too, fun4all4. I'll check 'em out. Are you in the travel biz?
May 29th, 2007, 05:17 PM
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Hi beachbum,
Yes, I am, but I participate in this forum as a fellow traveler - it is my passion. It is great to hear that your kids still travel with you - ours are now 13 and 16 and there is still so much we want to do and see as a family.
Have a great trip!
Yes, I am, but I participate in this forum as a fellow traveler - it is my passion. It is great to hear that your kids still travel with you - ours are now 13 and 16 and there is still so much we want to do and see as a family.
Have a great trip!
May 29th, 2007, 05:39 PM
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I can recommend the Holiday Inn in Redondo Beach! It's location isn't very attractive, but it is a 1/2 mile walk to the beach through a nice residential neighborhood.
The rooms are large. Ask for one away from the road. They serve breakfast and have a pool and free internet access.
Have dinner at Bluewater Bitro--very nice and well priced.
The rooms are large. Ask for one away from the road. They serve breakfast and have a pool and free internet access.
Have dinner at Bluewater Bitro--very nice and well priced.
May 29th, 2007, 07:43 PM
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Another choice for you to look at,in the So Bay area in your price range, is the Sea View Inn, in smog free Manhattan Beach. It's 3 miles south of LAX. Near Rosecrans Ave., you could catch the 105 or 405 Freeways to Disneyland (45 min.) and Universal, etc.
Hotel is block from the beach and very popular in this area because of the free parking, and use of bicycles, beach chairs, and boogie boards.
http://www.seaview-inn.com/index.html
Hotel is block from the beach and very popular in this area because of the free parking, and use of bicycles, beach chairs, and boogie boards.
http://www.seaview-inn.com/index.html
May 29th, 2007, 08:18 PM
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http://www.hoteloceanasantamonica.com/home.php
The Oceana has some great suites. If you call, you can get better rates than they have listed on the Net - dicker! Kid you not. Just got an e-mail from them stating that in June, their rates start at $295. That's what you want to pay for two rooms and this place has suites so check it out.
Stay away from the south side of the 10 in Santa monica. Not a great neighborhood.
The Oceana has some great suites. If you call, you can get better rates than they have listed on the Net - dicker! Kid you not. Just got an e-mail from them stating that in June, their rates start at $295. That's what you want to pay for two rooms and this place has suites so check it out.
Stay away from the south side of the 10 in Santa monica. Not a great neighborhood.
May 30th, 2007, 07:42 AM
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Thanks again, everyone. Looks like I've got some research to do. I sorta like the looks and feel of the Travelodge in Santa Monica, but the latest review on TripAdvisor complains of bedbugs. Yikes!
Lucie, having an opinion doesn't preclude you from a travel biz job. In a prior life I was a TA - that was before you actually had to know something about the places you were recommending - and we both know I have opinions too. ;-) Fun4all4, I don't know how you do it today.
Lucie, having an opinion doesn't preclude you from a travel biz job. In a prior life I was a TA - that was before you actually had to know something about the places you were recommending - and we both know I have opinions too. ;-) Fun4all4, I don't know how you do it today.
May 30th, 2007, 10:30 AM
#17
In a prior life I was a TA - that was before you actually had to know something about the places you were recommending
In that case, bb, sign me up.
re: bedbugs...I take all TA reviews with a tablespoon of salt. But if you can get a good deal at the Shangri-La, you won't regret it...very 40s-LA at its best.
In that case, bb, sign me up.re: bedbugs...I take all TA reviews with a tablespoon of salt. But if you can get a good deal at the Shangri-La, you won't regret it...very 40s-LA at its best.
May 30th, 2007, 10:46 AM
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LOL! Beachbum - I didn't even notice that you were the OP. Duh...blonde moment again, my life's story.
You know what you ought to do? Check out www.biddingfortravel.com, see what hotels are available in SM, what the rates are and bid on two rooms. I'll check it in a second and see what's there and render an opinion. Hey, you know you don't have to use pooper scoopers with me, right?
You know what you ought to do? Check out www.biddingfortravel.com, see what hotels are available in SM, what the rates are and bid on two rooms. I'll check it in a second and see what's there and render an opinion. Hey, you know you don't have to use pooper scoopers with me, right?
May 30th, 2007, 12:17 PM
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No, the pooper scooper's always at the ready Tess, but not for you! ;-) Thanks for the http://www.biddingfortravel.com/ suggestion. Never done that before. Any tricks to it?
Lucie, I agree about the TripAdvisor reviews. But this one came with a photo of the little critters. So, I'm hoping we can make a place like Shangri-la work. Much prefer that to the more newer cookie-cutter-chain places. I was also gonna ask about the likelihood of my kids seeing any overt...... but, thought the better of it. ;-)
Lucie, I agree about the TripAdvisor reviews. But this one came with a photo of the little critters. So, I'm hoping we can make a place like Shangri-la work. Much prefer that to the more newer cookie-cutter-chain places. I was also gonna ask about the likelihood of my kids seeing any overt...... but, thought the better of it. ;-)
