melodyt13

Hi. Opinions wanted on this New Yorker's nearly finalized plans for a summer vacation for couple in early 30s with 1 year old who love good restaurants and cool hotels?

First four days at the Mondrian in WEst Hollywood, followed by three nights in Santa Monica at the beach at the Viceroy???
Enough to do? Don't need car?
Much Thanks

Quinty

I don't know your hotels, but you will need a car in LA. No question about that.
FYI, West Hollywood has a large gay community. Not that it matters, but to some it could be a surprise!

One other thing, don't expect the beaches off of Santa Monica to have warm water or really warm weather either. Make sure you pack some light, long sleeved clothes to complement your swimwear. The breeze is the worst offender.
It will be lots of fun though, Santa Monica is a lively area.

JohnH

Your location and hotel choices are very good, but you will want to have a car. What are your other plans? What do you most want to do while you are here?

enjoylife

You will need a car. Check prices on www.biddingfortravel and www.Orbitz.com and then bid on Priceline.

Sherri

Hi Melody: If you do want to hit the beach and want to find some warmer water, just travel 15 minutes down the 405 freeway south to say Manhattan Beach area. The beaches are really clean and the water is definitely warmer. Also, you can rent bicycles and ride the strand which is great fun (I believe that I have seen bikes with children's seats for rent). Hope that are not coming in June which is when we get "June gloom". After mid July and August are a better bet for weather and water temps. Have fun!

melodyt13

Thanks everyone.. I am coming mid-July so hopefully June Gloom will be history...Mixed opinions on renting car, so I'll try to get around walking and on taxi and bus if possible...Can't wait to see California for the first time!!

beachbum

Melody,
Everyone who offered an opinion recommended renting, so I don't understand how you concluded, "Mixed opinions on renting car." You MIGHT be able to get by without in Santa Monica, but you will definitely want one while in Hollywood.

merrymice

You must have a car in LA. The distances are just too great for public transportation. Just avoid driving on freeways during traffic hours. These are 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm and 7:30 to 9:30 in the morning. The 210 and 405 freeways can be stopped up for hours and you will want to avoid them. Decide what you like and are interested in. There are alot of great things to do and see here.

Edye

I know NY'ers live on public transportation, but that is NOT the case in LA, cabs basically do not exist. Is your nanny coming with you? These are very cool hotels i.e. guests are not accustomed to having 1 yr olds around. I point this out because as a mom and reasonably cool person, I personally would think twice about these hotels with a child and no babysitter. Lots of great restaurants to choose from in vicinity of either hotel, lots of homeless in S.M. too, more than some NY neighborhoods. We stay in S.M. with our kids too, just wouldn't feel comfy at the Viceroy.

mclaurie

How did you plan on getting from LA to SM? And what about to & from the airport? By the time you pay for all these cabs, you could have had a car. These are not walking towns & with a baby carriage...? And don't you want to do some sightseeing? Venice Beach is a fun jaunt from Santa Monica but you need a car.

joesorce

LAX has had some great car rental deals lately, check in June about a month before your visit and you will find deals for as little as $95 per week from Hertz, National, Thrifty, etc.

Kristyn

I will have to echo Edye's thoughts about the hotels, at least the Mondrian. I stayed at the Mondrian with four college friends a couple of summers ago and it was fantastic, VERY swanky and perfect for a girls' reunion. The Sky Bar is so much fun and the pool is beautiful, but I don't recall seeing any children while we were there. As a mom in my early 30's, I would not consider staying there with my children. But, if your baby is well behaved and does well in adult situations, go for it, it's an awesome hotel.

As far as restaurants, try to have lunch at the Ivy. Seems to me it was fairly close by. Also have a drink at the Standard, right down the road from the Mondrian (again, best w/o kiddos).

Santa Monica is great, we also drove out to Malibu and of course you need to go to Melrose for some shopping. You can easily do all of this in a rental car, but I suppose by now you are convinced you do need a car in LA! Have a great trip.

melodyt13

Wow!! I suppose you Californians know better than I do..I will rent a car. My only reservation was the price of parking in the damn hotels is soooo expensive... Another $20 a day on top of very expensive room rates!! My baby and I are very used to grabbing the subway or a bus or cab with a stroller, but I'm realizing that's not possible in LA... I really appreciate all the advice.
Melody

rjw_lgb_ca

I have to back up the other posters regarding your choice of hotels: You've picked precisely two of the Hip Digs of the LA area. The Mondrian is particularly part of the Scene, such as it is. The Viceroy is brand new, but it has chosen to be a Happening Place (it's the sister property of the Standard). Not that you will be unwelcome with your child, but....

And to clarify Quinty's post: West Hollywood is indeed center of LA's gay and lesbian scene, but that is a scene that is centered on Santa Monica Blvd. The Sunset Strip part of West Hollywood is much more "straight".

Rent a car. Rent a car. Oh yes. Rent a car. There's way too much to see for you to not rent one.

The restaurant scene in LA is very exciting-- huge variety of cuisines, freshest ingredients possible, much cheaper than in NY. Frankly, I think I eat much better in the LA area than anywhere else in the country.

I hope you have a great time here!