cpeicott

Hi,
My son just drove across country(BOSTON to LA) with his girlfriend and they have rented an apartment in Los Feliz, LA, CA.
We,(myself and 15 yeqr old daughter) are planning to visit them during the April school vacation week(4/15-4/22).
Hopefully(!!!)they will have jobs by then,so though we would like to be close to them and will plan on spending time with them, we will also be visiting the LA,CA sights (Hollywood, Rodero Dr. one of the Theme Parks, etc.)
If it makes sense, I would rather stay near the beach, than in the city.
I will be renting a car at the airport.(Which airport is the best to fly into?)
Any suggestions on things to do, or more importantly, places to stay, would be appreciated.
I realize that I will need to spend more money to stay near the beach, but I would not be willing to spend much over $300. a night. Once I have some suggestions I will check out some of the discount hotel sites.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Any itineray suggestions are welcome, also.
Tours that are worthwhile ,things to skip,etc.
Thank you!

cpeicott

Hi,
For some reason, I didn't get this under CA, and it seems to have gotten lost. Any way to shift this to CA, or should I just re-post the question?

janisj

No, you don't need to re-post. There is only one forum -- "United States". Clocking on California merely lets folks search for info about CA. (So if you re-post you'll end up w/ 2 threads on the general USA board)

W/ a 15 yo I'd probably stay in Santa Monica. Lots of activity, beach, shopping, etc. W/ your budget you'll have lots to choose from.

As for airport - LAX is the usual suspect. But it may depend where you are flying from. For instance sometimes fares into Burbank or Long Beach will be less than into LAX. But for most areas on the west side of the LA basin, LAX is your best bet.

janisj

That should read "Clicking on California . . ."

tracys2cents

Take a look at the Renaissance Hollywood, Hollywood Roosevelt or the Hilton Universal for your first 3 nights or so...you won't want to be way out at the beach while you're getting acquainted with Los Feliz, Hollywood, Universal/WB, etc.

For 2 or 3 weeknights at the beach you might get a special weekday rate at Casa Malibu or Malibu Beach Inn

cpeicott

Thank you.
Great idea regarding staying in both areas.
I am checking the hotels suggested out now and they look great.
How far is it from Los Feliz to Santa Monica?
Where does Malibu fit in?
I guess I need to look at a map!

cpeicott

Hi,
Any more thoughts on where to stay or what to see in CA?
Thank you

mschau

Casa Malibu is really nice. It's small. I went with my wife and two teenagers 16 and 17 to visit it and we loved it. Also, we stayed in Marina del Rey at the Ritz Carlton. It was gorgeous. The kids loved it. It's not a typical Ritz Carlton because it is much smaller and usually you can find really good prices there. The pool is gorgeous and its right on the Marina. It is a little bit of a drive to Los Angeles but really, its so much nicer to stay outside of the city. You can visit it. Just my opinion.

Santa Monica was my kids favorite place. They loved the shops and the pier. We ate at a really nice little seafood restaurant right next to the pier that I cannot think of the name....

Enjoy your trip. Your daughter will love it.

cpeicott

Hi,
I would love to know how you got good prices at the Ritz? Directly from them, or did you use a discount site?
Sounds Wonderful!

mschau

We got prices directly from them. I would for sure check it out. The hotel, like I said is not a typical Ritz but it is smaller. It has a really nice quiet ambiance.

SydneyLA

From the beach to Los Feliz depends greatly on what time of day/night you're planning on traveling. During rush hour I wouldn't count on any less than an hour, but probably more. Rush hours likely last much longer than where you're from. Generally traffic is heavy from 6:30am to 7:30pm and sometimes longer. Add more time if you go down to Marina del Rey or further south.

If your goal is a vacation, stay at the beach (I agree with the other posts that Santa Monica would probably be the best bet esp. with a 15-y.o.). However, if you're planning on quality time with your son, stay in Hollywood - consider the Roosevelt or Renaissance. There are some cheaper, but also clean and safe, motels in that area too. The Best Western and the Magic Castle Hotel, both on Franklin Avenue, come to mind.

POlson

If there is any chance you can fly into Burbank it is a much smaller airport and really easy to get in and out of. It is very close to Los Feliz (maybe 15 minutes). I'd consider a few days (maybe Sat/Sun/Mon after you arrive) in Hollywood closer to your son and certain sights (Hollywood, Universal Studios, the Grove/Farmers Market, Griffith Park - perhaps hike Mount Hollywood monday morning, shopping and dining in Silver Lake, you can also get to Beverly Hills in about 30 minutes, more if traffic is bad) and then head to the beach. You've been given lots of great suggestions for the beach (but be warned its a long and sometimes frustrating drive from the beach to places inland). From the beach you have good access to Malibu (be ready for a slow drive up PCH), Santa Monica (and Montana for shopping), Manhattan Beach, the Getty, Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, Sunset Blvd. Have fun!