Venice Beach and a 1 year old?
Aug 5th, 2003, 02:17 PM
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Venice Beach and a 1 year old?
My husband, our 1 year old and I have booked 4 nights at the Inn at Venice Beach in CA for mid august. The hotel is located on Washington Blvd, 2 blocks from the beach. We will have a car and hope to spend some time on the beach as well as some day trips. My questions are: 1. Is this a fairly safe neighborhood and family friendly beach? 2. Is the beach one where we can swim and hang out or is the water too cold in August? Or are there any better family friendly beaches to stay? The Inn at Venice Beach seems to be a good value--especially for staying so close to the ocean. Also, is Catalina Island a reasonable day trip for a 1 year old? I'm a little concerned about getting around once we are on the island--I imagine we would take the carseat and use a taxi? How is the Los Angeles Zoo? I often hear positive things about the San Diego Zoo.
Aug 5th, 2003, 03:38 PM
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Hi, while I'm not familiar with the hotel, it's really in Marina Del Rey which is pretty family friendly. I'd prefer Santa Monica which can be a little pricey though there is a new hotel just opened called Ambrose Hotel which is farther from the beach but includes breakfast and parking. SM is a better beach with a baby, more services and safer overall.
With regard to Catalina Island, there are no real cars there, but it's a small island. You can go over on the boat just fine with the baby but be prepared in case your little one gets carsick. You can just use your stroller to get around which is easy to tote on the boat. Of course, if you plan to take an island tour, i'd ask them if they have carseats on their bus/tram. Have a great time!
With regard to Catalina Island, there are no real cars there, but it's a small island. You can go over on the boat just fine with the baby but be prepared in case your little one gets carsick. You can just use your stroller to get around which is easy to tote on the boat. Of course, if you plan to take an island tour, i'd ask them if they have carseats on their bus/tram. Have a great time!
Aug 5th, 2003, 03:54 PM
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I drive by that hotel on the way from work every weekday. This two blocks from the beach make a real difference-- you've left funky Venice and are on the semi-swank, semi-corporate fuzzy border of Marina del Rey. I'm going to agree with mommar that you might look harder in Santa Monica if you MUST be on the beach. It is quite expensive, yes. However, there is a Best Western on Ocean Avenue that is actually pretty nice and not too pricey.
I am going to disagree about the Ambrose, however. It's about 1 1/2 miles from the beach. It's not only in a residential part of Santa Monica, it's in the middle of a whole buttload of medical offices, dominated by the world-famous St. John's Hospital. Nice as it may be (and I have heard it's quite nice), the neighborhood suffers from constant (I repeat: CONSTANT) snarled traffic and the occasional ambulance siren. Unless you're going to be in the hospital, or visiting someone in the hospital, or going down Santa Monica Blvd. to buy a car (lots of dealerships in the general vicinity), I would look somewhere else.
I am going to disagree about the Ambrose, however. It's about 1 1/2 miles from the beach. It's not only in a residential part of Santa Monica, it's in the middle of a whole buttload of medical offices, dominated by the world-famous St. John's Hospital. Nice as it may be (and I have heard it's quite nice), the neighborhood suffers from constant (I repeat: CONSTANT) snarled traffic and the occasional ambulance siren. Unless you're going to be in the hospital, or visiting someone in the hospital, or going down Santa Monica Blvd. to buy a car (lots of dealerships in the general vicinity), I would look somewhere else.
Aug 5th, 2003, 06:53 PM
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Thanks for your suggestions! I am now looking in SM and wonder if you have thoughts on the Shangri-La Hotel or the Radisson Huntley. Again, considering safety and family friendly accomodations. Thanks again!!!
Aug 5th, 2003, 08:02 PM
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Of the two, the Huntley. The Shangri-La is a historic place (Deco style, occasional film shoots take place there), but it's getting a bit run-down. I've stayed there, and the rooms are clean, but it's far from plush.
The Huntley would be a better choice, and it's not far at all from the Pier, the Third Street Promenade, etc.
The Huntley would be a better choice, and it's not far at all from the Pier, the Third Street Promenade, etc.
Aug 6th, 2003, 08:06 AM
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No problem. You should note that the Huntley is only a few blocks from the beach-- but this part of Santa Monica sits on a bluff, so you will be walking down steps some 40-50 feet to get down to ocean level, then you'll have a nice wide beach to walk around on.
The Best Western in Venice is a not-bad choice right on Pacific, a block from the ocean. There's a Holiday Inn on Colorado essentially at the base of the Santa Monica Pier, but its immediate surroundings are not great (especially an elderly McDonald's across the street that seems to have a 24-hour contingent of homeless beggars hanging around).
The Best Western in Venice is a not-bad choice right on Pacific, a block from the ocean. There's a Holiday Inn on Colorado essentially at the base of the Santa Monica Pier, but its immediate surroundings are not great (especially an elderly McDonald's across the street that seems to have a 24-hour contingent of homeless beggars hanging around).
Aug 6th, 2003, 08:29 AM
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I agree on the location, Veronica, and the kitchens are a plus, but you have to admit, it could stand a bit of cash spent on freshening the rooms. Like I said, they're clean, but there's an air of cheapness there (budget indoor-outdoor carpeting in the rooms, to start). I was very grateful to have it as a flophouse one eventful Thursday night in 2000 (working till 4 AM), but I would have to have one of the nicest top-floor suites to stay there on a vacation.
How do you feel about the Georgian? I don't know if they have kitchens, but it's a Deco-era hotel as well that gets high ratings. Have you ever had a look there? I've never gotten a chance.
I know you like Shutters on the Beach, which is pricey but upscale and intimate (friends of mine won't stay anywhere else in SM). Do they have kitchenette units?
How do you feel about the Georgian? I don't know if they have kitchens, but it's a Deco-era hotel as well that gets high ratings. Have you ever had a look there? I've never gotten a chance.
I know you like Shutters on the Beach, which is pricey but upscale and intimate (friends of mine won't stay anywhere else in SM). Do they have kitchenette units?
Aug 6th, 2003, 08:43 AM
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Hi rjw_lgb_ca: Actually I havn't stayed at the Sangri-La (because I live in Santa Monica) but it's just the kind of hotel I like. My priorities are "location", "character", "ambience" and no Hilton or Marriott type establishments.
I think they had that indoor/outdoor carpet when I saw the hotel - you're right, that could definitely go!
I think they had that indoor/outdoor carpet when I saw the hotel - you're right, that could definitely go!
Aug 6th, 2003, 08:48 AM
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Veronica, I'm with you on the "local character" issue. Now, if the hotelier is a chain but manages to maintain that character, I will happily stay at a chain hotel. The Miramar, after all, was a Sheraton for years (an exceptionally nice Sheraton), and is now a Fairmont; they've wisely kept the Miramar's overall ambience untouched.
That little Best Western here on Ocean-- friends from out of town stayed there one weekend and said it was a pleasant surprise. If you're traveling on the cheap, it's a good choice.
That little Best Western here on Ocean-- friends from out of town stayed there one weekend and said it was a pleasant surprise. If you're traveling on the cheap, it's a good choice.
Aug 12th, 2003, 07:25 PM
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Now that you have ideas about Santa Monica and Venice, don't forget about Catalina. There is a new ferry service (as of this week or last) from Marina del Rey to Avalon, supposed to be 45 minutes each way. Once on the ferry, ride on top in the forward area - you'll be sheltered from the wind and reduce the chance of seasickness. You can walk all of Avalon (it's small), and even up to the Wrigley Gardens with a stroller (if you're the walking type). The road goes by a stable with horses to pat and a golf course. Our little boys (the youngest was 2 at the time) loved the glass bottom boat and the semi-submerged sub rides where you can feed the fish - bright orange garibaldys. You might want to check out the catalina.com website for specifics. It would probably be worthwhile to make advance reservations for the ferrys and the boat or sub rides - all online.
