Visiting LA & Surrounding Areas
Mar 13th, 2015, 06:37 PM
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Visiting LA & Surrounding Areas
My fiancé and I will be visiting California on our honeymoon in early August. We are renting a car and wanting to visit Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Malibu. What area would serve as a good base for accommodations? Any specific hotels anyone could recommend?
Mar 13th, 2015, 08:33 PM
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I would not stay in "Hollywood".. but other than that, it depends on what you want to do. Staying in Santa Monica is an easy way to get from there to other places in LA. Just remember the traffic is WORSE than anyone tells you. I think a hotel near Beverly Hills, like the Hilton might also be convenient. You really need to figure out what you want to do and see, and then it would be easier to give you suggestions.
It might be worth checking out www.vrbo.com/santamonica and seeing what a vacation rental by owner might provide, rather than a hotel, or B&B.
It might be worth checking out www.vrbo.com/santamonica and seeing what a vacation rental by owner might provide, rather than a hotel, or B&B.
Mar 14th, 2015, 04:49 AM
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I agree with kleroux on all points. Also it would help to know your price range for accomodations.
IMO nobody should spend half their honeymoon sitting in traffic. But if you want to do it anyway, my first choice would be the Hotel Bel-Air. It's removed at least a little bit from the urban sprawl but still very convenient to just about everything in L.A. A close second imo is the Magic Castle, if you really don't care about population densities. The hotel has a vibe that I've not found anywhere else in L.A. (or the world for that matter), like stepping back directly into a 1960's Frank Sinatra movie. You'll know what I mean when or if you see it.
IMO nobody should spend half their honeymoon sitting in traffic. But if you want to do it anyway, my first choice would be the Hotel Bel-Air. It's removed at least a little bit from the urban sprawl but still very convenient to just about everything in L.A. A close second imo is the Magic Castle, if you really don't care about population densities. The hotel has a vibe that I've not found anywhere else in L.A. (or the world for that matter), like stepping back directly into a 1960's Frank Sinatra movie. You'll know what I mean when or if you see it.
Mar 14th, 2015, 09:10 AM
#4
Aren't vacation rentals illegal in Santa Monica?
And I wouldn't chose Magic Castle or anything in Hollywood in hot and smoggy August. I wouldn't stay any further east that Westwood if I could help it. Santa Monica if you can swing it but it's getting awfully pricey.
Need to know more about the budget and the itinerary.
And I wouldn't chose Magic Castle or anything in Hollywood in hot and smoggy August. I wouldn't stay any further east that Westwood if I could help it. Santa Monica if you can swing it but it's getting awfully pricey.
Need to know more about the budget and the itinerary.
Mar 14th, 2015, 09:55 AM
#5
Traffic in Santa Monica in August (esp. on weekends) will be very heavy. A weekend drive to/from Malibu will be at a crawl.
It would help to know your lodging budget, but look at the Palomar Hotel on Wilshire near Westwood. The Bel Air Hotel is fabulous, but the '60s vibe has been recently remodeled away. It and the Beverly Hills Hotel are in the Dorchester group now and look it. For a mid-century feel, look at the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills.
It would help to know your lodging budget, but look at the Palomar Hotel on Wilshire near Westwood. The Bel Air Hotel is fabulous, but the '60s vibe has been recently remodeled away. It and the Beverly Hills Hotel are in the Dorchester group now and look it. For a mid-century feel, look at the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Mar 14th, 2015, 10:26 AM
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I do understand that the traffic is heavy but I do appreciate those that have provided some feedback on where to stay and what areas instead of their opinion on our idea for our honeymoon. It helps a great deal! On a different note....we will be arriving on a Sunday, leaving on a Friday. So hopefully we can avoid some of the weekend crowding. My budget is around $250 per night, but I am willing to pay a little bit more if there is a great place in a great location.
Mar 14th, 2015, 11:20 AM
#7
Sirtaj Hotel near Rodeo Drive comes in just @ budget for a small room, parking is additional $30 per night. Hilgard House in UCLA is not as newly renovated but in a good location near tons of casual dining. Free parking and the bus to Santa Monica takes 12 minutes so you wouldn't have to deal with parking on your excursions there. Neither of these has a pool and be sure to check reviews for any info on malfunctioning or outdated air conditioning since it's August. Book either one, they are cancellable, while you continue to decide.
At the edge of Santa Monica there is a decent Travelodge and a well-rated Comfort Inn, mile-long walks to the beach but you can hop a bus easily instead of dealing with beach parking. Again, you could book one now as a backup because by mid-April they'll be full-up for August. I think they both have small pools and free parking/light breakfast.
On your excursions to Hollywood, Downtown, Griffith Observatory, Malibu, etc....just don't hit the road between 7:30 and 9:30am, or between 4:30 and 7:30pm as a general rule. Avoid any flight that arrives in L.A. between 3:30pm and 6:30pm, and try not to select a departure that's between 10am and noon or between 6:30pm and 10pm.
At the edge of Santa Monica there is a decent Travelodge and a well-rated Comfort Inn, mile-long walks to the beach but you can hop a bus easily instead of dealing with beach parking. Again, you could book one now as a backup because by mid-April they'll be full-up for August. I think they both have small pools and free parking/light breakfast.
On your excursions to Hollywood, Downtown, Griffith Observatory, Malibu, etc....just don't hit the road between 7:30 and 9:30am, or between 4:30 and 7:30pm as a general rule. Avoid any flight that arrives in L.A. between 3:30pm and 6:30pm, and try not to select a departure that's between 10am and noon or between 6:30pm and 10pm.
Mar 14th, 2015, 11:31 AM
#8
Do you have a budget or is the sky the limit?
I would look in the area between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, just because early August is hot and the coastal area will be more comfortable (generally west of the 405 freeway or just slightly inland.
Santa Monica will tend to be the most expensive nearest to the ocean.
I don't know that I would pay Santa Monica prices for an inland Santa Monica hotel, as most of those are in unattractive strip commercial areas. I might skip over those and go to some of the Westwood/Brentwood hotels instead, such as the Palomar.
I would look in the area between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, just because early August is hot and the coastal area will be more comfortable (generally west of the 405 freeway or just slightly inland.
Santa Monica will tend to be the most expensive nearest to the ocean.
I don't know that I would pay Santa Monica prices for an inland Santa Monica hotel, as most of those are in unattractive strip commercial areas. I might skip over those and go to some of the Westwood/Brentwood hotels instead, such as the Palomar.
