Heavens

We are trying to find a place to stay a couple of days this summer in So Cal. Anywhere from northern LA area to San Diego would work. We will have two older kids, teens, with us.

I know a lot of you like the Del in Coronado. We are hoping for someplace maybe not quite that pricey...

Where do you like to stay for a few days on the beach?

sunbum1944

Mission Beach/Pacific Beach area San Diego- lots of activity there- boardwalk/roller blading/ biking/ amusement park not too far away/ nice beach/
I stayed at the Best Western Blue Seas Lodge- not fancy for sure - but right on the beach - I think they have done some recent renovation- so I'd ask for one of those rooms - also nice swimming pool and hot tub

MBnancy

Heavens: We stayed at the Hyatt Huntington Beach Resort this year. It's right across the street from the ocean, plus has great pools for your teens. You can order stay certificates for $249 a night from Hyatt (if you can't get a better deal from Expedia, etc.)

https://www.certificates.hyatt.com/C...rts.asp?navH=1

ellen_griswold

Hi Heavens! We absolutely loved Laguna Beach! While we've explored most of the beaches and areas along coastal california, this was the only place we actually stayed that was truly 'oceanfront'. It was exactly what we wanted! Newport Beach is also great but there's no lodging literally on the ocean. Our older teens loved Laguna Beach, it's in The OC and the water is warm enough to swim. There was a nice mix of peeps, teens and college aged kids surfing plus lots of families. It's definitely where we'll return if we have time on our trip this summer.

If you'd like more info, here's the trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34438298

em

Hi Heavens! Absolutely right..The Laguna Inn is picture perfect and Laguna speaks for itself. It is my favorite place for R&R. There is an excellent restaurant next door also.

ltt

i was going to suggest laguna beach too. perfect for a couple of days of relaxing and enjoying the beach and beautiful town. they do have a big event in august (i think) called the pagent of the masters. if you are there during that time, you should try to get tickets now as they sell out quick. however, the town will be very busy at that time so you may want to avoid it too. try to stay at a central hotel so you don't have to drive. the traffic on main street in the summer does get busy. it is only an hour and a quarter to a half, north of san diego.

bashfulLV

Since the budget won't allow me to go to Hawaii this summer, we are going to Newport Beach instead. I found what sounds like a decent place and am getting a reasonable rate with AAA discount. The place is called Newport Channel Inn and is on PCH, just across from the beach. It sounds good and should be just what we need. My daughter and her (then) 6 month old will be there for 5 days and my son & his 6 yr old will join us (in their own room) for a day or two. Friends and family members who live in So. Cal are planning to drop by as well. We're planning to celebrate my birthday by having dinner at Duke's (same owner as the one in Waikiki) on the Huntington Beach Pier. We're looking forward to our California beach adventure. As far as you & your teenagers - there's a great store where you can rent beach equipment (boogie boards, etc) - I believe it's called "Frog's" or something like that - it's right on PCH across from the beach sort of in between Newport and Huntington Beach. There are lots of activities in these comunities that you & your teens may enjoy.