I'm not a Southern California expert and I'm sure you'll get a lot of great suggsetions from people who are.

But friends took me here for breakfast on one trip...
http://www.yelp.com/biz/orange-inn-laguna-beach

...and one day I'm going back and staying somewhere in walking distance and spend a few days just hanging out in Laguna Beach. I liked ths shops in the area, although some were fashionable and expensive. There's one artsy shop I really want to return to plus a few more I want to spend more time in.

I also really enjoyed the Beachcomber cafe at Crystal Cove -
http://www.thebeachcombercafe.com/_crystalcove/index.aspx

That's where I'd love to return to and spend a few days.

Laguna Beach is great but not at all convenient to visiting Los Angeles as it's generally 90 minutes to 2 hours by car. You could do a day-trip/ full day excursion up to LA but not back-and-forths.

Try Sea View Inn at the Beach in Manhattan Beach, or Casa Malibu Inn at Malibu Beach. Less expensive maybe the Cal Mar Hotel in Santa Monica and the old Marina International Hotel or the Foghorn Harbor Inn (which are in an area that is more yacht-harbor than beach. )

How close to the beach do you want to be, and what is your budget? There are reasonably-priced options in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach, which will get you close to the beach and downtown shopping areas of those cities, while affording easy access to the freeways to explore the rest of LA. Of course, the closer to the beach you get, the more expensive the lodging.

Check out: www.theseaviewinn.com/index.htm
The Shade Hotel in MB and the Beach House in Hermosa will put you right in the middle of the villagey areas, but are pricey.

If you don't mind staying along Pacific Coast Highway, about a mile (or less) from the beach, there is a Hawthorn Suites, a Holiday Inn Express and a Quality Inn that are usually pretty reasonable.

Redondo Beach has some reasonable options, as well, but will put you farther from the freeways for your LA excursions.

"You could do a day-trip/ full day excursion up to LA but not back-and-forths."

I agree with that, Clark.

Based on -
"We want to sty near the beach for 3 or 4 nights to chill out after a lot of driving. want somethig villagey and not to fashionable or expensive but close enough to visit los angeles "

I got the impression they wanted to be still for 3 or 4 nights but near enough to go to LA one day. I agree it's not a good base for back and forth but sounded like what they were looking for.

I use Islamorada in the same way. I like "chilling out" for several days and going into Key West for a day trip ONE day - but it would not be a good base for back and forths.

Maybe the OP can clarify if they want a base for daily visits to LA or just a place to chill nearby.

I think you'd really enjoy the Hermosa Beach-Manhattan Beach area. Low key, great beach, plenty of restaurants, the "strand" for walking and biking, fun shops.

Hi, we just want to do one visit to LA and be on or near the beach for rest of time ,we have 5 days before returning to SFo and our flighthome and hope to spend the night before in Monterey any ideas for somewhere near there on a medium budget and what is best to see there ? Many thanks for all the great advice !