We get into Los Angeles on Sunday 31st March 2013 (Easter), and fly home (to Sydney, Australia) at 10pm on the Monday night. We've been to LA a couple of times before, so this time we'd like to see the Getty Museum, which we haven't seen before. Unfortunately the Getty is closed on Monday's, so have to see it on Sunday, the day we get off a cruise ship at Long Beach. We need help on where we should stay for the Sunday night - somewhere that makes it easy to get public transport from the port at Long Beach,, to accommodation, to Getty, to International Airport next day. We don't need anything fancy, just a bed and own bathroom, preferably in an area with a bit of a vibe, where we can walk to restaurant.

Any suggestions?

The "public transport" necessity stumped me. Unless others know the answer, look for help here: http://www.metro.net/

HTtY

You are asking a lot combining Long Beach, the Getty, a hotel and LAX - all by public transport.

You won't be jet lagged, so driving shouldn't be an issue. I'd rent a car from Long Beach, drive to the Getty, then drive to your hotel someplace like Santa Monica, then the next day drive to the LAX. All the rental agencies are off airport and have shuttle buses.

If you are concerned about driving on the "other" side of the road - and/or about driving on Freeways - you could take the Coast road up to the Getty and avoid the freeways, but they shouldn't be that crowded on Sunday morning?

It would take longer but does have some pretty spots. From the Getty - or Santa Monica - it's not that far back to LAX.

And if you want some youthful/college vibe - stay at this "Guest House" on the UCLA campus - also not far from the Getty or LAX. You could walk around and choose your "vibe". http://tinyurl.com/dkckl

My friend and I stayed in Hollywood when we visited LA a year ago. As we both don't have a driver's licence (we live in Singapore, where a car can easily cost you the sun and public transportation brings you everywhere) she took the train (761 I think?) and bus to the Getty, I took the bus to the Warner Brothers' studio in Burbank. My bus was fine, but she told me hers had singing hippies (I kid you not) in it. They were harmless, though.

It also took her about 2 hours to get to the Getty, in total. Also, I'm sure you already know this but the Getty closes at 5.30pm on Sundays. If you're going to stick to public transport, will you have enough time to get from Long Beach -> hotel -> Getty?

For those instances when public transport were a hassle for us in LA, we used SuperShuttles to get around. They mainly do airport shuttles but someone I know has used them as a 'taxi' service before. http://www.supershuttle.com/ You might want to use them to get to LAX when you're leaving on Monday.

http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php

Start - Metro Rail Blue Line from the Long Beach Transit Mall
to the end of the line.

Change to Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 - take to the end - the Santa Monica Tourist Info Booth - you'll be at the beach. At the info booth or call the hotel which is near by.

CalMar Hotel
calmarhotel.com
310 395-5555.

I'm recommending the Cal Mar Hotel because it's safe, in a fun area and is half way between each of the two Getty's. There is a Getty Museum and a Getty Villa. The hotel can help you get to either. A cab will probably be best.

Have fun. Public transportation is LA works.

I looked at your itinerary more closely. A town car would be better - about 170.00 plus tip. Obviously more expensive that public transportation but, I'm a native, and you are talking some pretty long distances.

Try this place. They're in my neighborhood which is on the Westside of Los Angeles which includes the areas the Gettys are in and the hotel I recommended and have good reviews on Yelp. They would really know their way around the specific neighborhoods.
http://www.westsidetowncar.net/

If this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'd go for the town car.

I still recommend the CalMar for a hotel.

Why not stay at Hotel Angeleno which is just down hill from the Getty Center? I think they even have a free shuttle bus.

http://www.hotelangeleno.com/

You can just take a Supershuttle or PrimeTime shared van transfer from the port to the hotel, and again back to the airport.