We're planning a trip to LA and San Diego. My eight-year-old daughter would be crazy about going to the Disney, so we'll probably buy a 3-day pass for that. There are hundreds of hotels around Disney, could anyone give me a hint if we should pick one really close or one with shuttle bus serive. We just need accommodation on budget type, but of course in safe and acceptable condition. Where shall we go for dinner, heard that all eating place in the theme parks are crownded with people, especially in summer holiday. Any suggestion of places to visit in LA, besides Disney and Universal Studio (with public transit).

Hamham, someone will surely have a hotel suggestion but you mention visiting Universal on public transit?? Unless you are planning on taking a special tour bus from your hotel in Anaheim (Disney area), it will take a long time to get to Universal via public transit. It's about an hour north by car in Universal City area of LA. I can understand why some visitors don't wish to rent and drive a car here (and I wish more of them wouldn't) because of the traffic and poor signage, etc. But give us more details on how you're planning on getting around. And how you're going to SD etc.

Saw your other post. If you go to:

http://www.mta.net/metro_transit/rai...stinations.htm

you'll see info about the new metro system. It does connect many of the sights you'll want to see. You might want to consider spending one or two nights at a hotel near Universal City or near one of the metro stops near Universal. You can cover Universal, Hollywood, Downtown from that base via the metro. Then you can probably pick up a train to Anaheim from Union Station (check this out, I have never done this) to spend your days at a Disneyland-area motel. There is a train that goes to SD. Once in SD they have a nice trolly system.

There is a Metrolink Train that runs from Union Station to Anaheim Monday-Friday. (no weekends)
www.metrolinktrains.com

Amtrak also goes from Union Station to Anaheim...and then continues on to San Diego. Coast Surfliner
www.amtrak.com
However, it will depend on your time and date to see if they match up.

The Red Line, as suggested previously, runs from Union Station to Universal City every 20 minutes. www.mta.net

For accomodation near Disneyland check out
www.comfortinnca524.com
or
www.econoatdisneyland.com

For something close to Universal Studios try the Holiday Inn on Highland in Hollywood. It's just a few blocks to the subway that goes directly to Universal - and often has low rates via www.expedia.com

In L.A. we stayed a the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn. They had a shuttle to Universal.

http://www.beverlygarland.com/

We had a car but opted to use public transportation and the hotel shuttle.

Enjoy . . Rich