We have been debating on a trip this summer with our two teenage boys and have it narrowed to Newport/Laguna Beach area OR Universal Studios/& a beach city for 4 nights. Looking at a map, I see the closest beach areas are between Malibu and Long Beach, but never going to that area would not know which is the best for tourists/families. Any suggestions?

PS. Forgot to say, we don't want a seedy beach town. Hoping for something similar to Laguna Beach, Lajolla, etc. Thanks

The beach city that's probably best set up for tourists would probably be Santa Monica. You'll have plenty of lodging choices, and there are restaurants and shopping and movie houses and what-not all over. It's also a bit easier to get around; you can do 100% surface streets to Universal Studios Hollywood, seeing a lot of the LA area along the way. Santa Monica is a city, however-- lots of global companies have headquarters and/or branch offices in the Downtown SM area, which has an urban vibe despite having sand and surf so close by.

The beach city with the best Beach City Vibe would probably be Hermosa Beach, but lodging is a bit of a challenge (not as many choices as, say, SM) and it's quite a bit harder to get to the tourist things you'll probably be wanting to hit. Still, HB is really pretty cool.

And just an FYI: It's La Jolla, two words (in case you try to Google information).

Hermosa Beach was recommended to you on your previous posts, also.

Manhattan Beach is also a good choice. It's just a bit closer to the freeways to get to the other L.A. Attractions.

The only decent hotel right on the beach between LAX and Long Beach is the Beach House in Hermosa, which had also been suggested to you on your previous thread.

Redondo Beach is just S of Hermosa Beach. A very fine Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza is on the beach. A Hol Inn Express is about a mile off the beach and boardwalk. Great restaurants surfside and downtown. Safe, scenic and a beautiful beach.

I would go either Hermosa/Manhattan, or Hungtington Beach, for teen boys.

I think your boys would love Hermosa Beach. For the Vibe that rjw mentioned.

taratravels,

You have seven different posts going with similar questions. You have gotten duplicate and triplicate answers. Please click on your name to find the answers on your previous posts.

Also, the Crowne Plaza in Redondo is most certainly NOT on the beach. It is across from the Cheesecake Factory parking lot. Beyond that is the marina and breakwater. The Beach is a 5-10 minute walk north (Hermosa) or south (Redondo).

Let's not mislead this poster or anyone else looking for beachfront hotels in the South Bay. There are NO hotels on the beach in Redondo or Manhattan Beach. In Hermosa, there are two. One is the Beach House and the other the truly awful Seasprite.