Michael

Oops. The name of the town is Lucia; no Santa in front of it. You can map google it.

MomDDTravel

I am a little concerned about "La Jolla" on hotwire - I would have to look at the actual zone they have but be aware that La Jolla could mean La Jolla Village Drive - which is not by the village or the beach. I spent many years there - it could be the Hyatt on LaJolla Village drive or the Marriott. It is a busy area with shops and offices and homes/apartments.

Regarding the question of if you can go to Universal Studios from La Jolla? Yes, you will be driving a while but I think it would be fine. We live in Orange County and went up after Christmas, and stayed at the Sheraton Universal- truth is, one day was enough at Universal - you really do not need more if you get there first thing in the morning.

shanek

MBnancy, The Crown looks great and helps me stay within budget. I have booked 4 nights there, thanks for the tip. I thought about extending out my stay until the 4th but it would make the dash down the coast a little too frantic. I didn't want to cut back time at SanDiego as there is so much that I want to see and do there.

Thanks for the Disney specials. I am leaning towards an off-park stay and a "Good Neighbour" Hotel, just need to decide which one.

I am still a bit confused on the whole Anaheim/LA leg. Can I check out some LA sites using Anaheim as a base? We will be there over a weekend, before 3 days in Disney, and have tickets to the Saturday night Dodgers v Angels game at Dodger Stadium. Would it make for sense to get an LA hotel (where?) for 3 nights and then move to Anaheim for 3?

MomDDTravel

I am confused on your time as well in Anaheim/La. There is not much by the Dodger Stadium. Wish you were going to Anaheim Stadium is nicer - But anyway -

Can you check out some LA sites using Anaheim as a base? The answer to that is yes. I live in OC and go to LA for the day at different times - be prepared for traffic - there is always traffic (almost) I have got to Beverly Hills in less than an hour and it has taken 3 plus hours before. Hard to say.

I like Santa Monica as a base for LA and think your teens would as well. I would not want to stay in Anaheim for 6 nights.

I still recommend a Disney Hotel over a neighboring hotel for the general experience. Budget wise there is the Paradise Pier Hotel that usually has pretty competitive rates. The California Grand is one of my favorite hotels. Lovely.. but very $$$. You can get good deals through Disney for passes and hotels. (I cannot remember if you ended up doing that?)

How many days did you want to spend @ the parks?

sf7307

I would recommend spending 3 nights somewhere in LA, and then 3 nights in Anaheim, mainly because traffic is so awful in the LA area that you'll be spending too much time (not to mention annoyance) going to and from Anaheim to whatever sites you want to see in LA. That said, LA is so spread out that no particular area is central to all the sites. Do you know what you want to do/see besides the Dodger game?

You could stay in the Hollywood area, which would be close enough to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Dodger Stadium, Burbank, even the beaches of Santa Monica, etc.

shanek

I agree MomDD. I dont really want to roll the dice with La Jolla as location is the most important thing. I am thinking of the Best Western by the Sea. It seems like the only place that I can get for under $200 a night that will be a short walk to the beach. Do you know the place? Is there another beach near SD that has less expensive accomodation options?

MomDDTravel

Adding - you asked up thread about going to Universal from La Jolla - if you are going to be in LA - I would just go then.

I would personally stay in Santa Monica by 3rd street - and go to the Dodger game, Universal Studios, and any other sites you want to see (do you like museums? - the Getty is amazing and there is a great Museum of Tolerance)..walk the board walk down to Venice Beach - go on the Pier, walk around 3rd street Promanade - drive to Anaheim after - spend 3 nights in Anaheim - enjoy DL for all that is is -

MomDDTravel

I had to google the BW La Jolla - as I could not remember it - Fay Ave is right down in the village - so it should be fine. I remember the Empress as well (Hotel) would have to see what the current trip advisor rates it as it has been too long since I have stayed there to give a current recommendation.

As far as beaches in San Diego - there are many - I prefer North County but that most likely is not the best location for seeing all of San Diego. I assume you want to go to the Zoo, would recommend the Midway - is interesting - Coranado is lovely if you can make the rates work at a hotel.

Do not stay in Oceanside - have seen that a few times on the boards - people get lured there by rates.

MomDDTravel

I have stayed at two hotels in Santa Monica:

http://lemerigothotel.com/

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/index.do

If you stay at the doubletree - ask for a room AWAY from the freeway view. It will be less expensive than the Marriott and is more spacious.

If you get a good rate at the Marriott - do not pay for an Ocean view room - they were obstructed for the most part by the building in front. The pool is sort of lame, but it is a nice property and close to the boardwalk.

I have heard excellent success on bidding on hotels in Santa Monica - but would check bidding for travel first.

shanek

We get into LA early on Friday the 11th. The plan is to do a bit of exploring for 3 days around the Hollywood and Santa Monica areas. We have tickets to the game on Saturday night as there was no game at Anaheim stadium during our stay (also have tix for Giants game at AT&T, nothing on in San Diego during our stay either).

We will then spend 3 days at Disney from Monday. We dont have to be there early on the Monday as we will have a 3 day pass, so will stay in Anaheim Monday-Wed nights.

It sounds like Hollywood would be a good base for our first 3 nights as long as it wont be too horrific travelling to Anaheim on the Monday morning.

MomDDTravel

Okay... I quickly checked the Empress in La Jolla on Tripadvisor - it gets okay reviews - but the rates are awesome. I plugged in a few for June and some had specials of 155.00 a night - you might want to check it out. Again, I have not stayed there in over 10 years ... so maybe someone else can weigh in.

http://www.empress-hotel.com/

There use to be a wonderful old Italian resturant ($$$) called Manhattans in the building. Rachel Whelch was a frequent patron. Not sure if it is still there or if it is the same ownership.

MomDDTravel

One more thing (maybe more - if you stay in the village - go here for breakfast... usually a wait but wonderful:

http://www.cottagelajolla.com/

divineMissM

Santa Monica in summertime is not going to fit too well into your hotel budgeting plan.

If you tour on Saturday and Sunday, you should have little trouble doing day trips from Anaheim and seeing plenty of the L.A. area. It would be nice to stay closer-in for a couple of nights, but with kids...changing hotels can be a hassle too. Might be nice to just have a base for 5 or 6 nights and deal with the traffic. Saturday and Sunday traffic is usually bearable.

shanek

Sorry MomDD, our posts must have crossed. Will consider Santa Monica over Hollywood for our base.

If I left SM at around 9am on Monday morning would I expect to be at Disney by 10-10.30?

I am leaving Universal Studio for the end of our trip as we will have the last night back at LA and didn't want to do this a day or 2 before Disney.

I will check out Coranado and thanks for the tip about Oceanside.

Yes, the Zoo, Seaworld and Midway are on our list as well as Balboa park. Certainly plenty to see in San Diego!!

shanek

Empress rates for July hit 250+ but it does look nice. Would like a pool for the kids though and they dont mention one.

elnap29

With our daughter living in Santa Monica and then in Century City, we found it was less expensive to stay in Century City area of Los Angeles. The Holiday Inn Express on West Olympic is good for a family, includes breakfast and is close to the 10 and 405 freeways, so it's well-located for touring different parts of LA. Our drive to Disneyland was pretty quick (on a weekend) - maybe 30 -45 min? So that is another option for you. But the hotel does charge for valet parking, I think 10 or 15 per day. But with kids you would want to stay near Disneyland for those nights. We liked Candy Cane Inn in Anaheim, right next to Disney - very good for families.

onemoneygirl

When I gave that hint I meant San Francisco... I was not refering to poster SF...lol. Yes, SF7307, I know you live there... you always give great advice and I would never try to give you advice about your hometown! I was just trying to help them find a sure thing in a good location for the price. That's all.

SandyBrit

shanek:

Have you looked on htpp://www.sandiego.org the official San Diego visitor site for lots of ideas including offers and money off coupons?

Another hotel we like and have stayed several times is The Homewood Suites at Liberty Station, San Diego htpp://www.homewoodsuites.com it is not far from the airport. This hotel has "free parking", full breakfast and a light evening meal Monday/Thursday. The rooms all have a small kitchen, great for snacks and drinks. Your children would enjoy the pool. Grocery store within walking distance etc. See reviews for this and other hotels on htp://www.tripadvisor.com

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday.

Sandy

lincasanova

also www.mousesavers.com even for rental car discounts

p.s. the meal plan at disney, at least in orlando, is really a good deal as it includes tax and tip. (At least that is what I have been told by someone who goes to Disney with kids OFTEN).

I am unaware if this exists in California, but just letting you know.

sf7307

>>

My bad (I'm sure that expression is about 10 years out of date, but you know what I mean!)