I lived in Long Beach and worked in Irvine, the 405 being a 20 minute ride would be a good day. Hit that stretch of road anywhere even close to commuter times and it's a nightmare. Used to take me an hour to an hour and fifteen to get to work and home.

There some good hotels in downtown Long Beach: Westin, Hyatt, Courtyard, Renaissance. My parents stayed at a Best Western on PCH many years ago and it passed Mom's muster. There's a quaint B&B in Dowtown, Lord Mayor's.

Bobbi: What you say is true. The 405 can be a nightmare between CM and LB, you're right (20 minutes would be on a weekend). I've never looked at surface street alternates other than PCH, but there have to be more direct routes.

Your list of downtown hotels is good. That Best Western on PCH is closer to the Belmont Pool and CSULB, so it's a good choice as well. The Seaport Inn, just down PCH, is NOT a good choice (it hasn't been remodeled since the 1980s, and looks it).

rjw_lgb_ca,

Yes! "Koi" is correct. You are also (obviously) correct that hotel/motel choices in "old" Seal Beach are few and far between. Better off staying in Long Beach (as long as you know where to stay) and visiting Seal Beach.

AL ((D))

Thanks, I've happily added KOI to my Must list!
Only found a couple Ayres Anaheim pics, sorry, thought I took more.

http://community.webshots.com/album/70525378hrCcfW