family hotel near La Brea Tar Pits and LA art museum
 

I'm trying not to spend a fortune on a downtown hotel but I don't want to be in a bad part fo town either with my children, ages 7 and 9 in very early Dec. Does anyone have suggestions? I'd like to only spend between $100 to $200 a night, if that is possible

Look at this hotel:

http://www.farmersdaughterhotel.com/

The Best Western Sunset Plaza or The Hilgard House (near UCLA).

Your kids are a good age to visit The Science Center, and the Museum of Natural History as well. And don't miss the Griffith Observatory...in December the holiday lights festival will be nearby, too. Will you have a car?

There is a Residence Inn on Beverly Drive, which is in a decent neighborhood, and not too far from the "Miracle Mile" area where LACMA and the Tar Pits are located. Since it is all suites, you would have a little more room for you and your family.

Just a cautionary word: Parking's kind of tricky at that Residence Inn. They usually say "valet parking", but you can ask to self park on the lowest level (no parking fees then!).

The location is not good for street parking.

Otherwise, it's a great hotel for that area.