First trip to Los Angeles
 

Need help selecting a hotel for our family trip. Like to stay very close toUniversal Hollywood theme park. Need info on Sheraton or Hilton, Also info on best bus tours,studio tours and casino . Trip is planned for 1st week in July. How is the weatherv in JUly? We are coming from North Carolina.

I live here so never use a hotel.

The weather in July should be sunny and warm (hot the further you go inland).

If it were me I would stay in Santa Monica or West Hollywood.

The only casinos I know of are way out by Palm Springs, Casino Morongo (90 miles east). There are also two casinos in the Temecula wine country (90 miles southeast)

Don't forget the family-friendly Hustler Casino in Gardena, and the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood. I'm not sure what you are looking for in a casino, but in case you didn't catch the sarcasm, neither of these places are very attractive.

For bus tours: www.starlinetours.com has a hop-on/hop-off open-air double-decker bus tour. I live here, too, so I haven't taken one. I've seen them around town, though, and everyone looks like they're having fun.

Universal Theme Park includes a studio tour in your admission. It is a pretty comprehensive tour, and should do the trick for you. If you want a stand-alone studio tour, then I like Warner Brothers.

Can't help you with hotels, but the weather in July should be beautiful and waaaay less humid than NC. :)

Enjoy your trip!

Best studio tour for us is Warner Brothers. Other LA highlights: Getty Center, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Venice, Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. Enjoy?

HTTY

There are both Sheraton and Hilton hotels within walking distance of Universal Studios, Stayed in both and they are very nice hotels.
The Hilton Checkers in downtown is also excellent, but the location isn't great for visiting the area's attractions.