Good place to stay near or between LA and Anaheim
Aug 12th, 2003, 05:13 PM
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Good place to stay near or between LA and Anaheim
Is there any good way to do LA, Hollywood, and Anaheim. Is there a nice town halfway or so where I could stay at a nice place and commute back and forth as needed to Disney, Hollywood, etc.
Thanks
Ken
Thanks
Ken
Aug 12th, 2003, 06:28 PM
#4
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OK, I am sure your right. If I had to stay in either the Anaheim area or the LA or Hollywood area what is best to commute back and forth from? I know there will be traffic but is there a place like maybe Santa Monica or something that is not so crowded? If not, what do you recommend?
Thanks
Ken
Thanks
Ken
Aug 12th, 2003, 07:07 PM
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The LA metro area comprises several counties, sprawls over an area larger than many countries, and has a highway system that stays busy day and night (I've seen the roads empty at 4 AM-- but at no other time).
First thing: get a map. Second, you're going in February, which is low season for tourism. You shouldn't have huge crowds then, but there are always tourists here. Santa Monica isn't a sleepy little beach town, it's an actual city, so you get city traffic and crowds.
Anaheim is not a particularly fun town, other than Disney and the Angels (and with the season they're having...), so don't stay there. Beverly Hills is relatively centrally located, and much more desirable than Hollywood (with the exception of the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel, which is actually good). West Hollywood hotels on Sunset Blvd are good. Santa Monica is expensive for what you get (I work there), and like all beach communities it's hard to get around in (and hard to get in and out of), but if this is your first visit to the area, you could have a great time.
Without having a better idea of what you plan to see in the area, I can't really give you any other guidance.
First thing: get a map. Second, you're going in February, which is low season for tourism. You shouldn't have huge crowds then, but there are always tourists here. Santa Monica isn't a sleepy little beach town, it's an actual city, so you get city traffic and crowds.
Anaheim is not a particularly fun town, other than Disney and the Angels (and with the season they're having...), so don't stay there. Beverly Hills is relatively centrally located, and much more desirable than Hollywood (with the exception of the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel, which is actually good). West Hollywood hotels on Sunset Blvd are good. Santa Monica is expensive for what you get (I work there), and like all beach communities it's hard to get around in (and hard to get in and out of), but if this is your first visit to the area, you could have a great time.
Without having a better idea of what you plan to see in the area, I can't really give you any other guidance.
Aug 12th, 2003, 10:00 PM
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I agree with a lot of the things rjw advised you on. But if you must stay somewhere between LA and Anaheim, you might consider the following: Sheraton at Cerritos Town Center, Embassy Suites in Downey, and Marriott in Norwalk. There not located in iffy neighborhoods, although parts of Norwalk are, and convenient to freeways.
Aug 13th, 2003, 03:22 AM
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RJW, Thanks for all the info. What is the weather typically like in Santa Monica or similar beach areas in February? Is it usually beach weather? We would like to hit the beaches at least one full day. We want to go on the Warner Brothers tour, see some stars homes, and also visit Anaheim a couple of times. I am not staying in Anaheim after reading your advice. What do you think of the places Blue Fan mentioned as possibilities? Finally, just how far off the route back and forth from Disney to West Hollywood would be one of the beaches that you might recommend or Santa Monica?
Thanks a lot
Ken
Thanks a lot
Ken
Aug 13th, 2003, 03:24 AM
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Blue Fan, Thanks for the info. Just how bad are any or all of these towns. I was considering maybe taking one of these since I will be spending so little time at the hotel and traveling from Beverly Hills to Anaheim to Hollywood to ANaheim almost every day. Are we confined to our room at night in these towns?
Thanks so much
Ken
Thanks so much
Ken
Aug 13th, 2003, 07:13 AM
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bluefan is correct in saying that Cerritos, Downey and Norwalk aren't unsafe cities. What is left out is that there's absolutely NO REASON to be in those cities except as a citizen. Cerritos does have a very nice Center for the Performing Arts-- but otherwise, there is little in the way of restaurants or nightlife or interesting stuff to entertain you. All they have going for them is "central" location.
Santa Monica in February? It is NOT beach weather, usually. Winters in the CA coastal desert are not hot-- highs will be in the low to mid 60s most days, with lows in the high 40s and low 50s. Closer to spring weather in other places. You may luck out and get a heat wave (I remember well the day of the Northridge Earthquake-- Jan 17, 1994-- when it was in the 70s in Santa Monica when I reached my earthquake-damaged office building; when I got back home to Torrance, it was in the high 80s)-- but I'd count on more spring-like weather. Light rain is always a possibility.
Regarding your travel plans: I URGE you to look on a scale map of the southern California area. Pay attention to the distances. The LA metro area, to the great disappointment of many visitors, is not laid out like Disneyland for the convenience of tourists. An Anaheim/West Hollywood/Santa Monica trip is a daunting little journey.
Santa Monica in February? It is NOT beach weather, usually. Winters in the CA coastal desert are not hot-- highs will be in the low to mid 60s most days, with lows in the high 40s and low 50s. Closer to spring weather in other places. You may luck out and get a heat wave (I remember well the day of the Northridge Earthquake-- Jan 17, 1994-- when it was in the 70s in Santa Monica when I reached my earthquake-damaged office building; when I got back home to Torrance, it was in the high 80s)-- but I'd count on more spring-like weather. Light rain is always a possibility.
Regarding your travel plans: I URGE you to look on a scale map of the southern California area. Pay attention to the distances. The LA metro area, to the great disappointment of many visitors, is not laid out like Disneyland for the convenience of tourists. An Anaheim/West Hollywood/Santa Monica trip is a daunting little journey.
Aug 13th, 2003, 08:13 AM
#11
And if you are planning to go to Anaheim more than one day, why not stay there overnight? Anaheim is not a ghetto. There are many decent hotels around Disneyland. In fact, Disney opened a new hotel last year adjacent to California Adventure. It looks very nice.
I really don't understand your need to commute back and forth. See what you want to see in the L.A. area, then go to Anaheim and see what you want to see at Disneyland. Otherwise, all you're going to "see" is the rear bumper of the car in front of you.
I really don't understand your need to commute back and forth. See what you want to see in the L.A. area, then go to Anaheim and see what you want to see at Disneyland. Otherwise, all you're going to "see" is the rear bumper of the car in front of you.
Aug 13th, 2003, 08:22 AM
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Random stuff:
-- Water in the north Pacific is always cool; in February it will be downright cold. Forget about doing any swimming; surfers wear full wetsuits when surfing in the winter.
-- Anaheim, as Jean notes, is NOT a "ghetto". There are some nice hotels to choose from (as well as total hellholes). Downtown Disney has brought the city a few (just a few) reasons for adults to stay in Anaheim after dark. But you're still inland, still having to drive pretty far for any kind of real nighttime entertainment (or better choices of high-end dining). I know that may be less of a consideration if you're traveling with kids, but....
-- Water in the north Pacific is always cool; in February it will be downright cold. Forget about doing any swimming; surfers wear full wetsuits when surfing in the winter.
-- Anaheim, as Jean notes, is NOT a "ghetto". There are some nice hotels to choose from (as well as total hellholes). Downtown Disney has brought the city a few (just a few) reasons for adults to stay in Anaheim after dark. But you're still inland, still having to drive pretty far for any kind of real nighttime entertainment (or better choices of high-end dining). I know that may be less of a consideration if you're traveling with kids, but....
Aug 13th, 2003, 10:38 AM
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...and you will have your kids with you...
Trying to get kids to go along with the family is like herding cats: ""John, will you PLEASE get off the phone with your girlfriend?" "No, Betty, you can't watch the cartoon any more. Turn off the television!" etc. etc.
Once in the car, the perpetual question is: "Aren't we there yet?"
Maybe this, along with staring at bumper snickers, could be someone's idea of a vacation.
Otherwise, stay near the attractions, get the kids into an attraction early so they can run around a lot, then poop out at the hotel at night. Nearby hotel.
As everyone here has been trying to convey: it is HIGHLY impractical to think of COMMUTING from one end of LA to another just to be "midway" between attractions. You are not going to save any money, but you WILL be wasting a lot of time on the freeways.
Trying to get kids to go along with the family is like herding cats: ""John, will you PLEASE get off the phone with your girlfriend?" "No, Betty, you can't watch the cartoon any more. Turn off the television!" etc. etc.
Once in the car, the perpetual question is: "Aren't we there yet?"
Maybe this, along with staring at bumper snickers, could be someone's idea of a vacation.
Otherwise, stay near the attractions, get the kids into an attraction early so they can run around a lot, then poop out at the hotel at night. Nearby hotel.
As everyone here has been trying to convey: it is HIGHLY impractical to think of COMMUTING from one end of LA to another just to be "midway" between attractions. You are not going to save any money, but you WILL be wasting a lot of time on the freeways.
Aug 13th, 2003, 12:42 PM
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Have to agree with rjw - you need to get a good map and truly look at how big LA is. Unlike almost any other major metropolitan area in the US, LA does not have fast public transportation that will always take you to every major attraction. Commuting back and forth from LA (almost anywhere in LA) to Anaheim is not a fun thing. (I live in Orange County, not far from Anaheim)
Get a map and think about what you want to see/do. All of the LA sites can be done from one location. If you want to do Disney, it might be best to get a room for one or two nights, either at the beginning or end of your trip. Less time on the road means more time for fun!
Get a map and think about what you want to see/do. All of the LA sites can be done from one location. If you want to do Disney, it might be best to get a room for one or two nights, either at the beginning or end of your trip. Less time on the road means more time for fun!
Aug 13th, 2003, 01:42 PM
#16
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Well guys and gals, I appreciate all of the advice. Since it is so consistent, I would have to be nuts not to listen to everyone. I am going to price different hotels until I come up with something in Beverly Hills, or, if I have to Sest Hollywood. In addition, I will stay for two days and one night in Anaheim for them to get the Disney out of them and me not to look at bumpers.
Thanks so much
Ken
Thanks so much
Ken
Aug 13th, 2003, 03:11 PM
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Kendu,
What is this "until I come up with something in Beverly Hills, or if I have to, West Hollywood"? West Hollywood is more fun and funky than Beverly Hills...I wouldn't say it's unsafe (unless yr LOOKING for a tranny hooker at 4am)...and besides, a lot of tourists seem to think there is nothing but endless sights in BH and it's really not true at all...plus I think people think they're going to feel glamorous or something and I know for myself that when I'm in the really fancy stretches of town I just feel even schleppier.
You can't really go WRONG there, it's just my unnecessary two cents.
Sorry.
love
roxy
What is this "until I come up with something in Beverly Hills, or if I have to, West Hollywood"? West Hollywood is more fun and funky than Beverly Hills...I wouldn't say it's unsafe (unless yr LOOKING for a tranny hooker at 4am)...and besides, a lot of tourists seem to think there is nothing but endless sights in BH and it's really not true at all...plus I think people think they're going to feel glamorous or something and I know for myself that when I'm in the really fancy stretches of town I just feel even schleppier.
You can't really go WRONG there, it's just my unnecessary two cents.
Sorry.
love
roxy
Aug 13th, 2003, 03:27 PM
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roxy-- Good points! Having said that, I would limit my West Hollywood search to those fun hotels on Sunset, a couple near Beverly Center and Le Montrose (on Hammond, off of Melrose). The hotels on or near Santa Monica Blvd. are kinda down-market.
Beverly Hills is central, there IS stuff to do and see in the vicinity. But you're right, it's really just a city set up for the convenience of its (fabulously wealthy) inhabitants.
Beverly Hills is central, there IS stuff to do and see in the vicinity. But you're right, it's really just a city set up for the convenience of its (fabulously wealthy) inhabitants.
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