My husband and I generally like to take a vacation the week after Christmas, because his business slows down at that time. (We leave the kids home and use this time to reconnect!) I was able to get a great price on 12/28 plane tickets to San Diego this year(we live in New England). Next, I decided to get a San Diego hotel for the last 3 nights of our trip through Priceline, figuring this would put us near the airport for our return trip. I entered "Coronado" as the area of interest, & sure enough I got a 4-star hotel as requested, but it is not in Coronado--it is the Hyatt Islandia (Mission Bay, I think?), which is absolutely panned in every review I can find. I tried to fight it, but Priceline will not budge--they say I must have done something wrong. OK, so I'll make the best of it--we'll want to do all the usual San Diego sightseeing, etc., so maybe it's not so horrible that I'm staying in a hotel that everybody seems to hate; but I want to do something wonderful the first 4 days. We have never been to LA, so I thought we'd head in that general direction upon landing--the problem is: where to go? I thought I might try Santa Monica, which I believe would be a nice central location to a myriad of sights--as well as putting us in a beach location, which we always enjoy. It occurs to me though, that the weather may not be decent enough to enjoy a beach location--would we be better off to just plunk ourselves down in the middle of Beverly Hills, for example? Would like to see all the usual LA tourist stuff, plus get some relaxation, great meals, etc. I was looking at an Inn in Santa Monica called "Cannon Road" where bike riding is possible, and I thought that sounded great. We also would certainly enjoy beautiful drives, and would consider breaking those four nights into two separate locations if it makes sense. Would value any opinions.

Actually, the recent reviews of the Islandia on www.biddingfortravel.com are generally positive - it was "upgraded" from 3-star to 4-star around the first of the year. In our experience with Priceline/Hyatt, we've found it very useful to have a Hyatt Gold Passport (free via Hyatt.com) - you may get upgraded or otherwise have a better room. Can't hurt, anyway.

Yes, BH is probably the better bet - you'll get plenty of waterfront action in San Diego (the hotel faces Mission Bay, but the beach proper isn't that far.) If I'm counting correctly, you'll be in LA for New Years. I honestly recommend, especially for first time visitors, that you seriously consider going to Pasadena for the Rose Parade. You can stand on the street or buy bleacher tickets (links at http://tournamentofroses.org) - but it's a blast and as good a way to spend January 1 as any.

Also I repeatedly recommend, for movie buffs, taking in a couple of late-release films in LA; the studios often rush out films just before the end of the year (not the Christmas blockbusters) for Oscar consideration. Sometimes you can go to "small" or indie movies in LA and see some Hollywood types in attendence in order to fill out their ballots. (The Academy used to send out videos and DVDs to members "for your consideration" but sadly "for your illegal duplication" was becoming too-frequent a result. It's rough between gigs, I guess.)

Have fun.

You may be thinking of Channel Road Inn in Santa Monica. I have had to cancel my stay there twice now, so can't give a review. I have read good reviews though. It is not on the ocean, it is a block away from the beach. I have driven by it and it does not appear that any shops or restaurants are close by. There is a paved trail along the beach from Santa Monica all the way to Venice beach, so a bicycle ride would be great. I have Rollerbladed it several times. Fun, especially if you like people watching. "Bay Watch" used to film close by there, so my husband had a great time "people watching" one day several years ago! Have fun, whatever you decide.

Thanks so much for the great idea about the Rose Parade. Never would have thought about it. I'm still wondering though, if it's at all worth it for me to consider a beach location or if it would be too cold in late Dec./early Jan.

It won't be "too cold" in the wintry weather sense, but probably too cold to do much more than walk on the sand. The Pacific is much colder than the Atlantic, so without a wetsuit put the thought of surfing out of your mind.

It may be windy; often the dead of winter is also when the biggest surf of the year is around, so there would be some prospects of watching the surfers wiping out.

But I would stay inland and spend a day at the beach, or two, if conditions are favorable. Much more to do the rest of the time in Beverly Hills etc.

Do the beach! Absolutely! If you're from New England, even if it's 60 degrees and very breezy walking the beach, you're gonna love the change.

Ok,so I'm thinking 3 nights in Beverly Hills and one at the beach. (Is that the right ratio?) Based on comments on this board, I'm wondering if it should be Santa Monica, Venice or Laguna Beach? Love the idea of walking on the sand, bikes & boardwalk activities. Opinions?

Well, if you're looking for boardwalk activities, you should strike Laguna Beach off your list. It's absolutely beautiful, wonderful, classy, artsy, laid-back-- but no boardwalk. Those kinds of activities are concentrated in the downtown LB area around Main Beach (yes, that's its name).

Santa Monica has the Pier, which is OK, but the boardwalk area is closer to Venice Beach. Venice Beach itself has a famous boardwalk, although it's a little more "out there" than the typical East Coast boardwalk (and thank god for that!!).

Frankly, why not stay at the Beach House in Hermosa Beach? The Strand is a mellow slice of CA beachfront vendors and shops, and the bike path extends from Torrance Beach all the way into Santa Monica.

Definetly do the Beach House in Hermosa Beach for 1 or 2 nts. You will love it there. Its on a great stretch of beach, and there is a rental shop very close to rent bikes, rollerbades, ect.There are good pictures on their website at beach-house.com .Prices include a continental breakfast. In my opinion its much nicer there than Santa Monica.

Bev--

The Rose Parade in Pasadena is a definite "Do Not Miss"

I know that you will be on the other of the LA basin but there are tour companies that will get you there and back and get grandstand seats for you. I will look them up and get back.

Book soon if you're talking about New Years Eve, the rates are up and they might have a 2 night minimum.

Santa Monica is great - don't miss it - you'll love the Promanade and the bluffs over the ocean. Then you can drive a few mins into Beverly Hills or also Malibu. Try the Fairmont Miramar in SM

OK, how about this:

Land in San Diego.
1) Drive straight to the Beach House Hermosa Beach for 2 nights. Spend some time in Santa Monica en route to Beverly Hills. 2) Spend 2 nights in Beverly Hills at an as-yet to be selected hotel (if anyone has Beverly Hills hotel suggestions I'm wide open), and from there do all the typical LA touristy things. Check out of the Beverly Hills hotel and go to the Rose Parade. 3) Drive down to San Diego for the remaining 3 nights. By the way, thank you all so much for your great help and interest. This is my most favorite website!

beverlysmith,

the last suggestion appears to be a good itinerary to me!
I suppose it is not possible to get an open-jaw-flight into L.A. and out of S.D. Under this assumption it might make sense to first fly into S.D. and then drive up the coast to Hermosa Beach.
As to hotels in B.H., the classic Beverly Hills Hotel jumps to mind along with the other classic, the Regent Beverly Wilshire. It's a question of budget, though. A hotel with a good location that most people like, but that is not quite as plush, would be the Beverly Hilton.
Enjoy your trip- and be assured that the Hyatt Islandia in S.D. is not at all that bad. I stayed there before its renovation, about three years ago. And while I did not think it was one of the better Hyatts and would have preferred to stay in La Jolla or on Coronado, I found it absolutely agreeable. Even more so, if you were able to secure a decent rate. S.D. is pretty easy to navigate and distances are not that long- so if you prefer Coronado, drive over, spend some time there and just have your night's rest at the Hyatt in Mission Beach.

Beverly Smith,
You might want to consider seeing some of the wonderful beachside cities on the way up from San Diego. La Jolla is fabulous; Del Mar and Carlsbad are very cute; then, after you drive through Camp Pendleton, get off at the San Clemente and take the Pacific Coast Highway all the way up to Hermosa. You'll pass Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Balboa Island (not to be missed -- our on little version of the Vineyard), Huntington Beach, Long Beach, etc. Very worthwhile and enjoyable ride. I agree with the writer who says that even at our coldest, our beaches are still fine for walking and viewing. Have a great time! (PS, don't use Priceline for LA -- I just requested a booking in Bel Air (glitzy) and ended up with a SMOKING room in a crummy Holiday Inn). Good Luck, and have a great time!
Allie

Add my vote for going to the Rose Bowl Parade. I was a cheerleader for Ohio State when the Buckeyes went to the Rose Bowl in 1985. The parade was the best part of the week (especialy since we got beat in the game) even though we had to get up at 4am to be a part of it. Seeing the floats in person is much different than seeing them on television where you don't grasp the attention to detail.

Bev,
Perhaps a night or two at the Hollywood Renaissance hotel would be fun. We're staying there for the first time in late Jan. so can't tell you about it from personal experience but I've read rave reviews on both this board and tripadvisor.com. I do know the location--across from the Hollywood Highlands shopping/dining area (and all the other touristy Hollywood things like the stars, footprints, etc.). Hollywood is so close to Beverly Hills--you could do a night at the Renaissance and 2 in B. Hills. Santa Monica was pretty--we ate at The Lobster near the pier and 3rd Street Promenade. Loved the restaurant and the whole area had a neat atmosphere.

I like your idea of a trip after Christmas--what a great time to relax!

Let me know if you need restaurant recommendations for the Hermosa Beach area. You might want to check with www.comedyandmagicclub.info to see if there's anyone interesting appearing while you're there.

Also, if you don't get to the actual Rose Parade, you can see the amazing floats up close in Pasadena the next day. We actually enjoyed this more than the parade itself. Of course you miss out on the marching bands and equestrians, etc. (tournamentofroses.com/current/postparade)

Have a great trip!

Go to www.sharpseating.com for tickets to the Tournament of Roses Parade. They range from $45-80. An even better value is to buy a $7 ticket to view the floats after the parade so you can get even closer to the floats.

You guys are just wonderful. Thanks for all the great ideas. I looked at the Beach House in Hermosa Beach, and it is a little pricy. Does anyone have any experience staying at the Laguna Beach Inn?