Hi,
My uncle just called from Seattle and would like me to help plan my aunt's birthday--a weekend in LA. She is in her early 40's, likes to party. A few couples will be flying in to join us.
So, I am looking for a nice place for them to stay--preferably in the Westside. Not too expensive but not shabby either. Maybe a B and B if one exists or just a nice hotel near the ocean.
Most important, I need help finding a place for dinner--some place fun for tourists and for a birthday celebration. It's a fun-loving group of people--fairly sophisticated but not snobby. Again, can't do ultra-expensive but something nice.

Please help!! I live in LA but am feeling a little overwhelmed!

Thanks,

Alisa

Give us some specifics; especially prices and tastes.

One restaurant option is Gladstones 4 Fish. It is a restaurant right on the beach in Malibu. Not too expensive ($15-$25 entrees?), very lively. Food is good, atmosphere is fun. They wrap your leftovers in foil in the shape of animals.

Not sure if this fits your geographical requirements for lodging, but here goes:
We recently (a month ago) stayed at the Inn at Venice Beach. Our room (a loft suite) was charming, and we loved the location. Not a perfect place, but pretty darn nice and close to the beach. Not too expensive, either, and Continental breakfast was included in the rate. (We opted out of our Santa Monica reservations when we saw how little we were getting for our money.) Found it through the AAA. We weren't sure if we were actually in Venice, or in Marina Del Rey, not that it matters, but it wasn't right in the honky-tonk heart of Venice, plus it's reasonably close to LAX (though we never heard an airplane.) Check it out, or write if you want more details. Good luck with the party!

West side, not too expensive is the Ramada Inn on Santa Monica Blvd in West Los Angeles. Close by for Dinner is a great place (my favorate in LA) called Cafe La Boheme also on Santa Monica Blvd. I never go to LA with out going there! Have a great party and ...Happy Bithday to your lucky aunt.

Hi,
Thanks for the replies. I will try to clarify...hotel-wise, something under $175 per nite max. On the westside because that is where the LA people going to the party reside.

As for dinner/celebration, I would say no more than $50 per person with drinks. My aunt enjoys all kinds of food, especially seafood, likes to have a few cocktails. Nothing too quiet or intimate as this is a fun-loving and borderline rowdy group. Not obnoxiously so, but there will be much laughter and conversation. I am looking for something more than just a nice restaurant. I have heard that the House of Blues has a good brunch so we could do that on Sunday--but I am stumped for dinner. Gladstones would be a good choice I think--I will run that by my uncle.

Thanks for the replies!!