Hollywood or Santa Monica lodging
May 16th, 2008 | 02:21 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Hollywood or Santa Monica lodging
Hi! My husband and I are traveling to the Coliseum this fall for a college football game. We are visiting other parts of California before arriving at LAX Friday afternoon. The game is Saturday night and then we depart Sunday from LAX. My understanding is that staying near USC is out. So, I'm in need of advice:
1. Lodging: It's been suggested that we stay either in downtown LA, near Hollywood or Santa Monica. Any recommendations for cheap, safe places in those areas?
2. Transportation: Do we need to rent a car? How far would a taxi ride be, both to/from airport and also to/from game? It seems silly to me to rent a car for two destinations but perhaps it's worth it in time and money.
3. Other: Any other things to take into consideration (activities that would make it better to stay in one place over the other)? We will have Friday afternoon to sightsee a little and most of Saturday too as it's a night game.
Thanks so much all for your help. Really looking forward to your suggestions!
1. Lodging: It's been suggested that we stay either in downtown LA, near Hollywood or Santa Monica. Any recommendations for cheap, safe places in those areas?
2. Transportation: Do we need to rent a car? How far would a taxi ride be, both to/from airport and also to/from game? It seems silly to me to rent a car for two destinations but perhaps it's worth it in time and money.
3. Other: Any other things to take into consideration (activities that would make it better to stay in one place over the other)? We will have Friday afternoon to sightsee a little and most of Saturday too as it's a night game.
Thanks so much all for your help. Really looking forward to your suggestions!
May 16th, 2008 | 07:04 PM
#2
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,106
Likes: 0
Hi leeni8!
1) Lodging - Do you know how to use Priceline? If so, you can get a great hotel downtown for about $75 plus tax and fees. If you have never used Priceline before but would like to try, please do come back and ask. Fodorites are very very good at guiding you throught the Priceline process. It's like learning to ride a bike, not difficult, but you need a bit of help.
The alternative is to get an airport hotel, also through Priceline. There is really no need for you to stay downtown just for one ball game.
2. Transportation - yes you will need a car. Period. Much cheaper than taxi - the traffic can be terrible and you don't want that meter running while you're stuck on the freeway!
3. What to do depends on what you like.
I could suggest that you go to the Getty Museum and then stay in the Santa Monica area and have dinner somewhere along the Promenade. You could also go to the beach and walk around there.
Tell us what you like to do and we could give you more suggestions.
1) Lodging - Do you know how to use Priceline? If so, you can get a great hotel downtown for about $75 plus tax and fees. If you have never used Priceline before but would like to try, please do come back and ask. Fodorites are very very good at guiding you throught the Priceline process. It's like learning to ride a bike, not difficult, but you need a bit of help.
The alternative is to get an airport hotel, also through Priceline. There is really no need for you to stay downtown just for one ball game.
2. Transportation - yes you will need a car. Period. Much cheaper than taxi - the traffic can be terrible and you don't want that meter running while you're stuck on the freeway!
3. What to do depends on what you like.
I could suggest that you go to the Getty Museum and then stay in the Santa Monica area and have dinner somewhere along the Promenade. You could also go to the beach and walk around there.
Tell us what you like to do and we could give you more suggestions.
May 16th, 2008 | 08:33 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,505
Likes: 4
If you're OSU alums, you might see if the alum association or another group is offering lodging and game transport packages.
What is your specific lodging budget?
If you don't have a car, staying downtown would be very easy. You could take public trans to the game and taxi back. (The USC website says kick-off is at 5:00 p.m.) There is direct bus service between LAX and Union Station (downtown train station). From downtown, you can take the metro to Hollywood, Chinatown, South Pasadena and Pasadena for any sightseeing time.
If you DO rent a car, factor in the parking costs at your hotel and at the game. Parking at the game can be incredibly expensive for someone who doesn't know the ins and outs. If you arrive many hours before the game, you might snag a spot on the SC campus or in one of the state-owned lots for about $10, but many fans will arrive at 7:00 a.m. to set up their tailgate parties. (If you come early, you could visit the Science Center, the Natural History Museum or picnic in Exposition Park or on the SC campus.) If you don't get lucky, parking could easily cost $40.
For LAX to Union Station bus info:
www.lawa.org/lax
For public trans info:
www.mta.net
What is your specific lodging budget?
If you don't have a car, staying downtown would be very easy. You could take public trans to the game and taxi back. (The USC website says kick-off is at 5:00 p.m.) There is direct bus service between LAX and Union Station (downtown train station). From downtown, you can take the metro to Hollywood, Chinatown, South Pasadena and Pasadena for any sightseeing time.
If you DO rent a car, factor in the parking costs at your hotel and at the game. Parking at the game can be incredibly expensive for someone who doesn't know the ins and outs. If you arrive many hours before the game, you might snag a spot on the SC campus or in one of the state-owned lots for about $10, but many fans will arrive at 7:00 a.m. to set up their tailgate parties. (If you come early, you could visit the Science Center, the Natural History Museum or picnic in Exposition Park or on the SC campus.) If you don't get lucky, parking could easily cost $40.
For LAX to Union Station bus info:
www.lawa.org/lax
For public trans info:
www.mta.net
May 17th, 2008 | 07:20 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 0
You can see a lot on a full Saturday with a car, and there are cheap weekend rates so it's your best bet, though parking at the game will be $$$.
If it's September it can be blazing hot, so I'd stay by the shore. Best Western Jamaica Bay in Marina del Rey is great, and just 10min from the airport on flight day. Foghorn Harbor Inn and Jolly Roger are two budget places near the Marina. If you prefer Santa Monica, Seashore Motel and Bayside Hotel are decent budget choices.
A visit to the Getty Center museum would fit on Friday, the museum stays open late and the Restaurant has quite a view, and it's an easy drive from the marina. Not cheap, but if you're on a budget you can share and get out of there for $30pp, and well worth it for the only-in-Los-Angeles mountaintop experience. Reservations required at www.getty.edu (Or, nearby is the UCLA neighborhood with lots of budget restaurants. )
Agree that the Science Center and the Museum of Natural History , near the Coliseum, are both great stops. But if you'd rather see more of L.A, from the shore you can drive into Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Walk of Fame, etc...then in the afternoon you'll be on the east side...and easy shoot to the game. So you could make a long long day of touring out of Saturday...or just stay by the shore and then head east late in the afternoon.
P.S. Not sure if it will extend to Sept/Oct...but Avis and Hertz have a link on their websites for 50% off weekend rates at major airports. Hopefully you have a cCard that covers the added insurances, or a home car policy that covers you in a rented car as well.
If it's September it can be blazing hot, so I'd stay by the shore. Best Western Jamaica Bay in Marina del Rey is great, and just 10min from the airport on flight day. Foghorn Harbor Inn and Jolly Roger are two budget places near the Marina. If you prefer Santa Monica, Seashore Motel and Bayside Hotel are decent budget choices.
A visit to the Getty Center museum would fit on Friday, the museum stays open late and the Restaurant has quite a view, and it's an easy drive from the marina. Not cheap, but if you're on a budget you can share and get out of there for $30pp, and well worth it for the only-in-Los-Angeles mountaintop experience. Reservations required at www.getty.edu (Or, nearby is the UCLA neighborhood with lots of budget restaurants. )
Agree that the Science Center and the Museum of Natural History , near the Coliseum, are both great stops. But if you'd rather see more of L.A, from the shore you can drive into Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Walk of Fame, etc...then in the afternoon you'll be on the east side...and easy shoot to the game. So you could make a long long day of touring out of Saturday...or just stay by the shore and then head east late in the afternoon.
P.S. Not sure if it will extend to Sept/Oct...but Avis and Hertz have a link on their websites for 50% off weekend rates at major airports. Hopefully you have a cCard that covers the added insurances, or a home car policy that covers you in a rented car as well.
May 17th, 2008 | 07:34 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,597
Likes: 0
And, there is quite a bit to see downtown, depending on your interests, including several museums and architectue tours. And some very good restaurants
Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, China town, Japanese American Museum, MOCA, Geffen Contemporary
Grand Central Station, Disney Concert Hall, new Cathedral (nicer inside), City Hall (filmed in many movies and TV shows), Bradbury Building, Grand Central Market, walking tours http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4
Water Grill, Roy's, Ciudad, Cafe Pinot, Nick N Stef's, La Golondrina Cafe in Olvera Street (or Luz del Dia for more casual), Sushi Gen (and other choices for sushi).
Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, China town, Japanese American Museum, MOCA, Geffen Contemporary
Grand Central Station, Disney Concert Hall, new Cathedral (nicer inside), City Hall (filmed in many movies and TV shows), Bradbury Building, Grand Central Market, walking tours http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4
Water Grill, Roy's, Ciudad, Cafe Pinot, Nick N Stef's, La Golondrina Cafe in Olvera Street (or Luz del Dia for more casual), Sushi Gen (and other choices for sushi).
May 17th, 2008 | 01:46 PM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Wow - thanks for all the great information!
joesource: I really like your idea of some L.A. sightseeing before heading over to the game.
Jean: you figured it out! Yes, we are OSU alums (one of us twice over), although we haven't made much progress in finding out about lodging/transportation packages.
easytraveler: I also admit that I have not used Priceline in the past because I've been afraid (perhaps incorrectly) that I won't have any control over where we stay. Where can I find "insider's directions" on how best to use it?
Finally, regarding budget, we are spending a week in San Fransisco and Sonoma Valley (anyone prefer over Napa?) prior to arriving in LA. Pretty pricey too. So, I'd like to try to keep hotels costs down as much as possible. We don't need anything fancy - just safe and clean. Can we find anything for $130-$150 per night?
Thanks again for your feedback -keep it coming
joesource: I really like your idea of some L.A. sightseeing before heading over to the game.
Jean: you figured it out! Yes, we are OSU alums (one of us twice over), although we haven't made much progress in finding out about lodging/transportation packages.
easytraveler: I also admit that I have not used Priceline in the past because I've been afraid (perhaps incorrectly) that I won't have any control over where we stay. Where can I find "insider's directions" on how best to use it?
Finally, regarding budget, we are spending a week in San Fransisco and Sonoma Valley (anyone prefer over Napa?) prior to arriving in LA. Pretty pricey too. So, I'd like to try to keep hotels costs down as much as possible. We don't need anything fancy - just safe and clean. Can we find anything for $130-$150 per night?
Thanks again for your feedback -keep it coming
May 17th, 2008 | 02:53 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,505
Likes: 4
If you can stretch your budget, look at the L.A. Marriott and/or the Westin Bonaventure. Both are quoting $170 (plus tax, I'm sure) for that weekend.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...iott-downtown/
http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels...._083106_NAD_FM
Both are a straight shot down Figueroa Street to/from the Colisseum. (If you taxi back, there is a cab stand at the Radisson Hotel on Figueroa a block north of Exposition Park and the Colisseum.)
In your desire to squeeze in some sightseeing, don't underestimate how long it will take to get to your seats at the Colisseum. Traffic in the Colisseum area on game day is crushing, and this will be the biggest home game of the season (with all respect to Notre Dame). The freeway will be jammed, some streets will be closed, and access to the parking lots will be very controlled/regimented. Lines into the lots move slowly. Parking lots on the SC campus are a 10-20 minute walk to the stadium. Getting through the security and ticket check at the gate can easily take 10-15 minutes.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...iott-downtown/
http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels...._083106_NAD_FM
Both are a straight shot down Figueroa Street to/from the Colisseum. (If you taxi back, there is a cab stand at the Radisson Hotel on Figueroa a block north of Exposition Park and the Colisseum.)
In your desire to squeeze in some sightseeing, don't underestimate how long it will take to get to your seats at the Colisseum. Traffic in the Colisseum area on game day is crushing, and this will be the biggest home game of the season (with all respect to Notre Dame). The freeway will be jammed, some streets will be closed, and access to the parking lots will be very controlled/regimented. Lines into the lots move slowly. Parking lots on the SC campus are a 10-20 minute walk to the stadium. Getting through the security and ticket check at the gate can easily take 10-15 minutes.
