Who has an opionion about this hotel

Well, these 28 people do:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...alifornia.html

My advice: Beware a property with such widely-divergent reviews. I drive by it every day, and it looks like a pretty basic motel with surfboards nailed to the walls to give an "ocean" motif. If you have business at the Rand Corporation across the street, it's an ideal location. Otherwise, I'd say you can do much better.

When we stayed next door at Loews, we couldn't get over what a dump this place looked like, and how noisy the rooms must have been, because it sits on such a busy street. But I have also seen favorable reviews, just can't imagine who is writing them.

I cancelled the reservation because I realized that it dind't have air conditioning. We are going to be in the room much except to sleep and so we opted for Shangri-la because it has a studio with two extra twin beds for my teen age kids. It's even cheaper, I hope it's not a dump!

I've actually stayed at the Shangri-La (late night, didn't feel like driving home from my office). It's clean, and it's near the ocean. Other than that, it's pretty run-down. I don't remember if all the rooms have A/C or not. At night you probably won't need it.

It sounds like you're desperate to stay in Santa Monica on a budget. Hard to do-- it's an expensive town. Look at the Georgian. Best hotel for the money in SM.