Our family holiday is 18 days(March 10 - 28) we start with 4 days in Vegas.Then drive to L.A. I have booked 2 days- Loews(Beverly Hills)where we will experience the Getty and Universal Studios (Rodeo and other attractions) Then we move over to the Loews (Santa Monica) for the beach experience (Prominade,Venice Beach, Malibu). Then we will move down to Laguna(Surf and Sand) for the PCH experience,La Jolla,San Diego area, am I crazy to change hotels 3 times in 7 days?

Yes.

Just stay in Santa Monica and drive to BH. It's not that far...

YES!

Absolutely no need for the switch between the two Loews places.
Santa Monica and BH are at most 10 miles apart (and the BH Loews is merely in the center of action in BH, but rather on the outskirts). Choose one of them and you should be fine (unless of course you find out that you dislike the place for whatever reason).

I agree - stay in Santa Monica and drive to Beverly Hills.

hsv: The truth is that the rate I got in Beverly Hills is half that of Santa Monica, and I don't want to give up staying on the beach for a few nights.So it's really the cost factor, I realize the distance is minimal.

Then why did you ask?

C

If the rate is that much different, I would just stay in Beverly Hills and drive to Santa Monica. You can still get all of the benefits of the beach and then just drive back to BH in the evening. It seems pointless to change hotels for a distance of 10 miles.

I agree about not moving hotels. I would stay in BH since you are getting a good hotel rate there. You already have a beach experience planned down in Laguna anyway which is a very nice area to stay in.

heyjude,

I did not specifically suggest that you stay in Santa Monica! I'd just stay in one of the two properties. If the rate is so much better in the BH one, stay there, as has already been suggested.

The Loews property in BH is an older property that originally was an independent hotel (Beverly Prescott) and the last few years was operated by Renaissance. In fact then it did receive quite a number of good reviews, particularly for its ambiance, if I recall correctly. I don't know how Loews do as the new proprietors.
In fact, their Santa Monica property while being in a gorgeous location is a bit non-descript IMO, so you probably would not regret opting for the one in BH - especially at that rate difference!

Have fun!

Forgot to add: The beach in Laguna is by far nicer - and the Surf and Sand is directly on the beach, with no street separating the two.
With a prospect like that, it should be feasible to waive staying on the beach in L.A. a bit more easily!

Thanks for all the valid points,
Curious: that's what this forum is all about indecision and advice,Thanks all.

Where do you plan to stay in La Jolla?

Heavens: If we do change hotels again I am looking at Estancia La Jolla Resort and Spa. There is a great special this week on Travelzoo! But we may do San Diego/La Jolla as a day trip, not to change hotels again.

If you can get a good deal at Estancia, grab it. On tripadvisor, it is currently ranked #1 for La Jolla hotels. You can always cancel your reservation if your plans change.

I would not suggest doing San Diego as a day trip. I am a little confused about how much time you have, you said your vacation is 18 days with 4 of them being in Las Vegas. That gives you 14 days in So. Cal, not 7 days. Are you going somewhere else? If you really do have all those days, you should plan on staying a couple of days in San Diego. There is so much to do and you won't want to be driving back and forth to Laguna.

Paula1470: Sorry for the confusion this is my trip
March 10 - 14 Las Vegas
March 15-21 - Santa Monica,Laguna...?
March 22- 23- Undecided
March 24-28 - San Francisco
That should add up to 18 days, I`m still deciding on Central California, I did Hearst Castle,Carmel,Monterey last year any suggestions?

Since you already did the Carmel, Monterey last year, I would suggest some time in San Diego. About the only downside I can see is that if you are driving, it's a very, very long trip from San Diego to SF without a stop. Maybe you could spend one or two nights in San Diego and then spend a night in Santa Barbara on the way up to SF. Are you using a rental car? If so, you could stay in San Diego for a couple of days, turn in the car, take a cheap Southwest Airlines flight to the Bay Area and rent a car again if you feel you need it.

You could hang out in San Luis Obispo in the central coast and go visit the wineries in Paso Robles about 20 (?) miles up the road? Very nice scenery and fun area. Check out Morro Bay. Pismo Beach.

Heavens/Paula,
Thanks for your suggestions, it is my dilemma the long drive from San Diego so we will stay one night in Santa Barbara or San Luis Obisbo, and any recommendations for a SLO hotel?