I could be twenty years behind on this. We are looking at the Venice Suites to stay a couple of days. I like the idea of looking at the Ocean. And I've always thought the boardwalk along the beach looked like fantastically Movieland, LA.

But it's no good if, the minute darkness falls, we're scared to leave our apartment.

Are we talking really really scary freaks - or just the common garden variety?

Regards

Bradford

Reviews of this place are scarce, but I did find three reviews on Yelp.com. All were positive, but one single woman thought the area was a bit creepy at night. One reviewer also commented that there wasn't a more reassuring lock on the inside of the unit's door. That would be enough for me to look elsewhere.

If you can tolerate having a view of the ocean from two blocks away, I can recommend the Seaview Inn in Manhattan Beach. A low-key and safe community. Several restaurants within walking distance.
www.seaview-inn.com

If you want to be in the Santa Monica area, look at the Embassy Hotel Apartments, also a couple of blocks from the beach. An architecturally interesting building with beautiful original details.
www.embassyhotelapts.com

Both the Seaview Inn and the Embassy Hotel Apartments received scores of 4.0 by reviewers on Tripadvisor.com.

My opinion? Common garden variety. If we weren't traveling with our kids, my wife and I would have had no problem staying in Venice Beach. But, as it turned out this past August, we ended up at the Seaview in Manhattan Beach, thanks to the recommendation of another Fodorite (CAnative on TA). Perfect really, for a family. Have you thought about Santa Monica?

Bradford - I Know from whence you speak. I lived & worked in L.A. in the late 70's and Venice Bch was not a particuarly desirable place to live. Well, life and real estate make for big changes.

I am fortunate to have friends who now live there and visited in late July this year so do not have personal experience with paying for accomodations but understand your need to gaze at the ocean. (I am landlocked these days!) It has become a prime real estate location as is anything close to the water. MY friends are young (Under 40) and earn big salaries. Their small bungalow east of LIncoln Blvd was more than half a million $$$ a few years back.

I think most of the scary freaks are long gone and can't speak to any specific motel/hotels,, but I was happy to be there. Have also stayed (me paying) at places in Santa Monica closeby; Loew's (expensive), Marriott (good choice), Shangra La (nice). Depending on who you are with, etc., I'd go for it. So much going on in Venice-Santa Monica!

Thanks everyone. I think we'll have a go at Venice Beach. We usually stay in Santa Monica but this looks like something out of the ordinary and tripping over a few freaks will not worry us to much. My kids might get some ideas on freakdom they can bring home with them to NZ.

Thanks though, Jean, will have a look at these places too as we are going to go to Vegas for a few days and come back via LA.

Regards

Bradford

"a few freaks"...hopefully some actual enlightenment is about to occur

Venice Beach isn't scary IMHO. Our friends recommend the Best Western there. They stay there when visiting their son at LMU. http://www.mphotel.com/amenities.htm
>-