LA Weekend...
 

Looking for some ideas... I'm flying into LA for a long weekend with my 12 y/o daughter in early Nov. I spend way too much time in the city itself and wonder if there are any suggestions within driving distance that might be relaxing for a mom and daughter. We love sight seeing, interesting restaurants, we're pretty active but it doesn't need to be a non stop action kind of thing. Last trip we spent at the Grand Californian in Disney and it was great... hotel was totally our style and we could stroll the parks. Don't mind a drive to get somewhere fun. Ideas??

Sounds like you might want to get completely out of town, but I love Shade in Manhattan Beach (http://www.shadehotel.com). It's in the center of town within walking distance of great restaurants (e.g. Mangiamo) and cute shops, and just a few blocks from a stroll on the beach.

Your daughter will get a kick out of the cyclone fireplace, the funky room lighting, and the pillow library. You'll love the comfy beds and awesome jacuzzi tub.

And you can always brave the craziness of LA for a day and take your daughter sightseeing.

Manhattan Beach is a great idea. There's a fun Italian restaurant there, Mama G's (or Mama D's??), which will have a long line, but it's worth it.

Or, we like the Newport Beach/Balboa Island area a lot. Dine at The Crab Cooker, for a fun, funky meal.
:)>-

Manhattan Beach area is a great idea but as far as staying at Shade it depends on your budget. Looking at the first weekend in Nov the cheapest room is $510 a night. I think they also only have king size beds in the rooms so it depends if your daughter doesn't mind sleeping with you. You could also try the Beach House at Hermosa Beach. The standard view room is $269 a night and you go on up from there for ocean views. I've stayed there a couple of times and enjoyed the hotel. The only downside is that it's close to the Pier at Hermosa and on the weekends the restaurants and bars can get noisy. If you ask for a room on the other side of the hotel, I think you'd be fine.

Another suggestion would be Santa Barbara. Getting there, though, depends on what time of day you arrive in LA. If it's a Friday afternoon, you might not want to deal with traffic getting out of town. If it's the middle of the day, you could get on the road before rush hour. Recently I stayed at the Marina Beach Motel in Santa Barbara. I was traveling for business and usually can stay at a little more upscale hotel but it was the middle of summer and Santa Barbara prices were outrageous. Based on reviews I got a room at this motel. It was great. My room was pretty small but they have bigger ones that have two beds and kitchens. They serve a decent breakfast in the morning and have a nice patio. Also free bike rentals. I had time when I got in to get a bike and go riding by the Marina. I think your daughter would enjoy that. You could walk to State Street with all the shops but it's quite a walk so I would drive. Depending on how long you are staying, you could take your daughter to Solvang for a day.

Another idea would be Laguna Beach. In Nov you should be able to get some decent hotel prices and of course Laguna Beach is all about walking around the shops and art galleries.

Re Shade, call them and set up a corporate account. It's very easy to do (you just call the sales office and they set it up for you over the phone) and the rate will then be $245 a night.

hills27-Thanks for the pointer with Shade. I would like to stay there but don't think my company would foot a $500 a night bill.

Mine won't either. Their normal rates are usually in the $300s, but the corporate rate rocks. The other thing I love about that hotel is that if you cancel last minute, they charge you a cancellation fee but apply it to your next visit. Isn't that cool? After horrific experiences at a ton of LA hotels (including one coworker's bedbug experience), it's now our company's go-to hotel for LA.

I don't stay in LA on a regular basis because I live in North San Diego County. However there are times when I am on the Westside of LA, still have business there the next day and just don't want to deal with a 3 hour drive home from Santa Monica during rush hour. I usually like to stay in the South Bay because my daughter lives in Redondo Beach. Sometimes though I will stay in Santa Monica when I have clients to see either there or in Sherman Oaks/Encino. Again only stay in Santa Monica when it's off season. My company is usually pretty good up to $300 which includes tax.

I would go for Manhattan Beach or Laguna as well, though don't expect beach weather.

As far as beach weather, early Nov can be beautiful and even warm (high around 70). And you usually don't have to deal with the marine layer which makes it even nicer.

If you go to Laguna, you and your daughter could take a little drive to San Juan Capistrano and visit the Mission there. That would be something you could do different besides shopping.

If you stay in Manhattan Beach, you could walk to ride bikes to Venice Beach which I am sure your daughter would enjoy.

meant to say walk or ride

I just meant not to expect laying out tanning and swimming. Some people actually do expect Southern California to be that warm in November, and usually it's not. Just putting it out there.

Hi, hills27--- can you "name names" about your friend and the bedbugs? We go to LA quite often and don't want to bring home any "fellow travelers"! :)

I really like the Getty Center. Don't know if your 12 yo is the kind that will like it or not, but it has stunning views and feels a world away from the City even though it's not. It would be an afternoon well spent, IMHO.

I think it was at the Westin LAX, but I have to double check.

smartcookie-You are right, a lot of people do think they can sunbath in Nov. But the OP said she had been to LA many times so figured she knew that.

varbarone-Just wondered if you had checked back yet and if anything seemed appealing.

Thanks for everyones input... haven't really struck on anything thing yet. Hoping to get out of the city rather than landing a cool idea in the city. Wanted to drive out of the LA area to see something I wouldn't on a business trip. Plus figure on some mom and daughter time.

Well, if shopping is fun, drive out to the desert, stop at Cabazon Outlets on the way. The weather in Palm Springs/Coachella Valley is usually perfect in November. For activities, either the tram, Living Desert zoo, or a hummer tour (although the latter more a boy activity I think). Lots of great restaurants. For strolling, El Paseo in Palm Desert. La Quinta Resort has beautiful grounds and lots of individual pools.

Trip Advisor has a page on featured getaways from LA. If you scroll down the page, you can see the list of previously featured getaways (with links).

Santa Barbara is about 2 hours from LAX and makes for a nice getaway. Harbor View Inn is a great place to stay, or just south of Santa Barbara you could stay at the Montecito Inn in Montecito(where oprah and Ellen have homes).
On your drive, there's outlet shopping about halfway up the 101...and lots of shoppes & restaurants up in SB. The coastal drive itself is nice mother-daughter time.