Los Angeles first time
 

I will be traveling to LA with DH and two teenagers staying for 4 nights. We just want to do the typical sightseeing. I got a $99 rate at the Westin Bonaventure, and since I need two rooms that seemed like a great deal. After reading many posts, it sounds like downtown is not the place to stay, but Santa Monica is way out of my price range for two rooms. I did see a hotwire 3 1/2 star in Santa Monica/Marina Del ray for $99, but it is a risk. Does it really matter where I stay if I have a car? Would it be better to have us all stay in one room in a better area? I need advice. Thank you! Breathe

The question isn't whether the things you want to see are accessible by car (if you got the time, we got the roads to get you there-- eventually). The question is: Do you want to have things to do in your immediate vicinity after dark? Downtown LA gets pretty dull after everyone goes home from work.

At least in the heart of downtown Santa Monica, you can walk to dozens of restaurants, shops, movie theatres, etc. A few hotels in this immediate area that you could look into: The Best Western Ocean View, the Georgian, the Huntley.

However, if you stay at the Bonaventure, you're a fairly quick drive from anywhere on the Westside-- you can avoid freeways and use the main east-west arteries of Wilshire Blvd. and Olympic Blvd.

The point is: You <b>can</b> stay in downtown LA, it's just not typically done by tourists who want to see sun and sand and glitz and tourist stuff. Since LA is a huge geographic construct, you'll end up driving everywhere anyway. If you don't like driving at night, I'd consider finding another location.

I wouldn't stay downtown because every where you'll want to go will be a commute, which will probably mean traffic, which will probably mean frustration for you with your 2 teens in the car. For example, to Santa Monica, it could 20 minutes with no traffic or an hour with traffic.

Perhaps you could list your must-see sightseeing destinations, and you can find a more convenient hotel that's not necessarily in Santa Monica.

Here's the link to the Downtown News visitor's guide. I get so tired of the &quot;there's nothing to do downtown&quot; line. Believe me, there is plenty to do. If you need to see the beach, leave after 9:30 or 10 in the morning, and return after 7pm or so at night, and there will not be any commute traffic. Ciudad is a fun restaurant run by the &quot;Two Hot Tamales&quot; chefs, and I believe it is open for dinner every night. It's right across Figueroa from the Bonaventure.

http://downtownnews.com/dtvg/index1.html

You should find close to that rate at Comfort Suites on Highland in Hollywood or the renovated Days Inn on Sunset Boulevard. Depends on what you want to see and do, and if you'll be here weekdays or weekends. Weekdays you really want to be as close to your chosen &quot;attractions&quot; as possible.

I ended up getting the Hilton Beverly Hills hotel for $133 per night on Hotwire. I am happy with that location. Thanks for your help. Breathe