Must visit grandaughter in school in Malibu, CA, at Pepperdine. But we can't afford (nor need) beach accommodations. So where should we book a motel inland? Want to visit the Getty Center while there. Any advice? Many thanks.

Are there any other places of interest you want to visit?
What price range are you looking for in a motel?
I hope you will have a car to get around. Pepperdine is not exactly close to the Getty Center. The Getty Villa is nice to visit too. The Adamson House is very close to Pepperdine and an interesting place to see. http://www.adamsonhouse.org/
Welcome to the Adamson House

Lauricelli: what an excellent suggestion! We checked the Adamson House web site, and it surely will be on our schedule for Saturday. We will be driving down to Malibu, and would like to have a place to stay three nights, under $150 a night. As long as it is clean, quiet, safe, and near good places to eat, we aren't picky.

Lucky you going to Malibu! Our son is a student at Pepperdine. We have found a lot of parents stay in Woodland Hills. We stay at the Marriott Warner Center. We have always had good experiences there. Have a great trip!

LHG: you must be clairvoyant. My wife had favored that place, and she will make arrangements. She says breakfast is included. I hate to bird-dog for breakfast in a strange town, and so that simplifies things. Because this is our first Malibu trip, we appreciate advice. Many thanks.

there is a tall cyclindrical hotel at 405 and sunset that also has as shuttle to the Getty. It used to be a holiday Inn, don't know if it still is.

That cylindrical hotel is now called Hotel Angeleno, and I'm pretty sure it is over $150/night. www.jdvhotels.com/angeleno/

Staying at the Marriott might be a good idea if it's in the price range you're looking for. There are plenty of restaurants nearby since it is across the street from a mall. Don't worry, on the other side is a park. It's a nice area. Here's the link for the mall if you want to check out the restaurants. http://westfield.com/promenade/
Westfield Welcome to the new Westfieldcom

The Marriott is convenient to take Topanga Canyon south all the way to the coast and then take the coast up to Malibu. It is also right near the 101 fwy so you can take that to Las Virgenes (Malibu Cyn) also. If you take Las Virgenes there is a great Mexican restaurant specializing in seafood (but everything is good) La Paz. It is not too far after you exit the fwy on the right hand side after the traffic lights.

Going the opposite way on the 101(E) you can hook up with the 405(S)and be at the Getty Center.
Not a bad location, just know you'll be doing some driving.
Where are you coming from?

My daughter lives in Malibu w/ her boyfriend. We have stayed in the Agoura Hills/ Thousand Oaks area. Just a short drive through the canyon and you are in Malibu. The prices are quite reasonable in that area for hotels etc.
Terri

Anything back over toward Hwy 101 will be cheaper than along the coast. We have family in Woodland Hills and visit often. There are plenty of reasonable places around Woodland Hills/Calabasas.

I like the Hilton Woodland Hills. I book a VIP floor room for a little extra and get an afternoon recepition and a continental breakfast. The skyline view is killer!

Another place that does the cocktail and full breakfast is the Country Inn and Suites in Calabasas.

Thanks to all. We faced a 500-mile drive from Arizona to Malibu -- arriving in a strange place after dark at the end of a long day's drive. At our ages (80 and 78), that is not an appealing prospect. As things turned out, we found it was only slightly more expensive to fly over, rent a car, drive to Malibu and then to San Diego, and return by air to Phoenix. We live in an amazing world. We will fly into Burbank Airport instead of LAX, pick up a car, drop down to 101, go to Malibu via our hotel in Woodland Hills. Thanks for all your help.