Brian_in_Charlotte

Which is better for the final night of a week long CA trip before a morning flight out of LAX? Looking for somewhere to walk around a bit have a nice dinner, then easy access to LAX rental car return.

Thanks in advance.

Budman

My vote would be for Marina Del Rey.

lvk

Hi Brian,

You helped me with a weekend in Atlanta. Just got back last night - thanks!

I would vote for Manhattan Beach, hands down. Downtown MB has a beautiful pier and a nice, pedestrian-friendly area with lots of shops and restaurants.

The only downside is that there are not really any nice hotels located right downtown. Most are on Rosecrans or Sepulveda, which are large commercial streets. You might try the Sea View Inn, though. It's the closest hotel to the ocean. It's about 20 blocks from the downtown area, but it's a pleasant walk on The Strand.

Airport access and rental car return from MB is a breeze!

If you decide on MB, I can give you specific restaurant recommendations.

carbogilligan

I second Manhattan Beach. The town is quaint and inviting.

jd

I agree with Manhattan Beach-nice pier area, lots of shops and restaurants.Even better though, is a few miles south at Hermosa Beach. We love staying at the Beach House right on the ocean (beach-house.com).It is only 7 miles from LAx and real easy to get to. There is a pier there also with shops and restaurants. The Mexican restaurant there is really good.And you are right on the strand where you can walk, rollerblade or bike to Manhattan or Redondo beach.(rental shop next door.)

crazymina

I love Manhattan Beach, but I'm biased having grown up there. lvk is right...there are no hotels that I know of in downtown manhattan beach...it's pretty small and quaint. But there are some good restaurants in the area.

If you can stay at the hotel in Hermosa that jd mentioned, go for it. I have never stayed there, but skate by it all the time and have looked in the rooms (so you might want to get a second story one if you don't want someone peeking in!). It is on the beach, and there are lots of places to eat nearby as well. It's a little more "happening" on weekends than Manhattan Beach...but by that I mean there are a lot of 20 somethings lined up to get into the bars which turn into clubs. Still, there are other places if you want some peace and quiet in Hermosa.

Some restaurant recs - El Sombrero (it's kind of a hole in the wall) for Mexican in Manhattan Beach, the Bottle Inn in Hermosa for Italian, and Pacific Blue (or maybe it's Blue Pacific...I forget) for asian/japanese/fusion in Hermosa. Good Stuff in Hermosa has good breakfasts. Another local place for breakfast is Chez Melange, in the Palos Verdes Inn in Redondo Beach. The Pancake House is also next door.

mrwunrfl

Manhattan Beach

Gardyloo

As another native (hey, Mina - MiCoHi?) I also have to mention that while MB is way preferable to MdR as a place to spend a last night before Ex-LAX (ha, ha, just made that up), there aren't any accomodations that I know of in downtown MB, only out on Sepulveda or east of Sepulveda in the high-tech/office-parky parts of MB, that are indistinguishable from counterpart areas off the Boston Beltway (except 30 degrees cooler. Or warmer.)

Frankly if it was me I'd book a hotel near LAX (use Priceline and save a ton of $$), go have a nice dinner and walk on the beach in MB, then turn in the car that night and use the hotel van to the airport when it's time to fly. You'll save money on the car hire, time when you go to the airport, and mucho hassle with bags and schlepping around the zoo that is LAX. Gas up the car in MB or El Segundo before you go to the car return place at the airport - the gas will likely be cheaper than the (few) places on Century Blvd. that make their profits on returning renters.

crazymina

Yup Gardyloo...you are talking to an ex-Mustang here. You?

Gardyloo

Yes, but I'm not saying when. Let's just say it was when longboards were all there were.

crazymina

Well, we probably had some of the same teachers...some had been there for decades by the time I got there. And some were students at Costa themselves.

Have you seen it now? So sad...the entire campus is secured with gates.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Wow. Thanks for all the responses. Looks like MB is the choice. (The Beach House in Hermosa looks like it's more than we want to spend on a single night.)

Priceline for LAX hotels is tempting, but turning the car in after dinner and 2 additional courtesy van rides may be too much of a hassle for us.

Is staying out on Sepulveda that bad? There's a comfort inn that looks to be only about a mile from "downtown" MB.

And any additional restaurant recs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

lvk

Brian,

I'm sure that Comfort Inn will be a fine place to "crash" on your last night. It's definitely close enough to downtown.

There are plenty of good restaurants in MB, but I'll just recommend the good ones (IMHO) downtown.

I agree about El Sombrero, very good, casual, hole-in-the-wall Mexican.

Italian: Mama D's Italian Kitchen is very casual and our favorite. Talia's across the street is a bit more upscale, romantic and very good.

Fonz's is a very good steak restaurant.

If you want dinner with a view, you need to go to Beaches, adjacent to the pier. Food is nothing special, but the view is. If you eat elsewhere, you can have pre- or post-dinner cocktails at Beaches.

Cafe Pierre is nice if you like French.

The best thing to do would be to walk around and check out the menus and see what you're in the mood for. Everything in this area is very compact.

If you have time for breakfast in the AM, you should check out Uncle Bill's. Wait is very long on weekends, though.
Have a great time.

crazymina

MB is very small comfort Inn is fine...but on weekends parking in downtown can be a bit tough. However I have never not been able to find parking in MB.

lvk has suggested some of the MB favorites. Mama Ds also has very long lines, so be warned. It's nothing fancy, but lots of people like the family/casual atmosphere. I don't believe they take reservations. Talia's has good choppino. The restaurant itself is small and intimate.

Mangiamo is another italian restaurant...I had a nice meal there the other day, but I don't think it will blow your mind. A few doors down from Fonz's (which does have good steak) is Michi's. If you're not starving and want a trendy martini and some good appetizers, it's a good place to go. It's an asian-fusion kind of place. Personally, I like the appetizers better than the entrees there.

Ahhh...Uncle Bills. Good downhome breakfasts...but I haven't eaten there in years because I haven't the patience to wait to get in!

jd

There is also a Marriott in Manhattan Beach overlooking a golf course that looks decent. We really liked the food and friendly wait staff at Mama D.'s. , and the mexican restaurant by the Hermosa Pier has great marqueritas and food. You can also sit outside.

Gardyloo

Martha's 22nd St cafe in Hermosa has fab breakfasts, easily (sort of) walked off on the beach or Strand 100 feet away.

cmarlin20

I don't get Mama Di's, why does everyone like that place? I love Mangiamos and Rock n Fish is my first suggestion, but as was already mentioned, half the fun is walking around and looking at the menus.
Another MB resident (sand section)

crazymina

Actually, the last time I ate at Mama Ds, I kind of asked myself that question. The food is good, but not stellar. Just basic stuff and good service. But the prices are reasonable, so maybe that's part of it.

Still, if there's no wait, I'd definitely eat there.

jd

The night we were at Mama D's there was only a short wait, and the staff made sure we had foccacia bread and wine while we were waiting-(the bread was the best!)

crazymina

lol jd, you gotta be careful with that bread while you wait. On a couple of occasions, I have been pretty full when I finally got seated!