Get off the train at Van Nuys, don't wait for Union Station. You'll head to the airport/beach at 815 pm instead of 9pm. There is Flyaway bus service to the airport from Van Nuys or Uber would be maybe $5 more than from Union Station.

Van Nuys makes more sense than Burbank, but FYI the Amtrak Van Nuys station and the Flyaway bus terminal are not in the same location and you'll need Lyft/Uber/taxi for the transfer. Dumb, but that's the way it is. The train will not be on time (due Van Nuys at 8:20p), so you won't be catching a bus at 8:15p. Flyaway departures are at 8:30p, 9:00p, 9:30p, 10:00p, etc.

The Flyway terminal at Union Station is within the station complex, so no taxi. Bus departures are the same as Van Nuys.

But if you take the Flyaway bus from either Van Nuys or Union Station, you're dropped at LAX and not your hotel. Ergo, still more time and expense to get where you really want to go.

So, if you can afford it, I would Lyft, Uber or taxi from either train station.

Jean, what do you think of the Shade Hotel? It looks like it is one of the closest hotels to the beach.

Shade is in a fabulous location, right in the "downtown" area of Manhattan Beach. The plaza just outside the hotel is one of the busiest areas outside of the Pier, especially on weekends. Lots of restaurants, cafes and shops within a few blocks. Ask for a quiet room because the bar area is usually very lively through the evening on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Sea View Inn, even closer to the water, would be a cheaper option and is in a part of town that is also fairly active on weekends. There are a few restaurants, cafes and shops in the immediate area. It's not a hotel in the conventional sense (no lobby), but some rooms have an ocean view.

If you can handle the rate, I'd pick Shade, hands down. But for less than 24 hours, the Sea View Inn would be a good "deal."

http://www.theseaviewinn.com/

Oh wow, thanks, Jean! For some reason, the Sea View Inn didn’t come up as a possibility when I tried to find hotels near the beach. While I’d love to stay at Shade, it wouldn’t make sense for such a short stay. The Sea View seems to be the right fit for a quick stay, close to the airport. Thanks so much for the information and guidance!

FYI, Manhattan Beach has an arts/crafts/food/entertainment fair the first weekend of October.