We've been to LA and San Diego a few times and have hit the "must do's". Love things like the Getty, Old Town in San Diego, good food. We're going back with 2 twenty somethings and 2 70 somethings (parents and daugher/hubby). Any ideas of something new? Quaint beach town to spend time in? We enjoyed Laguna. We haven't booked hotel yet; I'm trying to decide whether to stay in LA or another little town between LA and San Diego, or within 2 hours of LA either direction. We'll be there over Mother's Day for 4 nights. Hoping to stay within a $150/night for hotel; less if we leave LA and need to pick up daughter's room as well.

I enjoy Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach. My regular is the Crowne Plaza Redondo. Prices vary greatly. Check your dates.

La Jolla is an excellent destination, but a San Diego suburb and a two hour trek at best to LA

Santa Monica beach has a couple of fine hotels, but outside your target price most of the time.

It sounds like your daughter and SIL live somewhere in L.A. If so, where?

For a beach town in L.A., I suggest Manhattan Beach, but I live here and admit to my bias. There are rooms available at the Marriott Manhattan Beach over Mother's Day weekend for well under your budget.

Another idea in the L.A. area would be Pasadena. Loads of quaint and charm.

There are rooms available at the Courtyard Marriott Old Town Pasadena over Mother's Day weekend for well under your budget.

In case you decide to stay in Pasadena, just thought you'd like to know we stayed at the Old Town Courtyard a couple of weekends ago - it's a very nice hotel. Large room, good shower, very comfortable bed, great location (walking distance to Old Town restaurants and shops). As gorgeous as the Langham is (hi ksucat if you're there), we were glad we were "in town" and could walk to and from dinner.

Someone reported getting the Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach for $111.

http://larkspurhotels.com/collection/belamar

Also the Sea View Inn has rates that start at $130. Views of the sunset from the balconies. Free parking and they lend bikes to guests.

http://www.theseaviewinn.com/index.htm

My second favorite US town is Manhattan Beach (Aspen is my fav). I love walking from Manhattan Beach to Pier Street at Hermosa Beach along the Strand. 20 somethings should enjoy Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. Check out Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach or Beach House Inn at Hermosa.
Ann Marie

Whoops, didn't see your hotel budget. $150 won't cover Shade but have breakfast at Le Pain Quotidian beside Shade and lunch on the patio at Petro's in front of Shade.
Ann Marie

Thanks for the suggestions on where to stay, and both restaurant ideas look wonderful! As far as things to do, do you have any comments on the Reagan library, and what else in that area might make a good day/evening trip?

I'm not a fan of Ronald Reagan, but I did visit the Library a year or so ago and I highly recommend it. The location is stunning, the exhibits were interesting and there is pretty good food too!

When we visited, we left at about 4pm and went to the Getty for a quick tour and dinner on the way back into LA.

Have you been to the Huntington Library? This is a wonderful place, art, beautiful gardens, and the TEA ROOM! If you go, make reservations for tea.

http://www.huntington.org/default.aspx

I recently took a trip to San Juan Capistrano and there was easily of a full day's worth of sites between the Mission, the galleries, old town, and Los Rios District.

Can't help with the hotels but here's the the tourism website

http://www.sanjuancapistrano.net/visit/index.html#local

>>

We didn't go for tea (I NEVER think tea is worth the price they charge!), but concur that the Huntington is a spectacular place, definitely worth a visit. Plan at least 3-4 hours, especially if it's a nice day.

sf7307, I might have agreed about the price of their tea except that I've paid more in the UK for a lot less of an afternoon tea. The tea at the Huntington is absolutely worth it.

Barbara, I love tea, I just like it better when someone else is paying for it!

sf7307, I won't argue with that!

southernchef, I enjoy a night at the Comedy and Magic Club at Hermosa Beach (between Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach) to see up and coming comedians who have usually already made it onto the Tonight Show. Jay Leno also does a show at the club on Sundays when his schedule allows. Then I stroll over to Pier Street which is a walking street filled with bars that will appeal mostly to your 20 somethings.
Ann Marie

Ideas for sightseeing within LA:

- walking tour with the LA Conservancy
http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4

- Griffith Observatory

- LACMA, MOCA

- free tour of Walt Disney Concert Hall
http://www.musiccenter.org/visit/toursched.html

- walking tour of El Pueblo de Los Angeles
http://www.lasangelitas.org/freetours.htm

- Angels Flight & Grand Central market
http://angelsflight.com/
http://www.grandcentralsquare.com/