Help! My family of 4 will be in So. CA next week for 7 days, driving out from Vegas (just have to beat the heat!). First 2 nights in Santa Clarita (Magic Mountain for the kids). The last 3 nights in San Diego. Where to stay, close to a beach town, on nights 3-4? We always look for suite-type places when we're traveling with kids. I have a good rate at Holiday Inn Exp in MDR, and an even better rate at Staybridge Suites in Torrance. We're just looking to relax, hang out at the beach, and maybe a little shopping on days 3-4.

Any advice on best place to stay would certainly be helpful.

Thank you!
Kym

The Holiday Inn Express in MDR is much closer to the beach than the Staybridge Suites in Torrance. I'm just commenting on location, as I don't know the quality of the actual properties (you can get that on tripadvisor.com)

The SS in Torrance is on Prairie far away from beach and shopping. It's closer to the large office parks of Torrance.

From the HI, you would be close to Venice Beach. You'd also be closer to Santa Monica - 3rd Street Promenade is a nice place to shop and eat. Much more centrally located.

Of the two, I would choose HI-MDR. You might also look into the Residence Inn in Manhattan Beach. Also close to Beach and shopping.

Have a great trip. Magic Mountain is soooo fun!

HIExpress is okay..you might want to take the bus to the beach since parking can be a chore. It's not walking distance and it's on a busy street so put in a request for a quiet room in the rear.

Here's a choice if you REALLY want a beach vacation:
www.seaspritemotel.com

Okay, I happened to be driving down Prairie today and drove by the Staybridge Suites. It is not only located within a Torrance Office Park, it is adjacent to the huge Mobil Oil Refinery complex. No wonder they have such great prices!

Yikes! From that description, they'll REALLY think L.A. is a dump!

If your choice is ONLY between these two, the HI Express in MDR is marginally better (awful location) than the Staybridge Suites Torrance (godawful location).

But that Residence Inn in Manhattan Beach would probably be a better choice than either of those two....