Where to Stay While in LA and San Diego?
 

My DH and I are traveling with our three teen girls (18, 16, 13) to So. Cal in late August. Trying to figure out where to stay while in LA and San Diego. Have heard Santa Monica is good for the LA area and Mission Beach for the San Diego area. We are planning to rent on VRBO as we can get at least two bedrooms for the price of one hotel room (all five of us in one room, sharing one bath, does not work well). I am looking for areas that are safe, convenient and near activities, shopping and restaurants. While in San Diego, the girls want to learn to surf and go kayaking, paddle boarding, ride bikes,etc... We will have a car.

You have good suggestions. In LA we also like to stay in Marina del Rey and Beverly Hills.

HTtY

Are VRBO rentals legal in Santa Monica? I don't think so. Last I heard any rental shorter than 30 days was illegal.

You might try Cal Mar Hotel Suites.

In addition to VRBO - check out the various condo/timeshare places - who rent out places for the owners. google away.

In San Diego - also check out Capri by the Sea/Pacific Beach - just north of Mission Beach - and on the Bay side - the Catamaran Resort.

I would look into Coronado, La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove area for San Diego (I don't love Mission Beach). Consider Orange County between the two as well - Newport Beach (on the peninsula) Corona Del Mar is a cute area as well, of course Laguna Beach - but on Newport Peninsula you can do all of your requested activities - walk to places to eat etc.

We have stayed here in the past http://www.vrbo.com/32777 - we now live a short bike ride away and have rode past this rental and it still looks great and the owner was very nice. But there are hundreds in the area to choose from.

Lol mom. You may not like Mission beach but the young ones will think they are in heaven. :)

I think there are better areas in S. California for a person to stay for week than Mission Beach ... I lived in P.B, M.B., O.B., and Bird Rock... (in the beach area in San Diego) ...

Thanks everyone. We have never been to California and there are so many options, I am overwhelmed trying to make plans. We are flying in and out of LA. Since we aren't planning to do the zoo or SeaWorld, should we even travel as far south as San Diego? The girls want shopping, time at the beach and to try water sports.

I completely agree with Momddtravel2 about staying on Balboa Peninsula. I think you will enjoy it and know your teens will enjoy that location also. There is a lot to do and tons of places to eat and of course the beach. You can also go over to Balboa Island and walk or bike around. Besides shopping down near the beach your girls may want to go to Fashion Island which is right in Newport Beach or you can go a little farther to South Coast Plaza. I have nothing against Mission Beach and I love San Diego, but we never stay in the Mission Beach Area. We have had friends and family visit us out here in So CA and the ones with teens have loved Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island.

If you are flying in and out of LAX no reason to go to San Diego for what you are looking for - I love San Diego (lived there from 9-29 and go back often) - I really think your girls will enjoy Balboa Peninsula. I agree with Cali for Fashion Island for shopping - the girls will love it - you can take the ferry over to Balboa Island one day - it is SO quaint and cute= little shops as well.

If you find a place I am happy to advise on exact location and options. We ride our bikes down there almost every Sat & Sun.

Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of Santa Monica. During the summer, especially on weekends, traffic is crushing. You could waste a lot of time trying to see sights on the other side of L.A. (like Hollywood, the studios, the Observatory, etc.)... If VRBO rentals are illegal in Santa Monica, that would be news to the dozens of owners who have listed their properties for rent on the website. Make sure a parking space is available and dedicated to the rental unit.

Not surprisingly, I'm partial to where I live, Manhattan Beach. Lots of VRBOs here. If any look interesting to you, let me know the titles and I'll comment on the location/s.

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...anhattan-beach

You will pay way more for everything in Newport Beach - and it will be more crowded. But it's also a happening place for young people.

Tom that is just not true...? Not sure why you would say that?

Adding - Manhattan Beach is a great location as well.

Agree with Momddtravel2 and Cali that Balboa Peninsula would put you in the heart of the action. For the sake of completeness, another option to consider in Newport Beach:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...t-coast-villas. The complex sits above a lovely beach at Crystal Cove State Park, http://www.crystalcovestatepark.com/historic.htm. Laguna Beach is a few miles south, Big Corona Beach, Balboa Island and the Peninsula a few miles north. Ditto what others have said about Fashion Island, a lovely open-air mall, and South Coast Plaza, world-class shopping. And, then, of course, there's Disneyland in Anaheim.

Bon - we have stayed there a few times - love it! A nice feature is their shuttle that will take you to Laguna & Chrystal Cove & fashion island.

Momdd, good to know about the shuttle.

I like Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach better than Santa Monica for a real "beach vacation" also. Santa Monica is a lot more crowded and "gritty".

For San Diego I like the Bird Rock or South La Jolla area for cottage rentals.

Not that big a fan of Newport Beach, but it is central.

And it is true that VRBO or AirBnB is for the most part illegal in Santa Monica.

I also like Manhattan Beach and lived there 19 years. Lot more laid back. Hermosa can have problems finding parking (and they are ruthless about issuing tickets).