wtm003

I'll agree with bon_voyage's recommendation. We stayed there at Christmas and loved it. Really enjoyed walking to Crystal Cove State Park every morning and the scenic views. We had originally considered Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey but were very happy with our choice.

We also spent a couple of days in San Diego. I'm just not a big fan and will probably stay in the La Jolla area on my next trip.

Momddtravel2

Wtm - La Jolla is so lovely. I was there a few weeks ago and remembered all I loved about it.

I am glad you enjoyed the Newport Coast Villas - we just gave our son and DIL a week there with the grandbabies and I went over to visit them - it is just a great place.

elizzie4000

BethL - How long is the entire trip for? Whether or not you should come to San Diego will depend on how much time you have. Had you booked your flight into LA and out of SD that would be different.

If the trip is, say, 7 days, then No I would not come to San Diego.

BethL3

We considered flying into LA and out of SD but flights were much less to fly back out of LA. We will be in CA from 8/23 through 8/30. We are thinking a couple of days in LA to see the sights and then heading south a bit for the rest of the trip. Newport Beach area sounds nice. My youngest really wants to learn to surf while we are in CA.

wtm003

Momdd, we spent a few hours in La Jolla, enjoying a morning cup of coffee while watching sea life and birds. We were so excited to see a dolphin pod cross the cove. We will be there again next summer and will definitely stay in La Jolla. I also want to do a kayak trip.

Beth, we flew in and out of LAX because it was much less expensive. We stayed at an airport hotel on our last night for convenience. After we left SD we took our time driving back to LA, stopping in La Jolla and at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Tomsd

My niece took lessons (3 days) from a place on Mission Blvd - in - SD - Surf Safari I believe it was - and really liked it.

Momddtravel2

Beth - it has quieted down a little by those dates at the end of August since colleges are back in session.

What sights are you planning on seeing in LA? You might consider staying in Manhattan Beach or Hermosa since you are planning on seeing things in LA - this way you can do a weekly rental.

wtm003 - I love La Jolla - I moved to California when I was 9 and spent most of my youth in that area... My husband and I are kayaking this weekend... looking forward to it!

BethL3

Thanks everyone! Your help is great ly appreciated! Momddtravel2 - I think we will see the typical LA sights: Observatory/Hollywood sign, be part of a studio audience?, Beverly Hills, Tar Pits, etc... Any suggestions welcome - especially things the girls would like! I checked into rentals in MB and Hermosa, found a few, but not much that is affordable - I'm trying to do this vacation on a pretty tight budget. Since we will be at the beach later in the trip, being by the beach for seeing LA isn't a requirement (although it would be nice), are there other places that would be good to stay in the LA area - convenient for getting around?

mlgb

I still like Manhattan Beach/El Segundo/Hawthorne because there are lots of suites hotels with free parking.

Try this one
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...nhattan-beach/

sunbum1944

I suggest one of the beach towns north of SD- my favorite is Carlsbad. Great beach, cute town with lots of shops and restaurants, there is a surf shop at Tamarack Beach for lessons.

There is a great outlet mall for shopping. The Coaster train stops in the middle of town for easy no drive access to SD and other beach towns. Very safe for girls of that age to roam around alone.

Love it there!

Jean

In Manhattan Beach... The Sea View Inn has both hotel-type rooms and apartments. A great location 2 blocks to the beach, very near restaurants and a small grocery store and about a mile from the Pier, shops, and many restaurants.

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

kawh

well, staying in santa monica near the beach would be my very first pick.... but the prices are impossible our budget.

when we visit l.a. (often-- family) we usually stay in beverly hills, of all places. i don't know how high your standards are... but we love the Del Flores in B.H., which comes in at about $100 for a room... you would need 2, but i think they have connecting rooms. it's mismatched furniture, old rugs and peeling paint... but clean rooms and in the heart of beverly hills. you can walk anywhere in the middle of the night... and all imaginable shopping and some pretty reasonable restaurants are right there. A world-class library is a block away. they also only charge $10 a night for parking at the secured lot (almost) across the street. if you are a tourist, it is a great place to hang out between activities... and it is sandwiched between santa monica and L.A. activities. Can also take the bus along wilshire in either direction.

Sometimes, the very modern and nice Beverly Crescent (next door) has super deals at about 160. per room-- sometimes with breakfast... but that would probably come in above your budget.

Jean

Wow, kawh. I had no idea you could get such a great deal at the Del Flores. It's a great location in Beverly Hills, but whether BH is a great location for the OP depends on what they want to do/see while they're here. BH isn't near any freeway or light rail (although it's coming), and the more reasonably priced restaurants (on South Beverly) are 7-9 blocks away from the Del Flores (about 1.5 miles round trip).

I've worked in BH for 40 years, so I admit I'm a bit jaded to its charms...

kawh

jean-- all true. the kids here aside... BH has some amazing happy hours that we often use for dinner.... and we love Coupa for breakfast arepas... and sometimes whole foods for a quick bite on the run. we love your little village!! (our family is in both Hollywood and Santa Monica, so we find it just as fast to take wilshire or sunset up and down... though your traffic is getting WAY more difficult these past couple of years!)

BethL3

Something has come up and now we don't have as much time to be in the southern California area as I had hoped. With a shorter vacation, we will only have six full days in the area and two for travel back and forth to Michigan. Is that enough time to see LA/Newport Beach and justify five airfares?

Tomsd

Geesh.

Momddtravel2

6 days? Sure - no problem. I would go to Hawaii for 6 days from LAX so perhaps I am the wrong person to ask

Jean

Anything's possible if you understand and accept how much (or little) you'll see/do. Only you can evaluate whether it's "worth" the cost.

pearlhope

I love the Mission Beach area. Have stayed at the Bahia and it's great. Walking distance to a ton of great stuff.like many other california cities it is essential to have a car to really experience it all. our cities aren't like gotham city or the 2nd city. that being said, look for hotels in the north county as we call it. cities like carlsbad, del mar, encinitas, solana beach, la jolla. it just depends on your budget.