One night in LA

[Mumfreqflyer]

I have a trip booked oct/Nov and we are staying in a private house in Anaheim for 3 nights, 7 nights at the MGM Signature in Vegas and then we have 1 night we need something in LA.
We have 4 adults and 2 kids (almost 3yo and just turned 1yo).
We are going to drive back from Vegas and out flight leaves LA Monday night at 10pm - cx to Perth via hkg.

Where would be a great hotel to stay in where we can get the feel for LA keeping in mind we have young kids but have a car.

I have been looking at Santa Monica but can't really find anything that suits.....

 

[UP4014]

I have a trip booked oct/Nov and we are staying in a private house in Anaheim for 3 nights, 7 nights at the MGM Signature in Vegas and then we have 1 night we need something in LA.
We have 4 adults and 2 kids (almost 3yo and just turned 1yo).
We are going to drive back from Vegas and out flight leaves LA Monday night at 10pm - cx to Perth via hkg.

Where would be a great hotel to stay in where we can get the feel for LA keeping in mind we have young kids but have a car.

I have been looking at Santa Monica but can't really find anything that suits.....

Do you have any interests or hobbies, might be able to direct you to something. San Diego isn't bad and not far.


Matt

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

It's the last night on our 11 day trip. Vegas we are going for the expo.
Anaheim we are going for 3 days disneyland while both kids are under 3 and are free!!

Probably want to have a look around LA so really happy for any suggestions of family friendly things to do.

Do you think we are better to go from Vegas to San Diego and then back to LAX Monday for out flight out?

Wouldn't mind going to Santa Monica to have a look at the pier....probably really sightseeing rather than shopping I think

 

[oz74]

Hi Auckland,

Santa Monica is a great choice in my opinion. My wife and I always stay there when where in LA.

We love the 3rd street promenade, lots of shopping and some great places to eat.

We normally stay at hotel Shangri La which is on Ocean Ave, virtually across the road from Santa Monica pier. The pier might be a bit of fun for the kids with rides and lots of stuff to see.

There is also a Double Tree Suites on Fourth St, just a few blocks back from the main drag that is cheaper than shangri la and looks nice enough.

Venice Beach is also a very short drive away and well worth a look, lots of stuff for the kids to do there.

Hope that helps!

Enjoy your trip.

 

[UP4014]

If you want to go to Santa Monica then you should. Nice place but I think a bit overrated, but with little ones you can let them play on the beach and a good way to unwind at the end of the trip.

Couple of my shots from one visit.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/5817486012/in/set-72157624885514053
https://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/5816920669/in/set-72157624885514053/


Matt

 

[Captain Halliday]

We did Anaheim/Disney, plus San Deigo in Nov last year with an almost 3 year old. If you have 3 days and a car I strongly recommend spending the 3 days in San Deigo. We had a few more days but the 3 park pass (Sea World, San Deigo Zoo and San Deigo safari park) was great value and your kids will be free at that age. If you do this, factor in extra time for the drive back to LAX.

If you go with the last night in LA I recommend the Palomar Hotel on Wiltshire Blvd in Westwood. Walking distance to Westwood village for restaurants and cafés and about a 10-15 min drive to downtown Hollywood if you want to see neon lights and cheesy movie character look-a likes. Plus Palomar they have happy hour in the foyer each night - a true happy hour - free red and white wine with finger food. Heaven for parents after chasing the kids around all day. And as for a room on the South side so you miss the noise of Wiltshire.

Be sure to post what you end up doing. Enjoy.

 

[RB]

If you have no allegances & are just looking for a place near the airport at LAX I would be looking at Priceline and take it from there

 

[cove]

South Coast Plaza for upmarket shopping or Camarillo Premium Outlet mall for great prices could work. We go to Santa Monica as it provides a pleasant beachside location if you want to walk around or sit on the grass. Your three year old might like Johnny Rockets diner in Third Avenue in Santa Monica or you could stop at IN N OUT to hang onto those last US dollars.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Santa Monica is our choice in LA - Easy drive to Lax, about half an hour or if you have time via Venice Beach. Have a look at the Palihouse Hotel.

 

[Travelqueen]

Hi Auckland10,

My choice in LA is Santa Monica, and I think it would be a great fit for you at the end of a long trip with two children under 3.

You don't need a car, only about 1/2 hour drive / taxi / car service from LAX ( do your children need proper car seats? )

Lots of choices to stay. We stay at the Shore Hotel, but can be quite $$ in peak times. However, as others have said the Double tree is good, or Carmel Hotel has good reviews ( look at reviews on trip advisor ) but as it's only for one night, I'm sure a comfy bed is all you need. Everything is in walking distance.....shops / restaurant / pier/ beach.

You could hire bikes ( with kids seats I'm sure ) and ride to Venice beach along the beach track. Easy ride, lots of fun, and then check out the broadwalk at Venice beach, which is always interesting.

Great for last minute shopping. One year, on our last night, my children were just over it, and we had checked out of hotel, but flight back to Australia not till late at night, as I'm sure you know. So we went to the movies in the afternoon, then had something to eat, and off to the airport. That worked well for us. ( movies / shops / restaurants all in 3rd st promenade )

Failing all that.....you could just as easily stay at lax ( sheraton gateway is nice ) and catch a cab into Santa Monica and do all that during the day. The lax hotel will store your bags after checkout, then get yourself back to the hotel, and use the shuttle bus up to airport. Also, as others have said, you will may get a better hotel rate at lax, compared to Santa Monica.

Good luck, enjoy your trip. Love to know how it all goes.

TQ

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Thanks all

We are diving back from Vegas hence why we will still have a car. I thought no point in just getting the car to drive from vegas to LA May as well just keep it for getting around.

Or is LA really hard to drive around in?

Some of those hotel are around $300/400 per night? Does that seem right? I know I read something that says Sunday nights get booked out because of business people coming on for the week?

We will need 2 rooms as my sister and partner are coming too......

Might keep looking at air bnb to see if something comes up

Thanks for your responses...I think I'll stay around Santa Monica/Venice beach area

 

[Clivem]

Hi Auckland10,

My choice in LA is Santa Monica, and I think it would be a great fit for you at the end of a long trip with two children under 3.

You don't need a car, only about 1/2 hour drive / taxi / car service from LAX ( do your children need proper car seats? )

Lots of choices to stay. We stay at the Shore Hotel.........

TQ

This gets my vote by a country mile also ...Santa Monica is a very easy trip on Lincoln Blvd ..... normally 30 min or so from LAX ..... but heading back to LAX early in the morning I have done it very quickly in light traffic .....

We also strongly recommend the Shore Hotel @ 1515 Ocean Ave ...... not cheap at peak times but good / great location for everything (only 2 years old) We also love the 'Blue Plate Taco' at the front of the hotel ...cool drinks, great food wonderful place as the sun goes down especially after a long haul.

As noted prior ... there is good shopping just around the back of the hotel @ Santa Monica Place and the 3rd St Promenade.. all open to around 9pm or so most nights . The Apple store is pretty impressive with its full glass roof - For a 'Special recommendation' - also check out the Flagship 'Converse' store on 3rd Prom ..... great place to pick up some Converse shoes even for the real little ones - pretty cool shop with a huge range all round.

Only thing I would give a miss is Venice Beach ... I personally do not like it at all - time can be much better spent elsewhere.


Hope you have a great trip .......