Our family is flying into LA next week for some fun. Where should we stay? In the city, beach?

Question

We want to go see Hollywood, Movie Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, and Magic Mountain. Any other attactions that are a must see? Also, any tips on which reasonably priced hotels and where? Staying by the beach would be nice if that makes any sense.

Answer 1

the spots you guys wanna hit aren't too close to each other so you guys are going to be doing a lot of driving, definitely rent a car that's comfortable and good on gas. if you want to stay by the beach in LA then you should shoot for santa monica, or if you don't need to stay in LA then try huntington beach, that's in orange county. you're going to pay more to stay by the beach, of course. i've never stayed in a hotel in LA since i lived here my whole life, so sorry i have no tips on reasonably priced places. i would try expedia or travelocity or something.

here are some other places that are kinda cool to check out:
-griffith park: 2800 east observatory rd.
-the wax museum: 6767 hollywood blvd., [phone]
-ripleys believe it or not: 6780 hollywood blvd., [phone]
-universal studios/universal city walk: 100 universal city plaza, 1-800-universal
-la brea tar pits, 5801 wilshire blvd., [phone]
-mann's chinese theater, 6925 hollywood blvd.
-LA zoo, 533 zoo drive, [phone]
-the getty center, 1200 getty venter dr., [phone]
-olvera street (mexican) and chinatown (by downtown LA)
-farmer's market (ivar ave and selma ave, hollywood)
-take a drive up PCH to malibu - beautiful

have fun!

http://www.seemyla.com/visitor_information_visitla.aspx
http://www.gocalif.ca.gov/state/tourism/tour_homepage.jsp

Answer 2

I reccomend the Best Western Sunset Plaza if you wish to stay in Hollywood it's on the Sunset Strip.

If you are going to be going as far as Knotts Berry Farm and Magic Mountain - you don't want to be making that drive from the beach. Better to stay in Hollywood.

ACTUALLY - the best plan would be to stay in 2 or 3 places. A few days by the beach, and a few days in Hollywood, etc. Are you not going to Disneyland?

To find hotels please check www.tripadvisor.com. Sometimes hotels that may look nice aren't nice on the inside at all. The best reviews I have found are on that site. People also submit pictures of what the hotel was like.

Here's the Best Western Sunset Plaza. Although it is a Best Western it does NOT look like one. It has huge nice clean rooms, great views, and a beautiful Italian courtyard with a pool for the kids. There are several restaurants nearby. The area has alot of clubs so it may be a bit noisy but NOT dangerous. Request a room facing the pool and you won't hear any traffic or noise. Your kids can swim and you can watch them from your patio or balcony. The hotel is rated #10 in all of Los Angeles.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review?geo=32655&detail=81649&from=Home&inMonth=08/2006&inDay=31&outMonth=09/2006&outDay=4&adults=2&hs=hac1:10023

For the beach I reccomend Santa Monica. Now - the water is pretty dirty and the beach is pretty dirty but no one seems to mind. The Santa Monica Pier is GREAT especially at night and on the weekends. On Tuesdays they have drive-in movies in the summer. How neat would that be for your family? The rides on the Pier are expensive but you don't have to pay admission just tickets. There's a huge arcade, lots of restaurants, street vendors, bubble machines, people to draw your face and make you balloons - stuff kids love. A nice place to stay nearby -
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g33052-Santa_Monica_California-Hotels.html

While you are in L.A. be sure to go to Citywalk. Universal Studios is a bit overpriced for what it is but aren't most amusement parks? Citywalk is right outside the park and you don't have to pay to go in. It's a really nice promenade with restaurants, stores, a big movie theatre, a huge arcade, kiosks, live music, GREAT for families. Plan a whole day for both the Studios and the Citywalk.

Definately spend a day or 2 in Hollywood. Parts of Hollywood Blvd. LOOK sort of creepy but they really aren't that bad. I wouldn't want to be there at midnight but in the day it's fine - just a little old and dirty by Vine. BUT you probably won't even make it to Vine. I reccomend parking at Hollywood / Highland. Very nice and upscale right there. You have the famous Chinese Theatre, a huge McDonalds, a lot of Museums - the wax museum - lots of tourist stores and things to see. Just walk that way a couple of blocks until you get tired.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Think you will be more centered in Santa Monica...

Answer 5

http://bonaventurehotel.com
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