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Where to stay advise for Los Angeles for three days in July

DanepakDanepak
edited February 16 in Not Sports Related
We're heading to Los Angeles for three days on our way back to Auckland from London.
I originally booked a hotel in Anaheim as it looked like a good deal.
However, we're actually not going to Disneyland (the kids - girls aged 12 and 14 - aren't that bothered - neither about Universal Studios or Six Flags). Instead we're planning on visiting Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Santa Monica/Venice Beach. Also one day at Raging Waters Water Park.
Got a hire car which we're picking up at LAX.

I've since been told not to stay in Anaheim as it's miles away from everything (if you're not doing Disneyland). Also, the traffic is terrible I was told, so something which looks fairly close on the map is a different story when you're actually visiting, due to the heavy traffic.

I read that Downtown would be a good place to stay, but the parking costs a fortune at any of the hotels that I've looked at.
Someone else told me that Hollywood would be a great place to stay.
Near the airport could be good as well, but I was told that it wasn't that attractive compared to other places (like Hollywood).

Any tips from fellow CL's are much appreciated.
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Comments

  • Off_itOff_it
    edited February 16
    Stayed here when I went - mind you that was probably around 30 years ago now! 

    Was certainly a bit different. But since then I think Venice may have become homeless city.
  • DamoNorthStandDamoNorthStand
    My wife grew up in Orange County- about 45 mins south of LAX and it is MUCH nicer than LA. Places like Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Balboa Island and Newport Beach are beautiful places with loads of nice beaches, shopping malls, and still only 30 mins from Disneyland if you fancied it for a day.

    Make sure you get a car as public transport is non existent.


  • DanepakDanepak
    DamoNorthStand said:
    My wife grew up in Orange County- about 45 mins south of LAX and it is MUCH nicer than LA. Places like Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Balboa Island and Newport Beach are beautiful places with loads of nice beaches, shopping malls, and still only 30 mins from Disneyland if you fancied it for a day.

    Make sure you get a car as public transport is non existent.


    We're not planning on visiting Disneyland.
    Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and a bit further away, Raging Waters.
    Only have two full days there as we're planning on chilling out by the pool on the day that we arrive (Sunday) and car has to be dropped off at 2pm on the Wednesday where we also fly out at 10pm.

  • GribboGribbo
    Bedsaddick said:
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London. It’s a crime ridden dump . 

  • ChicagoAddickChicagoAddick
    A vote for Orange County here. Dana, Newport, Laguna Beaches lovely places to walk around.
  • DanepakDanepak
    The issue is the distance from the places we want to visit.
  • SuedeAdidasSuedeAdidas
    Wherever is left 
  • Stuart_the_RedStuart_the_Red
    Bedsaddick said:
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood. It’s a crime ridden dump . 
    Ditto this 👆

    Made the mistake of staying in West Hollywood the first and only time we went to LA.

    Yes, you can walk to Mann’s Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame, but you don’t want to do this after about 5pm!

    Probably best to describe it as very sketchy.
  • scrufflescruffle
    edited February 17
    Stay as far away from LA as possible would be my advise abd commutte in. The whole place is easily the worst city in the US an absolute fake shit hole and basically exactly Hollywood fake. 

    I would maybe stay santa Barbara and drive or commute in. At a stretch maybe santa Monica way but not exactly great round there either, ok for a daytime smooze about etc but not safe when it gets to dusk.

    The rest of california is amazing and we absolutely loved it,  have seen san fran has taken a nose dive the last 5 years also which would be a real shame as was an amazing city to visit.
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  • SoundAsa£SoundAsa£
    My advice is jump on a quick flight up the coast to Frisco.
    Tons of flights all day and at all hours.
  • BedsaddickBedsaddick
    SoundAsa£ said:
    My advice is jump on a quick flight up the coast to Frisco.
    Tons of flights all day and at all hours.
    Or Palm Springs which is lovely. I’ve been all over California and LA is by far the worst place. 
  • redlaneredredlanered
    One issue is whether you want to stay somewhere where you can walk around at night to a restaurant,  rather than having to get in the car.  Options for this in LA are somewhat limited I feel.

    We did want that, and stayed in Santa Monica, in an Airbnb type place on Main St - so had shops, restaurants we could walk to (even then we needed to stick to busy streets, we're pretty convinced a small group of locals were watching us as we neared the end of Main St and a quiet junction).

    Also had the bonus of being able to walk along to Venice Beach on a buzzing Saturday morning,  which our daughters enjoyed a lot.

    Downside for you may be difficulty of finding suitable accommodation,  esp with chillout space and pool.  We didn't want that as only had a short stay and lots to do/see
  • Friend Or DefoeFriend Or Defoe
    Gribbo said:
    Bedsaddick said:
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London. It’s a crime ridden dump . 

    Someone hasn't been to LA or outside the UK much at all! 

    To echo the above, LA isn't great to be polite but 3 days should be fine. It's like London in that it feels like lots of small towns linked together. Venice Beach and Beverley Hills are nice, likewise Korean Town and Little Japan. If possible try and go away from LA.
  • Pedro45Pedro45
    Santa Monica might be a good option - close to airport and ocean. Alternative might be a little further north at West Hollywood, or Studio City. Both close to Sunset Boulevard, the Getty museum, and (if you like movies) Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Drive.
  • cafcfancafcfan
    The Beverley Hilton is okay. Handy for both Santa Monica/Venice Beach and Hollywood. And walking distance to Rodeo Drive for some window shopping...
  • paulsturgesspaulsturgess
    I think you need to decide what you want to see before you decide where to stay. As the distances/ journey times are huge. If you wanna see Venice/ Santa Monica, Hollywood and the sign, Griffith observatory etc then staying in West Hollywood is a good idea (I didn’t find it intimidating like people said above), and staying in OC is probably a terrible idea. If you’re not bothered about any of that and just wanted a nice chilled area by the beach then maybe elsewhere makes sense 
  • kafkakafka
    I love going to LA, but the crime and homelessness is getting worse so be selective. Hollywood is really run down. Depends on budget and preference of course. I stayed at the Proper in S Monica last year, which is great but not really family. Agreed on Laguna Beach. Have stayed at Surf & Sand right on the sea - get a sea view room and watch the surfer early morning. London Hotel downtown is really good too.
  • cafctomcafctom
    I stayed in West Hollywood for three nights.

    I can see why some would say it’s a little bit grimey but personally I thought it was fine, and location wise made up for it. 
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  • lauratheredlaurathered
    We stayed for a week in Mulholland Hills 2 years ago - VRBO place with a pool. Was a lovely location with easy access to the city and out to Santa Monica etc. nothing to walk to but that was fine by us. 
  • CAFCTrevCAFCTrev
    edited February 17
    Bedsaddick said:
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London. It’s a crime ridden dump . 
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London Woolwich. It’s a crime ridden dump .
  • CarltonAthleticDanceCarltonAthleticDance
    Stayed around Hermosa  and Redondo beaches a couple of times in recent years. Quite good with a family.
  • WalkingredWalkingred
    Check out the Cecil Hotel in Downtown LA, lovely little place
  • BedsaddickBedsaddick
    CAFCTrev said:
    Bedsaddick said:
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London. It’s a crime ridden dump . 
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London Woolwich. It’s a crime ridden dump .
    I can agree with that. My birthplace is a shit hole. 
  • DanepakDanepak
    OK, thanks. I’m looking at alternatives to Hollywood after reading a few posts. 
  • stop_shoutingstop_shouting
    I stayed at the Beverley Hills Marriott in December 23. A great location and wasn’t over expensive for where it was. Not far from the big Westfield at century city, Hollywood sign, Griffith observatory, the grove shopping mall. Some great restaurants in BH too. Don’t go to Nusr Et which I made the mistake of going to one night. I went to a much better steak house though the name escapes me. Not too much of a schlep from LAX either. I’ve also stayed at the W where they filmed a classic Curb Your Enthusiasm episode but that’s pretty pricy. 
  • SporadicAddickSporadicAddick
    edited February 17
    Bedsaddick said:
    CAFCTrev said:
    Bedsaddick said:
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London. It’s a crime ridden dump . 
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London Woolwich. It’s a crime ridden dump .
    I can agree with that. My birthplace is a shit hole. 
    Had the pleasure of Brussels suburbs this morning. Makes Woolwich look like Santa Monica (keeping the thread on track with a California reference).
  • Friend Or DefoeFriend Or Defoe
    SporadicAddick said:
    Bedsaddick said:
    CAFCTrev said:
    Bedsaddick said:
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London. It’s a crime ridden dump . 
    Stay as far away from downtown Hollywood London Woolwich. It’s a crime ridden dump .
    I can agree with that. My birthplace is a shit hole. 
    Had the pleasure of Brussels suburbs this morning. Makes Woolwich look like Santa Monica (keeping the thread on track with a California reference).
    Is there anything in Europe on par with Skid Row?
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