Help me plan a trip to LA-which hotel should we choose?

[woofmama]

DH & I are planning a trip to LA late September. We are staying 5 days and want to do touristy things, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Whale Watching and one Diamond District day

Anyone have hotel recommendations for us? Mid price range is what we want. Also, should we rent a car? I know driving there is insane, so is it worth it or not?

Which travel site should I use to book this? Kayak, or other?

Thanks!

 

[azstonie]

I grew up in Southern California and went to college in Los Angeles.

If you don't rent a car, I don't know how you would get any of the places you list. Maybe Uber is big there, I'm not sure about that. I've been waiting to see if any PS-ers who are current in Los Angeles now would give you an opinion. Taxis were not ubiquitous while I was there, that may have changed.

If you do rent a car MAKE SURE you get it with navigation. Or if you have your own Garmin, take it with you. Should prevent several nervous breakdowns. Familiarize yourself with the apps that indicate where the parking is in areas you are traveling to.

Avoid the commute time if at all possible.

The diamond district, my last time there it was all by appointment only, no walk ins due to security but these were the serious diamond guys and I seem to remember some of the PS-ers from Los Angeles have discussed some good jewelers there.

The Getty Museum is gorgeous, if you like art at all and/or beautiful surroundings, think about visiting there. It has a pretty good place to eat there too.

 

[madelise]

You need to rent a car. Taxis and public transportation is not reliable here, at all.

If you're spending most of your time in Hollywood, find a hotel there, then travel to DTLA for diamond district.
I'm not sure where you'll be doing whale watching.

I usually use hotels.com to book hotels, though you can try AIRBNB to see if you can find any private properties you can rent out for cheaper.

 

[kenny]

+1,000 on needing a car.
There is public transportation but it sucks, and you may not feel safe on it since, unlike NYC and many other large cities, 99.325487% of the people who can afford a car in LA have one.
Personally I feel safe enough to use LA's rail lines, but many people don't.

Southern California is spread out because it was laid out by Goodyear and General Motors to maximize their sales.
Only recently has a pathetic metrorail system been installed that won't take you where you want to go.
Talk about pathetic, they built a rail line that passes right next to Los Angeles International Airport but it does not actually go into the airport
I think the Taxi lobby won that one.
Since you want to do touristy things bring tons of money for parking.

Here in LA traffic runs our lives.
Each rush hour can be 4+ hours long in the most congested places, such as into and out of downtown on weekdays.
The 405 freeway follows the coast so it is often busy on weekends.

I NEVER leave the house without checking the traffic map.
http://www.sigalert.com/Map.asp

LA Freeways are confusing.
The San Diego freeway does not go to San Diego.
The Pasadena freeway does not reach Pasadena.
Since the west coast runs at a curve and an angle, not north/south, freeways that follow it like the 405 also curve; they don't run north and south.
Actually, some parts of the 405 run almost east/west.
This makes it confusing because there is no such thing as an onramp to the 405 labeled East.
They decided to name the freway's two directions north and south.

Read this: http://golosangeles.about.com/od/latravelplanning/ss/Driving-In-Los-Angeles.htm

Late Sept can still be hot in LA, so I'd pick a hotel where it is cool, and that means near the beach.
I recommend Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, or Manhattan Beach.
Hermosa and Redondo Beach are nice too (and much more friendly and low-crime) but kinda far from the freeways and touristy stuff.

There are neighborhoods/cities I would not feel safe in.
I won't list them here.
LA is weird; you can be in a lovely area, cross the street and the neighborhood changes dramatically!
You can google up maps of crime vs. area.
Another way to judge areas is maps of school test scores.
Areas with higher test scores probably have lower crime.
Ask your hotel staff for advice on areas to avoid.

LA has tons of beautiful places to enjoy, and tons of sucky places to avoid.

 

[kenny]

A few recommendations:
Restaurants, not fancy, just excellent food and not too expensive:

Versailles http://www.versaillescuban.com
The BEST Cuban Rotisserie Garlic Chicken ever!
They have several locations but IMO the best one is in Culver City at 10319 Venice Blvd.


Canter's http://www.cantersdeli.com
Landmark deli on westside Los Angeles with killer corned beef sandwiches and killer cheesecake!
Dig the original retro 50s decor.
Waitstaff may mess with you a bit, that's a goofy tradition.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canter's



Sight seeing:
The new Getty is a must see.
The first time I went there I was there 5 hours enjoying the grounds and the views before even entering a building.
But don't miss Getty's original location in Malibu, a copy of an Italian villa.

Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Gardens in San Marino, near Pasadena.
Bring your walking shoes and sun bonnet.
Enjoy high afternoon tea.

Best place for a walk during sunset is the Strand in Manhattan Beach
... or rent a bike to ride on the separate bike trail on the beach.



Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
Three blocks from the beach they blocked off the street to traffic to create a pedestrian mecca.
Street performers, restaurants and shops.
Another lovely evening stroll, especially on a busy Friday or Saturday night.

 

[eh613c]

Definitely get a rental car with navigation. Based on the activities you mentioned, staying in downtown LA is a good midpoint. JW Marriott is right in the Nokia Plaza where there's lots to do at night. There's also Courtyard residence inn by Mariott across the street from Nokia Plaza. Plus you'll be REALLY close to the diamond district. Also close by are the Disney Concert Hall, the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion and LACMA.

If staying in downtown doesn't appeal to you, you can try staying in Pasadena. The only hotel I can recommend there is the Westin. There is a Hilton and Sheraton in the area but both are older facilities. Not very familiar with hotels along the coast except for hotels near LAX.

If staying in Hollywood, there are plenty of nice hotels there. There's the W, Hollywood Roosevelt, Loews and chateau marmont (but that's beyond your budget).

 

[Autumnovember]

We spent a few days in LA and stayed at the Andaz hotel, check it out! At the time we got a good deal on it and its beautiful too. We did all the things you listed and the hotel was right on sunset blvd, and it ended up being the perfect location. We made the mistake of not renting a car, lesson learned. Universal Studios was AMAZING! We got the VIP passes that came with lots of extras abd was well worth the money!

 

[CharmyPoo]

In my recent trip to LA, I stayed at the SLS Hotel and it was beautiful while being close by shopping! The night before going to Universal Studios and Disneyland ... I moved to a hotel close by for convenience.

 

[woofmama]

Thanks everyone for the great info and advice, I'll look up your suggestions tomorrow and make my reservations.
If anyone else has idea's, keep it coming