Hotels in LA for vacation for 4 nights

Hi All,

I will be in LA for 4 nights. i.e. from 10th Jan (arriving around lunch time via VX from JFK) and leaving on the 14th on a 11:30pm flight back to KUL on MH.

I'm looking to do a day at Disneyland but don't know which one i should go to? Any recommendations?

Now in regards to a car i believe i need to get one? I may rent one for 3 days or something as i think the first day i will just cab it to my hotel. As i have never been in LA before! Also i am from Sydney and the wheel is on the wrong side!

My budget is not very high, probably US$160 per night. I was looking at the Holiday Inn Beverley Garland at Vineland Avenue? Location ok?

So i suppose for my visit i would want to go to Disneyland, universal studios, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, nice dinner,lunch,breakfast and any other exciting things

Anyone can suggest?:)

Many Thanks,
Kenn.

IMO, Disney California Adventure is better than Disneyland itself, though they are adjacent to each other so you can see what you feel like doing when you get there.

I would definitely recommend getting a car with the distances involved in LA.

I know it will take a day out of your schedule, but I think you should drive down to San Diego; it's worth it:)

45.

[Bazz]

You will definitely need a car, just looking at what you hope to see, Disneyland and Universal are opposite sides of LA for example.

A good hotel near to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm (less crowds than Disney) is the Holiday Inn Buena Park, it would be within your budget and is just off the 91 near the junction with I5.

Thanks Guys. I was thinking to stay in the hollywood, beverley hills(might be pushing it) area and drive to disneyland or even go on some form of public transport:) And probably just spend a day in Disney and drive back into town... What do you think?

[Bazz]

As Paul said, the freeways and even the interstates get jam packed in peak times and what would ordinarily be a twenty minute drive can quite literally take several hours. If you stay in the Hollywood area then Santa Monica has plenty of options for dining.

If you don't want to go as far as San Diego but fancy a run south on PCH go to Laguna Beach, lots of galleries and some decent restaurants and a great beach with some fine views, well worth a visit. Fashion Island, which is a large open air mall complex at Newport Beach is also well worth a visit (Large Apple Store!) also with some good eateries.

If you want to do some outlet shopping take yourself east on the I10 towards Palm Springs and go to Dessert Hills Factory Outlets at Cabazon, which is just off the I10 best to allow a day for this if you do go. Avoid Ontario Mills Shopping Centre (junction I15 and I10) it is pretty naff.

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by Bazz
You will definitely need a car, just looking at what you hope to see, Disneyland and Universal are opposite sides of LA for example.

A good hotel near to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm (less crowds than Disney) is the Holiday Inn Buena Park, it would be within your budget and is just off the 91 near the junction with I5.

Yep the holiday inn Buena park is nice.

There are a few restaurants in the general area and Disney is 10 mins down the freeway.

Yes you will need a car, LA is a massive area.

Thanks guys. Hows the weather in LA during early Jan to Mid Jan?:)

[Bazz]

Probably not as hot as you are accustomed to at that time of year. Pleasant for us from the UK, anywhere between low 60s and low 80s depending on the weather and where you are in CA. Frequently the coast has very different weather to the more inland areas.

Have a look at weather.com or one of the other sites for more info.

Thanks Bazz On the same itenary i will be in SFO and JFK. I have a feeling thats a LOT cooler than LAX

I've only been to New York in winter but not San Fran. I wonder if San Fran can compete with NYC in terms of the cold!

Hi k3nnis

Im in LA right now working, its such a spread out city that its very difficult to choose the right place to stay so that you can do everything you want.

Personally I would not choose to stay in Hollywood, its an interesting place to visit but not at the top of my list to spend any length of time. Having spent time there or thereabouts it tends to be a bit grubby and some parts take on a whole new dimension at night (all IMHO of course).

If you want to visit Disney then perhaps choose somewhere close to there although I have no first hand experience of the hotels there. As has been said tripadvisor is a good source of info. My choice of park would be Disney California Adventure, but may depend on ages of those with you

Universal is well worth a visit too IMHO but again it will depend on the ages.

Santa Monica is really pleasant to stroll around in particular 3rd street.

I have previously visited Redondo Beach, Laguna Beach, Long Beach all of which are fine depending on taste.

I will echo what has been previoulsy said that you will be lost without a car here.

Cheers

Mark

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the info Hmm seems like Hollywood is not the place to stay!

I am also looking at the Crowne plaza at beverly hills. I suppose this area is not too bad? Its a bit pricey though...

Originally posted by mas66
Hi k3nnis

Im in LA right now working, its such a spread out city that its very difficult to choose the right place to stay so that you can do everything you want.

Personally I would not choose to stay in Hollywood, its an interesting place to visit but not at the top of my list to spend any length of time. Having spent time there or thereabouts it tends to be a bit grubby and some parts take on a whole new dimension at night (all IMHO of course).

If you want to visit Disney then perhaps choose somewhere close to there although I have no first hand experience of the hotels there. As has been said tripadvisor is a good source of info. My choice of park would be Disney California Adventure, but may depend on ages of those with you

Universal is well worth a visit too IMHO but again it will depend on the ages.

Santa Monica is really pleasant to stroll around in particular 3rd street.

I have previously visited Redondo Beach, Laguna Beach, Long Beach all of which are fine depending on taste.

I will echo what has been previoulsy said that you will be lost without a car here.

Cheers

Mark

You definitely can't miss out Santa Monica and its 3rd Street Promenade:)

45.

[ChuckC]

I wouldn't spend the extra money just to stay in Beverly Hills, which is mroe about high priced shopping than anything else. If you want to be near Disneyland or equal distance between the sights of LA and Orange County Bazz's recommendation of the Holiday Inn Buena Park is right on. Santa Monica is a fine choice. The outlet shopping in Cabazon is superb and if you're driving that way, by all means drive another 20 minutes to Palm Springs where the weather is usually quite nice in January.

San Francisco is supposed to be wet and quite cool (but not cold, as in New York) in January. It will not feel as cold as London but could be as rainy! New York could be cold to very cold (if it's windy) so take warm clothes.

Chuck-

Thanks guys for the info Accomodation in santa monica are not that expensive are they?:) I sure will bring plenty of clothes! I just hope my flights wont be delayed! I'm going to fly on VX.