beaches from San Diego to Anaheim to LAX

[gottagetback]

Hello:
DH and I are visiting SoCal for the 1st time in September. We will be visiting San Diego for the first couple of days on business then heading up the coast to DL. I am very familiar with WDW but not California.
We are considering staying at the beach one night on the way to Anaheim or on the way to LAX from Anaheim. Any suggestions on a clean, quiet hotel on or near the beach convenient to any of these areas? We will have a rental car and need free parking if possible.
Thanks,
GGB

 

[CPM]

We stopped in Oceanside on the way to San Diego. It was a pretty area.

http://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/

 

[Zoemakes5]

There's a nice Holiday Inn in Carlsbad. It's "themed", I've included a link. Though the beach isn't walking distance, it's a nice area and I'd say a less than 5 minute drive. You shouldn't have too much trouble with parking that time of year. http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi...H1HLWVD2CTGWA1CJ0QKM0YBCIY4?_requestid=117224

A nice beach community closer to the LA area include Redondo and Manhattan Beaches. I haven't been to either one recently, so I don't have specific hotel recommendations.

I agree that Oceanside is also a nice beach area, as well.

One of my favorite for the beach flavor is Huntington Beach. Lots of shops and restaurants, with a Rubys out on the pier. Nice beaches, bathrooms (not all of them have them). I know there were lots of little hotels right on the coast highway, but I'm not sure which ones are good/clean.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

My in-laws stayed in the "themed" hotel in Carlsbad a few years ago. It's across the street from the beautiful flower fields and the Carlsbad Company Stores (read: outlet stores) but they said it was sooooo noisy. It sits right next to the freeway and even though they were on the far side of the hotel, they heard a lot of car noise.

I would hate for anyone's first visit to our town to be marred by sleepless nights from traffic.

The hotel is right next to the Fish Market which is a tremendous restaurant and soon there will be a PF Chang's there too.

 

[KCmike]

I personally would just stay in San Diego until your ready to go to Anaheim. Our favorite stop along the way was Laguna. The beach, locale, buildings right on the beach were awesome. The hills of Laguna were very cool as well. We saw billy goats roaming around as we drove through. It was one of our favorite things we talked about.

We stayed at the hotel del coronado in San Diego and it was incredible. I've included the link.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1836716

All the kids can talk about was our trip to the del.

Have a great socal trip.

 

[gottagetback]

Thanks for the info. I am definitely planning on visiting the del but we are going to San Diego for DH's work and we are being put up in the Ramada Gaslamp downtown. I guess they didn't want to spring for the Coronado!!! Maybe a visit to the ocean while we are in San Diego will do the trick and we will be happy to stay immersed in Disney for the next 3 days but I am just exploring my options, if you know what I mean!

 

[tracys2cents]

Laguna Riviera is really nice in Laguna Beach, and just south of LAX is SeaView Inn At the Beach in Manhattan Beach. (MB has lots of restaurants and is a good spot for a night before the airport, only a 10 min drive in the morning).

 

[gottagetback]

Laguna Riviera is really nice in Laguna Beach, and just south of LAX is SeaView Inn At the Beach in Manhattan Beach. (MB has lots of restaurants and is a good spot for a night before the airport, only a 10 min drive in the morning).

I have been looking at Manhattan Beach and the Sea View. Have you stayed there? It has some mixed reviews. What are your thoughts?

 

[Irin997]

Thanks for the info. I am definitely planning on visiting the del but we are going to San Diego for DH's work and we are being put up in the Ramada Gaslamp downtown. I guess they didn't want to spring for the Coronado!!! Maybe a visit to the ocean while we are in San Diego will do the trick and we will be happy to stay immersed in Disney for the next 3 days but I am just exploring my options, if you know what I mean!

Just to let you know the Hotel Del Coronado is a very short ride over a bridge from downtown gaslamp SD. Probably a 5-10 minute cab/rental car drive and totally worth it.

I personally love Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach. I lived in PB for about a year and I love the vibes from both places. OB is a hippie haven and PB is a bit more young professional. Between the two beaches is Mission Beach and there is a fun little amusement park on the beach to explore.

Going up the coast, you can't go wrong from La Jolla to Del Mar to Carlsbad to Oceanside....it's all beautiful.

 

[tracys2cents]

Honestly if I were you I would choose the Laguna Riviera on your way to Anaheim. Really nice place for the family, nice beach, nice area, everything you need.
SeaView is the only place in Manhattan Beach that's right at the water so they're kinda the only game in town. If I wanted to stay somewhere near LAX before a flight, I'd pick it in a flash because it is a lot nicer around that area than around the airport area, yet only 10 minute drive. But up around that area you can get into beach closures and polluted water problems etc....I just think Laguna Beach would work much nicer for gottagetback.

 

[gottagetback]

Honestly if I were you I would choose the Laguna Riviera on your way to Anaheim. Really nice place for the family, nice beach, nice area, everything you need.
SeaView is the only place in Manhattan Beach that's right at the water so they're kinda the only game in town. If I wanted to stay somewhere near LAX before a flight, I'd pick it in a flash because it is a lot nicer around that area than around the airport area, yet only 10 minute drive. But up around that area you can get into beach closures and polluted water problems etc....I just think Laguna Beach would work much nicer for gottagetback.

Thanks for the info. Can you recommend a moderately priced hotel? It will just be DH and me so we won't require too much...

 

[Lasty K]

I recommend going to Dana Point.

Very very nice place to visit, nice eateries out there and a beach where it's not crowded so you do enjoy everything.

It's on the way to Anaheim on the 5. Msg me if you want more info.

 

[KimAshton]

Manahattan Beach is seriously a drop away from LAX. It can take you on a good day 5 minutes to get there from LAX. I go there after I land at LAX.