hotel for one night before DL?

[mjh8955]

Hubby has a conference in Anaheim in April and the whole family (mom, DS17, DD13) is going. We are booked at the Grand Californian. We just decided to fly out the night before and stay somewhere either near LAX or maybe the beach going to Anaheim the next day. We are happy with something in the Hilton chain since we are HHonors members, but wondered if anyone had a suggestion of an out of the way or unusual (but inexpensive) place. Our kids have never been to California. We aren't all that familiar with the area but thought someone from the area might speak up and make some recommendations for us. We will have a rental car. Thanks!!

 

[c&m]

You mentioned "beach". We really enjoyed staying at Huntington Beach last year in July. There's a Hyatt (where we stayed) and a Hilton there. We loved Huntington Beach and your teens may too. Our kids enjoyed playing in the sand and boogie boarding. There were lots of surfers out there too. However, I just noticed you are going in April. It may be a bit cold.

There's a Hilton in Universal City, which is close to the Universal theme park/Universal City Walk, Hollywood attractions, and a short driving distance to the Grove (shopping) and the Farmer's Market.

Have fun planning!

 

[TaniaU]

The Hilton Anaheim/Orange is within walking distance to Angels Stadium, if you wanted to watch a ball game.

 

[honeymom]

The Doubletree Santa Monica has suites. It is not on the beach, but is pretty close. Doubletree is a Hilton brand and you can get honors points.

 

[mjh8955]

Thanks for the suggestions. We arrive very late so made reservations at the Embassy Suites Airport north and will have the next day for sightseeing before checking in at the Grand Californian. Now we have to find a beach with activities (probably too cold to play in the water in April). Huntington Beach maybe? Newport sounds good too.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Are you staying at the Embassy Suites in El Segundo, near the LAX Airport? You might try visiting Manhattan & Redondo Beaches. The Redondo Beach Pier isn't too far away, and there are a lot of nice restaurants to visit that first night.

If you're lucky you'll get here when we have the Santa Ana's, and then we'll have temps in the high 80s. However, it might be more likely that temps will be in the 70s.

If you'd like, you can rent bikes, and ride them up to the Santa Monica Pier, or towards Redondo Beach Pier on the "strand." Going to Sta. Monica Pier, you'll ride through Muscle Beach & Venice Beach.

You can also drive from the hotel, and make your way to Orange County, via a more scenic route, going around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and stopping at the Point Vicente lighthouse. There is a spot there for whale watching and you can go in a little visitors center there. http://www.palosverdes.com/pvlight/

You can tell your kids that just to the left of the lighthouse is an area where Marineland used to be and where they filmed part of Pirates of the Caribbean. The Black Pearl actually sailed that area.

Continue around Palos Verdes, and you'll come to another overlook where you can see San Pedro, Terminal Island (prison), the LA Harbor, and the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Go down the hill to the Cabrillo Beach area (where they filmed part of Face Off), and visit the Cabrillo Beach Museum. There are also tidepools in this area.
http://www.sanpedrochamber.com/champint/cbrobch.htm


Continue past Ports O' Call, and the cruise port where the Disney Magic will be this summer, and cross the Vincent Thomas Bridge to Long Beach.

In Long Beach you have the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/ that you can visit.

If the above will take too long, you can take the freeway to the 110 Harbor Fwy, go south & then go over the Vincent Thomas Bridge to Long Beach. You can continue along the coast and visit Long Beach, Seal Beach, or continue to Huntington Beach & Newport Beach. There are also bike rentals at both Huntington & Newport Beach.

If you rent bikes at Newport Beach, you can take the ferry to Balboa Island & ride over there (the ferry is about $1/person - may be a bit more now.

 

[mjh8955]

Thanks for the great information. Actually the Embassy Suites in El Segundo was not available (we're using HHonors points). So we will be at the Embassy Suites LAX North, I think it is less than a mile from the airport. The next day we want to sightsee and then make our way to Anaheim so hubby can check in for his conference before 8:00 PM. I'll check out all the places Mary Jo mentioned. Sounds like alot to see in one day!

 

[DisnyMama]

If you and your family would like to have a beach and typical So. Calif. experience go to Venice Beach. You won't be very far.

I also love the Long Beach "Aquarium of the Pacific".