LA, where to stay and other questions!

[ExcitedSam]

Hi guys, I "think" I have Disney mostly sorted, still working on Yosemite but now onto LA.

ETA - I've been checking out hotels and it seems a few are booked up, or they say only 3 rooms left? do things really book out this quick?
Should I be booking soon? seems crazy to me but I have never been before so I don't know.

I want to do Universal studios, a Hollywood tour, take DD's to American girl store and fit in some shopping.

So where should we stay? Do you think we'll need a car? Is there anything else we should do?

I've also decided we will do Legoland and stay over night and go to sea world. We are skipping las Vegas I think ( at this stage!) any info on where to stay in San Diego? We'll obviously have a car for that

Once I get it sorted and then just need to keep an eye out for sales for what I want, I hope there will not be as many questions.

 

[Caroline NZ]

We stayed here in San Diego
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/e...en/hw/&xch=1101466296,W34FA1RPXFPJMCSGBJF222Q

It is rate highly on Triapdvisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ort_Liberty_Station-San_Diego_California.html

We really liked it and would stay here again.

 

[*~*stacey*~*]

We stayed more in the Hollywood area near the Beverly Centre which we thought was a good location as it was a quick and cheap bus trip up to the main strip (the fare was about 30 cents I think) where there is lots to do (including the Disney theatre which looked amazing). Also most of the tours we did operated out of the Kodak Centre so it was easy to get there too.

While you're in LA I would recommend the Hollywood museum at the old Max Factor Studios it has some amazing stuff such as the Ruby Slippers, old hollywood items and so much movie memorabilia.

Also the Warner Brothers Backlot tour was heaps of fun, my sister was 8 when we went and she loved it but not sure about a 4 year old. You get to see the backlots for New York and other places they show you where certain scenes from films were shot, you get to see props, movie cars, they take you inside an empty set so you can see what they look like. The props department is amazing especially if you were a fan of Friends. Finally they take you to the costume department where they have on display costumes from movies such as Casablanca, TV shows like Gossip Girl and upstairs is all Harry Potter.

Also apparently the Disney theatre (can't remember what it's called) is supposedly amazing they do a pre-movie show and there is an old fashioned icecream parlour next door. We were going to go see a movie there however the line is massive so I recommend getting in early if you decide to do that.

 

[Mum from oz]

We stayed in Anaheim for a week in a condo. We walked to Disneyland and just used the car to go anywhere else we wanted to go. http://www.vrbo.com/234550

 

[maryr1oz]

Hi - some areas around Hollywood can be a little seedy, especially with little kids. You could stay near Universal, their hotels are touristy. From Universal the subway runs 1 stop to Hollywood and Highland, putting you in the middle of everything. If you had a car even better, you could drive yourself wherever you need to go. If money isn't a problem, try the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel or the Renaissance Hollywood. American Girl is down by the Farmers Market right? That's a nice area too. There is a good hop-on-hop-off tour bus that works around Hollywood which stops at most of these places and gives great commentary.


What are you still needing information about Yosemite for? We've been there a couple of times if i can help answer any questions?

 

[ExcitedSam]

Hi Mary,thanks for the info. I was worried about staying near universal that it was too far away from other stuff as we were not planning on hiring a car....however we might be now! What is driving and parking like though? Which areas are a bit seedy?

Any info on Yosemite would be great too thanks.

 

[maryr1oz]

Hi Sam,

The blocks directly around the Hollywood and Highland intersection are touristy in Hollywood, but go further than that, especially at night, and it gets a little rougher. I was staying there alone once, and i felt safe in the evenings in that tourist area, but there's no way i would have wandered much further away from there. From Hollywood and Highland is where all the tour busses start their journeys, you can just turn up there and choose what you want to see and do, and there are constantly different tours departing all day. This is where the Hop On Hop Off Hollywood bus starts too.

If you're happy to hire a car and drive around the area it's so handy. The traffic is pretty much the worst i've seen anywhere, but it's the easiest way to get around because the public transport in LA is fairly sparse and takes a long time to get anywhere. The subway between Universal and Hollywood is good too - runs often and the stations are patrolled, although i did not take it at night.The Universal City Walk is great, lot's of restaurants and shops and has a good atmosphere all day, and the evenings.

About Yosemite, if you have a car - we couldn't get accommodation inside the park, despite calling the morning of the day the window opened for our dates. We settled for staying in Oakhurst, just outside the park. The Best Western Yosemite Gateway is where we stayed, it was basic but set in lovely wooded grounds. It took about 45 minutes to get down to the Valley floor from here. We daytripped from Oakhurst and it was great. Take the Valley Trolley tour inside Yosemite, it was a great way to get oriented and the guides are so knowledgeable. It's such a beautiful area!!

Let me know if there's any other specific questions i can help you out with!

 

[ExcitedSam]

Thanks Mary, I'm sure there'll be more Q's to come. We are looking at staying at Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite, it's gorgeous! and is available for the dates we are looking at. I haven't booked anything yet so it's a bit scary to start, given we aren't going til October next year, but I know some places go pretty quick. I was told airfare sales for that time would be early in the New year, so will wait and see on those. I have done a "dummy" run for fares and I'm pretty sure we will be able to fly the dates I want, it'll just be at what price!

I'm finding it really hard to pick something in LA, a lot of places have double beds which I don't want. There is the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, which looks really good, but I'm not sure about location. We will have a car for the Yosemtie trip and also to go San Diego but not sure if we'll keep it for LA stay...maybe?

 

[Tara2004]

We hired a car in orlando and Steve picked up the driving really quick. We hired a SUV and we got a free booster seat too. The car was the US version of our holden. It was awesome, and it locked the doors when you put the car in gear. It felt quite safe when it did that.

We stayed at 2 hiltons and found them the best. The embassy wasn't that great in LAX, but loved the Hilton LAX, we could see the hollywood sign. They where so clean and practical. I found all the bed we stayed in very comfy. I dont know if we have any photos, but we have some photos on our Facebook page. Cooper family holidays.

 

[carnival kid]

We stayed in West Hollywood our first time in LA. Would not recommend this as it was a bit too far away from things.

Second time we stayed at the Magic Castle Hotel right in the centre. It is WONDERFUL and I would highly recommend it. All rooms are suites including bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and lounges for a very reasonable price. There is also breakfast included in the price each morning. They also provide free drinks and snacks (chocolate/chips/lollies) from reception as often as you want!!!! It doent look fancy or special from the outside but inside is lovely and clean.

It was a 5 minute walk to Kodak Theatre area. There are many things to do day and night within walking distance. We felt safe at all times. As PP said heaps of tours pick up from this area... there are so many to choose from. This time we did the TMZ tour (based on the TV show) and liked it but we had done a really touristy one before so it may not suit everyone.

We had a car at all times and found driving fairly easy (well DH did!) For our bigger group it saved us money comapred to using public transport or shuttles.

We drove ourselves to the farmers market (where american girl is) a few times and to universal area a few times as well.

We also went to sea world and lego land. We drove there on 2 different days for anaheim. We found both places really good. A warning though.... to see the "shows" at seaworld (like dolphins and whales) seats start to fill up early and quickly so if you want good ones you have to go early and wait it out.

Also when they say "wet seats" they really mean it... especially at the shamu whale show. You do not get splashed you get soaked!!! Head to toe and dripping!!!

I second warner bros is a really good tour but there is a strict age limit... i think it was over 7 years so may not suit you.

I have been there a few times and done all the touristy things so if you have any other questions just ask

 

[ExcitedSam]

I "think" we're going to stay in Anaheim after Yosemite and do Universal, San Diego and other things from there, doable? We'll have a car when we return from Yosemite, so we'll probably keep it. I keep changing my mind though!!

IF we get a 14day Disney pass we can use it for a visit (ie when I am shopping and DH has amuse the girls!) during the second stay in Anaheim.

 

[carnival kid]

if you have a car you can definately do Universal, sea world and lego land from anaheim. we did.

It took us roughly 2 hours to drive from anaheim to sea world and legoland.

I would guess universal would be approx 1 hour.

 

[BrizMarc]

I stayed at the motel 6 in holly wood. its not fancy but cheap and in an AMAZING spot. You can easly catch the train from hollywood to Universal. Its only 1 stop away and costs a couple dollars return. You can see all of the hollywood stuff on foot in the area and you can catch a coach that will drop you at the door of your disneyland hotel for around $25. I cant think of the company I used but I can find it if you like. Great service. Hasing a car depends of what you want to see and how long you have. I bussed everywhere around LA and found it cheap and worked fine. Its just a little slow.

 

[perthgirl]

We just got back from 5 weeks in the US ending with 6 nights in LA. We also stayed at the Magic Castle and couldn't recommend it enough - huge suites - kings sized bed in the bedroom, full kitchen/dining and living room with a double sofa bed which our 15 year old daughter slept in without any complaint.
One block to Hollywood and Highland where there is a train to Universal studios (one stop) and all of the normal tourist attractions.

We also took a bus to the Farmers Market and Grove (where there is an American Girl shop) $1.50 each way and really easy. If you are a little more adventurous you could also take the bus to Santa Monica Pier as we did -requires a transfer but really wasn't difficult at all.

If you have any specific questions I will try to answer them. Good luck with your plannng - I love the planning stages!

 

[Anaheim boy]

If you're basing yourself out of Anaheim and want to do SD, Universal and Legoland, keep the car. You can easily do those trips based in Anaheim. Seaworld would be about 2 hrs roughly, depending on traffic. Most of the time, Universal is an hour trip. I use to live in Anaheim and work at the Hard Rock at Universal and mostly it would take an hour either way, but that can vary, and have had it as long as 3 hrs one way. Though not very often that long.
My parents used to take me to Yosemite all the time....Tenaya Lodge is quite nice. Think we might've stayed there once (?). It says only 2 miles from the south gate, but from there to get to the valley floor is still quite a ways in. And while the distance is not far, it is all two lane divided mt roads winding along not unlike what you would find in the Blue Mts outside Sydney. You've still got at least an hour or so drive from there. So factor that in. I personally would try to stay IN the valley somewhere, like the Yosemite Lodge or if you like camping but not quite, stay in the tents at Curry Village. We've stayed all over the valley, and to be there at night is amazing. What time of year were you planning on going? I have seen some gorgeous things at night in the valley, including when the moon is full, the GLOW of the waterfalls is unreal, and the haze over the meadows can be magical. It's a beautiful place. Even if you can't stay in the valley, it is still worth going to. Don't forget to visit Glacier Point on the way driving in, it has a great view of Vernal and Nevada falls that you can't see from anywhere else in the valley.