Universal hotels

[KrystalS]

Is it possible to find a decent hotel near Universal for around $150 a day? We will have a car so don't mind driving but I don't want to be an hour away. Even Holiday Inn is $250! Is this just the norm for the area? Even the hotels near Disney are cheaper.

We will be driving from Oklahoma on our way to Washington. Stopping at Grand Canyon then headed to California. We will arrive on a Friday and plan to leave on Monday for San Francisco. We are hitting Universal 1 day and then going to the beach one day. Is Santa Monica a decent area for the beach?

Should we stay at one hotel for Universal and then move to one closer for the beach?

 

[Ndusmama]

When are you going? Prices are going up near universal because of the Harry Potter opening April 7 but I've seen reports of soft openings going on now for spring break. Which way are you coming to ca? Santa Monica isn't bad but it's got a lot of interesting characters. If you want less crazy and more peaceful beach try Huntington Beach. It's a bit farther south but if you don't mind changing hotels you can find cheaper hotels down there. It is probably an hour drive though to universal with traffic. Maybe consider a day or two at Huntington Beach and then drive up early to universal for the day then drive afterwards through the San Fernando valley up closer to magic mountain in Valencia?

 

[KrystalS]

We are going mid July. I didn't think about HP, makes sense now. We will probably have to stay outside the Universal area, maybe even go to the beach when we first arrive in the area then go to Universal our last day. That way we can stay somewhere north of LA after we go to Universal. We will be coming from the East.
Thanks for your help!

 

[sheetz]

Hotels in LA are really expensive now due to tourism being at record levels. I'd suggest something like Hotwire or Priceline. LMTClub.com can have good deals, too.

 

[Ndusmama]

most of the beaches are south of la. The good ones are Orange County. Depending on which freeway you take they aren't hard to get to. I would think you'd take the 40 west then connect to 15 south in Barstow. From there the beaches in Orange County are roughly 2-3 hours. Try staying there first night and second. From there, like I said wake up early to get to universal go there for the day and then drive north to Valencia 30-60 minutes north on the 5. The 5 takes you north. You could reach San Francisco in a full day drive.
Just logistics wise the beach first day IMO would be your better choice, just cause of driving and not backtracking. I hope that helps.

 

[longboard55]

Downtown Burbank (on San Fernando Oive Offramp) is real nice, full of restaurants and very walkable. We have stayed at the Springhill Suites and it was good. The hotels around disney will be much better deals.

 

[Jenn1116]

Is it possible to find a decent hotel near Universal for around $150 a day? We will have a car so don't mind driving but I don't want to be an hour away. Even Holiday Inn is $250! Is this just the norm for the area? Even the hotels near Disney are cheaper.

Have you decided on what you will do? I have pretty much the same question. I'm thinking about extending our DL trip to visit Universal because of Harry Potter... And smushing a beach day in there would be fabulous. The hotel prices are killing me though.

 

[Ndusmama]

My aunt just stayed at the La Quinta near Universal and didn't pay more than $120. But that was off season and still before even press openings and dry runs for HP.

 

[buzz242]

We've stayed at th Embassy Suites in Glendale, it's about 10mins to Universal. It may be over your budget but includes free breakfast which is worth a fair few dollars. There are several other hotels in that area that may be of interest to you.