Where to stay in L.A.?

[Pugdog007]

We're going to L.A. for 2 nights after leaving DL. All I've learned so far is that L.A. is huge!!!

What area of town should we stay in that is safe and close to tourist attractions? Any recommendations on a hotel? Trip will be DD16 and me, so safety is first and foremost.

 

[Bete]

there are two very nearby resorts for this park. We are staying at the Sheraton there. I would have to assume these two resorts would be safe or who would go to their park. I don't have first hand knowledge though. I felt this is what I had to do to see the park in a limited time.

I think you need to decide first what are you going to do in LA and then go towards that neighborhood. If the neighborhood has no 4-star resorts I would stay clear of that neighborhood and I may go as far as to say pick another sight to see. By doing resort searches you can find this out for yourself. Now, if the budget says NO to the 4-star resorts I would simply use it as a locator. Then pick out a cheaper place near that 4-star resort and you should be pretty safe. I wouldn't go beyond a 1/2 mile of the place. You can use mapquest, etc. to get distances.

These tactics have served me well on travelling or I wouldn't offer those suggestions. Obviously if someone has first hand knowledge and can share here that might help, too.

 

[iceskatejen]

I stayed at the Sheraton up at Universal Studios once (back in 1989) when I went to a concert at the Amphitheatre there. It was a pretty nice hotel. I belive they have a shuttle or tram that will take you to the park entrance. It's better than walking because it's an uphill climb getting to the park and a downhill walk (can you say shin splints?) back to the hotel. It's a fairly steep hill.

 

[Pugdog007]

We actually are not planning to visit Universal. We've visited the one in FL numerous times and it looks as though the one in CA is sparse in comparison.

We really don't have any real plans right now. Thinking about taking some kind of tour and maybe trying to catch a show taping.

 

[iceskatejen]

One thing in Universal Studios Hollywood's favor--unlike the one in Florida, this one IS an actual working movie studio, so if you have any interest in seeing any stars, you would actually have a chance at USH. If you go on a weekday, there WILL be fliming going on somewhere on the backlot (which, btw, is where you'd get a lot of the "rides" that USF has like earthquake, King Kong and Jaws--here, they're all part of the backlot tour). While, I admit I never have seen a celebrity on the tour, I've heard of it happening to others. Apparently, while the Grinch was being filmed, there was a little incident near the Psycho house. Someone dressed as the mother from Psycho came out of the house as the tram passed it and attacked the tram. The driver and tour guide were about to call security when the person revealed himself to be Jim Carry. Even if you don't, the backlot tour is fun and informative and you will at least see sets that will be familiar from a lot of movies.

 

[Bete]

You were looking for a safer environment and I believe a park resort is usually a safe bet. The only exception to this theory would be Busch Gardens in Tampa. To be near the park there you have to be careful which direction you go because all directions are not safe in my opinion.

 

[almostGoofy]

I'm a native Angelino, although I now live in Orange County, but know the city fairly well.

I would recommend staying in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West L.A. or West Hollywood. With the exception of West L.A., the others are neighboring cities but they all mesh together as part of the "West Side" of L.A. Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and West L.A. are the more desireable places to live in the L.A. area. West Hollywood is hipper and funkier than the others (think Melrose Avenue) but I would still consider it a safe area, just be sure you don't wander too far into the eastern part of Hollywood after dark. Brentwood, Westwood and Marina Del Rey are also nice, upscale neighborhoods but do not offer much in tourist sights. Brentwood and Westwood are still part of L.A. Marina Del Rey is a neighboring city.

To the north of L.A. is the San Fernando Valley which has many smaller cities. This is where many people who work in L.A. commute from. It's very hot there in the summer but if you were to stay in the Valley, I'd recommend staying near Universal Studios. You have City Walk which, during the summer, will have special entertainment at night like live music or outdoor movies. It's also a hop, skip and a jump from the Hollywood Bowl. You could picnic and take in a concert there. Some of the studios are located in the Valley as well.

 

[jlmarr]

Originally posted by almostGoofy
... I'd recommend staying near Universal Studios. You have City Walk which, during the summer, will have special entertainment at night like live music or outdoor movies. It's also a hop, skip and a jump from the Hollywood Bowl. You could picnic and take in a concert there. Some of the studios are located in the Valley as well.

Ditto that. We stayed at the Universal Sheraton for an anniversary, and were offered free tickets to that nights taping of the Tonight Show (Jay Leno). The Hollywood Bowl is just south via the Cahuenga Pass (name ring a bell?). Hollywood is further south, not too far. If you're adventurous you could try the MTA subway to get to Hollywood from Universal City (http://www.westworld.com/~elson/larail/red.html).

Griffith Park, including the LA Zoo and the Disney-designed Museum of the American West are just to the east (http://www.ci.la.ca.us/RAP/grifmet/griffith.htm), as are the Warner Brothers and Disney Studios. Dodger Stadium is not too far in that direction also. IIRC you can get show taping tickets at Universal City Walk, although for the really popular shows you need to plan ahead (http://www.tvtickets.com).

 

[disgirl]

We also are staying int the LA area for a few nights in August and then moving to the GC at DL. We booked the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn and are wondering if any of the "experts" out there have any thoughts on this hotel. We were thinking of the Sheraton at Universal and know that it is a nice hotel. The Beverly Garland, however, was a little cheaper, so we decided to go with that one. Any comments on that hotel, would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Pugdog007, Good luck with your trip planning.

 

[mobetsy]

Depending on what you'd like to visit, Pasadena is a good bet for lodging and access to other areas. Old Town Pasadena is fun in and of itself. The San Gabriel mountains are right there, so if you enjoy hiking, you won't have to go more than 15-20 minutes to a trailhead. The Huntington Library & Gardens, the Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum...all world class museums in Pasadena. The Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia is also wonderful, and about 10 minutes away. From Pasadena to Universal is about 20-25 minutes; the Hollywood Bowl is the same (you can also get a very inexpensive bus from Pasadena to the Bowl, a better idea as parking there is expensive and a nightmare). Dodger Stadium is 20 minutes away. There's plenty more, but that gives you some idea of an area that hadn't already been mentioned!