post-cruise hotel and area

[sunshine100]

We are going on Mariner of the Seas and will be getting off the ship on Oct. 10th, then renting a car and traveling to Fontana, CA for the Nascar Sprint Race. After that, we will be heading to somewhere near LAX. Our flight does not leave until Tuesday, so we will need a hotel for 2 nights. The only thing that we had in mind would be to go on a city tour of Los Angeles.

 

Questions--what is the fastest way from port to Fontana?

 

Nicest place or area to stay with transportation to LAX?

 

any suggestions for a 1 day tour in LA?

[Bruin Steve]

We are going on Mariner of the Seas and will be getting off the ship on Oct. 10th, then renting a car and traveling to Fontana, CA for the Nascar Sprint Race. After that, we will be heading to somewhere near LAX. Our flight does not leave until Tuesday, so we will need a hotel for 2 nights. The only thing that we had in mind would be to go on a city tour of Los Angeles.

 

Questions--what is the fastest way from port to Fontana?

 

Nicest place or area to stay with transportation to LAX?

 

any suggestions for a 1 day tour in LA?

 

I'll try...

 

From San Pedro, you are going to take the 110 North to the 91 East...to the 605 North to the 10 East...Exit Cherry, turn left...the Speedway is on your left...

 

It is a LONG way from the port...around 70 miles...It will take you over an hour, maybe two if there is any traffic...

 

When you leave the race...head back to the 10 and go West...all the way to the 405...at a minimum, depending on where you want to stay...

 

Are you keeping the rental car and turning it in when you fly home? That might make a difference as to where you stay...

 

IMHO, the "nicest" area to stay in is Santa Monica...and the nicest place to stay would be one of the following: Loews, Shutters, LeMarigot, Casa del Mar or the Fairmont Miramar...of course they are quite pricey...But those will put you in prime Santa Monica--those first four are on the beach, the last up on the cliffs near the Third Street Promenade...There is a lot in walking distance--restaurants, shops and attractions...if you want a city tour, any of a number of tour companies will pick you up at these hotels...If these out-price you, there are some more reasonable choices in the area...though not quite as nice or in somewhat less convenient locations: Holiday Inn (but beware of rooms on the freeway side), Doubletree, Sheraton Delfina...The CalMar is a well located but older apartment conversion...

 

Another area to consider is Venice Beach...and there are a few places to stay there...

 

If what you intended to do was to return the rental car, then be aware none of these places will have a free shuttle to LAX, you will have to pay for a shuttle or taxi, though it's not all that far...The only hotels that provide free shuttles are near LAX and I never recommend anything right at the Airport unless it's one night and an early flight...just not a great area...The one hotel with a free shuttle I would consider is the Radisson in Culver City...it's a little bit away from the immediate LAX area and it's a nicer location--though not touristy and upscale like Santa Monica...

[sunshine100]

Thanks for your help! We would like to stay in the same place for 2 nights, but we also would like to turn the rental car in late Monday night. Our flight out of LAX is at 7:30AM on Tuesday.

[Bruin Steve]

Thanks for your help! We would like to stay in the same place for 2 nights, but we also would like to turn the rental car in late Monday night. Our flight out of LAX is at 7:30AM on Tuesday.

 

With that plan, I would recommend the Radisson:

 

http://www.radisson.com/culvercityca

 

They have a free airport shuttle so you can return the car and get a ride back to the hotel, then get a ride to the airport in the morning...

 

The location beats the hotels right at LAX--along Century Blvd.--(it's about 3 miles from LAX) in that there are restaurants and shopping within walking distance...and you are not right under the flight patterns...

 

When you have the car, it's easy to get on or off the 405 here...and it's not a bad drive to a lot of tourist sites...

 

Good luck...

[sunshine100]

OK, thanks so much for all your help!