Pre-cruise stay in LA

[TillThen]

I have 2 days free in LA prior to the Jan 17th Sapphire sailing. I will be with my 26 year old daughter, and she would like to see Venice Beach, people watch etc. So, after reading numerous threads (this site is SO helpful!) I think we are going to stay in Marina Del Ray/Santa Monica area. Couple of questions:

Hotel suggestions - mid-range?

Shuttles. Can we catch a shuttle from the airport to a hotel in that area? If so, what would be the cost?

Also, what about a shuttle from the hotel to San Pedro? If there are shuttles, what company, and does anybody know the cost? Or would I bet better off to take a cab? What is the cost for a cab?

[Colo Cruiser]

I have 2 days free in LA prior to the Jan 17th Sapphire sailing. I will be with my 26 year old daughter, and she would like to see Venice Beach, people watch etc. So, after reading numerous threads (this site is SO helpful!) I think we are going to stay in Marina Del Ray/Santa Monica area. Couple of questions:

Hotel suggestions - mid-range?

Shuttles. Can we catch a shuttle from the airport to a hotel in that area? If so, what would be the cost?

Also, what about a shuttle from the hotel to San Pedro? If there are shuttles, what company, and does anybody know the cost? Or would I bet better off to take a cab? What is the cost for a cab?

 

As far as going to the port from the hotel, if you saty close to LAX then head back there and catch Super Shuttle to San Pedro. ;)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=889298

[Pam in CA]

A suggestion is to rent a car which would give you the flexibility to visit Santa Monica, Venice Beach, go to restaurants, etc. You could return it to LAX and catch the shuttle from there to San Pedro.

 

The two major shuttle companies in the LAX area are SuperShuttle and PrimeTime Shuttle. You can call them to find out if they can help you with transportation to Santa Monica, etc.

[newmexicoNita]

A suggestion is to rent a car which would give you the flexibility to visit Santa Monica, Venice Beach, go to restaurants, etc. You could return it to LAX and catch the shuttle from there to San Pedro.

 

The two major shuttle companies in the LAX area are SuperShuttle and PrimeTime Shuttle. You can call them to find out if they can help you with transportation to Santa Monica, etc.

That is a great idea if one isn't afraid to tackle driving in So Calif. At one time Enterprise had no drop off fee, so you could rent the car at LAX and drop off in San Pedro.

 

Nita

[Bruin Steve]

I have 2 days free in LA prior to the Jan 17th Sapphire sailing. I will be with my 26 year old daughter, and she would like to see Venice Beach, people watch etc. So, after reading numerous threads (this site is SO helpful!) I think we are going to stay in Marina Del Ray/Santa Monica area. Couple of questions:

Hotel suggestions - mid-range?

Shuttles. Can we catch a shuttle from the airport to a hotel in that area? If so, what would be the cost?

Also, what about a shuttle from the hotel to San Pedro? If there are shuttles, what company, and does anybody know the cost? Or would I bet better off to take a cab? What is the cost for a cab?

 

First, Shuttles: I don't know the precise fare, but any of the shuttle companies will take you from the Airport to any hotel and will also take you from the hotel to the pier...

 

Check with Super Shuttle:

http://www.supershuttle.com/

 

...or with Prime Time:

http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/respath.htm

 

There are lots of hotel choices in the Santa Monica/Venice/Marina del Rey area...But, perhaps, we need to ask a few questions first:

--What do you consider "mid-range"? Remember, LA can be a bit on the pricey side...and "mid-range" is a relative term...and

--How do you plan on getting around LA? Sure, rental cars give you the ultimate freedom, but not everyone feels comfortable driving.

 

If you stay in Santa Monica, specifically in the Third Street/Ocean Avenue/Santa Monica Pier area, you have a lot of attractions within short walking distance...and to get to Venice Beach, the Marina and other areas on the West Side, the Santa Monica Bus Lines' Big Blue Bus is one of the better public transportations systems....or you could be a little more conservative and have just a short cab ride to Venice Beach (make sure you have your cell phone and the number of the cab company--you'll likely have to call the cab to come get you). It would be relatively easy to spend two days in santa Monica even without a car.

 

Hotels in Santa Monica range from the pricey Lowes, Shutters, Fairmont Miramar, Le Merigot...down to the relatively inexpensive: CalMar (a favorite of one of our local gurus, Curt Jerome Wild)), Holiday Inn (can be a little on the noisy side--right on the freeway)

 

http://www.santamonicaloewshotel.com/

 

http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/home.html

 

http://www.fairmont.com/santamonica/

 

http://www.lemerigothotel.com/

 

http://www.calmarhotel.com/

 

http://www.georgianhotel.com/

 

https://secure.holidayinn.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/smoca?secure=true&DPSLogout=true

 

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/SMOPCDT-Doubletree-Guest-Suites-Santa-Monica-California/index.do

 

You might also want to look down in Venice at:

 

http://www.innatvenicebeach.com/boardwalk.php

 

http://www.veniceonthebeachhotel.com/main.php

 

Do a search on the West Coast Ports board and especially look for hotel reviews by Curt Jerome Wild...

[TillThen]

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I have to confess that I am TERRIFIED at the idea of driving in LA. Not so much the actual driving - but I am pathetic with directions, as is my daughter. Even with a Tom Tom....so that option is out. We would both be nervous wrecks by the time we got to the ship!

However, we both love walking, and are young (and silly) enough to enjoy an couple of hours walk, just for the sake of exercise....I'll research the treads above.

[Bruin Steve]

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I have to confess that I am TERRIFIED at the idea of driving in LA. Not so much the actual driving - but I am pathetic with directions, as is my daughter. Even with a Tom Tom....so that option is out. We would both be nervous wrecks by the time we got to the ship!

However, we both love walking, and are young (and silly) enough to enjoy an couple of hours walk, just for the sake of exercise....I'll research the treads above.

 

Definitely, then, stay in Santa Monica...

From any of the hotels in the Third Street/Ocean Avenue area, you can walk the Third Street Promenade (shops, restaurants, night life), walk to the pier (rides, amusements), walk to the beach (self-explanatory), walk the Palisades Park (park along Ocean Avenue on the cliffs overlooking the beach with great views)...You could even walk all the way to Venice--but it's a LONG walk...but you can also rent bicycles and ride it--there are bike paths all up and down the beach from Santa Monica to Marina del Rey (actually beyond in both directions--I used to do it all the time)...or you can catch a quick taxi or even take the Big Blue Bus...

 

There is quite enough to do to fill up your two days here...and you can grab a shuttle or cab from the hotel to the pier...

 

I love the Loews Hotel--I was there just a few weeks ago--Room #802--Outstanding---three room suite on the top floor with balconies and outstanding views of the coast, beach and the Santa Monica Pier. Of course, it's a $2000/night room--hardly "mid-range" ;)

 

Butm, if you want something more reasonable, take a good look at the Cal Mar...definitely not fancy, but nice and great location...

 

Have fun...

[newmexicoNita]

yep, Santa Monica would be worth the visit for one night. YOu really don't want to walk mush near the airport at night, same in San Pedro. Your daughter will enjoy Santa Monica, she will too, I am sure, one of the best places for people watching. We thought that about New Orleans a few weeks ago, Santa Monica is better..

 

Nita

[cookingchick]

First, Shuttles: I don't know the precise fare, but any of the shuttle companies will take you from the Airport to any hotel and will also take you from the hotel to the pier...

 

Check with Super Shuttle:

http://www.supershuttle.com/

 

...or with Prime Time:

http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/respath.htm

 

There are lots of hotel choices in the Santa Monica/Venice/Marina del Rey area...But, perhaps, we need to ask a few questions first:

--What do you consider "mid-range"? Remember, LA can be a bit on the pricey side...and "mid-range" is a relative term...and

--How do you plan on getting around LA? Sure, rental cars give you the ultimate freedom, but not everyone feels comfortable driving.

 

If you stay in Santa Monica, specifically in the Third Street/Ocean Avenue/Santa Monica Pier area, you have a lot of attractions within short walking distance...and to get to Venice Beach, the Marina and other areas on the West Side, the Santa Monica Bus Lines' Big Blue Bus is one of the better public transportations systems....or you could be a little more conservative and have just a short cab ride to Venice Beach (make sure you have your cell phone and the number of the cab company--you'll likely have to call the cab to come get you). It would be relatively easy to spend two days in santa Monica even without a car.

 

Hotels in Santa Monica range from the pricey Lowes, Shutters, Fairmont Miramar, Le Merigot...down to the relatively inexpensive: CalMar (a favorite of one of our local gurus, Curt Jerome Wild)), Holiday Inn (can be a little on the noisy side--right on the freeway)

 

http://www.santamonicaloewshotel.com/

 

http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/home.html

 

http://www.fairmont.com/santamonica/

 

http://www.lemerigothotel.com/

 

http://www.calmarhotel.com/

 

http://www.georgianhotel.com/

 

https://secure.holidayinn.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/smoca?secure=true&DPSLogout=true

 

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/SMOPCDT-Doubletree-Guest-Suites-Santa-Monica-California/index.do

 

You might also want to look down in Venice at:

 

http://www.innatvenicebeach.com/boardwalk.php

 

http://www.veniceonthebeachhotel.com/main.php

 

Do a search on the West Coast Ports board and especially look for hotel reviews by Curt Jerome Wild...

 

I second CJW's recommendation of the CalMar...it's a great, funky little place in a perfect location. We used to live in the area and never had to stay in a hotel until we went back out a couple of years ago for a wedding in Santa Monica...we found the CalMar and it was ideal.

[billrco90278]

I have 2 days free in LA prior to the Jan 17th Sapphire sailing. I will be with my 26 year old daughter, and she would like to see Venice Beach, people watch etc. So, after reading numerous threads (this site is SO helpful!) I think we are going to stay in Marina Del Ray/Santa Monica area. Couple of questions:

Hotel suggestions - mid-range?

Shuttles. Can we catch a shuttle from the airport to a hotel in that area? If so, what would be the cost?

Also, what about a shuttle from the hotel to San Pedro? If there are shuttles, what company, and does anybody know the cost? Or would I bet better off to take a cab? What is the cost for a cab?

 

Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey are about 5 miles apart. Santa Monica is much more interesting and varied.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I would second the option of staying in Santa Monica, especially in that area that Steve recommends. The Third Street Promenade is a good place (a pedestrian based) to shop, eat, people watch. Hopefully you won't get rain when you're there -- as we get most of our rain between November and March, and we've already gotten a couple of inches within the last 24 hours (it's pouring outside in the NW valley right now) -- since this is an outside venue when walking to each store or restaurant.

 

You can also walk up and down Ocean Avenue as it's relatively safe.

[jfv379]

Even with a Tom Tom.....

 

Do I presume this is a GPS unit?:confused: I'm not familiar with the term.:o

[JPRLHR]

Do I presume this is a GPS unit?:confused: I'm not familiar with the term.:o

 

Yep, spot on..!!

[jfv379]

Yep, spot on..!!

 

Low and behold, right there on the computer this morning was an ad for a TOM TOM.

 

I didn't realize it was a brand name. I thought it was one of those geographical things, you know, the Queen's english and all.:D

[Thumper69]

I have 2 days free in LA prior to the Jan 17th Sapphire sailing. I will be with my 26 year old daughter, and she would like to see Venice Beach, people watch etc. So, after reading numerous threads (this site is SO helpful!) I think we are going to stay in Marina Del Ray/Santa Monica area. Couple of questions:

Hotel suggestions - mid-range?

Shuttles. Can we catch a shuttle from the airport to a hotel in that area? If so, what would be the cost?

Also, what about a shuttle from the hotel to San Pedro? If there are shuttles, what company, and does anybody know the cost? Or would I bet better off to take a cab? What is the cost for a cab?

 

Hi TillThen,

 

See you onboard. I'm also booked 17jan. Have you checked out the Roll Call?

 

Anthony

[TillThen]

Hi TillThen,

 

See you onboard. I'm also booked 17jan. Have you checked out the Roll Call?

 

Anthony

Hi Anthony

Thanks, yes, I checked into the Roll Call a few days ago. Looking forward to meeting everybody.

My daughter is soooo excited about this cruise - our first getaway together.:p

Ronnice

[TillThen]

Oh yea - maybe this GPS unit (Tom Tom) is only sold in Canada?