Travel Answers

Hello from Bonny Scotland My wife and I and our two sons are touring the West Coast of the USA from next Wednesday for three weeks. 5 nights in Vegas 9 nights in LA...five in Santa Monica and 4 in Hollywood 6 nights in Hawaii(Oahu) 3 nights in San Francisco Back home to Glasgow....sob sob Staying in the Loews in Santa Monica.Looking for any tips,advice,things to do in Santa Monica.We have two teenage boys...16 and 13.The youngest is a skateboarder.

We are traveling to Santa Monica for X-mas with our 11 and 12 year old sons. We reserved a room at Shutters on the Beach. First, is it safe for the boys to go to the pier on there own if they want? Any suggestions on activities. We were thinking of renting a car. Possibly visiting Universal Studios and Venice Beach.

It sounds great for what we want,i.e.location, parking,not a chain. Just want to have someone's opinion on the interior. Again, am not too fussy but badly mixed chintz ala English B and Bs are hard. Lumpy mattress, can't do, and mold and bugs are beyond me. Can anyone help? Have had BAD experience in New Orleans so am gun shy. Pat M

Now that I've settled on a hotel, what's going on in Santa Monica for New Year's Eve? Does anyone have a restaurant to recommend or any special event?

Which has the better rooms and the better location?

Me my sister and my 5 and 3yr old boys are visting california for a few nights in july. we will not be driving so we want to stay somewhere close enough to the beach to either walk or take a bus. Were traveling on a budget so does anyone have any suggestions on some SAFE/CLEAN/CHEAP hotels? Also it will be our first time visiting any suggestions on some "must see" spots? :)

Hi, My husband and I are visiting Santa Monica for 7 days at the beginning of October. This is our first visit to America. We're trying to choose a really central hotel. Is Santa Monica an easily walkable area? We will be visiting places around the LA area but had hoped not to have to hire a car. Any help or advice would be really welcome. many thanks.

Hi, We'll be in LA in July and have chosen Santa Monica as our base. Because we've found that the nice hotels with availability are charging350 or more per night, we're considering renting a condo for the 4 nights. The place we're looking at is near Lincoln and Santa Monica Blvd. Is this a good location? Will we be able to walk to most places (i.e. Pier, Promenade)? Also, how long of a drive will it be to Disneyland and Hollywood from Santa Monica (assuming non rush hour traffic)? Thanks for your assistance. Dave

Hi, I'm looking for a clean, safe hotel to stay at with my wife and son that's walking distance from the pier and promenade that won't break the bank. Under150 if possible. Thanks!

Hi, I'm taking the wife and 4 year-old to SM in mid April for a conference. 1. Do I need to rent a car or is there enough to do provided we stay near the beach and/or promenade? 2. How much can I expect to spend if I want to stay in that general area?

where can I park for free?

What is the dress code???? What's the feeling on outfits--- casual, jeans and heels or uptight???

Hi! I'm lost! I am looking to get to SM ultimately, but a direct flight to LAX fr LAS seems too much to me ($99 w/tx & fees). Alternately, I am looking to get to Santa Monica fr LB or BUR. So, I am willing to take a "detour" flight & stay a night outside of SM to *save* ~$50 OW fr LAS & see another site (only opt-->evening flight). 1) Am I better off getting that deal for an evening flight to Burbank or Long Beach (i.e.,49 OW fr LAS) + a one-nt's over-nighter @either (to incl. that nt & nxt day sightseeing), and then head to SM via *Mass Transit* or cab (will not rent a car)? ORRRRR...2) Shall I spend the overpriced99w/tax OW flight fr LAS to LAX to stay all my 3 nts in Santa Monica (+ transport)? I am truly looking for the best beach experience w/ the ability to go out solo comfortably for a little nightlife/wining & dining. Ultimately, I will stay "in the area" 3-nts, no more, no less from 9/19-9/22. Also, I just received Leno tix for my last nt's stay on 9/21. Help! ;>' BB

I'm going to Santa Monica and want to find a Santa Monica events calendar or Santa Monica travel guide. Any Southern California events calendar that lists Southern California visitor information including Santa Monica would do.

Hi, I'm going to be in Santa Monica at the Hyatt Century Plaza on Ave. of the Stars. How far is the pier, and is there public transpo I can take to get there? Also, besides the beach, what else can I do in the area with a three year old? Thanks!

What are some good Santa Monica meeting venues? I'm looking for creative meeting venues or beach front meeting spaces in Santa Monica. Can anyone recommend any Santa Monica meeting venues?

I am planning on staying a few nights around the Santa Monica area and would like to stay close to the beach although to get better value I am happy to go a bit as I have a car. I wonder is there any area close to the coast where car parking is likely to be free for guests and reasonably priced hotels.

I'm due to arrive in SaMo on July 7th. I've been watching the weather on "weather.com" and notice it's only reaches the hight 60's for the high from now until June 5th. Has it really been that cool? I will have a 9 yr old boy w/me and would like to spend a few days at the beach, otherwise the kid may get kinda bored. Have people been on the beach? Does it maybe feel warmer than the high 60's?

I want to go to Santa Monica from NY.Could you tell me what is the most interesting and atractive way to go. I`ll be happy:-)

I want to visit Laurel`s Canyon, where can I find a good map of roads near this one or a good guide of thic location, anybody can help me? I`ll be very glad :-)

Does anyone know the apprx. cab fare from hollywood to santa monica beach?

Is this hostel safe and has anybody ever stayed there?

We're considering booking at the above hotel for two nights. Does anyone have any comments about it, good or bad, or have another beachfront suggestion? Thanks, Louisa

hi there! anyone knows about web pages apart from vacationrental.com where I could seek for house renting in santa monica area..We´re a group of 7-8 adults visiting LA and we have been told that area is nice for staying..we´ll stay jsut 4 nights and we´d like to take advantage of time as much as possible any help will be very welcomed thank you very very much... I´m keeping seeking!!heheh

I love sushi and sashimi - not the overdone ones, I mean real ones. I often try sushi when I go to new places. That is, if one can expect it's good (I wouldn't go for it in Vienna or Venice). So far have I had the best in Dubai and in a small family run business in Stockholm (where the small Japanese colony are regular guests). Someone told me that there are some good sushi bars and restaurants in Santa Monica thanks to the strong Japanese culture still alive. Don't know about that, though if you have some sushi pearls to share, don't hesitate to post an answer. I'm going to S.M and love to test new places. I'll also appreciate if you can recommend where one can find good shellfish. Thanks.

Hi, Posting this from Sweden. I haven't been to Santa Monica since I was a student. Those where the days. Now I'm returning with my wife and son for a week. Any nice hotels to recommend? I mean personal, with atmosphere - no stiff ones. I've heard about Channel Road B&B and a hotel called Ambrose. Good? Or are there some otehrs you can recommend. Thankful for opinion or advice. Just post an answer.

Hi: I'm planning on going to Santa Monica On September 10 for 3 days. We already have plans to see Dr. Phil and the Craig Ferguson show, but would like suggestions on MUST SEE in our very short trip. All suggestions are welcome. J

Hi! Would it be safe for a single female to be traveling alone during daylight on the Metro buses while out in Los Angeles? I would be traveling from Santa Monica up to Melrose Ave and the WeHo area. I would prob. take the metro 218 along Santa Monica Blvd to Fairfax, then transfer at Fairfax to Melrose. Is the intersection at Fairfax & S.M. Blvd safe for waiting for a bus? I know that's a pretty safe area of town, but I just want to make sure since I would be all alone that no one would bother me. Thanks!!

Hi, me and my wife is going to LA in early september, as we have about a week there we want to take a daytour to Seaworld in San Diego. Does anyone know of a tour operator that does one days trips like that. Preferably one that does hotel pickup at Best Western Gateway in Santa Monica?

Saw 3 hotels under 200 on Trip Advisor and trying to make a decision: 1. Travelodge - 1525 Ocean Avenue - About 45 more a night but close to ocean - worth it? Area OK? 2. Travelodge - 3102 Pico Boulevard away from the beach but 45 a night less 3. Best Western - 1920 Santa Monica Boulevard - 170 per night Appreciate your thoughts and advisement/ Larry McLaughlin