California fly drive advice

Zazie

On the advice of folks on the Las Veags thread, finally booked a car for our April trip through carhire3000 for just under £20 per day. Picking up in San Francisco and dropping off 12 days later at Las Vegas airport. No one-way fee - I had them write that on the confirmation, just to be sure! They were the best price we could find.

Miles16v

I just booked the Courtyard Los Angeles Marina del Rey via priceline for $69 a night (£154 all in for 3 nights). Was hoping for Santa Monica but I'm sure this will be fine.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxcm-courtyard-los-angeles-marina-del-rey/

ferf1223

Miles16v wrote: »

I just booked the Courtyard Los Angeles Marina del Rey via priceline for $69 a night (£154 all in for 3 nights). Was hoping for Santa Monica but I'm sure this will be fine.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxcm-courtyard-los-angeles-marina-del-rey/

That's where we stayed via Priceline...we liked it...it's not the newest hotel, but it's nice enough - the people are very friendly, there's a small laundry room that's handy and it's near a shopping area with a Starbucks and a grocery store...and loads of free parking (you would probably pay $20-$25/day to park most places in Santa Monica.

To me it's the sort of place that you feel like you got a bargain on Priceline, but you would feel like you were ripped off if you paid rack rate...most of the reviews you will read reflect that - most of the Priceline/Hotwire folks are all 'great deal!' and most of the rack rate people are all 'are you kidding me?!'

Miles16v

I saw your review on Trip Adviser firf!

I'm sure it will be fine. We're only there for 3 nights so I doubt we'll spend much time at the hotel anyway.

Just Pismo beach and Monterey to go now.

Murphy_The_Cat

Miles have you considered trying a B&B Inn for Monteray or Pismo Beach ? It will possibly be quite a bit more money than a hotel, but they can be very nice for a treat.

blindman

Not sure if this Itin I posted a while back is any use.

How I plan an MSE trip

Trip report San Fran-Yosemite-Canyonlands and around

15 days, 4.600 miles £2k approx for two.

Miles16v

Thanks for the replies.

I've now realised that the reason I was struggling for a place in Monterey is that we're there a few days before the US open. So I quickly booked a highly rated 2 star motel for £55.

I now only need to book 2 nights somewhere between Monterey and LA.

Can anyone recommend anywhere between the 2 as a nice place to stay, preferably nearer the sea, and maybe closer south so its a bit warmer? I was looking at Santa Barbara but have not got anywhere on Priceline.

I've been offered what I believe to be the Mariott in Santa Ynez for $128 on priceline, so I reckon I can get it for about $100 a night. Anyone been to Santa Ynez?

I like the idea of those B&Bs but I think they're probably a bit too pricey.

Zazie

I spent a time researching this same thing and ended up booking www.moonstonelanding.com at Cambria for our trip in April. It is a small family run place directly opposite the sea. At $125 it was a wee bit more than I wanted to pay, but it does include breakfast and afternoon snacks so not bad value. Apparently Cambria is a nice small town, but it was the sea view that clinched it.

Murphy_The_Cat

Miles16v wrote: »

I like the idea of those B&Bs but I think they're probably a bit too pricey.

Miles, you're right, sometimes they can be a bit pricey - but they can be absolutely full of character**, the owners can 'take you under their wing' and they can sometimes add a tremendous amount to your holiday :beer:

** I stayed in a Civil War snipers house in Kentucky for similar money as a fair hotel. Great stuff

shinyahashimoto

I will be based in LA for 6 nights, however plan on visiting San Diego, and financies permitting staying a night there. We will be spending the day at Balboa Park/Zoo, just wondering what is the best area to stay for the night or any recommended hotels? Thinking it would be good to leave the car parked and go out for a drink/meal somewhere. The next day we plan on maybe visiting the beach before we head back up to LA. For the hotel, don't want to spend too much. Any help much appreciated.