<p>Since your flight is confirmed I think Santa Monica would be the best option. The 10 freeway goes from the ocean in Santa Monica straight to downtown LA. Since it is a vacation I would try to find something on Ocean Ave. There are a few places right near the civic center I think on Pico that are just a block or two from the ocean that would be a bit less. Don't stay anywhere further up then there unless price is a major concern. It is not a bad area but just more motel like. </p>
<p>I looked up the Marriot in Marina Del Rey and I have driven by that area and it is a good location. You could probably get an ocean/marina view and not have to take the car out at night to find a place to eat. You don't want any place on Lincoln. Very commercial and a steady stream of traffic.
A nice thing about Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica you don't have to get on the 405 from the airport.
I would say that your husband and son could come back for the rest of you easily from those areas. Especially if you are doing something on the westside. You might check out the Getty Museum.
Another place we used to stay that is reasonable is a hotel that is at the 405 and Sunset Blvd. If someone else can remember the name. Not the round holiday inn. It is on the westside of the freeway on the hill.</p>
<p>The Downtown Marriott is about 10 minutes from USC over surface streets. It's also right next to one of the freeways. Plenty of resturants in the area within walking distance.</p>
<p>We also collect Marriott points. Using points we have offered our son the opportunity to go to any Marriott anywhere, with airfare for two, as a graduation present.</p>
<p>If you don't mind driving a bit more, I'd strongly recommend the Courtyard by Marriott in Old Town Pasadena. We stayed there the 1st 1/2 of our trip to LA & then the Holiday Inn near USC for the 2nd half. We all MUCH preferred the Courtyard, even tho is was a longer drive. We really hated the Holiday Inn, as we could hear all the neighbors on either side of us & above us! Our friend found it OK--he lucked out & had a room on the top floor & had a storage closet on one side & end of the building on the other. The Holiday Inn is convenient, but we will never stay there again!</p>
<p>As to Universal Studios- yes, the studio tour is attached to the theme park. I would highly recommend this option. It's a lot of fun to explore, some fun rides and neat things to see, and it is attatched to Universal City Walk, which is a cool outdoor mallish thing, with lots of restaurants, neat stores, and other things to explore. Lots of fun, especially for teenagers.</p>
<p>If your kids like jousting and horses, Medieval Times is fun as well (bit pricey). There's an on-line coupon (or at least there was when we went). Disneyland is always a big hit, tho it will likely be crowded with others who are also enjoying Spring Break. My kids liked Knotts Berry Farm. There's Speed Zone, where kids can drive around in cars & play videogames.</p>
<p>I usually go into Santa Monica from LAX on layovers--it's about a 30 minute taxi ride, give or take a few. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.</p>
<p>I think Santa Moncia is a great place to stay because it is very easy for teens to get around and feel comfortable--and see some of the fun of living in LA. Just a great atmosphere all around, full of diversity. Your older son can get a wake up call from the hotel and take a $30 taxi to meet you at USC. </p>
<p>He would probably faint to think you were worrying about him...LOL. If you get a 19 year old to go on the Universal tour...you get a gold star in persuasive parenting.</p>
<p>TheDad would know the best hotels...as he is a SM resident--I think?</p>
<p>We had 3 teens with us - we did the Grauman's Chinese Theater jaunt so they could check out the foot and hand prints and they kind of liked that. We also went to a taping of a television show - unfortunately we were there in August and most were on hiatus so there weren't a lot to choose from, but it was cool. We got our tickets months in advance on-line. I really wanted MAD TV, but it wasn't available!
We also got tickets for a jazz festival at the Hollywood Bowl - the teens were bored . Beware if you do that - they stack park you so you are stuck for the duration. Sooo bizarre. Now I know to park off -premises.
I will add that for my teens the favorite part was Venice beach and a surf lesson that we arranged ahead of time. They provide wetsuits, so the water temp should not be a problem.
If you do go down by Long Beach you might want to look into taking a boat ride to Catalina Island. The flying fish are pretty neat to see.</p>
<p>If you plan to spend the night in Claremont, check out the Doubletree (near campus) and the Sheraton Suites Fairplex (in Pomona). I know that the Sheraton offers a discount for folks visiting Pomona--just ask for the Pomona discount. (Parking is free, and the suites have a sleep sofa.)</p>
<p>For LA, when our son was at UCLA, we would stay at the UCLA Guest House on campus. There's a continental breakfast, free parking, and rooms of varying sizes for a little more than $100/night. In Santa Monica, we really enjoyed staying at the Shangri-La during our son's commencement. (We needed a suite to cover in-laws and to hold the graduation party.) It's right on Ocean Avenue; however, I believe it's currently closed for renovations. They used to offer a 20 percent discount for on-line reservations as well as free, secure parking.</p>
<p>For things to do, there's the La Brea Tar Pits and museum, the Armand Hammer Museum, Petersen's Auto Museum on Wilshire, the California Science Center (right across the street from USC), the Getty Museum and the Getty Villa, and Griffith Park Observatory (where some famous movies have been filmed). For an fun food experience (in addition to the In-n-Out where you should have a double-double, animal style), get a made-to-order ice cream sandwich at Diddy Riese's in Westwood. Last time I was there, it was only $1 for two homemade cookies of your choice and your favorite ice cream flavor!!!</p>
<p>Wow! A plethora of great suggestions! I'll be sorting through all these and figure out how to maximize my Marriott and Hilton points. Our Sheraton/Starwood and Radisson points are low right now-- so probably couldnt get much.</p>
<p>Liked the Getty. The buildings and the views are spectacular. The art is so-so but only in comparison to the Smithsonian where as a long-time Washington DC area resident I spent many hours.</p>
<p>i'd stay at The Standard downtown. it's a short drive (less than 10 min) down to USC, has a cool roof top pool and bar. and your boys will think you're cool for choosing it. the basic rooms are $95. parking is $25. reservations mandatory to get the cheap rooms.</p>
<p>go to the beach for the other days. near LA I'd go to Santa Monica. otherwise I'd go south to Newport Beach. Venice beach is a must for a couple hours as well.</p>
<p>if you're visiting UCLA I like the W in Westwood. it's a good place for celebrity sightings if you like that kind of thing. </p>
<p>btw: have you been to big bear??? it's not Lake Tahoe if you know what I mean. my advice, fly to reno or sac, ski squaw valley, then take a $49 sw flight down to burbank then check in to the standard downtown LA.</p>
<p>Doh! Your kids will love Knott's Berry Farm if they like coasters. Ghostrider is one of the most-respected wooden coasters in the country, and they have lots of steel coasters and other thrill rides. I like the western theme in the old Ghost Town, but I have a soft spot since I've been going there since I they really did sell berries across the street. The replica of Independence Hall is interesting, and don't miss eating at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant. It's another piece of SoCal history -- sort of a counterpoint to the Hollywood focus of Universal Studios. Unfortunately, you can't drive the half-scale Model T's for a dime any more...</p>
<p>I am prepared to face that Big Bear is... "quaint" and "rustic". I'd have preferred to ski at Tahoe but (1) I got vetoe'd by hubby bec. of time limits and (2) we want our s to see what the nearby skiing will be like, should he end up at USC or one of the Claremonts, and should he really have time to ski or snowboard.</p>
<p>New problem---</p>
<p>Running into a few snags using hotel points as I'd hopes. I am now being directed to a place in El Segundo. Any comments? Wer will have a car, wo will be able to drive to the other beaches and tourist places. If we consider this, will we be deluged with airport noise?? We absolutely don't mind staying in a place that is merely to sleep, and then hitting the car for activities. Is El Segundo safe, clean, and easy to access the highways?</p>
<p>
[quote]
btw: have you been to big bear??? it's not Lake Tahoe if you know what I mean
[/quote]
I've had fun at Big Bear but it can get crowded and the snow conditions aren't as good as elsewhere. Another option is to drive to Mammoth. It usually has the most snow in California and is a huge ski area. I forget how long it takes from LA - maybe about 4-5 hours. </p>
<p>And Diddy Riese in Westwood right next to UCLA is still great for cookies and ice cream and unbelievably cheap. A good place to go after lunch at BJ's across the street - at least my college-aged kids think so.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on moving our lodging south (again- have car will travel) to Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach or El Segundo? I'd really like to make use of some Hotel points, if possible.</p>
<p>Manhattan/Redondo/El Segundo are all in the same area. I always thing of El Segundo as more of an industrial town (office parks, not factories). People live in the other two. If it's a Marriott property, it will be nice.</p>
<p>El Segundo is clean, safe, and has access to highways. I have a friend who really enjoys the small-town atmosphere of downtown El Segundo. It's very convenient to the 405, which you will use to get to L.A., Santa Monica, Venice Beach etc. Manhattan Beach is very close and is a gorgeous, upscale beach town. Many people live in ES or MB and commute every day into L.A. so you will have no trouble going anywhere you need to go; it's just a less beautiful spot to stay then Santa Monica would be. </p>
<p>Don't know about noise; bring earplugs just in case. Tire yourself out doing everything else you want in the area (you can still easily get to Venice, Malibu, Hollywood, USC, it's just a longer drive) and come back to the hotel ready to sleep through anything.</p>
<p>Thanks, Washdad.
Yes, we are currently trying to use Marriott points. Too bad we cant combine the Marriott, Hilton, Starwoods ( Sheraton) and Radisson points we have. We'd be golden.</p>
<p>*** EDIT***
Thanks jazzymom. Santa Monica is going to be quite pricey- especially if we dont get a suites type room. Began to run into some snafoos with Marina Del Ray, so continued my quest southward, per their reccs. YOu are making me feel much better- thanks.</p>
<p>PS-- We just took the boys on a 7 day cruise, so they got their luxury ! Time for basics, I guess.</p>
<p>Check out the Sheraton in Pomona for your overnight there anyway. Depending on the time of year, the Pomona rate can be as low as under $100/night.</p>
<p>S works in El Segundo--definitely more of a commercial area and right next to LAX. It's not exactly a residential area, but it's safe.</p>