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Disneyland California and West Coast Trip Planning Disneyland California and West Coast Holiday Planning Questions, Suggestions and Tips. |
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26 Aug 20, 10:41 AM |
#1
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Imagineer
Join Date: May 14
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Staying Santa Monica
Hi, looking at different options for LA as part of a west coast trip, would Santa Monica be a good option to look at, we did want to visit the pier anyway but would it be practical for seeing the Hollywood sites and visiting universal with a shortish drive?
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26 Aug 20, 11:47 AM |
#2
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Imagineer
Join Date: May 03
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In morning rush-hour traffic, it could take an hour or even more to get from Santa Monica to Universal Studios. Possibly not what you want if you're trying to ensure you're there for park opening.
We stayed in Glendale which was a great base for all the sights including Universal Studios and the various bits around Hollywood. It meant we were a bit further out from Santa Monica, but there were more things we wanted to see in-land than on the coast. |
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26 Aug 20, 12:19 PM |
#3
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Imagineer
Join Date: Mar 04
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We ruled Santa Monica out because it was so expensive compared to other areas...
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26 Aug 20, 12:23 PM |
#4
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Imagineer
Join Date: Mar 10
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We stayed in SM at xmas and loved it. We drove to walk of fame, hollywood tours and warner bros studios. We liked the pier and the atmosphere, we always came back at night and parked up and had the evenings in SM, we would definately stay there again but depends where you want to visit 😊
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26 Aug 20, 02:26 PM |
#5
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Thread Starter
Imagineer
Join Date: May 14
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Thanks for those replies, I think I’ll look at it as a maybe depending on price, as previous poster said think it would be nice for the evenings😀
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26 Aug 20, 07:34 PM |
#6
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slightly serious Dibber
Join Date: Jan 14
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We've stayed in Santa Monica the past 3 times we've been in the LA area, for some of the reasons you say - it's relatively well located for getting to the Hollywood and Universal areas, as well as to other parts (around the coast to Malibu, up into hills and along Mulholland Drive, and the metro into downtown LA). And of course the beach and shops/restaurants which give it a good vibe - more beachy and laid back.
As Bozza says you'll need to plan when you drive, but that's true of anywhere in LA in rush hour. Took us 35 mins on a Sat morning to Universal, and about the same on a Friday morning (rush hour) to Paramount Studios in Hollywood. From another post it looks like you're planning on July/August and relatively speaking LA traffic is lighter then. |
26 Aug 20, 08:16 PM |
#7
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Thread Starter
Imagineer
Join Date: May 14
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27 Aug 20, 09:01 AM |
#8
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Imagineer
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When we visited a few years ago, we rented a one bed condo in Marina del Rey, which was just opposite the Marina. It was about 10 minutes drive to Santa Monica Pier, and a short stroll to Venice Beach and the canals.
We did have concernd initially over driving up to Hollywood, but as we had planned the WB Tour and Hollywood on a Sunday, it only took us 25-30 minutes to get to WB. That said, I would think that if you were planning on more than one day in the Hollywood/Universal area then you would be better finding somewhere nearer.
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Link to all trip reports here 2024 The Retirement Roadshow – Part 2:Alaska, 2023 4th Time lucky - Aus & NZ, 2022 Cruising and Tuscany, 2020 A second unexpected staycation - Budapest to West Wales!, 2019 It’s Disney... but not as we know it!,2017 CA Possibly, Maybe, Definitely..,2016 Economy and a Studio Just Isn't Good Enough! |
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27 Aug 20, 11:35 AM |
#9
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Thread Starter
Imagineer
Join Date: May 14
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28 Aug 20, 09:23 AM |
#10
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Trying for More Ears
Join Date: Sep 17
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We stayed in Santa Monica and loved the location. We visited Universal and went on the Metro (light rail tram). It leaves from near the pier and there was one change in Hollywood. When we got off at the station (Universal City) there are free Universal buggies that take you to the park entrance. We were there before opening and it was very cheap as I recall.
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