Ste, Im going on a mexican riviera cruise next year (September)sailing out of LA and I would like some advice about LA. We are looking at staying in LA for a few nights before and after the cruise and I could do with some info on where and where not to stay. We have looked at the crown plaza in Anaheim but I get the impression that this is a bit out of the way and pricey, whats the going rate for a hotel / motel in Long Beach or Sunset Beach. Also how much do you normally pay for your flights. All info will be much appreciated.

 

Regards

Terry

Hiya Terry...as your coming in Sept, the rates are still quite high, I actually live in Santa Monica, which is the beach area of L.A. the hotels here are outragious they are about $300-$1,000 a night, as you have plenty time to plan your visit, I always tell folk to check out "Motel 6" they are a no frills place, always very clean and usually the cheapest deals in town, they are everywhere all across the States, Anaheim is only good if you intend going to Disneyland or to see the Angels (Baseball) play...ideally I think the best place for you to stay and be close by all the attractions would be somewhere around the West L.A. area, so if you find a Motel 6...Raddison..Howard Johnson's...King 8...in that area you should be fine, Long Beach is again 15 miles south of L.A. but the hotels in that area will be cheaper, if you rent a car then you could stay anywhere, the best car rentals are Budget, Enterprise, and Dollar, and are quite cheap compared to England, I always fly with British Airways as I'm in their frequent flyer programme, but have a look at British Midland Airways, I have used them a few times you will fly from Manchester to Heathrow on a British Midland plane, then from Heathrow to L.A. they use Virgin, and thats always a great service, don't book direct on Virgin as it's a lot more expensive, punch in your search engine "cheap flight to L.A." you can punch in the same for "cheap hotels" thats how I have done it for other folks from home, Delta, US Airways and Continental Airways seem to be the cheapest, but they are all shite service and long stop overs plus you pay for absolutely everything on board,...are you going on the 7 day or 3 day cruise to Mexico...if it's just the 3 day cruise I will drive down to Ensenada and meet you we could have a nice little sess in Hussongs Cantina...which is my local down there....if I were you I would rent a car from the airport, theres a free shuttle to take you to the rental office, then book a hotel close by for your first night as you will be knackered and don't know your way around, next few days...see the sights around L.A. and find a cheaper place to stay, then find a hotel near Long Beach for the night before you sail....Enjoy Mexico...then get the car again and shoot off to Vegas where all the hotels are dirt cheap....pick out some hotels and places to visit and give me a shout and I will run them down for you before you book them.......give the lads a big shout from L.A.....Kick that Red Shite all the way back to Salford..take care....Steve

Cheers Ste, Thanks for all the advice we are looking at going on a 7 day cruise to Mexico with 1 night in LA before the cruise and 3 nights after the cruise in LA. Been to Vegas twice in the last 5 years so we are looking to do something a bit different next year, last year we did a similar holidat in New York and it was superb. Al be in touch when we start booking things, once again thanks.

 

Regards

Terry

Hiya Terry...as your coming in Sept, the rates are still quite high, I actually live in Santa Monica, which is the beach area of L.A. the hotels here are outragious they are about $300-$1,000 a night, as you have plenty time to plan your visit, I always tell folk to check out "Motel 6" they are a no frills place, always very clean and usually the cheapest deals in town, they are everywhere all across the States, Anaheim is only good if you intend going to Disneyland or to see the Angels (Baseball) play...ideally I think the best place for you to stay and be close by all the attractions would be somewhere around the West L.A. area, so if you find a Motel 6...Raddison..Howard Johnson's...King 8...in that area you should be fine, Long Beach is again 15 miles south of L.A. but the hotels in that area will be cheaper, if you rent a car then you could stay anywhere, the best car rentals are Budget, Enterprise, and Dollar, and are quite cheap compared to England, I always fly with British Airways as I'm in their frequent flyer programme, but have a look at British Midland Airways, I have used them a few times you will fly from Manchester to Heathrow on a British Midland plane, then from Heathrow to L.A. they use Virgin, and thats always a great service, don't book direct on Virgin as it's a lot more expensive, punch in your search engine "cheap flight to L.A." you can punch in the same for "cheap hotels" thats how I have done it for other folks from home, Delta, US Airways and Continental Airways seem to be the cheapest, but they are all shite service and long stop overs plus you pay for absolutely everything on board,...are you going on the 7 day or 3 day cruise to Mexico...if it's just the 3 day cruise I will drive down to Ensenada and meet you we could have a nice little sess in Hussongs Cantina...which is my local down there....if I were you I would rent a car from the airport, theres a free shuttle to take you to the rental office, then book a hotel close by for your first night as you will be knackered and don't know your way around, next few days...see the sights around L.A. and find a cheaper place to stay, then find a hotel near Long Beach for the night before you sail....Enjoy Mexico...then get the car again and shoot off to Vegas where all the hotels are dirt cheap....pick out some hotels and places to visit and give me a shout and I will run them down for you before you book them.......give the lads a big shout from L.A.....Kick that Red Shite all the way back to Salford..take care....Steve

 

You could have give him some decent, more in depth advice you miserable bastard.

Whilst we're on the subject of LA...

 

I'm off on honeymoon in May to vegas, Maui and then California

 

The plan in California is to drive from San Fransisco to LA, spending a night at Big Sur (despite what the Thrills say)

 

Anyroad, I'm not sure about the LA bit; quite a few folk have said there isn't much to see and that it's not that nice...the girl that's sorting it is a mate and she's suggested the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire, which has got the missus excited as apparently it was in Pretty Woman, but I'm not convinced.

 

Any thoughts Lever Ender in LA?? (or anyone else that knows LA) Would you suggest a different part for us??

 

Cheers!

Jules, I would think it to be criminal to not visit the Yosemite National Park on your trip to the West Coast. Also places like Lake Tahoe, Humboldt Redwoods (Avenue of the Giants), Kelso Dunes etc., If you were able to re-jig the trip and do Maui last or first, you can incorporate LA >> San Fran >> Yosemite >> LV. Or to take in Kelso Dunes you probably wan't to drive to Vegas from LA. There's a few other things inbetween to make that 6 hourish car drive less mundane (Joshua Tree, theres a genuine ghost town). Personally, I would say Big Sur is best enjoyed as a scenic drive, rather than for staying over. Unless ofcourse you want to do some walking etc., but obviously if the area attracts you then go for it, it definately wont dissappoint. I'd much prefer hiking in Yosemite though, check out El Capitan on Google, and some monumental waterfalls are to be seen at that time of the year. There's also Death Valley (driest, hottest place in America), Badwater (lowest elevation point in USA). It entirely depends on how much time you have because you could get lost in California for a good few months and not see all there is to see. Definately look into alternatives to LA, because I must concur, the city is not that impressive. Still plenty of things to do & see though. The beaches, Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Park, studios, Rodeo Drive, Beverley Hills, Sunset Strip. Wish I lived in Cali!

Jules, I would think it to be criminal to not visit the Yosemite National Park on your trip to the West Coast. Also places like Lake Tahoe, Humboldt Redwoods (Avenue of the Giants), Kelso Dunes etc., If you were able to re-jig the trip and do Maui last or first, you can incorporate LA >> San Fran >> Yosemite >> LV. Or to take in Kelso Dunes you probably wan't to drive to Vegas from LA. There's a few other things inbetween to make that 6 hourish car drive less mundane (Joshua Tree, theres a genuine ghost town). Personally, I would say Big Sur is best enjoyed as a scenic drive, rather than for staying over. Unless ofcourse you want to do some walking etc., but obviously if the area attracts you then go for it, it definately wont dissappoint. I'd much prefer hiking in Yosemite though, check out El Capitan on Google, and some monumental waterfalls are to be seen at that time of the year. There's also Death Valley (driest, hottest place in America), Badwater (lowest elevation point in USA). It entirely depends on how much time you have because you could get lost in California for a good few months and not see all there is to see. Definately look into alternatives to LA, because I must concur, the city is not that impressive. Still plenty of things to do & see though. The beaches, Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Park, studios, Rodeo Drive, Beverley Hills, Sunset Strip. Wish I lived in Cali!

 

Great stuff, thanks for all that info

 

Big Sur stay over is because we've had this place suggested and my better half loves the look of it: Post Ranch Inn

The hotel looks stunning, not hard to see why you'd want to stay there!

The Beverly Wilshire Hotel is a snip at $2,000 a night...make sure you nick the towels

Ste, it looks like we will be flying to LA on the 1st September and staying for 2 nights only. We will then pick up the cruies on Sunday 4th, then when we return from the cruise we are gonna drive to Las Vegas for a few nights. Could you pleas recommend a cheap & cheerful hotel thats close to the port but ok for 2 days sight seeing in LA.I have looked at the "Eldarodo Coast Hotel" in Rodondo beach but the write ups dont look too clever.Email me

Ste, it looks like we will be flying to LA on the 1st September and staying for 2 nights only. We will then pick up the cruies on Sunday 4th, then when we return from the cruise we are gonna drive to Las Vegas for a few nights. Could you pleas recommend a cheap & cheerful hotel thats close to the port but ok for 2 days sight seeing in LA.I have looked at the "Eldarodo Coast Hotel" in Rodondo beach but the write ups dont look too clever.Email me

 

Ste is back in Bolton Sat night, Come over for Nats Funeral.

Ste is back in Bolton Sat night, Come over for Nats Funeral.

 

That's proper loyalty: well done Ste.

Impressive!

the lad always said he'd make the effort

 

top drawer effort

Ste, We are flying out to LA tomorrow morning so Friday we will be knackered but maybe we can meet for a beer on Saturday evening. We are staying in Long Beach at one of the Best Western Hotels.

Ste, We are flying out to LA tomorrow morning so Friday we will be knackered but maybe we can meet for a beer on Saturday evening. We are staying in Long Beach at one of the Best Western Hotels.

 

 

 

Sorry mate I just found your note as I was searching back pages....hope you had a great time on the cruise to Mexico, I have just come back from Ensenada, I had to go and sit on my favourite rock and think about things after last Saturdays mauling by the scum

Sorry mate I just found your note as I was searching back pages....hope you had a great time on the cruise to Mexico, I have just come back from Ensenada, I had to go and sit on my favourite rock and think about things after last Saturdays mauling by the scum

 

Ste I'm trying to PM you but either your inbox is full or you are refusing PM's. Can you sort out please

Great stuff, thanks for all that info

 

Big Sur stay over is because we've had this place suggested and my better half loves the look of it: Post Ranch Inn

If you go to Tahoe let me know. I'm only a half hour drive away and I'll meet you for a cheeky pint (or 5)...

If you go to Tahoe let me know. I'm only a half hour drive away and I'll meet you for a cheeky pint (or 5)...

 

 

I've been to Tahoe a few times, poor mans Vegas but is still an awesome place. I used to live in Sacramento which in parts is a lovely city it's self... it's just I wasn't living in one of the nice parts

I've been to Tahoe a few times, poor mans Vegas but is still an awesome place.

 

I thought that of Reno

I thought that of Reno

Meh they're all the same... sh*tholes in the desert!

Ste I'm trying to PM you but either your inbox is full or you are refusing PM's. Can you sort out please

 

 

too technical for me....send me an email

bwfc@verizon.net