Long weekend getaway to LA. Which area to stay?

[CO-guy]

A few months ago I posted about possible destinations for our 20th anniversary this November. Though we ultimately booked New Orleans for our anniversary, the responses really helped to refine our short-list of cities for long-weekend getaways, so thanks for all the contributions. Having that list made it easy to pick LA when we saw an opportunity for a 4nt getaway in October to BTD. So now the question is, where to stay?

With 3 full days for exploration, we're looking at the Getty Museum, LACMA, and prioritizing beach strolls and food. Locations we're considering are Santa Monica, Long Beach and Huntington Beach. We'll likely Uber to the two museums and the hotels we're looking at are all on or near the beach with plenty of nearby dining options. Any recommendations between these three options or comments about the general vibes of these three locations?

 

[Accidental Retiree]

You might also like Carlsbad.

 

[cathy63]

If you want to stay near the beach, then Santa Monica is the best option for visiting the Getty and LACMA.

While you're at LACMA, you can walk through Hancock Park in that same block and see some of the La Brea Tar Pits. The museum at the tar pits is about to close for a couple of years, so you won't be able to do that, but there are outdoor exhibits where you can see the tar bubbling up and some info about the various fossils they've found. It doesn't take long if you're already in the neighborhood and it's an interesting bit of nature in the middle of the massive urban area. I also recommend a stop at Republique for breakfast or dinner on that day. It's on La Brea a few blocks east of LACMA and if you want great food, you won't be disappointed.

 

[CO-guy]

If you want to stay near the beach, then Santa Monica is the best option for visiting the Getty and LACMA.

While you're at LACMA, you can walk through Hancock Park in that same block and see some of the La Brea Tar Pits. The museum at the tar pits is about to close for a couple of years, so you won't be able to do that, but there are outdoor exhibits where you can see the tar bubbling up and some info about the various fossils they've found. It doesn't take long if you're already in the neighborhood and it's an interesting bit of nature in the middle of the massive urban area. I also recommend a stop at Republique for breakfast or dinner on that day. It's on La Brea a few blocks east of LACMA and if you want great food, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for the recommendations! We both love French cuisine.

Also, I see your location is in Coronado. I'm about to head to San Diego for a long weekend with a family member in the Mission Bay area. Any dining suggestions along Mission Beach? Our plan was mostly to 'freestyle' and see what looked appealing, but recommendations are always welcome.

 

[cathy63]

Mission Beach is super casual, lots of beer and burgers; Miss B's Coconut Club if you want rum drinks or the Coaster Saloon for BBQ. We usually go a bit further north to Pacific Beach (JRDN, World Famous, Oscar's Mexican Seafood) or La Jolla (Duke's, George's at the Cove, Puesto, etc).

 

[MC Rider]

If you want to stay near the beach, then Santa Monica is the best option for visiting the Getty and LACMA.

Exactly my thought.

 

[COcheesehead]

We stayed in Santa Monica at the Channel Road Inn. You can walk to a lot, but we also used it as a jumping off point for further LA metro exploring. We loved the Inn.

Channel Road Inn | Official Site | Santa Monica CA Boutique B&B Hotel

Offering luxurious comforts, Channel Road Inn is a boutique hotel located just blocks from the beach in vibrant Santa Monica, California.

www.channelroadinn.com

 

[MC Rider]

You could also look at Venice Beach. I have not been there in years and hear housing prices have taken a rocket ride. But the beach used to be funky in a real cool fun way. Or go east along the Wilshire corridor, closer to your destinations, but not the beach. The OC will be a long drive in traffic hell.

Also, new Getty, or old? Both are not far from Santa Monica, but you probably mean the newer one by the 405 Fwy. Be aware that traffic can slow your roll. A lot, check the reports. I have not been to DTLA in years either but don't imagine you would want to stay there.

 

[Surewhitey]

I'd probably pick Santa Monica of your choices. I used to frequent Griffith Observatory for the evening and star gazing. You also have views of the city and the Hollywood sign.

For a dive of Cal-Mex, this was my spot.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

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A couple of mentions for food are these 2 for jerk chicken and shrimp

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

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And
Google Maps
I always have the Killer shrimp "shelled" with French bread

 

[Surewhitey]

You could also look at Venice Beach. I have not been there in years and hear housing prices have taken a rocket ride. But the beach used to be funky in a real cool fun way. Or go east along the Wilshire corridor, closer to your destinations, but not the beach. The OC will be a long drive in traffic hell.

Also, new Getty, or old? Both are not far from Santa Monica, but you probably mean the newer one by the 405 Fwy. Be aware that traffic can slow your roll. A lot, check the reports. I have not been to DTLA in years either but don't imagine you would want to stay there.

+1 on Venice and you can do a bike ride from Santa Monica to Venice on the beach. Nice path & people watching. You can rent the bikes...

 

[CO-guy]

Thanks all! Looks like Santa Monica is the best option. The hotel we're looking at is an easy walk to Venice beach and has rental bikes.

 

[CO-guy]

We had some time for trip planning this morning and booked our flights and hotel. Flying in and out of BUR and staying at The Georgian. Better-half decided she wants to see both the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. Tickets won't be available for months, so she set a reminder. Thanks again for the confirmation on Santa Monica!

 

[marinauser]

If you are interested cars at all, the Petersen auto museum is a great place to visit in Los Angeles. Petersen Automotive Museum
I would not miss the Vault tour there if you decide to go.

 

[stepford]

If you are interested cars at all, the Petersen auto museum is a great place to visit in Los Angeles. Petersen Automotive Museum
I would not miss the Vault tour there if you decide to go.

And it's right across the street from LACMA.

On a different note, depending on how active you are, renting bikes in Santa Monica and cycling on the beach trail from the Santa Monica Pier down to Venice (or all the way down to Redondo if you want a long day in the saddle) is a great way to see the various area beaches.

On yet another note. while the Getty does have the iconic architecture, there are arguably better museums in LA. Depending on time and inclination you might want to check out the MOCA, Broad and/or Geffen in DTLA (and take a quick gawk at Gehry's Disney Hall while you're in the neighborhood).

 

[Cassius King]

Only stayed in LA once. Stayed at The Shutters in Santa Monica, on the beach close to the pier.
Visited Venice Beach. Nice to see, nothing to keep me there longer.

Amazing burger and craft beer selection at Father's Office Santa Monica.

 

[CO-guy]

And it's right across the street from LACMA.

On a different note, depending on how active you are, renting bikes in Santa Monica and cycling on the beach trail from the Santa Monica Pier down to Venice (or all the way down to Redondo if you want a long day in the saddle) is a great way to see the various area beaches.

On yet another note. while the Getty does have the iconic architecture, there are arguably better museums in LA. Depending on time and inclination you might want to check out the MOCA, Broad and/or Geffen in DTLA (and take a quick gawk at Gehry's Disney Hall while you're in the neighborhood).

Great information! We're now calling this a "weekend getaway to Santa Monica" and will keep LA on the short-list for another weekend getaway in the future. In fact, my better-half really liked the option of flying in/out of Orange County and staying in Huntington Beach. So LA might end up getting 3 visits before being crossed off the short-list.

Also, we're avid cyclists, so we're hoping to spend a day cycling down the beach.

 

[COcheesehead]

Make sure to visit the real “downtown” Santa Monica on Montana Ave and not just the tourist stuff along the beach and by the pier. Lots of cute shops and restaurants. Might see a celeb too. We ran into Rob Reiner there a few years back. May he RIP.

 

[timbervest]

Agree Santa Monica is a good choice. However, make sure that you calculate travel to other venues (like LACMA, Long Beach/Queen Mary, Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Pasadena, etc.) by time using a GPS app like Waze rather than by mileage. Los Angeles traffic often comes as a violent shock to first time out-of-towners who do not factor delays in their itineraries.

 

[CO-guy]

Agree Santa Monica is a good choice. However, make sure that you calculate travel to other venues (like LACMA, Long Beach/Queen Mary, Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Pasadena, etc.) by time using a GPS app like Waze rather than by mileage. Los Angeles traffic often comes as a violent shock to first time out-of-towners who do not factor delays in their itineraries.

We've heard about LA traffic and don't plan to drive at all. Our plan is to Uber to/from the airport and the two Getty locations. Otherwise, we'll bike or walk around Santa Monica. This trip is about romance and fun, so not trying to pack it in.