Where to stay for 2 day visit with teens - Santa Monica or West Hollywood?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. I appreciate the thoughts. We are familiar with Santa Monica (and Shutters, which is $1000/nt while we are there), and I like it there fine but we are headed to a family reunion in La Jolla so I’d rather show my kids some LA sights than more beaches. Maybe we’ll stay in Westwood - it is more centrally located than SM (if there is such a thing in LA) but we could easily take a bike ride on the beach path if we want. I think SM Pier will not hold much appeal to teens, by the way.

LA is a city you have to drive long distances to get to places. It's just how it is.

[Anonymous]

I like Santa Monica, but have no interest in the pier. I'd rather stay there than Westwood b/c I like biking along the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d stay in Beverly Hills! It’s iconic. And central to everything worth seeing. A beach is a beach but there’s only one Beverly Hills.

Yep, Beverly Hills!

[Anonymous]

Stay in a hotel in Century City adjacent to the renovated outdoor mall, and drive to LACMA/Academy Awards Musuem/LA Famers Market. Or stay in Beverly Hills.

Don't forget the Broad Museum/Disney Concert Hall downtown (Grand Ave). The new hotel designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry is across the street, and just opened a few days ago. The Grand Central Market is just down the hill via the Angels Flight Funicular.

[Anonymous]

I was going to suggest Beverly Hill also. I also like PP’s idea of century city. Someone said West Hollywood is seedy, well, let me tell you, Santa Monica is seedy now also, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

The Fairmount Century Plaza in Century City was just renovated, and is spectacular. Or for slightly higher rates stay at the famous Beverly Hills Hotel off of Sunset. The Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons near Rodeo is at a similar price.

Some of the best views of the Hollywood Hills are from the new Academy Awards Museum rooftop adjacent to LACMA. Lunch or dinner at the LA Farmers Market and/or the Grove. Or reserve at a trendy restaurant or cafe on 3rd St just west of there.

[Anonymous]

The Intercontinental in Century City has a nice rooftop pool and is adjacent to the Mall, only a short (20 mins?) drive from the beach in Santa Monica.

[Anonymous]

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is a new hotel, roughly where the old Robinsons dept store used to be. Rooms have nice views with balconies. The room rates should be within your range.

[Anonymous]

I never understand why people recommend The Grove as a destination. It’s an outdoor mall.

[Anonymous]

I'd stay in Beverly Hills or Westwood. Santa Monica is seedy, but WeHo is practically a crime scene since the pandemic. It's sort of like how Union Station in DC 2 years ago was fine, but now I feel in danger at 2 pm in the afternoon when I'm inside.

[Anonymous]

Holiday inn express Hyland and hollywood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understand why people recommend The Grove as a destination. It’s an outdoor mall.

The attraction for locals and tourists alike is really the adjacent LA Farmers Market, not the Grove. Parking is sometimes easier in the adjacent Grove parking lot. But when there are spaces the outdoor LA Farmers Market lot is easier and free with validation. If the LA Farmers Market is still too touristy then try the Grand Central Market Downtown. It’s kind of like Union Market in DC but with more history and flavor.

The Grove itself is really just a fancy faux town with upscale shops and cafes, a dancing fountain, and Disney style trolley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understand why people recommend The Grove as a destination. It’s an outdoor mall.

My kids like going 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understand why people recommend The Grove as a destination. It’s an outdoor mall.

I know right!

[Anonymous]

What about North Hollywood? That’s pretty central to tourist activities, with some good restaurants, etc. Edgier than BH for sure but safer than West Hollywood.