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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't go by what a UCLA undergrad thinks.

DP, But if OP is looking for what her teenagers might enjoy, why wouldn't you listen to a UCLA undergrad?

No because a UCLA undergrad is older with a different frame of reference for what they want to do and where they will feel safe.

And dcum posters are more relatable??

Those of us who have lived there long term, as parents, yes. The others I can't account for.

[Anonymous]

You’ll drive no matter where you stay.

Have you looked into the valley? The Garland Hotel is great. It’s close to universal, Warner brothers and Burbank mall. But close to freeways to other areas.

I’d be leery of weho. A lot of places are just covered in homeless and not very clean areas. While it can be safe it’s just gross.

Especially coming with kids, it maybe best to stay more in a known area and just drive to what activities you want.

[Anonymous]

The animus towards West Hollywood in this thread is weird. We lived in Westwood for a few years but our last two trips back to Los Angeles have stayed in airbnbs in the Hollywood Hills (once West Hollywood, once near the Hollywood bowl). There are way more restaurants in this part of town and it is centrally located. I like Santa Monica and added a few days at Shutters to our last trip, but consider that a different experience then La proper. Our kids were tweens/teens for these trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The animus towards West Hollywood in this thread is weird. We lived in Westwood for a few years but our last two trips back to Los Angeles have stayed in airbnbs in the Hollywood Hills (once West Hollywood, once near the Hollywood bowl). There are way more restaurants in this part of town and it is centrally located. I like Santa Monica and added a few days at Shutters to our last trip, but consider that a different experience then La proper. Our kids were tweens/teens for these trips.

I also lived in Westwood, and I can vouch for WH being a shat hole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The animus towards West Hollywood in this thread is weird. We lived in Westwood for a few years but our last two trips back to Los Angeles have stayed in airbnbs in the Hollywood Hills (once West Hollywood, once near the Hollywood bowl). There are way more restaurants in this part of town and it is centrally located. I like Santa Monica and added a few days at Shutters to our last trip, but consider that a different experience then La proper. Our kids were tweens/teens for these trips.

I also lived in Westwood, and I can vouch for WH being a shat hole.

Sounds like you haven’t been to Westwood village lately. Mostly boarded up stores and lots of homeless people
these days — UCLA being remote for a full year was disastrous for
nearby businesses. Personally felt safer in West Hollywood
because much more activity.

[Anonymous]

Westwood Village really began its long, tortuous decline following the gangland style shooting in 1988. I think that was the year. And parking is still a mess there. I hope the neighborhood comes back, but I have no living memory of what it once was. Locals often talk about the olden days though.

[Anonymous]

Op, if you come back wondering where you stayed and your thoughts. We are doing something similar in a few months with teens/tweens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Westwood Village really began its long, tortuous decline following the gangland style shooting in 1988. I think that was the year. And parking is still a mess there. I hope the neighborhood comes back, but I have no living memory of what it once was. Locals often talk about the olden days though.

35 years ago dude. Not relevant.