fairmont

yes, the hilton is perfectly adequate

another vote for hermosa
way less touristy

We stayed at the Hilton Santa Monica. It is a few blocks from the beach and much cheaper than Shutters. it is not amazing but perfectly fine and has reasonably priced suites and a pool. We stayed there for a couple days and then spent the rest of the time in Hancock Park.

Omg not nice. We went this spring break and I was excited to see the iconic pier and environs. Well if you’ve ever been to the Ocean City, MD Boardwalk, you will find it familiar. Frankly, at least OC has a boardwalk and is big enough to see more stuff. There is nothing remotely attractive about the Santa Monica Pier and the area around it is blah. North is completely cut off to anyone but residents because of the fires. Go someplace else.

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of 3 traveling to the area this summer to visit family nearby. We want to stay somewhere close to the beach, but not sure which area or hotel as we've never been. TIA!

I'd rethink these areas - both are a little seedy. If you want a family-friendly beach, try Redondo, Hermosa, or Manhattan Beach in the South Bay.

I would not stay in Venice as a family. It has become quite shady near the water. I was bummed last time we were there and it was very loud and busy at night.

I haven’t been to it since it was a Loews, but the Regent Santa Monica is in a good location at a slightly lower price than Shutters because it’s 1.5 blocks back from the beach. It’s a beautiful hotel and has a nice pool setup.

We stayed in decent Airbnb in Santa Monica. This listing says Marina del Ray but it's not, it's Santa Monica, a few blocks off the ocean. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/45383891?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

We had a fantastic air bnb in Malibu which was quick to everything but the fire got it I would bet a lot of rentals are gone now.

Anonymous wrote:Disagree, stay near the beach if you want to spend time on the beach! My fav neighborhood is the ocean park area of santa monica - walkable to the promenade, but not in that busy area. I don't really see a lot of hotels there, though. Venice will be a little cheaper.

If you aren't set on the beach, culver city is a fine area and more central to other stuff.

That's fair- just that when we go to LA in the summer (also have family in the area), we do maybe a half day at the beach, so it's not like we are there every day. Yeah if it's a major attraction, stay close.

And yes Ocean Park is great- the Sunday farmers market there is fantastic especially for little kids- some small fun rides, live music.

Shutters is the best hotel in Santa Monica, but pricey, as is Casa Del Mar. Parts of Venice are pretty scrubby, so look for places away from the boardwalk. You've probably have already thought of this, but you might want to get an Airbnb in the area. You can make your own meals and not have to eat out as much.

Disagree, stay near the beach if you want to spend time on the beach! My fav neighborhood is the ocean park area of santa monica - walkable to the promenade, but not in that busy area. I don't really see a lot of hotels there, though. Venice will be a little cheaper.

If you aren't set on the beach, culver city is a fine area and more central to other stuff.

Unless your family is close to the ocean, I wouldn't recommend staying right on the beach. It.can be a real haul getting in/out on the 10 or Venice Blvd, especially at rush hour. I'd rather stay a bit inland, closer to the 405, so you are more accessible to the rest of the region.

We are a family of 3 traveling to the area this summer to visit family nearby. We want to stay somewhere close to the beach, but not sure which area or hotel as we've never been. TIA!