Expert: Steve Summers - 5/22/2006

Question
Steve,    I am Russian working in Berkeley and my brother will be visiting me for a period of 12 days. Basically we ll spend time driving through California and payin more attention to the nature than to the urban culture. However, we will spend a full day in Disneyland, staying 2 nights in LA.     My plan is:  - to spend first night in some place as close to Disney Resort as possible - so that we will be able to get there early and easily;  - to spend second night in some area of LA to get some feeling of night life (after hanging whole day in Disneyland).    Two questions:  1) any particular suggestion for an inexpensive yet comfortable place as close to DISneyland as possible?    2) For the second night I am choosing between Hollywood area and Santa Monica (or Venice) area?  Which one is better to wonder around for a couple of hours in late evening?    Will appreciate your advice,  ALexey

Answer
Hi Alexei,

There are a number of hotels right on Harbor Blvd, like the Tropicana Inn, Carousel, and Desert Inn. I would recommend either the Candy Cane Inn or the Howard Johnson. Those two are the favorite hotels (that aren't actually on the resort property, like the Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian) of travelers. Beware of some hotels that say they are close, but may be miles away. Use mapquest or some web site to see how close the hotel is to Disneyland.

For the second night, I would choose Hollywood over Santa Monica, unless you REALLY want to be right by the beach. Hollywood stays open a bit later. Santa Monica has the Third Street Promenade, but I don't know how late the shops are open there. If you stay in Hollywood, try to stay near Hollywood Blvd and Highland Avenue. There is plenty to see within walking distance of there.

Have fun,

Steve