LA area - where to stay recommendations

[Bambambini]

Off to California on Thursday - yay! Have everything booked except for two days and have no clue where to stay. So far itinerary is:

4 nts SF
3 nts Yosemite
3 nts Carmel
6 nts Santa Barbara
3 nts Dana Point (will visit Universal Studios)

Then 2 nts to spare before we fly out of LAX.

Ideas and recommendations much appreciated as don't have a scooby, thanks!

We did a similar tour at Easter and stayed 3 nights in Santa Monica. Right on the beach and loved it. Not too far from airport either

I was coming on to say Santa Monica too. Near the beach, near Venice, near airport but a shortish taxi ride from Hollywood, Beverley Hills etc if you fancy doing the tourist stuff.

Thanks folks will check out. Santa Monica! Have two boys 12 and 9 yrs - what are LA type highlights worth checking out. Like the sound of Venice Beach.

We had our two boys 14 and 10 with us. They loved renting bikes (one of them had a powered bike which made it a bit different). We cycled from Santa monica to Venice.

We also went horse riding in the canyon in Pacific Palisades, just north of Santa Monica. We surfed at Santa Monica too which they loved, but the under tow was quite strong which made me a bit nervous!

We drove up to Malibu and had lunch at a great beach shack.

Universal was good, but vvv hot.

Everyone will tell you this, but do pay attention to LA traffic, and take advice as when to cross town, it can take half an hour or two hours depending on when you go.

Boo - that's really useful thanks and sounds right up our street! Just booked a little beachfront hotel in santa Monica for 2 nts. Reviews says the hotel rooms are a bit small and tired but location is excellent.

What's your hotel bambamini? Planning next year to go to California, after saying last year was once in a lifetime! Went to LA last year and stayed near UStudios so beside the beach would be a change!

Booked The Bayside Hotel in Santa Monica. Just a 3 star but much cheaper then the bigger more resort type or chain. Best thing is location, right across from the beach and short stroll knew way to the pier and another stroll or bike ride to Venice Beach. Mixed reviews saying the rooms are small and it needs a refurb but only have 2 nts there and splashing out on hotels elsewhere. Will have to wait and see! I've been in charge of hotels and itinerary so hope I haven't loused up! Off tomorrow morning and still haven't packed - like to live dangerously!