California/Hawaii 2025

[Imnoonesfool]

hi
im just in the process of booking a holiday to California.

we are planning on flying into LAX and spending 3 maybe 4 night close to Universal so we can do Universal / studio tours and some sightseeing around Bev Hills and Hollywood (this is for my teen daughter). We will have a car. Does anyone have any hotel recommendations to suit? We are then planning to drive to San Diego and spend 3 nights there , again really appreciate any hotel recommendations.

we are then flying to Hawaii and intended to stay on Waikiki Beach for a week. I have been recommended Moana Surfrider by a family member who has stayed there so think we will choose this unless anyone has any gems

obviously I have been doing my own research but I just keep going round in circles

we will have 2 older teens 17/19

Many thanks

The Garland in LA. Very close to Universal and has a shuttle bus. Well known as a good hotel for families - it has movie nights by the pool.

Garland is not all that well situated and it’s very close to a freeway.

There are hotels which are closer to Universal City, I could recommend both the Hilton and the Sheraton. Both are wilting walking distance.

We loved the Garland and it's location, and they have great family rooms.

You may well be able to fly to Honolulu direct from San Diego. Check out the American Airlines website.

The Hilton Hawaiian village has the most amount of beach front in Waikiki.

The Moana SR is lovely if money is no object. All of the beach front hotels are pricey but the Sheraton and the Outrigger are a bit more reasonable than the Moana. HHV is great but right at the end of the beach.

Moana sr is now run by WESTIN. It is a historic hotel in the midst of Waikiki.

Waikiki beach is two miles long from end to end. The HHV iIs located behind the widest and sandiest part of Waikiki beach. If you look at Waikiki on Google maps you will see the whole beach.

If you haven't booked your flights, scrap Hawaii, and head to French Polynesia!

Waikiki is fine for a day or two - Maui is far far nicer.