Need San Pedro help

[herewego]

We are sailing out of San Pedro in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if it is better to get a hotel near LAX and use the free airport shuttle and pay to get to the port OR pay to get to a hotel in San Pedro and then use their free shuttle to the port?

 

Many times we can find a hotel that offers both air and port shuttles but I can't seem to find that here - unless someone knows one?

 

When we went in Oct. we fly on Jet blue and stayed in Long Beach but we didn't use the (San Pedro port) and the cab fare was really high.

 

Any info would be appreciated!

[Underwatr]

Depends on whether you want to stay near the airport or near the pier.

 

We're staying in Long Beach, but I think that entails paying to travel both from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the ship.

[herewego]

We really don't care where we stay - it's just a one night pre-cruise stop.

 

We stayed in Long Beach and prefer not to stay there again - I am hoping someone knows if it cheaper to stay near the pier or the airport.

 

I assume there is a shuttle to the cruise from the airport or surrounding hotels and would guess that would be the way to go.

[Bruin Steve]

We are sailing out of San Pedro in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if it is better to get a hotel near LAX and use the free airport shuttle and pay to get to the port OR pay to get to a hotel in San Pedro and then use their free shuttle to the port?

 

Many times we can find a hotel that offers both air and port shuttles but I can't seem to find that here - unless someone knows one?

 

When we went in Oct. we fly on Jet blue and stayed in Long Beach but we didn't use the (San Pedro port) and the cab fare was really high.

 

Any info would be appreciated!

 

First of all, you will not find any hotel with free shuttles to both pier and LAX as they are 20 miles apart.

 

My personal opinion is to only stay in the immediate LAX area if you have an early morning flight--on your way home of course. The only other exception I might make is if you are cruising with Princess as they often offer a pretty good deal on the LAX Marriott with transfer to the pier included...but, prepare for a pretty dull stay.

 

There is one other possility near, but not right at, LAX that I suggest to those who have some reason to want to stay in that area (perhaps if they have more than just a brief time in LA and want to visit some sights on the West Side but want a less expensive hotel than one finds in Prime Santa Monica or Beverly Hills and wants the advantage of a free LAX shuttle) and that's the Radisson Culver City--which has a free shuttle from LAX (It's 3 miles from the airport) and is close to some attractions and shopping and restaurants...however, you'd still need a shuttle from there to the port...

 

However, for most people, if you are only getting into LA the day before the cruise and only wish to relax, catch up with whatever jet lag, time zone change and travel fatigue you may have, catch a nice dinner and a good night's sleep, here is my recommendation:

 

Get a shuttle (Super Shuttle, Prime Time Shuttle, etc.) directly from LAX to a San Pedro hotel...I strongly recommend either the Crowne Plaza or the Doubletree...those being by far the nicest in san Pedro and relative bargains price-wise compared to other parts of LA (And VERY cheap if you can get them on Priceline--bid 3 stars and San Pedro and you have to get one or the other, IIRC)...

 

There are several very good restaurants within walking distance of the CP...and the DT will shuttle you to them...My preference is the San Pedro Brewing Company, just down the street from the CP...but search this board for Wineaux's list of recommendations as well...

 

Then get a good night's sleep and the hotel will shuttle you over to the pier in the morning...with no worries about time or traffic...

 

The area around LAX (Century Blvd.), OTOH, has almost nothing to commend it except its proximity to LAX...The area is largely insustrial/office with little in the way of restaurants other than the hotel restaurants and no shopping or anything else to see or do...

 

Good luck...

[herewego]

Thanks Steve, I got DT by bidding on priceline. Now to look up the shuttle info :-)

[Wineaux]

Here are my recs for dining in Downtown San Pedro:

7th Street Chophouse (steakhouse)

http://www.7thstreetchophouse.com/live/

 

Beach City Grill (eclectic)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/beach-city-grill-san-pedro

 

Raffaello's (Italian)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/raffaello-ristorante-san-pedro

 

San Pedro Brewing Company (eclectic)

http://sanpedrobrewing.com/

 

Neil's (Italian)

http://www.neilspasta.com/Info.html

 

Think Cafe (eclectic)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/think-cafe-san-pedro

 

Porky's BBQ

http://www.yelp.com/biz/porkys-bbq-san-pedro

 

Alcapulco's (Mexican)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/acapulco-mex...tina-san-pedro

 

Whale and Ale (English Pub)

http://www.whaleandale.com/

 

Welcome to San Peeeeeeedro!!!

[woollybugger314]

I agree with Bruin Steve. No reason to stay near LAX before your cruise. There are things to do in San Pedro near your hotel and you can walk around. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a few blocks from the Doubletree, and I think it's free with a $5 suggested donation.

 

If money's no object, however, I'd stay at the Terranea Resort on Palos Verdes on the site of old Marineland.

[ALAWTON]

It sounds like you are the resident expert on LA! We're arriving a couple of days before our cruise. We want to stay in the Long Beach area near the port. We're using some rewards points for the hotel stay and one of the hotels we can choose is the Holiday Inn Downtown (1133 Atlantic Ave). Just want to see if you think this would be a good choice (safe, convenient, etc.) We're also thinking about a day trip (possibly a tour group) to Hollywood. Any and all info would be great!

[PatriciaF]

It sounds like you are the resident expert on LA! We're arriving a couple of days before our cruise. We want to stay in the Long Beach area near the port. We're using some rewards points for the hotel stay and one of the hotels we can choose is the Holiday Inn Downtown (1133 Atlantic Ave). Just want to see if you think this would be a good choice (safe, convenient, etc.) We're also thinking about a day trip (possibly a tour group) to Hollywood. Any and all info would be great!

 

I'm not BruinSteve but I am a long time resident of Long Beach. You do NOT want to stay at this hotel. It is in a marginal part of town and right next door to a major hospital with a trauma center.

 

If you are staying in downtown Long Beach, you need to be south of Fourth St and preferably south of Third. North of 7th is getting into an area you probably don't want to be in.

[ALAWTON]

Thanks Patricia....What do you know about the Mayfair Hotel on West 7th Street, Comfort Inn on Vermont Ave or LaQuinta Inn on Centerpoint Drive?

[PatriciaF]

Thanks Patricia....What do you know about the Mayfair Hotel on West 7th Street, Comfort Inn on Vermont Ave or LaQuinta Inn on Centerpoint Drive?

 

None of these are near downtown Long Beach. The Mayfair is in downtown Los Angeles and has iffy reviews on Tripadvisor. The Comfort Inn I think is near Universal Studios--again quite a distance from Long Beach and pretty expensive shuttle transport to and from--but would be probably fairly close to Hollywood and may be doable using the Red Line subway. The LaQuinta Inn is near Knott's Berry Farm--again quite a distance from Long Beach. But you could go there for the day.

 

I would recommend that you use tripadvisor.com to read reviews about your possible hotels.

[Bruin Steve]

Thanks Patricia....What do you know about the Mayfair Hotel on West 7th Street, Comfort Inn on Vermont Ave or LaQuinta Inn on Centerpoint Drive?

 

First, allow me to agree with Patricia...There is a limited area of Long Beach you want to stay in...and I'll typically throw out my "list": Prime: Hyatt, Westin, Renaissance, Avia Plan B: Hilton, Maya (I think it's now a Doubletree), Courtyard Downtown, Residence Inn Downtown... Plan C: Best Western Convention Center, Queen Mary (if you don't mind an antique with small rooms and are doing it for the historical significance)...

 

There is no "Plan D"...

 

Do not look for bargains...Saving whatever few dollars is not worth the inconvenience or the third rate accommodations or the lack of being in an attractive environment...

 

Okay, now for your new list:

Mayfair Hotel on West 7th Street: Are you talking about 7th Street, just West of Downtown LA? Well, at least you can walk to the historic Langer's Delicatessen on 7th...Of course, not for dinner...They now just do Breakfast and Lunch and close before sundown FOR SAFETY REASONS...I love MacArthur Park...at least the old Jimmy Web song...but, the actual park is really not anywhere I'd want to spend too much time...without a police escort...Simply.....NO!

 

Comfort Inn on Vermont Ave: You're talking Vermont Ave as in 321 North Vermont? Just south of the 101? Seriously, where are you getting these??? Well, when my wife attended USC, she used to drive up to the Ralphs Supermarket at 3rd and Vermont--because it was a better neighborhood than USC (a few miles south on Vermont)...and my ferllow Angelenos can laugh with me...better than the USC area is not saying much...Would I let anyone I know stay here? Again, NO!

 

LaQuinta Inn on Centerpoint Drive: Huh? You mean on Centerpointe in LA PALMA??? How did we suddenly get to Orange County? Okay, I know this one...I used to live down this direction...At least you're close to Knott's Berry Farm...and there's a few nice chaion restaurants nearby...but it's a business-oriented motel in the middle of an office park in a residential bedroom community nowhere near Long Beach or Hollywood...

 

If this is a desperate search to get a deal ased on some hotel points, I'd say SAVE the points and just spring for a hotel that actually works for you in a desireable and well-located area...

[Bruin Steve]

None of these are near downtown Long Beach. The Mayfair is in downtown Los Angeles and has iffy reviews on Tripadvisor. The Comfort Inn I think is near Universal Studios--again quite a distance from Long Beach and pretty expensive shuttle transport to and from--but would be probably fairly close to Hollywood and may be doable using the Red Line subway...

 

Patricia...

Calling the Mayfair "Downtown" really doesn't do it justice...or doesn't do downtown justice...It's actually west of the 110 near Loyola Law School...UGLY!

 

And, the ONLY place they refer to that Comfort Inn as near Universal is in the hotel's own misguided promotional stuff...It's near LACC SOUTH of the 101 ...I think I once had some auto body work done to my old 1975 Datsun B210 done near here back in the 70s...I guess you COULD walk to the Vermont Metro Station from here and take it several stations up to Universal or to Hollywood...but, seriously? No way I send anyone to either of these motels...

 

The La Palma one? Somewhat near Knotts...but there are lots of motels closer...I leased some office space in the Centerpointe complex for Kaiser...and, back in the early 80s, when I worked for Denny's, Inc., their corporate HQ was just up Valley View from here...there are a few chain restaurants right in the complex...It's a nice enough place--to have your OFFICE...But, if you stayed in that hotel for any reason other than a business trip to deal with someone in that vast office/industrial area, you'd be asking yourself "Why?"...

[PatriciaF]

Patricia...

Calling the Mayfair "Downtown" really doesn't do it justice...or doesn't do downtown justice...It's actually west of the 110 near Loyola Law School...UGLY!

 

And, the ONLY place they refer to that Comfort Inn as near Universal is in the hotel's own misguided promotional stuff...It's near LACC SOUTH of the 101 ...I think I once had some auto body work done to my old 1975 Datsun B210 done near here back in the 70s...I guess you COULD walk to the Vermont Metro Station from here and take it several stations up to Universal or to Hollywood...but, seriously? No way I send anyone to either of these motels...

 

The La Palma one? Somewhat near Knotts...but there are lots of motels closer...I leased some office space in the Centerpointe complex for Kaiser...and, back in the early 80s, when I worked for Denny's, Inc., their corporate HQ was just up Valley View from here...there are a few chain restaurants right in the complex...It's a nice enough place--to have your OFFICE...But, if you stayed in that hotel for any reason other than a business trip to deal with someone in that vast office/industrial area, you'd be asking yourself "Why?"...

 

Steve--I only know what I read on the internet about the Mayfair and Comfort Inn. Naive me, thinking if the hotel's promo said Universal Studios--it must be close. For the Mayfair, I use to work at 2500 Wilshire, so unfortunately know that area well. And--yes, you wouldn't want to stay there. But--I do think most people would call that area "downtown." I also use to work by the La Quinta (in fact, in the old Denny's HQ building after it was sold and rented to others), it was okay for our visitors as they had a rental car and it was close to the office. But--for a vacation stay? Probably not unless on a budget and had a car.

 

But--I think we need to help some of the posters do their own research. If a hotel has only 2 1/2 stars on tripadvisor (which the Mayfair does), I am sure people in their reviews stated that this is in a part of LA you don't want to be in and is probably gang infested--if not drug dealer infested.

 

Some travellers have a tight budget and others are just frugal. We have friends travelling to NYC--but refuse to pay more than $100 a night for a hotel. So--they are staying near the Newark Airport and taking public transportation into the city each day. They could buy and sell us four times over but are shocked that we would pay $250 PLUS a night to stay in Manhattan. (Perhaps that's why that have so much more money than we do--plus not ever having kids.)

 

Pat

[ALAWTON]

The whole idea of using our points is because the bank that issued the card was just closed by FDIC and we have to use the points within a short period of time. We are using the bulk of points on airfare and thought a hotel was a perfect way to finish them off. We will have a car so it's not necessary to stay in any specific location. I just want to make sure it's not in a dicey area. Are you familiar with the Holiday Inn Select La Mirada - it had good reveiws but another opinion never hurts.

 

Thanks again for all your information!

[PatriciaF]

The whole idea of using our points is because the bank that issued the card was just closed by FDIC and we have to use the points within a short period of time. We are using the bulk of points on airfare and thought a hotel was a perfect way to finish them off. We will have a car so it's not necessary to stay in any specific location. I just want to make sure it's not in a dicey area. Are you familiar with the Holiday Inn Select La Mirada - it had good reveiws but another opinion never hurts.

 

Thanks again for all your information!

 

You're welcome. Oh, you will have a car--that gives you some mobility and you won't have to depend on a shuttle for transportation. The Holiday Inn Select is near that infamous Denny's Headquarters building Steve and I "talked" about--not too far from the Comfort Inn. It is probably one of the largest Holiday Inn's I know and it is right off the 5. Not too close to Hollywood--but it is in a safe neighborhood with a few restaurants, including an In-N-Out Burger nearby. There would be no charge for parking. Again--it isn't tourist central, but close to Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, about an hour to Universal Studios (if you leave after 9 am) and probably 45 minutes to Hollywood.

 

What are you interested in seeing in Hollywood--other than the Mann's (aka Grauman's) Chinese Theater with the hand and/or footprints--there isn't much to see.

[STARFISH*4]

i am looking forward to our pre-cruise nite at the Crowne Plaza which i found recommended "here" and bid for on priceline which i found out about "here" and taking Super Shuttle to my hotel from LAX which i already knew about from "here"!!

THANKS for all the INFO:)

[Bruin Steve]

The whole idea of using our points is because the bank that issued the card was just closed by FDIC and we have to use the points within a short period of time. We are using the bulk of points on airfare and thought a hotel was a perfect way to finish them off. We will have a car so it's not necessary to stay in any specific location. I just want to make sure it's not in a dicey area. Are you familiar with the Holiday Inn Select La Mirada - it had good reveiws but another opinion never hurts.

 

Thanks again for all your information!

 

Of course I know this one really well...

You see, not only did I work just across the freeway from here, I also lived in the area for 12 years...actually, a little north of here off La Mirada Blvd. and Lambert...But, we used to love to drive down here for dinner...no, not Inn n Out Burger, but Clearman's North Woods Inn, right out in front of this hotel (Also Elephant Bar next door to that)...

 

http://www.clearmansrestaurants.com/

 

It's a small local chain with great steaks...

 

The location here is still a freeway offramp in a largely industrial area...and it's a bit remote from both the pier and from Hollywood...

 

The problem is that you are scouting all around the greater Los Angeles area...and it's a pretty big area...

 

And the "hits" seem, at least to us, a bit random...

I don't know if the points work at only a specific chain or chains...or if the hits are based on certain ratings or levels...So, it's a bit like throwing darts...

 

The other problem is that, within that very large area, there are often good locations and bad locations within short distances of each other...

 

There are "good" areas all over the map, but a good area in a part of the city far from what you want to visit might not serve you well as you'll spend a lot of time and stress dealing with freeways and traffic...

 

Generally, for tourists with only a couple of days, I'd recommend something on the "West Side"--Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Brentwood, Century City, Marina Del Rey or, possibly, depending on the property or location, Culver City or Venice...This is sort of the "prime" area of Los Angeles that puts you reasonably close to most tourist sites and is in an upscale, pleasant area...

 

"Hollywood" can be hit or miss--some very nice hotels...and others I wouldn't touch as neighborhoods get sketchy fast...Universal City/Studio City/North Hollywood/Burbank can be convenient for visiting Hollywood and there are a lot of good choices in those areas--but, again, also some questionable ones...

 

The "South Bay"...Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, et al is nice and often a reasonable compromise between the Harbor and the West Side and close to LAX...

 

To the East and South, you have the Pasadena area, Southeast LA County and Orange County...and though there are some nice areas in these regions, they are better suited for those wishing to do some activities in those areas--like Disney or Knott's, though, OTOH, it's going to be a lot of hassle using these as a base to visit Hollywood or sights on the West Side...

 

If we had some idea of any hotels that might be eligible for your points, we might be able to come up with some better suggestions...

[Cruisin' Chick]

Steve--I only know what I read on the internet about the Mayfair and Comfort Inn. Naive me, thinking if the hotel's promo said Universal Studios--it must be close. For the Mayfair, I use to work at 2500 Wilshire, so unfortunately know that area well. And--yes, you wouldn't want to stay there. But--I do think most people would call that area "downtown." I also use to work by the La Quinta (in fact, in the old Denny's HQ building after it was sold and rented to others), it was okay for our visitors as they had a rental car and it was close to the office. But--for a vacation stay? Probably not unless on a budget and had a car.

 

But--I think we need to help some of the posters do their own research. If a hotel has only 2 1/2 stars on tripadvisor (which the Mayfair does), I am sure people in their reviews stated that this is in a part of LA you don't want to be in and is probably gang infested--if not drug dealer infested.

 

Some travellers have a tight budget and others are just frugal. We have friends travelling to NYC--but refuse to pay more than $100 a night for a hotel. So--they are staying near the Newark Airport and taking public transportation into the city each day. They could buy and sell us four times over but are shocked that we would pay $250 PLUS a night to stay in Manhattan. (Perhaps that's why that have so much more money than we do--plus not ever having kids.)

 

Pat

 

I remember doing a little research a few years ago about Ventura hotels and seeing many of them list LA attractions as being close. Being a native Angeleno, I know they're not, but would hate to hear someone booking one thinking they're a half hour drive away from Universal or even Disneyland.

 

Better if a hotel is more truthful and put in mileage (some do).

 

I do remember coming home from work (kitty corner from the Ambassador Hotel) years ago and stopping by the Ralphs on 3rd and Vermont on the way home (when I lived near Third and Switzer). Then deciding it was better just to go farther and stop at the LaBrea one. Just too dicey. I definitely wouldn't want to drive down south of there. And I imagine it's worse now.

 

Maybe that's why we say here if it's a really low price, be wary.

[kenish]

ALawton- Agree with the other's comments...do some research on TripAdvisor or other travel sites and filter out many of your picks. Instead of several nights at a fleabag hotel in an inconvenient and sketchy (or outright unsafe) area, can you use your points for a free night at better digs and pay for the remaining night(s)?

 

Like many visitors, you may not realize how vast and spread out the LA metro area is. Did you know from one side of LA to the other is a 2 hour drive with no traffic? It's good you have a rental car...that lets you pick a nicer hotel maybe in a business park. But if you set up camp too far away, you will have to deal with rush-hour traffic and the freeway system. That said, if you're used to driving around Atlanta it shouldn't be too challenging except for the distances and drive times.

 

Hope this helps, keep in mind you're on vacation--- convenience, time, safety, and getting rid of stress are important.