West Hollywood vs. Santa Monica in Aug. with teen daughters

Planning a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, spending the last three nights (Aug. 4-7) in Los Angeles. I%26#39;ve spent a great deal of time reviewing notes on TripAdvisor, esp. those from Yogachik and HopSkipJump (invaluable!). We want to see the typical touristy things, like Beverly Hills, Universal Studios, and some sites from shows like Laguna Beach and The O.C. We love the beach scene. I%26#39;ve been searching for a hotel that offers a kitchenette and pool, is near enough to Santa Monica, and is under $250. Free parking would be ideal. I%26#39;m down to Le Montrose Suites in West Hollywood, or Shangri-La or Cal Mar Suites in Santa Monica. Also considering the Ambrose. The reservations person at Le Montrose said teenagers would love West Hollywood, and that rooftop pool looks very cool. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Nancy from Wayne, PA

West Hollywood vs. Santa Monica in Aug. with teen daughters

West Hollywood is way better .... I%26#39;m in my 20%26#39;s %26amp; find Santa Monica pretty bland - Unless being beside the ocean is important to you? ... Though Santa Monica is closer to where I live, I always drive by it %26amp; head to West Hollywood - it just has way more to offer ...

West Hollywood vs. Santa Monica in Aug. with teen daughters

I think we%26#39;ll have plenty of beach opportunities on our way down to L.A., so we%26#39;ll be ready for West Hollywood. Thanks -

The Montrose would be great with the teenagers, and there%26#39;s more of chance to spot celebs along Sunset Blvd (especially at the Coffee Bean). It is much closer to the touristy things that you want to do...

However, they would also love the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, which is a block from Shangri-La (and which overlooks the beach). August is extremely warm, don%26#39;t forget.

I think both locations have plenty to recommend them. Basically, Santa Monica has the beach and West Hollywood is more urban and central. If you had to, flip a coin. I doubt you%26#39;ll be disappointed with either location.

I%26#39;d only add a couple of other comments.

1) Just to be clear, West Hollywood is a very openly gay neighborhood. I%26#39;d argue this is part of its vitality. You may disagree.

2) The Shangri-La is an architecturally interesting building in the Art Deco style. The location adjacent to Palisades Park and a couple of blocks from the Third Street Promenade is great. However, I%26#39;ve stayed there and had relatives stay there. There is something cold about the place. It lacks some basic ammenities like a place to have breakfast.

HTH.

Thank you all!

Le Montrose is a small boutique hotel and lovely. I%26#39;ve used it many times, but it%26#39;s not exactly the kind of place teens would get into. It%26#39;s restful and small and adult. If your kids are a little more sophisticated they might enjoy it.

West Hollywood itself doesn%26#39;t have any big attractions for teens. Yes, Sunset Boulevard is to the north, but it%26#39;s mostly has clubs they can%26#39;t get into and the Hustler store. To the south is Santa Monica Boulevard, and the center of the gay community. Not much for teens there. It is closer to the typical Hollywood attractions, however.

Santa Monica is nice for its proximity to the beach and the promenade, which has a lot of hustle and bustle, but most of the stores could be found in any mall. Santa Monica is a bit of a drive from the typical LA attractions.

My advice--you%26#39;re going to drive no matter where you stay, so just decide what%26#39;s important to you--beach or sites. If I had teens I would stay at the Renaissance at Hollywood-Highland. It%26#39;s attached to a mall, the Chinese Theatre, the Kodak Theatre, the Walk of Fame, and a very cool bowling alley. It%26#39;s also a block from two Hollywood history museums and the Hollywood Wax Museum. You%26#39;re also one subway stop from Universal and down the street (walkable) from the Hollywood Bowl. From that same subway stop, you can get downtown to Disney Hall, Olveira Street and the Music Center.

The Roosevelt is another option, or the Magic Hotel. This hotel is run by the Magic Castle, a private magician%26#39;s club. They allow guests into the club (for kids that would be Sunday brunch) and have kitchenettes.

:)

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