A little help with So Cal?

Hey there,
So we are trying to make plans to go to Tiki Oasis in San Diego, but we want to do more than just that event. Neither of us have been to So Cal before (except for a free cruise to Catalina/Ensenada which sucked) so we are interested in adding a few days to our itinerary.

We can certainly find things to do. Eating, shopping, sightseeing, that stuff isn't a problem.

Lodging is what gets us confused.

We don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but we want to stay at cool places when possible. The Farmer's Daughter Inn in LA is the kind of place we think is cool, but it pushes the top limit for lodging for us.

Does anyone have ideas on other cool places to stay for closer to or under $100 a night? We want to stay in the LA-SD area but are willing to go a little east into the interior of the state too.

thanks in advance!

--SBiM

Hey Bastard, Since you're renting a car anyway, why not stay at The Hawaiian Gardens in Imperial Beach. It's a Vintage mid-century Hawaiian themed Hotel less than a half mile from the beach and only a short drive from Coronado Island and downtown.

I just called them for you and a double occupancy for a garden studio w/ full kitchen and complimentary light continental breakfast is only $99.00 per night. A 1000 sq ft suite with bedroom, kitchen & dining room is only $129.00 per for May 4-7th! It's definately seen better days but it's clean and friendly though it's owners seem completely oblivious to the joint's potential to lure Tiki lover's by boosting it's TiPSY factor.

Oh here's a link...
http://www.hawaiian-gardens.com/index.htm

[ Edited by: hodadhank 2006-02-12 12:03 ]

While in LA you can't go wrong staying at the Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel. It's got a nice 1960s motor lodge look with a pool area in the center surrounded by tropical plants, basic nice rooms with small kitchens, and a coffee shop that's open until 4AM where you can get really good food served by friendly hipsters. Rooms can be had for just under $100 (I think I paid 80 or 90 the last time I stayed there). It's on Beverly just west of Fairfax, so it's centrally located, close to the Farmers Market, and a short drive to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Downtown, etc.

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/82066/los_angeles_ca/beverly_laurel_motor_hotel.html

Stay away from the cheap chains in Hollywood. They are often in seedy areas. An exception is the Travelodge on Vermont, which is walking distance from the Tiki Ti and shops and restaurants on Vermont like the Dresden Room. The rooms are real basic. Bring earplugs.

Another good budget option is the Glen Capri Inn in Glendale, right next to Burbank. It's in a commercial area that's not too bad, and there is a cool bar (the Blue Room) a block away. It's very close to a freeway (essential in LA) and the Burbank Airport, and a reasonable drive to Griffith Park, Hollwood and Los Feliz, and downtown. The rooms are small but quite nice for the money, and there's a great neon sign. Damon's is a must for dinner if staying in Glendale.

http://www.glencapriinn.com/
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/314061

Also check Expedia and other sites for low rates for downtown hotels on the weekends. I have stayed in nice Japantown Hotels for less then $100 a night. Japantown is a good location near downtown that is fairly safe and has many dining choices.

Beach towns in So Cal are always pretty expensive. You might consider camping at the beautiful San Onofre State Beach.

In San Diego there are scads of motels in the area around the Hanalei so if you can't stay at the Hanalei, check out others on Hotel Circle. Some have nice tropical landscaping and pools.

King's Inn, nice pool http://www.kingsinnsandiego.com

Seven Seas, also a nice pool http://www.bw7seas.com

There are also many chain motels nearby like Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Super 8, Motel 6.

[ Edited by: thejab 2006-02-13 12:18 ]

This thread on where to stay in LA should be helpful:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=17448&forum=1

Thanks everyone! But keep 'em coming if there are more suggestions!

--SBiM