Flying into LAX - Short Stay

Question

Flying into LAX a two days before flight to Australia, looking for best moderate hotel for two people. Trying to decide if I should rent a car or not. Want to go to Santa Monica Pier and do a bit of sight seeing. I can't decide if it is worth the cost to rent and pay to park or go the Uber route. Early June is the time frame.

Answer

For a short stay of two days before your flight to Australia, focusing on convenience and minimizing stress is key. Since your main sightseeing goal is Santa Monica Pier and perhaps a few nearby attractions, you can choose either to rent a car or rely on rideshares like Uber/Lyft depending on your preferences for flexibility versus cost and parking hassle.

Regarding hotel options, staying in Santa Monica itself is ideal. This will put you within walking distance of the pier, the beach, and nearby restaurants, so you may not even need a car. If you prefer to stay closer to LAX to simplify airport logistics, there are several moderately priced hotels near the airport with shuttle service, but getting to Santa Monica would require a longer Uber/Lyft ride or public transit.

Santa Monica options: moderately priced hotels like Shore Hotel, Hotel Carmel, or Loews Santa Monica Beach provide comfort, good location, and easy walking access to the pier and Third Street Promenade.
LAX area options: hotels like Courtyard by Marriott LAX, Hilton Garden Inn, or Residence Inn LAX are convenient for early flights but require rideshare or rental car to visit Santa Monica.

Renting a car has pros and cons:

Pros: full flexibility for sightseeing beyond Santa Monica, ability to explore Venice Beach, Malibu, or other nearby attractions.
Cons: traffic in Los Angeles can be heavy even in early June, parking in Santa Monica can be expensive and sometimes limited, and for just two days, Uber/Lyft may be simpler and less stressful.

Recommendation:

If your main focus is Santa Monica Pier and a few nearby attractions, staying in Santa Monica and relying on walking or Uber/Lyft is likely the most convenient and stress-free approach. Renting a car is only worthwhile if you plan to explore beyond the immediate coastal area or want complete flexibility to drive at your own pace. Since your stay is short, the cost and hassle of parking may outweigh the benefits.

Flying into LAX - Short Stay

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