Visiting LA – Need some tips

[AkronSi]

My wife and I are heading to LA this summer to visit my sister. She just moved out there a few months ago, and isn't totally familiar with the area. So, I need some tips on good, cheap places to stay. Here are some basic details:

• We'll be staying about a week.
• We want to stay close to the ocean, or a park.
• But, my sister lives around Studio City
• We'll have a car, but don't want to spend our vacation driving.
• We'd like an area that we can spend some time walking around (shopping, eating, drinking, etc..).
• We need to stay somewhere runner friendly (training for a marthon).

My wife found some places in Marina del Rey that looked nice enough. Plus, the price was right. What do you all think? Is that a good area to stay? Where else should we look? Any "must see" things that we need to do while we're in the area?

Thanks.

[SpoiledMan]

MDR is "safe" and friendly for running as you can run in the sand which is easy on the joints and offers more resistance as well. It's not close to Studio City AT ALL. The greater L.A. area is loaded with outdoor retail space these days.

[the other pc]

We want to stay close to the ocean, or a park.
Studio City isn’t near any beach. There are parks around. There are lots of runners and running clubs around too. I’ll bet you can find tips on routes if you do a bit of Googling.

We'll have a car, but don't want to spend our vacation driving.
You picked the wrong the town.

We'd like an area that we can spend some time walking around
Haven’t you heard the song? Nobody walks in LA.

But seriously, most neighborhoods will have shops and restaurants and whatever fairly close by for the normal day-to-day needs. Many neighborhoods are “walkable” but there’s huge variation. Sorry, I know that doesn't help much. But that's the way it is out here.

If you want to go to specific places you’ll have to plan a bit. Things can be pretty spread out. Lots of roads are best avoided during heavy commute times.

Like SpoiledMan said, MDR is a nice place. MDR and Santa Monica are about as close to Studio City as you’re going to get and be by the beach.
MDR to Studio City

Any "must see" things that we need to do while we're in the area?
It really depends on what you’re “into.” Some people just have to stroll the Hollywood “walk of fame” or hit some theme park or movie studio. Others would rather go surfing. You can find pretty much anything around here.


PC.

[AkronSi]

Thanks for the tips guys. I think we've decided to spend a couple of nights in studio city, then stay down at MDR (or vice-versa). My sister works late a few nights, so I think we'll schedule around that.

As we get things figured out, I'll probably pick your brains some more.

[MotorCity]

Pay my home town Venice a visit... you will not forget it...Has all the qualifications you are looking for.. nto much walking around and drinking to do in MDR...or at least when I lived in the area