Seeking lodging advice - Anaheim, beaches or LA

My family of four will visit California for the first time in July (I%26#39;ve visited many, many years ago). We are spending a couple of nights in SD, then a couple of nights in Anaheim to visit Disneyland. I am struggling with where we should stay the last two nights of our trip. We could stay in Anaheim and drive to different sites. Want to visit some beaches and Universal Studios and maybe Venice/Santa Monica. Or, stay on the beach. We don%26#39;t want our drive to the airport on Friday to be a nightmare, although our plane doesn%26#39;t leave until 4 p.m. Any suggestions as to nice areas to stay that are convenient?

Seeking lodging advice - Anaheim, beaches or LA

For the two days after your visit to Disneyland then consider staying at the beach in Santa Monica. From this location, you can easily visit The LA area with Universal,etc.

When it%26#39;s time to go to the airport then you are quite closeby to drop off the car and catch your flight.

Enjoy!!

Seeking lodging advice - Anaheim, beaches or LA

Thank you for the suggestion. However, I%26#39;ve found that Santa Monica is pretty booked up.

Yeah Santa Monica is pretty much solid booked this time of the yeat, you might want to look into the Cadillac Hotel in Venice Beach which is a little funky or stay at the best western sunset plaza in west hollywood. Centrally located and close to touristy sights, about 30 minutes from the beach

The beaches are all booked solid through Labor Day. But maybe look in Marina Del Rey. What%26#39;s your budget per night?

I was originally looking in Marina Del Rey, but then read some reviews that turned me off. I%26#39;d really like to stay under $200/night.