WHERE TO STAY

You’ll need a big hotel budget in Santa Monica, especially if you want to be anywhere near the beach in the peak summer season. Rates at the beachfront hotels (only one, Shutters on the Beach, is truly beachfront; the others are across the street from the beach) start at more than $400 a night. Hotel parking also is expensive, so factor that in when comparing rates. It pays to closely monitor hotel deals on sites such as Travelzoo, Groupon and LivingSocial. Or take a gamble and book blindly via Hotwire or Priceline’s Name Your Own Price service. HotelTonight, an app for same-day bookings, is another option but I didn’t find any good Santa Monica deals during my spring-break visit. Hotel California: No, you won’t see the Eagles here. The iconic song has nothing to do with this surfer hotel on prime Ocean Avenue. You will find the lowest rates at the beach. Published rates start at $219 a night and there are frequent last-minute Internet specials. Details: 1670 Ocean Ave. hotelca.com. Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica: It’s a long walk to the beach and the pier (and hilly on the way back) but this hotel is a good choice for families. Pick up takeout at Cha Cha Chicken on the way back to the hotel one day. Rates start at $289 a night. Details: 530 Pico Blvd. sheratondelfina.com. Wyndham Santa Monica at the Pier: For a non-beachfront hotel, you can’t beat this location. It is walking distance to Santa Monica Pier, the beach and downtown attractions. I found rates under $200 a night in March, just after the hotel switched to Wyndham from Holiday Inn. Weekend summer rates are now topping $300 a night. Details: 120 Colorado Ave. wyndham.com/ santa-monica. Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel: Fresh off a multimillion-dollar renovation, Loews has a living-room-style lobby lounge with gorgeous views, a swimming pool and hot tub overlooking the ocean, and a fitness center that offers classes as well as guided hikes and runs for a fee. A splurge. Details: 1700 Ocean Ave. santamonicaloews hotel.com.