Where to stay in LA?

[Disneylovers2000]

We are a family of 4 (2 - 12year olds) and are headed to SoCal next summer (2013). We were originally going to make it a Disney only trip but have now extended it to a few things in LA as well. We would like to spend 2 - 3 days in LA rather than driving back and forth from Anaheim. Is this recommended?
In LA we want to :
Universal
Santa Monica Pier
Original Farmers Market and The Grove
Griffith Park
Quick trip through Hollywood and Beverly Hills - from what I read, a short trip is all that is recommended.
Shopping at the Citadel.

I mostly want to know where to stay in LA. Our budget allows for about $150ish a night for hotel. What will I get for this kind of money - or would it just be better to stay in Anaheim and drive back and forth. If you have stayed in a great place in LA please share your experience!!
Thanks for your help!!

 

[mbw12]

Just subbing to this thread becasue I am in the beginning stages of planning a Disney/LA trip too for next year!!!

 

[BayAreaMom]

I would agree- say in LA rather than Anaheim. The AM commute pattern heads north (where the jobs are), and its a wall of traffic on the 5. Then it reverses in the pm. So unless you leave super early and return super late, leaving Anaheim and heading N is not advised.

I absolutely LOVE Griffith Park (specifically, the observatory, which has a cool FREE -and big- exhibit area) and The Grove/Farmers Market. I also love the Peterson Auto Museum (next to the tar pits and page museum, if that interests you).

I can't help with hotels, but I'd check travelzoo as I typically find great hotel deals there.

 

[sheetz]

Definitely stay in the LA area. Since you will have a car you might want to try staying somewhere a little away from the central tourist locations. Not only will rooms be cheaper, but you may even get free parking.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Additionally, I would find the area you like and go to some of the websites that just give you the star rating and the low price to find a hotel (Not sure if its against the sites rules to name the website). We have used them in the past to get 4 star hotels in the area we wanted for a lot lower than we had seen on other sites.