What to Know About the Best Beaches in Los Angeles

If you’re planning on visiting Los Angeles, chances are it’s for the world-renowned beaches. Since you have 75 miles of coastline beaches from which to choose, deciding on the perfect spot can be a challenge. Here’s a list of those top spots for beach-goers in the L.A. area: (Just don’t tell the locals who told you about them!)

Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach can sometimes catch tourists off-guard with its East Coast name. However, this jewel is very California. The beach is lined with volleyball nets, and boasts washrooms and outside showers (perfect for the little ones and anyone with just a little too much sand for their liking). Standing at the water, one can look onward into the infinite ocean without getting too overwhelmed by its greatness, and the hills that hug the Los Angeles valley are visible on either side of the horizon. Manhattan Beach’s pier is blithe and quaint: unlike most piers, this one is lined with small trees and lovely, vintage-looking powder-blue railing. At the end of the pier is a small aquarium and cafe, which are perfect for learning about the ocean right below and quieting hunger after a long day of beach volleyball. Visitors are in luck, too! Manhattan Beach is a short drive from Sea Rock Inn, clocking in at approximately 30 minutes.

Hermosa Beach

Aptly named, Hermosa (which is Spanish for pretty or beautiful) is a gorgeous beach. Whilst Manhattan Beach feels vintage and quaint, Hermosa Beach seems to walk a little more on the eclectic side of the sand. Hermosa Beach is lined with shops and restaurants, each boasting a unique and local personality. The pier at Hermosa is a little more modern, with a concrete walkway and white railings. Additionally, the pier has plenty of benches, so anyone can sit and enjoy the sound, smell, and feel of the ocean for however long they please (just don’t be surprised if the pelicans take an interest and sit and enjoy the view, too)! Another benefit of Hermosa Beach is its accessibility. If one goes to lunch or indulges in some shopping, one can simply take a few more steps and find their toes in the sand and water. There is also a very active bike trail that runs along the sand, allowing visitors to ride along the length of the beach to take in all of its beauty. Although an hour sounds like a far drive from the Sea Rock Inn, the time to Hermosa beach is only 50 minutes, which is a dream for any L.A. commuter, and definitely worth the extra minutes.

Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach is special. The beautiful beach feels secluded, thanks to the tall green embankments that line the sand. There is a green park with several benches, inviting guests to sit and watch the waves roll in as they eat. The embankments lining Redondo are covered in gorgeous (albeit invasive) “ice plants,” whose proper name is “sea fig.” The sea fig boasts large, colorful blooms of thin petals, which range from red to purple to yellow. On one end of Redondo Beach, one can bask in the looming beauty of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The pier at Redondo is lined with shops and restaurants, as well as seating areas, so that one can enjoy sea and the pier’s attractions all at once. Additionally, Redondo Beach is perhaps the closest to Sea Rock Inn at 20 minutes, which is basically a slow wink in L.A. time.

Long Beach—Belmont Shore

Belmont Shore is small, rebellious community nestled inside Long Beach, close to Naples Island. In 1908, Belmont Shore was Belmont Heights, a neighborhood belonging to Long Beach. When the citizens of this neighborhood were denied a pier by their city, they decided to form a city of their own, and thus Belmont Shore was born, and they got their pier: the Belmont Shore Veterans Memorial Pier. This pier is unique amongst all the others as it offers full-service boat landing, as well as shopping and dining, and places where visitors can fish. For visitors looking for a little more adrenaline in their stay, the Leeway Sailing and Aquatics Center isn’t far from Belmont Shore and offers a variety of aquatic sports and activities. Beautiful Belmont Shore is about the same distance to Sea Rock Inn as Manhattan Beach, so why not visit both?

Luckily, finding a place to stay isn’t as difficult as choosing which beaches to visit; Sea Rock Inn, one of the best cheap hotels in Los Angeles, provides visitors a comfortable and economic stay that’s close to all of L.A.’s best beaches. Come and stay at Sea Rock the next time you need a getaway close to the beach – any beach!

The Los Angeles Rams Are Relocating to the LA Memorial Coliseum

The LA Rams Will Get a New Home in September

Fans of the Los Angeles Rams will be thrilled to know that their favorite team is heading back to the West Coast. The NFL team will be relocating temporarily to the LA Memorial Coliseum for the next three years. Previously known as the St. Louis Rams, the signature football franchise will be moving back west to their original home in Los Angeles for the first time since 1994.

Upgrading the LA Memorial Coliseum

Getting the Memorial Coliseum ready for its big return to NFL stardom is going to take a lot more than a quick banner change. As a part of the USC campus, the LA Memorial Coliseum is going to have to spend upwards of $270 million to get the venue ready for the first big game. The money will be used to renovate a variety of ailing features throughout the stadium including those aging seats. The stadium will also have to make arrangements to sell alcohol at the concession stands, as well as expand the venue’s Wi-Fi capabilities.

More Business Means More Security

Perhaps the biggest change of all coming to the LA Memorial Coliseum is the NFL’s requirement that a metal detector be installed at every entrance. All of that added foot traffic and media attention means more security for the historic USC stadium. Nearly every major venue in the country is facing similar challenges. With acts of terror on the rise, having metal detectors at massive public events is becoming commonplace around the world. The USC stadium would probably have to make such upgrades in the years to come regardless of the Rams’ decision to relocate. 

Of course making all of these costly upgrades will be considerably easier now that the LA Memorial Coliseum will get some of those NFL ticket sales. The Los Angeles Rams are expected to boost the stadium’s revenue stream considerably. Preseason tickets are already through the roof as fans eagerly await the homecoming of their favorite NFL team. The median price of the preseason games is already up to $123, with the highest priced game at $180 per ticket.

The Saturday Night Shuffle

The trickiest part of the switch is going from Saturday night games with the university’s football team to hosting the Rams on Sundays. The college will be hard-pressed to revamp the venue’s appearance in just 24-hours. With the Memorial Coliseum being a temporary home for the Rams, the NFL team does not appear too worried about the transition. While some things are pretty much guaranteed to get lost in the shuffle, the owners of the LA Rams understand that they’re putting a lot of pressure on the university.

The first Rams preseason game of 2016 is slated for August13th at the LA Memorial Coliseum against the Dallas Cowboys. While the first regular season game at the coliseum is scheduled for September 18^th against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Los Angeles Rams’ Future Home in Inglewood

Construction is getting underway for the Rams’ future home in Inglewood, CA. Two construction companies, Turner and AECOM, are teaming up to tackle this massive endeavor. As part of the new Hollywood Park entertainment area, the stadium will be located right next to a slew of hotels, luxury stores, upscale restaurants, residential and commercial real estate, and a number of public parks.

Accommodations Near the LA Memorial Coliseum

Those that are interested in staying near the LA Memorial Coliseum as the season gets underway should come to the Sea Rock Inn. The Memorial Coliseum is less than 10 miles away from the hotel, making it so much easier to get home after a long night of drinking and chanting at the field. The Sea Rock Inn is known as one of the best budget hotels in LA, catering to vacationers and long-term residents alike. With LA Rams ticket prices reaching new heights, fans might want to think about saving as much money as possible if they’re coming in from out of town.

The entire city of Los Angeles is getting ready to welcome back its old friend to the LA Memorial Coliseum. Tickets are on sale now!

Best Things to Do in Los Angeles This Summer

How to Make the Most Out of Your Summer in Los Angeles

There’s no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles during the summer. Despite having warm weather all year long, the city really comes alive when the days are at their longest. Millions of carefree partiers and vacationers flood into the vast metropolis in search of fun in the sun. Discover the best things to do with your summer in the City of Angels.

Catch a Show at the Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is one of the biggest entertainment venues in the city. Their schedule is packed with A-list musical performances, movie concerts, and Broadway shows. As the largest natural outdoor amphitheater in the country, the Hollywood Bowl attracts some of the biggest crowds you’ll ever see. More than just a performance venue, the Bowl is one of the best places to host a picnic. They serve everything from upscale dishes from 5-star restaurants to delicious street fare. You can even bring your own bottle of wine to the performance. Visit their calendar of events to see what’s playing this summer.

Take a Wine Tour in Venice

You don’t have to zip through the hills of Napa Valley to sip on some delicious wine. Venice is full of picturesque wineries that will let you try dozens of highfalutin bottles for a small fee. California is a wine lover’s paradise. Every establishment will be more than happy to regale you with stories of how each type of wine is made. The San Antonio Winery is a great place to start. They’re known for hosting regular public tours and wine club meet-ups. Don’t forget to swing by their delicious restaurant for a meal you won’t soon forget.

Stroll Through the Chinatown Summer Nights Festival 

Imagine all of your favorite food trucks lining the streets with hundreds of partygoers celebrating the Chinese culture. The ChinatownSummer Nights Fest is a grab-bag of cultural delights, delicious food, arts and crafts, live music, and just about everything else that you can stuff into a street fair. Hosted every third Saturday of the month during the summer, the festival crawls through LA’s West and Central Plazas. Take a look at their schedule to see the line up for July and August.

Catch an Outdoor Flick at Cinespia

Held at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for legendary actors, Cinespia is the best place for an outdoor screening in the city. You’ll find all of your favorites here including classic Hitchcock, Heathers, Poltergeist, and The Muppets Movie, just to name a few. Most screenings also feature stellar DJs, the occasional celebrity appearance, and themed photo booths. It seems fitting that one of the world’s oldest celebrity cemeteries doubles as an outdoor movie theater.

Hike to One of LA’s Waterfalls

Waterfalls are hidden like Easter eggs just outside of the city. There are a handful of state and local parks in the LA area that feature gorgeous sights and sounds. You can take a road trip to Escondido Falls in Malibu, Eaton Canyon Falls in Altadena, or head up to Sturtevant Falls in the Angeles National Forrest. All of these parks are ideal for a lazy summer afternoon picnic or a peaceful walk with your dog. Park rangers strongly discourage taking a dip in the river water. Resist the urge to get wet and stick to dry land while you’re out and about in nature.

Explore History at the Getty Villa in Malibu

This expansive Mediterranean-style villa is home to over 1,200 ancient artifacts and works of art. Located right on the edge of the Pacific, the Getty Villa also offers stunning views of the entire coast, rolling green hills and Parker Canyon. You’ll find expansive rooms filled with European paintings, historical manuscripts, and priceless architectural designs. The museum is known for its impressive selection of public programs. They offer everything from art history lectures, artist workshops, and soothing musical performances. You can even take a peek at some of the museum’s conservation efforts. You’ll be amazed at how skillfully these artisans bring classic works of art back to life.

If you’re looking for a hotel near the LA Convention Center, Sea Rock Inn is one of the most affordable hotels in the city. Book a room to make the most out of your summer in Los Angeles!

Cheap Eats in Los Angeles

The City of Angels is a mecca for foodies from all over the world. With a population of just under 4 million, there's enough delicious variety to satisfy everyone's hunger.

But what's available for those looking for cheap eats? In a city where restaurant prices are as diverse as the population, it may seem overwhelming to find an inexpensive place to eat, but we got you covered.

El Faisan y El Venado — Cheap Mexican food is quintessentially southern Californian; it practically flows through the lifeblood of the people who live here. But what if you could get cheap, authentic Mexican food instead of the gut-bomb burritos that many have come to expect? That's exactly what El Faisan y El Venado offers. Owned by husband-and-wife team Angel and Maria Eugenia in the Highland Park neighborhood, they specialize in serving specialties from the Yucatan peninsula rarely seen in other eating establishments. With specialties like panuchos, torta de cochinita pibil, and bistec encebollado con arroz y frijoles—each under $10—it's easy to see why people flock there. Plus, Angel and Maria are likely the only two people serving food at any given time, making them mainstays of the neighborhood and super personable with everyone entering their restaurant.  

Oi Asian Fusion — East Hollywood has no shortage of good restaurants, but for plentiful servings of Filipino food at a good price, look no further than Oi Asian Fusion. Their adobo bowls—made with braised pork belly, adobo sauce, soft boiled egg, scallions, and rice—are extremely popular, and at $8 apiece, it's easy to see why. Distinguished foodies also rave about the pork belly jicama tacos and karaage chicken. With a laid-back, welcoming environment, it's well worth throwing down a couple dollars.

Brent's Delicatessen & Restaurant — Sometimes you just get the hankering for a generous portion of hearty pastrami tucked between two pieces of bread. The trouble is, affordable delis are going by the wayside, and it's increasingly difficult to satisfy your meat cravings. Brent's Deli & Restaurant, however, offers a solution. Tucked in the south side of the San Fernando Valley, this delicatessen has been serving sandwich aficionados since 1967, and with a line running outside the door on a regular basis, it doesn't look to be going away anytime soon. The famous Black Pastrami Reuben and fries will set you back about $17—but the quality and quantity justify the price.

Blue Window — The charm of Blue Window is that owner/chef Kajsa Alger changes the menu every six months, thereby establishing herself amidst the Hollywood food scene by doing exactly what she wants. When most restaurants settle on a menu indefinitely, they're inherently restricting the creativity of their chefs, which makes Blue Window so refreshing. Alger has a talent for taking traditional street food and putting her own spin on them. Items on past menus include Albacore tuna poke, potstickers, wings, BBQ bao and beef and cheddar burgers. Need any more reason to visit Blue Window? All items are vegetarian and cost $7.

Shake Shack — You can't have a list of inexpensive eats without mentioning a place that serves all-American burgers. Shake Shack, a popular East Coast restaurant, recently sprung up in West Hollywood. Foodies yearning for roadside burgers and crinkle-cut fries rush to this joint to beat a line that extends out the door on a regular basis. The classic single cheeseburger (a.k.a "Shackburger") will run you about $5; a double goes for $8. Crispy chicken sandwiches and hot dogs are tasty burger-alternatives served with the same neo-vintage flair. Even though the lines may be long, both food and price are worth the wait.

Kogi BBQ Truck — Since the city is so big, restaurants are now bringing their menus on the road, which is why food trucks in Los Angeles have become ubiquitous. The fleet of Kogi BBQ trucks, for example, specializes in Korean fusion food, overseen by chef maestro Roy Choi. The Korean tacos have become world-famous, and the Kogi dogs add a twist to the American classic by tossing shredded romaine, kimchi and Sriracha on top. Burritos and sliders are also available for those stumbling out of clubs late at night with a few extra dollars in their pockets.

From delis to food trucks, there is a plethora of diversity in Los Angeles' cuisine. And with a little bit of direction, you don't have to spend too much money to reap the tasty benefits.

Sea Rock Inn Unveils Recent Renovations and Upgrades for Guests

Los Angeles, California – May 5, 2016: Sea Rock Inn, one of L.A.’s popular price-competitive budget hotels, has recently completed a variety of renovations and upgrades designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of guests. Located on S. Vermont Avenue, the hotel is nine miles from the L.A. Convention Center, downtown L.A., and LAX

One of the most noteworthy renovations focused on Internet connectivity and performance for guests who access the online world during their stay at Sea Rock Inn. The hotel recently upgraded the Internet service to a high-speed level via dedicated fiber connectivity. The upgrade was done by Time Warner; in addition to the high-speed upgrade, state-of-the-art access points were installed by Ruckus Wireless. The infrastructure upgrade is designed to deliver superfast Internet access and connectivity to the entire property; this includes the recently remodeled swimming pool area.

Internet isn’t the only thing upgraded recently by Sea Rock Inn. For the benefit of budget travelers and guests who enjoy relaxing in their rooms and watching television, Sea Rock Inn also installed brand new Samsung flat screen HD TVs in every room. In addition, the hotel now also offers expanded TV channels, thanks to Time Warner.

All rooms at Sea Rock Inn are fully furnished, and provide a refrigerator, table and chair, and are air conditioned/heated with private bathrooms and showers. In addition, deluxe rooms also have microwaves. The hotel has a variety of rooms available, and offers free parking, concierge services, vending machines, and on-site guest laundry.

For more information or to make a reservation at Sea Rock Inn extended stay budget hotel, interested parties can visit www.SeaRockInn.net.