The Sea View Inn at the Beach

The Sea View Inn, which occupies several boxy brown buildings on different sides of an intersection, is a budget motel-style property that’s beachy, modern, and clean. True, there are few frills here -- the only extra property feature is the outdoor pool, and reception feels more like an office than a hotel lounge -- but the Sea View pulls no punches about this. Many of the rooms are spacious, with self-service extras like kitchens or kitchenettes. Guests, which include vacationing couples and families, are here to be close to the beach in an area that’s decidedly less touristy than other beachside neighborhoods. 

Situated in greater LA’s laid-back South Bay area, The Sea View Inn offers what the name implies, an ocean view and a beach just four blocks away. (It’s a quick, but steep, walk from the beach back to the hotel.) The property sits along Highland Ave, which is dotted in restaurants (including cafe and breakfast spots right next door), and leads to the surf-friendly area of El Porto about a five-minute walk to the north. The popular Manhattan Beach Pier and its corresponding boulevard of shops and restaurants are about a mile away -- a bit of a hike on foot (27 minutes), but an easy nine-minute ride on one of the hotel’s cruising bikes, which are free to use. A scenic five-minute drive north will take you to bonfire-friendly Dockweiler Beach. 

Redondo Beach Pier is a 15- to 30-minute drive to the south, while the iconic Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach are north, a half-hour drive or even more, depending on traffic. Downtown LA is a 45-minute drive, but, again, traffic can make that ride longer. Los Angeles Airport is close, reachable by car in as little as 10 minutes. 

Rooms and apartments vary, but tend to be bright, beachy, and contemporary with wood floors, white walls, framed beach photos, and bed linens and upholstery in seascape colors like green and blue. Bathrooms vary as well, but tend to be white tiled and adequately sized, if not huge, with walk-in showers, though some do have separate showers and tubs. Decor feels homey if a bit slapdash, like staying in a guest room decorated from a big-box store. Rooms feature air-conditioning units and ceiling fans, along with Simmons Posturpedic Mattresses. All rooms also come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Simple bathrooms tend to be decked out in generic white tiles and stocked with free individual toiletries and hairdryers. 

Apartments and suites add more space, sometimes with separate bedrooms, sitting areas with sleeper sofas and fireplaces, dining areas, and everything from kitchenettes with microwaves to fully equipped kitchens with full-sized fridges, ovens, dishes, and cookware. Many rooms have sea views and some have private balconies. 

The hotel has few extra property features -- there’s no gym, restaurant, breakfast, lounge, or bar -- but there is a heated outdoor pool. It’s smallish but well-maintained with a pleasant stone patio and lounge chairs. Apart from that, the Sea View also offers some nice freebies -- guests can borrow cruiser bikes, boogie boards, and beach items like chairs, towels, umbrellas, and kids’ toys, no extra fees required. Free parking is another nice bonus -- many area hotels charge an extra fee. Wi-Fi is also free. Staff are friendly and helpful, and reception is open into the evening (but it's not 24 hours).