Car Rental + Good Family Vacation Locations in LA?

[PartisanEntity]

Hey all,

I am going to be in LA end of January to visit family. I am currently researching car rentals + recommendations for a family and child-friendly mini-vacation.

For car rentals I am looking for any good websites that offer really good deals (looking to rent a standard sized car for the duration of our stay, about 2 and a half weeks)?

For the mini-vacation originally we were thinking of 1-2 days at a family friendly farm or something like that (it's common here in Austria). But I was told there isn't anything like that in LA and it's mostly beach oriented. Any ideas/recommendations? Our little one is almost 2.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[overdrank]

If you are going to be along the Gulf Coast you may find a ride along the coast a good thing. It will be a little cool temperature but there are plenty of Fort's along the coast and the beach in Florida ( Destin, Pensacola ) are great.
It is the off season so lodging should not be a issue. :)

[kevdog]

Car rentals in California are wide open -- if you want to go Ultracheap where you would provide the insurance in case of an accident and get maybe a 2-3 year old model -- Fox rent a car is the way to go. Its super cheap. Car rental in US right now are at all time high in terms of prices -- so just be careful.

In terms of places to go with a 2 year old??? -- Hmm thats a tough one -- DisneyLand, SanDiego Zoo, LegoLand. For the more adventerous there is a lot of hiking in Topanga Canyon and Hollywood Hills -- hike up to the Hollywood Sign at dusk is really nice -- see city by night. Santa Monica Pier -- quick trip (not sure if this is best for 2 y/o). Simi Valley (Reagan national library is a good day trip). Joshua Tree National Park?? Palm Springs? Probably need more info on how far you want to drive.

[rewyllys]

In most of the USA, cheap car rental means NOT using a rental company that has its office and car storage on the airport. Such companies have to charge a special "hotel" or "entertainment" city tax on their rentals.

Arrange your rental ahead of time with a non-airport-based rental company, and take a taxi from the airport to the company's location.

[Habitual]

LA is Louisiana or Los Angeles?

[PartisanEntity]

Thank you very much for the feedback.

I am thinking of signing up for a cell phone contract for a month only, and I would only need a sim card, is something like that possible?