Using Uber/Lyft getting around DL and SoCal

[Hawkeye_2018]

We have our first trip to DL coming up and also our first trip to the LA area in general.

We are flying into LAX. Staying a few days in Anaheim and then a few days in Santa Monica. I was thinking of just relying on Uber/Lyft as it's a little more stress free and that way I'm not paying the daily parking fees. Though the commute from Anaheim to Santa Monica looks like an expensive ride. Is it logical to get around the area on Uber/Lyft, or should I just suck it up and get a rental?

Thanks

 

[The Colonel]

I don't know about Santa Monica, but the walk from the terminal to the cab stand is extremely long.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

We have our first trip to DL coming up and also our first trip to the LA area in general.

We are flying into LAX. Staying a few days in Anaheim and then a few days in Santa Monica. I was thinking of just relying on Uber/Lyft as it's a little more stress free and that way I'm not paying the daily parking fees. Though the commute from Anaheim to Santa Monica looks like an expensive ride. Is it logical to get around the area on Uber/Lyft, or should I just suck it up and get a rental?

Thanks

You might have that backwards…or not…lax is practically on top of Santa Monica…

enjoy it!

 

[Dear Prudence]

There are shuttle busses from the airports.

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

The first part of our trip is Anaheim and I think we will would be fine without a car. But from our Anaheim hotel to the one in Santa Monica, the distance is over 40 miles. We haven't finalized our itinerary so not sure if we plan to leave the area once we arrive.

Related question...how close to the main entrance can Uber drop you off at DL?

 

[Phroobar]

Looks like you can park pretty close in this picture.

 

[waltography]

The first part of our trip is Anaheim and I think we will would be fine without a car. But from our Anaheim hotel to the one in Santa Monica, the distance is over 40 miles. We haven't finalized our itinerary so not sure if we plan to leave the area once we arrive.

Related question...how close to the main entrance can Uber drop you off at DL?

There's a 15-minute drop-off/pick-up area just outside security along Harbor Blvd. https://goo.gl/maps/DGFBtmx6PJRphZHv7

 

[Californian Elitist]

You’re only staying in Santa Monica? No plans to leave at all? If so, I would say you don’t need a car. If you’re interested in potentially exploring outside of Santa Monica, I’d recommend getting a rental.

 

[chadwpalm]

I know Lyft has a ride estimator tool about halfway down their homepage (I didn't see one for Uber). It doesn't take into account surge pricing or times, but you could use it to get an estimate of what all your potential rides would cost, then weigh that against the price of a rental car (making sure to factor in either the cost of parking at the parks or the short Lyft rides back and forth from them).

You didn't really mention how far your hotel is from the parks and if you can walk to the parks or maybe you are close to the Toy Story lot or can take ART if you are on one of their currently running routes.

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

I know Lyft has a ride estimator tool about halfway down their homepage (I didn't see one for Uber). It doesn't take into account surge pricing or times, but you could use it to get an estimate of what all your potential rides would cost, then weigh that against the price of a rental car (making sure to factor in either the cost of parking at the parks or the short Lyft rides back and forth from them).

You didn't really mention how far your hotel is from the parks and if you can walk to the parks or maybe you are close to the Toy Story lot or can take ART if you are on one of their currently running routes.

Staying at Embassy Suites South Anaheim. It's only about a mile from the parks.

 

[chadwpalm]

Staying at Embassy Suites South Anaheim. It's only about a mile from the parks.

Nice. I stayed there in 2015. It is definitely a hike to walk to the parks from there, especially coming back after a long day.

The ART Harbor line goes straight from the front of the hotel to the parks. It runs about every 30 minutes, but they now have an app that you can see the schedule on. Day passes are only $6, so depending on how many are in your party it would most likely be cheaper than parking.

Just another option to consider anyway.

 

[BuzzedPotatoHead89]

I would recommend a rental. Might be fun to at least take a drive up the coast one day when you’re staying in Santa Monica or taking a day’s excursion to see Universal Studios.

Santa Barbara is also beautiful. You also have the Getty villa in nearby Malibu. Santa Monica is nice for shopping or people watching but I’d recommend the beaches up the coast that are a bit less crowded if you plan to hit the sand/waves.

 

[TP2000]

The one segment here that might tip your plan into getting a rental is the Santa Monica to Anaheim and then the Anaheim to LAX portion. Those are both going to be spendy for Uber, because of the 30+ mile distance. Also, LAX is one of those airports where you have to take a shuttle bus to an off-site satellite facility a couple miles away, then stand and wait for Ubers with a giant crowd of people. Ubers and taxis aren't allowed to pick up at the terminal at LAX.

I'd heard rental car rates are through the roof now though, because of the shortage of cars in this country. I assume you've already looked at rental car rates at LAX?

Also, gas in SoCal is the most expensive in the nation. Looking at gasbuddy.com, prices today for a gallon of 87 octane regular are averaging $4.75 per gallon in Santa Monica. In Anaheim at the stations near Disneyland and the freeway, the price today is averaging $4.80 for regular. It's not unusual in the swankier areas and tourist areas for those prices to spike much higher, as the Shell station on Katella across from Angel Stadium is currently charging $5.09 for a gallon of regular. Gas is often above $5.00 per gallon in parts of LA, etc.

Your Uber ride will be priced higher because of the very high gas prices in SoCal, but if you get a rental you're going to be paying those high gas prices too.

This is a tough one. If it weren't for the Santa Monica to Anaheim segment, my hunch would be just to do Uber.

 

[Communicora]

Granted this was pre-pandemic, but my sister and I did the Uber/Lyft thing from LAX to Anaheim in February 2020. It did not take long to get to the pickup spot and the process was fast and efficient. It was way faster than the shuttles to the rental car places. I would do it again.

We did rent a car for the non-Disneyland portion of our trip, but that was because we were staying in Manhattan Beach and planned to visit a bunch of different areas. We did a one way rental with a return at LAX. It was nice not having to pay for a car/parking those days we were at Disneyland and not using it.

 

[PiratesMansion]

It is actually kind of amazing that there's no such thing as a quick way to get out of LAX. Maybe that's why everyone's noticeably slower to exit the plane there vs. other airports I've been to.

 

[erstwo]

Disclaimer: Not an LA native. However, have flown into/ out of LAX a good bit. I have a trip coming up in a couple weeks - specifically to travel to DL and this is the first time I'll be using Uber/ Lyft instead of renting a car. My plans usually include traveling north of LA, but this time it's strictly a short trip to DL and possibly an outing to have a meal somewhere with my sister in law. We plan to rely on Uber/ Lyft - if it's enough time before your trip, I'll report back and let you know how it goes!

I'm sure you already know this (because: Google) but there are rental car places within walking distance of the DL gates. Although I know I run a risk of paying a higher price - my plan is to rent a car at one of those should the need arise for a rental car.

I really love the Water Grill on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, by the way. And if you have teens, The Ivy (the location in Santa Monica) is a very instagrammable spot (very important in my house ) with good food!

 

[erstwo]

Hi @Hawkeye_2018 - soon to be on my way home from my DL trip and wanted to post my Uber/ Lyft experience.
Getting to the ‘Ride Share parking lot’ at LAX was super easy - looked for the ‘green pole’ just outside the doors to the baggage claim area - waited 2 minutes for a bus - ordered our ride on the bus - went to the assigned ‘number’ (you have to tell your driver which ‘section’ you are standing in and caught our ride.

We arrived about 10 am - prices surged from $50 to almost $90 on Uber while we were walking from our plane to bus to parking lot - so I checked Lyft and it was $60 plus tip to DL hotel so we took Lyft.

We never left DL area but one day considered leaving about 2pm to ‘put our feet in the ocean/ take a park break’ and looked up Uber prices to Santa Monica from DL. Traffic on a Saturday around 2pm was about an hour and 15 minutes to Santa Monica and we had a 4 pm lightening lane, so we decided against it. As I recall, price would I’ve been about $45 plus tip.

Leaving the parks varied. We stayed at Suncoast Hilton about a mile away. Saturday at midnight it cost us $12 to get to the hotel. Sunday at 10 pm it cost $20.

Hope that helps!!