The Best Marriott Hotels in Southern California Under 35,000 Points

Here at the Minivan Bucket List, we’re all about traveling as much as possible as affordably as possible. But for us, that doesn’t mean cheap motels and flying on Frontier airlines with no luggage. It means exploring awesome locations closer to home within driving distance. Southern California is one of our favorite places to visit and we take multiple road trips there per year. LA, Orange County, and San Diego all have lots to offer for family-friendly adventures. We’re also big fans of the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, so we put together this roundup of the best Marriott hotels in Southern California.

Best Category 5 Marriott Hotels in California

Marriott has over 30 brands of hotels, ranging everywhere from affordable family suites to absolute luxury, so knowing the best ones that fit your needs can be a little daunting. There are eight categories – Category 1 hotels are the most affordable and Category 8 hotels are the most expensive and luxurious. We’ve found the sweet spot for our family is Category 5. It’s a nice balance of quality and affordability.

Plus, Category 5 hotels typically cost 35,000 points or less (though that may change for some more in-demand properties once Marriott moves to dynamic pricing). Why is 35,000 points the benchmark? Because when you sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy card from Visa, you get 3 free nights that are worth up to 35,000 points per night, as well as 1 free night per year in the form of an e-certificate also worth up to 35,000 points per night.

Tip: If you want to find more hotels like the ones on this list at which to use these e-certificates, simply filter for ‘Category 5’ hotels and you can find similar-priced Marriott hotels anywhere in the world.
But if you’re California dreaming and you want to stay in a nice place as affordably as possible, here are our top recommended hotels in Southern California where you’ll be able to enjoy those 3 free nights.

Best Category 5 Marriott Hotels in Los Angeles California Under 35,000 Points

Back in the days when we were first married and only had 2 kids (and no minivan), we lived in Los Angeles. We loved exploring all the great beaches from Malibu to Manhattan Beach, Universal Studios, not to mention all the cool museums and attractions for free. LA also has a great sports scene, with some of the best college and pro sports teams, including our favorite team, the LA Dodgers, 2020 World Series Champs! Here are the best Category 5 Marriott hotels in Los Angeles California:

1. Los Angeles Airport Marriott

• Why we like this hotel: close to LAX, centrally located, nice interior courtyard with a large pool,
• Nearby attractions within 10 minutes: the famous Randy’s Donuts, SoFi Stadium where the LA Chargers and LA Rams play on any given Sunday, Dockweiler Beach (great for bonfires and watching planes take off from LAX)
• Cost: as low as 35,000 points/night or average $174/night

2. Residence Inn Pasadena/Old Town

• Why we like this hotel: suites large enough for the whole family, full kitchen to save money on food, outdoor pool, pet-friendly
• Nearby attractions: walking distance to Old Pasadena and the New Year’s Day Rose parade route, 4 minute drive from Rose Bowl Stadium where the UCLA Bruins play all their home games and the and where the annual Rose Bowl Game is held, and 15 minute drive to Universal Studios Hollywood
• Cost: As low as 30,000 points/night or average $270/night

3. Courtyard L.A. Live

• Why we like this hotel: rooftop pool with cabanas with a Hollywood luxury feel, close to tons of entertainment options
• Nearby attractions: walking distance to the Staples Center where the Lakers and Clippers both play (I can’t get behind calling the Crypto.com Arena yet), walking distance to L.A. Live (Cirque du Soleil, concerts, and movies)
• Cost: as low as 30,000 points/night or average $303/night

4. Westin Bonavenure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles – in DTLA .

• Why we like this hotel: great for business travel and a nice blend of luxury, sleek glass towers for fans of modern architecture, featured in many movies & shows
• Nearby attractions: Downtown LA, the Fashion District, and 6 minutes from Dodger Stadium where you can watch the 2020 World Series Champs
• Cost: as low as 30,000 points/night or average $264/night (great value for the points!)

For more reasons to visit Los Angeles, here are 15 free things to do in LA for your LA Bucket List!

Best Category 5 Marriott Hotels in Orange County California Under 35,000 Points

While we love to visit LA, Orange County does have more family-friendly things to do and arguably better beaches as well. Whether you’re going for a Disneyland trip, cruising Newport Harbor, or a combination of both, here are our picks for best Marriott hotels in Orange County.

1. Fairfield Anaheim Resort

• Why we like this hotel: closest Marriott to Disneyland (walking distance to the main gate), view of Disneyland fireworks from some of the rooms, Disney décor, outdoor pool. This is hands down top of the list for the best Marriott hotels in California for Disney lovers because it’s right across the street from the park entrance. Talk about convenient!
• Nearby attractions: Disneyland Park, California Adventure, Downtown Disney, Angel Stadium
• Cost: as low as 30,000 points/night or average $342/night (an amazing value for points!)

2. Renaissance ClubSport Aliso Viejo – This is our personal favorite place to stay because of the on-site daycare and we think it’s one of the best Marriott hotels in southern California!

• Why we like this hotel: Our kids loved the splash pad and kiddie pool. We loved leaving the kids at the on-site daycare while we enjoyed eating at the restaurant and relaxing by the pool without worrying about keeping an eye on the kids in the water. And there’s a massive on-site fitness center.
• Nearby attractions: 12 minutes from Laguna Beach and the Victoria Beach Pirate Tower, 20 minutes from Newport Beach, and under 30 minutes from Disneyland.
• Cost: as low as 30,000 points/night or average $202/night (an amazing value for points!)

3. Anaheim Marriott

• Why we like this hotel: affordable luxury! It’s a 4-star hotel just 1 mile from Disneyland
• Nearby attractions: 1 mile from Disneyland, 15 minutes to Knott’s Berry Farm, 23 minutes from Newport Beach
• Cost: as low as 30,000 points/night or average $174/night (an amazing value for points!)

4. Anaheim Marriott Suites

• Why we like this hotel: all-suite hotel near Disneyland (like a Residence Inn without the kitchen)
• Nearby attractions: all the same stuff as above
• Cost: as low as 30,000 points/night or $101/night

5. Newport Beach Marriott Bayview

• Why we like this hotel: billed as a “family hotel”, rooms are suites large enough for the whole crew, outdoor pool with an amazing view of the bay (“Bayview”, get it?), and you can book a wellness suite room with your own private Peloton in case you don’t like working out in a gym
• Nearby attractions: 5 minutes from Fashion Island (mall with shops & restaurants), 10 minutes from Balboa Island (an actual island) and Newport Beach Pier, 17 minutes from Disneyland. Take a day trip to Catalina Island from Newport Harbor.
• Cost: as low as 30,000 points/night or average $234/night

Best Category 5 Marriott Hotels in San Diego California Under 35,000 Points

San Diego is another fantastic choice for a family trip to Southern California. The beaches and weather alone are worth the trip but then you throw in Legoland, Sea World, the world-famous San Diego Zoo (not to mention the San Diego Zoo Safari Park), and you have the makings of a great getaway. Here are our picks for best Category 5 Marriott hotels in San Diego California under 35,000 points.

1. Residence Inn San Diego Downtown

• Why we like this hotel: studio rooms or 1-bedrooms suites with full kitchen in a great location
• Nearby attractions: located in the Gaslamp District, 10 minutes from the airport, Petco Park (San Diego Padres), Seaport Village
• Cost: as low as 35,000 points/night or $189/night

2. Courtyard San Diego Old Town

• Why we like this hotel: newly renovated in 2020, on-site café, optional suites with kitchenette, outdoor pool
• Nearby attractions: near Old Town with amazing authentic Mexican food, Sea World, Mission Beach
• Cost: as low as 30,000 points/night or $179/night

3. Towneplace Suites San Diego Downtown

• Why we like this hotel: modern flare, all suites with kitchen, a robot butler, on-site bar & grill, free breakfast
• Nearby attractions: Little Italy, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Air & Space Museum
• Cost: as low as 35,000 points/night or $195/night

4. Sheraton La Jolla

• Why we like this hotel: outdoor pool with luxurious landscaping that feels like a tropical oasis!
• Nearby attractions: Torrey Pines Golf Course, the seals at La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Beach
• Cost: as low as 35,000 points/night or $166/night

5. Springhill Suites Oceanside

• Why we like this hotel: large rooms big enough for the whole family, free breakfast, outdoor dining space, rooftop pool with an ocean view!
• Nearby attractions: Oceanside Pier, Oceanside Harbor Village, 14 minutes to Legoland
• Cost: as low as 35,000 points/night or $185/night

There are so many bucket list-worthy adventures in California, it’s hard to list them all! Sailing on the ferry to Catalina Island, going to Disneyland or one of the many other theme parks, taking a surf lesson in Huntington Beach (Surf City, USA), going to your first NFL game, visiting the iconic Dodger Stadium and eating a Dodger Dog, watching the Rose Bowl parade… the list goes on and on.

If you’re taking a trip to Southern California any time soon, consider getting the Marriott Bonvoy credit card so you can stay 3 nights for free at any one of these Category 5 Marriott hotels in Southern California. Travel hacking with credit card points is one of our favorite ways to save money on family trips – but remember to pay the balance in full every month or the interest adds up and travel isn’t free!

And for more ideas on things to do while you’re there, check out our Ultimate Family-Friendly California Bucket List.

Safe travels!

-JJ 🤘🏻