405 freeway shutdown: Stay the heck away in style with these hotel offers

Let’s just get a collective grip about the July 16 -17 shutdown of the 405 freeway, shall we? It’s not the end of the world as we know it. That will happen when toll lanes open on the 10 and 110 freeways a few years from now. And 53 hours of gridlock will never be declared a federal disaster, no matter how much it feels like one.

So just relax -- possibly at one of these hotels where you can responsibly stay the heck away from the 405 construction zone. While discounted, the room rates aren’t cheap. You were expecting Motel 6?

Terranea Resort: Guests who stay at this Palos Verdes Peninsula hotel on July 15 and 16 can add nights before or after for 40.5% (get it?) off the published rate. The hotel’s website recenlty showed available rooms July 15 and 16 starting at $395 a night and an additional night (I chose July 17) for $217; prices don’t include tax and resort fee. Check out 405 Freeway Package details on the hotel’s blog and follow the links or call to make a reservation. Info: 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes; (866) 802-8000.

Shutters on the Beach: Stay three nights (July 15 to 17) for $405 a night -- a discount off the standard rate of $610 a night; prices don’t include tax. The Big Delay Package includes $75 worth of dry cleaning and a to-go breakfast Monday so that you can face the reopened freeway with a smile. Make reservations online or by phone. Info: 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 458-0030.

Hotel Oceana: The Escape the 405 package takes 15% off room rates for stays from July 14 to 18. Discounted rooms start at $242 a night plus tax. The hotel also is hosting a “405 warriors” cocktail party Friday night (July 15) and offering pool-side cocktails and dishes for $4.05 a piece all weekend. Info: 202 W. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara; (805) 965-4577.

The 411 on the 405: It’s hard to say just how bad traffic will be when the freeway closes July 16 and 17 to demolish the Mulholland Drive Bridge to make space for building new carpool lanes. Northbound lanes will be closed for 10 miles from the 10 freeway to the 101 Freeway; southbound lanes from the 101 freeway to the Getty Center Drive exit. In addition, some ramps will close as early as 7 p.m. July 15, and some ramps and connectors may not reopen until 6 a.m. July 18.