Where to stay in Los Angeles: best areas and neighborhoods

Los Angeles is one of the most famous American cities in the world! Located in California, it is famous for its many attractions to see, including Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame. It is a huge city, the second largest in the USA behind New York! For this reason, choosing where to stay is essential to enjoy your holiday to the fullest.
Therefore, here is everything you need to know about where to sleep in Los Angeles, the best neighborhoods, which ones to avoid and all our tips!

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In a hurry? Here's our recommended accommodation

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay in LA

Foto di wheresleep.

Not recommended areas: in general the southern areas, especially South Central Los Angeles, Inglewood, Compton and Watts. Among the more central areas Pico-Union and Skid Row (in the Downtown District).

Los Angeles is a huge city divided into districts and neighbourhoods, to which are added some autonomous municipalities. The most central districts are Downtown and Hollywood. The latter is more glamorous, touristy and better connected to the rest of Los Angeles. In general, the costs are high everywhere, however Downtown is much cheaper than Hollywood as it is full of motels and apartments.
Among the safest and most exclusive areas recommended for families we point out the municipalities of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, and the small neighborhood of Bel Air (which is part of the West Los Angeles district).
If you want a beach holiday we recommend the municipalities of Long Beach and Santa Monica, both of which are also great for young people. The latter borders the Venice Beach district which is not a recommended area.

Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Los Angeles. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking

If you are in Los Angeles for business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com

Downtown Los Angeles, Best for Business & Culture

• Pros: Great for museums, arts, and historic landmarks, convenient public transport, growing nightlife scene
• Cons: Can feel deserted at night in some areas, expensive parking, not the safest in certain spots
• Main attractions: The Broad Museum, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Little Tokyo, Crypto.com Arena
• Average prices: From $110,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

Recommended Accommodation

Downtown Los Angeles is the financial and historical heart of the city. Numerous attractions can be found here, such as the futuristic Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Fashion District and Arts District. It is a safe neighborhood, full of various types of accommodation. The only area to avoid is Skid Row, which may not be entirely safe in the evening.
This neighbourhood is among the best to stay in if you are visiting Los Angeles for the first time, and it is the best compromise if you are traveling on a low budget. The city has a very high cost of living, but here you can find some offers by booking early and settling for a motel or apartment.

As for transport, Union Station is located here, one of the most important stations in all of Los Angeles, well connected to other parts of the city by trains, metro and buses.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about $110,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking

Hollywood, Best for First-Time Visitors & Sightseeing

• Pros: Iconic landmarks, tourist-friendly, great nightlife and entertainment
• Cons: Crowded and tourist-heavy, some areas feel a bit rundown
• Main attractions: Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Griffith Observatory, Runyon Canyon
• Average prices: From $140,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

Recommended Accommodation

Not too far from Downtown Los Angeles is Hollywood, for sure the most glamorous and touristic neighborhood in the whole city! Staying here is like being in a movie: you can stroll along the famous Walk of Fame, take a photo in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre and spend a day at Universal Studios! You can also easily get to the hill with the famous Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Sign.

It is one of the safest areas in Los Angeles! For this reason it is also recommended for families. Unfortunately it is also the most expensive area!

As for transport, it is served by the Hollywood/Western and Vermont/Sunset Station metro stations, where the Metro B Line (Red) goes directly to Union Square (15 min) in Downtown.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about $140,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking

Western areas (West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air), Best for Nightlife

• Pros: Vibrant LGBTQ+ community, great bars and restaurants, central location
• Cons: Can be expensive, traffic congestion is common
• Main attractions: Sunset Strip, West Hollywood Design District, The Abbey (iconic LGBTQ+ bar)
• Average prices: From $140,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

Recommended Accommodation

This is the residential area, the wealthiest in Los Angeles. The municipalities of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills are here as well as the Bel Air neighbourhood. It is characterized by avenues full of palm trees, luxury boutiques and trendy cafes: the classic image that comes to mind when we think of Los Angeles! The main street in the area is Santa Monica Blvd, full of shops, clubs and restaurants.
It is one of the safest areas in the city. The costs are high, making it accessible only to those traveling on a high budget. But it is a perfect area for those traveling as a family who want to enjoy the luxury and tranquility the area has to offer.
As for transport, it is not covered by the metro, which could make getting around a bit tricky. However, it is well connected by buses that allow you to reach Hollywood (from which you can then move by subway to Downtown).

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about $140,00 for low-cost accommodation to €600,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking

Santa Monica, Best for Beach & Outdoor Activities

• Pros: Beautiful beach, great for biking and walking, family-friendly atmosphere
• Cons: Expensive hotels, can be very touristy in summer
• Main attractions: Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Venice Beach (nearby)
• Average prices: From $150,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

Recommended Accommodation

If you want to be near the sea, the best solution is to move along the coast. Here you will find Santa Monica, one of the top tourist destinations in California! Location of numerous movies and TV series, you will find the famous Santa Monica Pier and great beaches.

Santa Monica is an ideal place for young people and those in search of sea and fun! Furthermore, by staying here you will be a stone's throw from the famous Venice Beach, which we recommend you visit during the day, returning when it starts to get dark! Accommodation is very expensive, given the location and notoriety of the area!
As for transport, Santa Monica is about 25km from Downtown. The area is still connected to the centre of Los Angeles by the direct bus line 4 Downtown LA-Broadway-Venice (1 h 10 min) or with the metro to Metro Ctr Station (45 min).

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about $150,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking

Long Beach, Best for a Relaxed Coastal Stay

• Pros: Less crowded than LA beaches, great waterfront views, good dining scene
• Cons: Far from central LA attractions, nightlife is quieter
• Main attractions: The Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village
• Average prices: From $110,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

Recommended Accommodation

Another area to stay if you want to spend the trip near the sea is Long Beach, one of the most popular areas for young people. The University is not too far away, the beaches are immense and perfect for practicing any water sport, and there are also attractions such as the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Museum of Latin American Art.

As mentioned, this is an area recommended especially for younger people, who want to enjoy the sea, the nightlife of Pine Avenue and the many activities that can be done here. Not only that: this area is located just 40 minutes away from the Disneyland amusement park!

Here we are a little further from Santa Monica, but Long Beach is still well connected to Downtown, thanks to the Metro A Line (Blue) from Anaheim St Station to Metro Ctr Station (50 min).

Average prices in the neighborhood star from about $110,00 - compare the best accommodation on booking

Places to stay near Los Angeles

Foto di wheresleep. As we have seen, Los Angeles is an expansive city that includes completely different neighbourhoods, districts and autonomous municipalities which are often quite far from each other. Staying in the city remains the best choice, choosing between inner districts such as Downtown or Hollywood. But as mentioned, if you want to enjoy the beach life, you can consider other municipalities on the coast.
We've already covered Santa Monica and Long Beach in detail, but there are other cities that could make a great base:

• Pasadena: city 18 km from Downtown Los Angeles (22 min by subway to Union Square). Full of picturesque, artistic and cultural neighbourhoods, it is also a very safe area. Ideal for families and those seeking tranquillity - compare accommodation on booking
• Orange County: the city of Anaheim is here, 40 km from Downtown Los Angeles (40 min by train to Union Square). Many choose this city because Disneyland is located here! Many families decide to stay in the hotels at Disneyland or in the nearby towns - compare accommodation on booking
• Malibu: city on the sea 53 km from Downtown Los Angeles (first bus to Santa Monica, 50 min; from Santa Monica metro to Downtown, 45 min). Classic Californian landscape, with large beaches and palm trees, frequented mainly by surfers and Hollywood stars - compare accommodation on booking

Los Angeles accommodation price map

Booking.com

Guide to the areas of Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States. Capital of the homonymous county in California, it covers an area of 1,290.5 sq km and has about 4,000,000 inhabitants. It has an incredible number of districts, autonomous municipalities, neighbourhoods, suburbs and areas not officially considered, whose borders are rather blurred (the official number of neighbourhoods has changed many times over the last 20 years).

In general we can say that the city is mainly divided into districts, including Downtown, Eastside, South Los Angeles, South Bay / Harbor, Hollywood, Mid-City, Westside, San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley. Within these are many neighbourhoods. There are also some autonomous municipalities that are often mistakenly considered neighbourhoods of Los Angeles, but in reality are independent towns, albeit annexed to the urban agglomeration. These include Long Beach, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Beverly Hills and Malibu.

Cool Things to Do in Los Angeles

• Free Walking Tour of Hollywood: Learn about Hollywood’s history and iconic landmarks. More info here.
• Griffith Observatory & Hike to the Hollywood Sign: A must-do for breathtaking views of LA and the Pacific Ocean. Book your visit here.
• Universal Studios Hollywood: Experience thrilling rides and behind-the-scenes tours at this world-famous movie studio. Book your ticket here.
• Sunset Boulevard Drive: Cruise through LA’s most famous street, from Hollywood to the beach.
• Visit The Getty Center: Explore world-class art collections with an incredible view of the city.
• Day Trip to Disneyland: If you're traveling with kids (or are a big Disney fan), don’t miss Disneyland in Anaheim!
• Explore Venice Beach & Boardwalk: Enjoy street performers, unique shops, and the famous Muscle Beach.
• Rooftop Bar Experience in Downtown LA: Grab a cocktail at a trendy rooftop spot like Perch or Spire 73 for a skyline view.
• Surf Lesson in Santa Monica: learn to surf with a teacher diving into the waves of LA. More info here.

Travel Tips for Los Angeles

• Public Transport: LA is a car city, but the Metro is improving. Consider renting a car or using rideshares (Uber/Lyft).
• Best Time to Visit: Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November) offer great weather and fewer crowds.
• Local Currency: US Dollar ($). Credit cards are widely accepted, but having some cash is useful for tipping and small purchases.
• Tipping Culture: Standard tipping is 15-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, and a few dollars for hotel staff.
• Traffic Warning: Avoid rush hours (7-10 AM & 4-7 PM) if driving – LA traffic is no joke!
• Best Areas for Nightlife: West Hollywood (LGBTQ+ friendly), Downtown LA (trendy rooftop bars), and Santa Monica (laid-back beach bars).
• Beach Parking: Most LA beaches have paid parking, but free street parking is available if you arrive early.
• Hiking Spots: Runyon Canyon (celebrity spotting), Griffith Park (Hollywood Sign views), and Malibu’s Solstice Canyon for nature lovers.

 Without internet when you need it the most? Don't take the risk! With Saily's eSIMs, you can connect instantly, anywhere, and stress-free! Visit the website and get a 5% discount exclusively for Wheresleep.com! Find out more