Where to stay in Los Angeles: best areas and neighborhoods
Open IndexLos 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!
Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay in LA
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.
- Recommended areas to stay on a budget: Downtown, Long Beach
- Recommended areas for families with children: Downtown, Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills
- Recommended areas for young people: Hollywood, Santa Monica, Long Beach
- 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
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.
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).
Downtown Los Angeles
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 range from about €80,00 for low-cost accommodation to €350,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Residence Inn by Marriott Los Angeles L A LIVE | 3-star hotel with swimming pool, gym, concierge service, free WiFi, restaurant, mini market and 24-hour reception. Studios or suites for 4 or 5 people. Ideal for groups and families |
| Downtown LA Penthouse Downtown Los Angeles | Apartment residence with swimming pool and parking. Apartments for up to 6 people, with terrace overlooking the city, one or two bedrooms, kitchen and sitting area. Ideal for families and groups of friends |
| Freehand Los Angeles | Modern hostel with swimming pool, gym, bar and restaurant. Choice between private rooms or rooms with up to 8 beds. Ideal for couples or young people |
| Hotel Indigo - Los Angeles Downtown | 4-star hotel with room service, ATM, outdoor swimming pool, gym, disco and 24-hour reception. Ideal for couples, families and groups of up to 4 people |
Hollywood
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 range from about €120,00 for low-cost accommodation to €500,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hampton Inn & Suites Los Angeles/Hollywood CA | 2-star hotel with outdoor swimming pool, gym and business centre. Rooms with free WiFi, continental breakfast. Ideal for couples and families |
| Banana Bungalow Hotel & Hostel Los Angeles | Hostel with garden where you can play basketball, table football and table tennis. cinema and Tiki Garden with karaoke on site. Ideal for young people |
| Luxury Hollywood Walk of Fame | Apartment complex 600 metres from the Dolby Theater. Barbecue, terrace and parking. Apartments with bedroom, equipped kitchen, dining area and city views. Ideal for couples and families |
| Loews Hollywood Hotel | 4-star hotel close to the Dolby Theater and TCL Chinese Theater. Terrace with swimming pool, gym, restaurant and room service. Ideal for couples and families |
Western areas: West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air
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
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Palihotel Melrose | 3-star hotel in West Hollywood. elegant rooms, overlooking the city or garden. Parking and restaurant. Ideal for couples |
| Elaine's Hollywood Bed & Breakfast | B&B in West Hollywood. Rooms with en suite bathroom with shower, air conditioning, flat-screen TV and refrigerator. Parking. Ideal for couples |
| Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel | Ideal motel for those traveling by car. Swimming pool, tour desk, parking and 24-hour reception. Ideal for couples and families |
| The Peninsula Beverly Hills | 5-star hotel 10 mins from Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, restaurant. Rooms, studios or suites. Ideal for families and small groups |
Santa Monica
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 range from about €110,00 for low-cost accommodation to €610,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Gateway Hotel Santa Monica | 3-star hotel 3 km from the beach. Business centre, 24-hour reception, gym, terrace, restaurant. Ideal for couples and families |
| HI - Santa Monica / Los Angeles | Hostel near Third Street Promenade and within walking distance of the beach. Private rooms or dorms for up to 8 people, private or shared bathroom. Ideal for young people |
| Modern Studio in Santa Monica | 32 sqm apartment, with air conditioning, WiFi , private parking, balcony. Ideal for couples |
| Shutters On The Beach | 5-star beachfront hotel with swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, gym, restaurant and room service. Ideal for couples and families |
Long Beach
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 range from about €90,00 for low-cost accommodation to €350,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hilton Long Beach | 3-star beachfront hotel with swimming pool, restaurant, gym and room service. Ideal for couples and families |
| Eagle Inn Motel | 2-star motel just outside the centre of Long Beach, with free parking and WiFi. Ideal for those traveling by car and for groups of up to 4 people |
| Casa Bonita Apartments | Apartment complex 1.8 km from Junipero beach. Individual apartments with equipped kitchen, coffee machine and private bathroom with shower. Ideal for couples |
| Renaissance Long Beach Hotel | 4-star hotel in downtown Long Beach. Rooftop pool, gym, restaurant, room service, private parking. Ideal for couples and families |
Places to stay near Los Angeles
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