Where to Stay in Los Angeles, By a Local (12 Best Areas & Places)

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12 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County is home to nearly 10 million people. The greater LA area is very spread out, and it can take hours to get from one end to the other during high-traffic times. You need to finalize the goals of your trip before deciding where to stay.

Do you want to spend most of your time at the beach? Visit famous attractions? See a performance? Get around without a car? These are the questions you need to answer before choosing one of LA’s neighborhoods. That way, you won’t spend half of your time in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Let’s take a look:

West Hollywood

👉 Best Area For First-Timers & Iconic Nightlife | ✨ Best West Hollywood Hotels: The Sun Rose• Montrose• Hotel Ziggy on Sunset• The London

West Hollywood is a beloved neighborhood of Los Angeles full of trendy shops, bars, clubs, and eateries, proudly boasting an inclusive environment. It’s located between Hollywood and Beverly Hills, perfectly situated at the foot of the Hollywood Hills with sweeping views over the entire city. This is an especially wonderful place to stay for first-timers and young adults in LA who want to experience the nightlife.

Explore the Sunset Strip, home to famous comedy clubs like the Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory. Drive the winding streets of the Hollywood Hills and admire some of the fanciest mansions in Los Angeles. You’ll never see homes so grand anywhere else!

My stays at the Sun Rose and Montrose solidified West Hollywood as my top place to stay in Los Angeles. The location is supreme for accessing famous attractions like Rodeo Drive, the Getty, and Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s also less than 10 miles from the ocean. The area is safe and beautiful, with tall trees and blooming flowers on display year-round.

Check out the bars on Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny and Fairfax after sunset to see the streets glow under the rainbow lights. This area is fondly known as the gay district of LA, and the nightlife is unmatched. It’s my favorite spot to go dancing in the city. Chappell Roan’s song “Pink Pony Club” is based on an actual bar called The Abbey in West Hollywood!

You may have seen some of the top-rated bars, cafes, and restaurants in this neighborhood on TV shows or in movies. Take a food tour to taste five of the best spots, chosen by a local expert. Iconic scenes await around every corner in West Hollywood.

Pros of Staying in West Hollywood:

• Top-notch nightlife
• Inclusive atmosphere
• Fantastic restaurants, bars, and cafes
• Walkable streets
• LGBTQ+ friendly 🌈
• Beautiful views and landscaping

Cons of Staying in West Hollywood:

• Heavy traffic
• Hotels can be pricey

Santa Monica

👉 Best Area For Family Fun | ✨ Best Santa Monica Hotels: Shutters on the Beach • Huntley Santa Monica Beach • The Pierside

Santa Monica is a beautiful beach city offering a wide array of shopping, dining, bars, beach life, and sightseeing on the west side of LA. The famous Santa Monica Pier is a must if you have little ones. The rides (especially the Ferris wheel), souvenirs, and games will become a core memory, especially if it’s your first time in LA.

Many hotels in Santa Monica, like Huntley, offer ocean views and are just a short walk to the beachfront activities that make the area so famous. If you really want to indulge, stay right on the water at Shutters on the Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful hotels in LA. 

The manicured streets of Santa Monica make for lovely strolls in the mild California weather. Spend a day shopping on the Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian-only shopping area with plenty of restaurants and shops that the whole family will love. Or relax for hours on the miles of sandy beach on either side of the pier.

Visit the best local farmers’ markets in the city on the weekends. There are also great antique and street markets throughout the year, my favorite of which is at the Santa Monica Airport. Check out upcoming events during your stay on the Santa Monica city calendar.

Santa Monica is just south of Malibu, where you can take part in top-notch surfing, hiking, and wine tasting. Drive the PCH for a scenic coastal trip to some of the most iconic sights in LA. I think anyone can thrive in Santa Monica, but especially families with kids.

Pros of Staying in Santa Monica:

• Beach access
• Lots of great restaurants, shops, and bars
• Family-friendly attractions like the Santa Monica Pier
• Accessible to other popular LA areas

Cons of Staying in Santa Monica:

• Crowded with tourists
• Higher prices
• Higher homelessness

South Bay

👉 Best Area For Scenic Beaches | ✨ Best South Bay Hotels: H2O Hermosa Beach • The Sea View Inn at the Beach • Hotel Hermosa • The Belamar Hotel

The South Bay is my all-time favorite area of LA. I play beach volleyball here every week, and it never fails to give me a dopamine spike. This large region is made up of several beach cities south of LAX: El Segundo (where I used to live!), Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach.

If you’re visiting LA for the beach, don’t miss these tranquil spots to make the most of your ocean enjoyment. Rent a surfboard from a surf shop in Manhattan Beach to catch a wave beside the quaint Manhattan Pier. Or rent a beach cruiser and bike south along the Strand all the way down to the Redondo Beach Pier. 

Just looking to relax and soak up some rays? Lay your towel in the sand with a view of the volleyball courts for a day of entertainment from the local athletes.

Stay steps from the action at H2O Hermosa Beach, moments away from the beach, boardwalk, and bars that make Hermosa so unforgettable. These are the beach bars I bring my friends to when they come to visit me. They’re so fun, no matter your age.

Everyone visiting and living in the South Bay is genuinely happy to exist there… and how could you not be with such perfect weather, perfect beaches, and the perfect laidback lifestyle in sunny Los Angeles? This place is pure coastal bliss. I recommend the South Bay to anyone seeking a scenic, relaxing stay in LA.

Pros of Staying in South Bay:

• Beautiful beaches
• Outdoorsy activities abound (volleyball, surfing, running)
• Friendly, local establishments
• Gorgeous year-round weather
• The Strand boardwalk connects beach cities

Cons of Staying in South Bay:

• Far from the main LA attractions
• Dense traffic along the PCH
• High prices

Culver City

👉 Best Area For Central Digs | ✨ Best Culver City Hotels: Mayumi • The Culver Hotel • Villa Brasil Motel

Culver City is the most central place to stay in Los Angeles. You’re within 30 minutes of desirable areas in every direction: Beverly Hills, the beaches in Santa Monica and Venice, Downtown LA, hiking trails, and more. It’s also less than 10 miles from LAX. Mayumi is a wonderful hotel near the 405, which makes accessing multiple areas much more convenient.

Many of my local friends agree that Culver City is the best place to live in Los Angeles. It’s a fairly safe area, and the downtown streets are walkable and clean. There is an abundance of great restaurants and bars that attract locals of all ages.

Sony Pictures Studios is a great place to take an entertainment tour near the heart of the city. There are also lots of historic movie theaters, charming shops, and green parks sprinkled throughout this area. Visit the Culver Steps for shopping and dining in the historic core.

Climb the Culver City Stairs to the Baldwin Hills Overlook for one of the only central hikes in the city. This is one of my favorite places to hike in LA during the spring when the hills are covered in wildflowers. And the 360-degree views are stunning!

My biggest critique is that, if you intend to see major LA attractions, you will need a car when staying in Culver City. There aren’t many iconic sights within the city itself, but again, it’s a great central location to a wide variety of attractions around it.

Pros of Staying in Culver City:

• Central location
• Historic shops, restaurants, and hotels
• Movie industry culture
• Quieter area
• Hiking trails nearby

Cons of Staying in Culver City:

• Need a car to get around, not walkable aside from downtown

Hollywood

👉 Best Area For Entertainment Galore | ✨ Best Hollywood Hotels: Hollywood Roosevelt • Hollywood Celebrity Hotel • Hollywood Historic Hotel • Loews Hollywood Hotel • The Garland

Hollywood is the entertainment capital of the world and a must-see during your first time in LA. It’s the most popular place for tourists to visit the city’s top attractions and famous sights. This is also where hopeful hearts come to make a name for themselves. Hollywood has a part in nearly every famous actor’s and musician’s story. 

Search for your favorite performer’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on your way to see a film at the TCL Chinese Theater. Get tickets for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl or a show at the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are hosted each year. 

The iconic Hollywood Roosevelt is conveniently situated in the heart of it all. This historic hotel is nearly 100 years old and has provided stays for stars as big as Marilyn Monroe. Its famous past inspired Disney’s beloved Tower of Terror ride, and it has an undeniably haunting charm!

Grab dinner at Musso & Frank Grill, a century-old classic Italian restaurant with a story to tell. Multiple booths are dedicated to regular A-list celebrities, like Charlie Chaplin, who used to tie up his horse out front. My family comes here for special occasions, and the service and atmosphere are unforgettable time and again.

You absolutely must get up close and personal with the Hollywood Sign. The hike there is manageable for most difficulty levels. You’ve likely seen photos of the Hollywood Sign a thousand times before, but it’s surreal to see it in real life. And the views are stunning!

Griffith Observatory is also one of my top attractions in Hollywood. The iconic observatory is the setting of dozens of famous films, and it’s a gorgeous sight to behold overlooking the entirety of Los Angeles. I take all of my first-time visitors to the observatory. There are also great options to get out in nature by hiking in Runyon Canyon Park or Griffith Park. 

If the number of things to do in Hollywood makes your head spin, you can take the planning out of it by booking a guided tour. You’ll be a super tourist, but there’s no shame in that! We’re used to it here.

Hollywood offers a fantastic variety of things to do, so you’ll never get bored. Just keep in mind that this area can get sketchy at night, so be aware of your surroundings and stay in a hotel with 24-hour security like the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

Pros of Staying in Hollywood:

• Iconic attractions
• Possible celebrity sightings
• Famous restaurants and bars
• Movies, concerts, and shows galore
• Never-ending things to do 

Cons of Staying in Hollywood:

• Unclean streets
• Higher crime rates
• Hagglers and scammers on the main boulevard
• Overcrowded with tourists

Downtown LA

👉 Best Area For Business and Sports | ✨ Best Downtown LA Hotels: Freehand Los Angeles • CitizenM • Omni Los Angeles • InterContinental

Downtown Los Angeles is buzzing with things to do. From art galleries to sports stadiums to museums, the list of attractions goes on forever (see attractions in the mini guide below). Every street corner offers a new curiosity, especially in the Arts District, Little Tokyo, and Chinatown.

And don’t even get me started on restaurants. Downtown LA is foodie heaven, featuring every kind of cuisine from renowned chefs to viral holes-in-the-wall. Don’t miss Grand Central Market for a variety of food stalls offering literally every genre of food. There’s no shortage of rooftop bars and trendy coffee shops, too.

Budget stays with incredible value are common downtown. My stay at Freehand blew me away — I had a huge room with sweeping city views and an impeccable rooftop pool for under $150 a night! Deals like that don’t come around in most parts of Los Angeles.

Downtown LA has had a bad reputation for many years. I don’t blame people for knocking it; the homeless issues are rampant in areas like Skid Row, and crime rates are higher than the rest of the city. However, I think downtown is totally worth the visit as long as you go to the right parts. 

Little Tokyo, Chinatown, and Olvera Street, for example, are some of the most culturally rich neighborhoods in the city. They practically transport you to another land with their vibrant architecture and bold heritage. I adore these areas, and their proximity to less agreeable areas shouldn’t keep visitors from enjoying what they have to offer.

Safety is key downtown. Don’t go where locals and forums tell you not to go, and remain aware of your surroundings, especially at night. You’ll have a great time if you navigate wisely and keep a good head on your shoulders. As long as your hotel has 24/7 security and valet service, you should be golden.

Pros of Staying in Downtown LA:

• Walkable streets
• Diverse restaurants and bars
• Public transportation options 
• Many sports centers and museums

Cons of Staying in Downtown LA:

• Increased homelessness
• Can be unsafe at night
• Loud streets and dense traffic

Beverly Hills

👉 Best Area For Luxury Stays & Shopping | ✨ Best Beverly Hills Hotels: Beverly Wilshire • L’Ermitage • Hotel Sofitel

There’s nowhere quite like Beverly Hills in the United States. It really is just as luxurious and dazzling as the movies portray. Every designer store exists here, and many restaurants feature menus designed by world-renowned chefs. 

Explore the luxury boutiques on Rodeo Drive, some of which are exclusive to just this spot, or take a drive past grand celebrity mansions. The wealth here is borderline shocking. I can wander random residential streets in Beverly Hills all day and never get bored. 

Beverly Hills is the ideal destination for a luxury stay in LA. The Beverly Wilshire is my favorite high-end hotel, located right across the street from Rodeo Drive. I recently worked background on a TV show there; it’s certainly gorgeous enough for the silver screen! If you’re looking to get pampered, this is the place to do it.

Just know that if you choose to make Beverly Hills your home base, you’ll spend a lot on accommodations. There is no such thing as a budget stay in BH. But if you have the means to book here, you’ll be treated with the utmost hospitality and will surely remember your time in paradise forever.

Pros of Staying in Beverly Hills:

• Gorgeous neighborhoods
• High-end shopping and dining
• Possible celebrity sightings
• Close to major attractions
• Clean, safe, and glamorous

Cons of Staying in Beverly Hills:

• Need a rental car to get around
• Highest prices in LA

Marina Del Rey / Playa Del Rey

👉 Best Area For Waterfront Views | ✨ Best Marina Del Rey Hotels: Marina Del Rey Hotel • Inn at Playa del Rey • Hilton Garden Inn

Marina del Rey is a more low-key stay than the busier beach towns. The marina features around 5,000 boats and a myriad of upscale waterfront apartments and hotels. It’s a quick drive from LAX, but it offers more nature and privacy than most areas in LA.

I love bringing newcomers to Marina del Rey. The area isn’t as busy as neighboring Venice Beach and Santa Monica, but there is still plenty to do. Take a brunch cruise or rent paddleboards for the day. You might make friends with the local seals if you’re lucky! You can even take a karaoke cruise if you’re in the mood for a song. 

My favorite place to feel separated from the city is the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. Enter the trailhead at the end of Fiji Way for the best access point. Visit during the spring to see thousands of yellow wildflowers and abundant wildlife. There’s also a great biking and running path that snakes past gorgeous marina and wetland views.

This is where my parents usually stay when they visit me because they love spending time by the water with only a fraction of the tourists. Hotels are a bit limited, so check out vacation rentals for more options.

Marina del Rey Hotel is a lovely place to stay if you want to watch the boats coming and going from your hotel room. It’s also walkable to the best restaurants and bars along the water, so you don’t need a car if you stay here.

Pros of Staying in Marina Del Rey:

• Watersport opportunities
• Waterfront restaurants and bars
• Close to LAX
• Laidback environment

Cons of Staying in Marina Del Rey:

• High traffic area
• Farther from major LA attractions
• Hotels can be pricey

Fairfax District

👉 Best Area For Museums and Markets | ✨ Best Fairfax District Hotels: Park Plaza Lodge • The Beverly Laurel Hotel • Short Stories Hotel

The Fairfax District is another wonderfully central location near some of the best attractions in LA. It’s located between Beverly Hills and Central LA and below Hollywood. Shoppers and luxury travelers will enjoy this area, but it’s not as pricey as Beverly Hills, so it attracts a diverse crowd.

Fairfax is also home to some of the most famous markets, like The Original Farmers Market, a giant collection of small eateries and pop-up shops next to the biggest brands in the market at the Grove. Short Stories Hotel is a great place to stay if you want to be across the street from it all. The area also boasts seasonal antique and flea markets.

Visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the La Brea Tar Pits for two of the best museum experiences of your life. Car fanatics will be in awe of the Peterson Automotive Museum down the street. This area also has a strong Jewish population, lending to famous sites like Canter’s Deli and the LA Holocaust Museum.

Pros of Staying in Fairfax District:

• Near the Grove and Original Farmer’s Market
• Some of the best museums in the city
• High-end shopping and dining
• Less expensive than Beverly Hills
• Central location

Cons of Staying in Fairfax District:

• Need a rental car to get around
• Higher safety issues

LAX

👉 Best Area For Budget Deals | ✨ Best LAX Hotels: Hotel June West LA • Hyatt Regency LAX • Los Angeles Airport Marriott

LAX is one of the biggest international airports in the world. And with the 2028 Olympic Games coming up, the airport is expanding, along with its global connections.

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency LAX during one of my first visits to LA and was surprised by how much I enjoyed the location. LAX is practically on the beach, so ocean access is just a couple of miles away. There are tons of great restaurants and shops in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Head south to the beach cities, north to Hollywood, or east to sports stadiums in Inglewood and beyond to Downtown LA. The main freeways all lead to LAX, so you’ll have a direct path to wherever you want to go. Just beware of rush hour traffic!

You’ll also get great deals at the LAX hotels. And despite being so close to the airport runways, the stays are designed with soundproof windows and walls, so the planes shouldn’t bother you. Also, how nice is it to hop on an airport shuttle directly to your terminal before your flight home?

Pros of Staying near LAX:

• Convenient location
• Close to top beaches
• Affordable hotels
• Easy airport transportation

Cons of Staying near LAX:

• Lacks personality
• Need a rental car to get around

Venice Beach

👉 Best Area For Eclectic Shopping | ✨ Best Venice Beach Hotels: Hotel Erwin • The Kinney • Venice Breeze Suites

Venice Beach is one of the wonkiest places I’ve ever been. This is my people-watching mecca. Grab a drink at an outdoor bar with a pair of sunglasses on and admire the most eccentric characters wandering by. It’s entertaining beyond belief. 

Venice is home to iconic attractions like Muscle Beach, where shredded muscle men work out at the outdoor gym facilities. Venice Skatepark attracts plenty of onlookers as skilled skateboarders and rollerbladers do crazy tricks beside the ocean. 

The shops along the Venice boardwalk mostly offer cheesy souvenirs, but they’re super fun to peruse. Nearby Abbot Kinney Boulevard is one of the most popular shopping streets in LA. Explore trendy boutiques and bustling cafes in this artsy, upscale area.

Stay right on the water at the Venice Breeze Suites. You’ll be steps from all the shops, bars, and quirky Venice action, yet have the quiet privacy of a beautifully-maintained boutique hotel.

The stunning Venice Canals offer reprieve from the chaos of Venice Beach. This small area features Venice, Italy-like architecture with rounded bridges and pretty waterways against the manicured lawns of multi-million dollar homes. I love coming here for morning walks with a coffee in hand, as well as sunset strolls.

There is never a dull moment in Venice. This is a great place for young adults to enjoy a more budget-friendly stay by the beach. I don’t recommend staying here if you have little kids or elderly members in your party. There’s a little too much mature stuff going on for those demographics!

Pros of Staying in Venice Beach:

• Cheapest stays near the beach
• Entertaining events
• Top-tier people watching
• Tons of shops, restaurants, and bars
• Iconic boardwalk scenes

Cons of Staying in Venice Beach:

• Seedy, grungy environment
• Waterfront stays are pricey
• Lowest-rated LA beach

Silver Lake

👉 Best Area For Local Hip Vibes | ✨ Best Silver Lake Hotels: Silver Lake Pool & Inn • Noon on Sunset Hill

Welcome to the “Brooklyn of L.A.,” situated east of Hollywood and just north of Downtown. Silver Lake is known for its trendy “hipster” atmosphere. Vibrant murals and funky shops line the downtown streets. It’s a highly walkable area if you can book a place on the main drag, but it’s very hilly, so keep that in mind if accessibility is a concern.

Silver Lake is just a few minutes away from Dodger Stadium and the famous sights in Hollywood. You can also get to Universal Studios within 20 minutes. This hip area offers a myriad of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and cafes. Foodies will thrive here.

Consider staying in Silver Lake if you want a more low-key stay, still located right near the heart of it all. Do note that this is the furthest neighborhood from the beach on this list, so you may not see the ocean during this stay. Hotels are limited, so opt for one of many vacation rentals. 

Pros of Staying in Silver Lake:

• Vibrant, trendy shops
• Outdoor activities like hiking nearby
• Foodie paradise – great restaurants
• Strong local vibes
• Close to sports and entertainment

Cons of Staying in Silver Lake:

• Limited hotel stays 
• Need a rental car to get around

Tips for Staying in Los Angeles

Rent a car

Unfortunately, LA offers a poor public transportation system. Getting from A to B is much slower via bus and much more limited via metro or train. Walking is seldom an option.

You’ll get the best bang for your buck when you rent from Discover Cars. Gas is expensive, so opt for a hybrid vehicle if you can. You’ll be happy you did when you have the freedom to drive wherever you like during your stay in this sprawling city.

Take a tour if you’re short on time

I’ve never been a huge fan of bus tours, but they’re actually super helpful when navigating a big city in a short amount of time. This Best of LA Tour hits up many of the areas mentioned in this guide within one day. You’ll get a taste of all my favorite spots, no matter where you stay!

Avoid major attractions on the weekend

Try to avoid booking your LA trip entirely on the weekend. Attractions fill up with tourists Friday through Sunday, and the sheer number of visitors can be very overwhelming. You’ll be much happier if you visit your must-see spots on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Try to stay in your “bubble”

Where you stay matters in LA. Everything you’ve heard about the traffic is true. Don’t spend half your vacation in bumper-to-bumper traffic just because you wanted to save by staying somewhere on the outskirts of the city.

It’s worth your time and money to splurge on a great location so you can enjoy what the area has to offer. That’s why you need to figure out which LA attractions matter most to you!

Bring your swimsuit

Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit! In addition to the city’s fantastic beaches, most LA hotels have pools. If you stay at an upscale spot like the Sun Rose or Montrose, you’ll want to spend some time poolside.

Visit during the shoulder season

Everyone and their mother visits LA during the summer. Warm sunshine and beach antics sound like a recipe for a movie-quality vacation. But the crowds are no joke. 

Visit during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall in March/April and September/October. These months are far more enjoyable as they warrant less crowded attractions, yet still offer exceptional weather.

FAQs about Los Angeles

How many days is enough for Los Angeles?

Five days is enough to get a taste for Los Angeles. However, the longer the trip, the better, because the city is spread out and requires more time to enjoy each distinct area.

What areas of Los Angeles should I avoid staying in? 

Avoid staying on the east side of Downtown Los Angeles near Skid Row. You should also avoid staying on the east side of Hollywood. These areas are considered seedy at night.

Is traffic in LA really that bad?

Yes, traffic in LA can get very bad. Rush hour starts around 2 pm and goes until 7 pm. Avoid driving at these times when possible, or plan for longer travel times.

What are the best parts of Los Angeles to stay on a budget? 

The best places to stay on a budget in LA are downtown and near LAX. These areas have great hotel deals for excellent value.

What are the best parts of Los Angeles to stay with kids? 

Santa Monica and the South Bay are the best places to stay in LA with kids. The beach is a family fun area to enjoy your trip with the little ones.

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There’s something for everyone in LA, and then some. This bustling city is full of world-famous attractions, delicious food, and inviting people with that warm West Coast mentality. 

I hope this article helps you plan the perfect trip to the City of Angels. Check out Jericha’s piece on the best day trips from Los Angeles next!