In a nutshell
- Los Angeles is massive! Picking the right area makes all the difference when deciding where to stay in Los Angeles. We’ll help you choose the best neighborhood for your trip to the City of Angels.
- Downtown is the heart of the city and perfect for first-time visitors. Our hotel tip: CitizenM LA Downtown – a beautiful place to stay in Los Angeles with a fantastic location.
- In Hollywood you’ll find affordable hotels close to the city’s film landmarks. Our hotel tip: Palihotel Hollywood – stylish, central, and great value for money if you’re wondering where to stay in Hollywood Los Angeles.
- Venice Beach is the cool, creative side of town with street art and a laid-back vibe. Our hotel tip: The Kinney – a boutique hotel with a pool and free bike rental.
- Santa Monica sits right on the coast and is ideal if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. Our hotel tip: Santa Monica Motel – a charming and affordable spot with a lovely garden.
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is absolutely huge! So where’s the best place to stay in this sprawling city?
We’ll walk you through the best areas to stay in Los Angeles and share our favorite hotel tips for each one. Here’s a quick overview to help you get started.
The 4 best neighborhoods to stay in Los Angeles:
- Downtown Los Angeles: perfect if it’s your first time in the city and you want to be close to the main sights.
- Hollywood: a great pick for movie lovers and travelers on a budget.
- Venice Beach: the creative, bohemian side of L.A. with plenty of street art and cool cafés.
- Santa Monica: right by the ocean and perfect for a relaxed beach vibe.
We know Santa Monica isn’t technically part of Los Angeles, but it’s such a beautiful area to stay that we couldn’t leave it out.
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Los Angeles on a Map
To help you get your bearings, we’ve created a map showing the best places to stay in Los Angeles along with the city’s main sights.
Where to Stay in Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown is the best place to stay in Los Angeles if you’re visiting for the first time, want to stay central, and plan to explore a lot.
In Downtown, you’ll be right in the heart of Los Angeles. It used to be the city’s historic core, but today it’s filled with modern skyscrapers and buzzing city life.
Many of L.A.’s top attractions are right here, from the Walt Disney Concert Hall and MOCA art museum to Chinatown and Little Tokyo. The best part: you can reach most of them on foot.
There’s always something happening – concerts, street festivals, and cultural events give the area a vibrant energy. You’ll also find plenty of cool cafés, international restaurants, and bars. And if you feel like going out, Downtown has some of the city’s best clubs.
Downtown offers a wide choice of stylish hotels and is generally safe around the main attractions, though some areas nearby can feel less comfortable after dark.
Pros of staying in Downtown:
- close to major attractions in Los Angeles and cultural highlights
- lots of great restaurants, cafés, and nightlife
- large selection of modern and beautiful hotels
- easy metro connection to Hollywood (Red Line)
Cons of staying in Downtown:
- can get a bit noisy at night
- you’ll need public transport to reach Hollywood
The best places to stay in Downtown Los Angeles
Our top pick for where to stay in Downtown Los Angeles is the CitizenM – a stylish and modern hotel right in the center of L.A. that offers great value for money.
Where to Stay in Hollywood
A hotel in Hollywood is perfect if you want affordable accommodation and be close to the main sights of Los Angeles.
You’ve probably heard of the Hollywood dream factory. But the neighborhood isn’t as glamorous as the movies suggest. In fact, you can find some of the cheapest places to stay in Los Angeles here without sacrificing location.
The biggest pro is obvious: you’re just steps from top L.A. attractions like the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Bowl, the Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios, and the Hollywood Sign.
Hollywood also has excellent infrastructure – plenty of shopping, restaurants, and bars make it easy to enjoy the area.
At the same time, Hollywood is very touristy and can be noisy. As with any popular tourist spot, keep an eye on your belongings. Otherwise, Hollywood remains one of the safe areas to stay in Los Angeles and a top choice for visitors looking for cheap and central accommodation.
With the hop-on hop-off bus in Los Angeles, you can see the city’s main attractions quickly and easily, perfect for a first-time visitor wanting an overview of L.A.
Pros of accommodation in Hollywood:
- affordable places to stay in Los Angeles
- super close to the main sights of L.A.
- lots of restaurants, bars, and shops
Cons of accommodation in Hollywood:
- very touristy
- can be noisy late at night
- not on the beach
The best places to stay in Hollywood
If you’re wondering where to stay in Hollywood Los Angeles, the Palihotel is a great choice. Stylishly furnished, with a pool, and still affordable, it’s perfect for sightseeing in Hollywood.
Where to Stay in Venice Los Angeles
A hotel in Venice is perfect if you want to stay in one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles with lots of cafés and restaurants nearby.
Venice is the cool, artsy side of L.A.! Think skaters cruising the boardwalk, street art and performers, salty sea air, and echoes of the old 1970s hippie vibe.
There’s no shortage of hip cafés and trendy bars, ideal for grabbing a drink in the evening. Plus, Venice is right on the beach, which alone makes it a top choice for places to stay in Los Angeles.
Of course, Venice can be a bit superficial, the classic see-and-be-seen atmosphere. But even just sitting in a café and people-watching feels like part of the sightseeing experience.
The beach promenade is also a fun spot to browse for souvenirs and soak up the Venice vibe.
Pros of accommodation in Venice:
- right on the beach
- lots of cool cafés, bars, and restaurants
- relaxed, alternative vibe
Cons of accommodation in Venice:
- very touristy
- focuses more on appearances than substance
- accommodation can be pricey
The best places to stay in Venice
The Kinney is our top pick in Venice Beach. It features hip décor, table tennis, a fire pit, a pool, and bike rental, a perfect option for anyone looking for cool and safe places to stay in Los Angeles.
Where to Stay in Santa Monica
We recommend a hotel in Santa Monica if you love the ocean and prefer a quieter, more relaxed neighborhood.
Santa Monica is actually its own city, which is part of why it feels so much quieter than downtown Los Angeles.
The biggest highlight: Santa Monica is right on the ocean and boasts a long, iconic sandy beach in LA.
A major attraction is the Santa Monica Pier. This amusement park sits above the water and features a rollercoaster, Ferris wheel, arcade games, and food stalls. Chances are, you’ve spotted it in at least a few movies.
Being by the sea means you’ll have a slightly longer trip to the city’s main sights, it takes about 45 minutes to reach downtown on the Metro Expo Line.
Pros of accommodation in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica Pier with its amusement park
- right on the beach
- quiet and very safe neighborhood
Cons of accommodation in Santa Monica:
- further from L.A.’s main attractions
- hotels can be expensive
The best places to stay in Santa Monica
The Santa Monica Motel is one of the more affordable options in the area. It’s still very comfortable and even has a small garden, perfect for those looking for a safe place to stay in Los Angeles by the beach.
These were our tips on where to stay in Los Angeles
These were our picks for the best neighborhoods to stay in Los Angeles. Where did you stay in LA? Share your recommendations in the comments.