Where to stay in Los Angeles: the best areas, with a walk through each
6 areas compared. Watch the streets before you book.
Los Angeles is not one city centre but dozens of neighbourhoods spread across a huge basin, and traffic can turn a 20-kilometre drive into an hour. Choosing your base by what you want to do each day matters more here than almost anywhere else.
These are the six areas most visitors choose between, from the beach towns of the Westside to the film history of Hollywood. For each you'll find who it suits, who should look elsewhere, what is on foot, and a walk through its streets before you book.
The best areas to stay in Los Angeles at a glance
| Area | Best for | Vibe | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood | First-timers, Film fans, Transport links | The Walk of Fame, historic theatres and the Hollywood sign above | Metro B Line to Downtown and Universal City |
| Santa Monica | Families, Beach lovers, Walkability | A walkable beach city with a famous pier and ocean views | Metro E Line to Downtown; bike paths along the beach |
| Venice Beach | Young travellers, Bohemian vibe, Beach lovers | Boardwalk performers, skate park, canals and street art | Buses and bikes; car or ride-hail for the rest of LA |
| Downtown LA | Culture, Business, Events | Skyscrapers, historic theatres, museums and stadiums | Metro hub at 7th St and Union Station; airport FlyAway bus |
| Beverly Hills | Luxury, Shopping, Safety | Palm-lined streets, mansions and Rodeo Drive | Car or ride-hail; central between the beach and Hollywood |
| West Hollywood | Nightlife, LGBTQ+ travellers, Food | The Sunset Strip, rooftop bars and a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene | Car or ride-hail; walkable within the neighbourhood |
1.Hollywood
- First-timers
- Film fans
- Transport links
Walk through Hollywood: video by WALKING WiLD 4k on YouTube.
The home of the Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl, with views of the famous sign in the hills. It's central, on the Metro line and full of hotels, though the boulevard itself is busy and a little rough around the edges.
Stay here if
- It's your first visit and you want the film landmarks on foot
- You'd like to use the Metro instead of driving everywhere
- You plan to visit Universal Studios
Skip it if
- You expect glamour: Hollywood Boulevard is touristy and gritty
- You want the beach
Within a 10-minute walk
Hollywood Walk of Fame · TCL Chinese Theatre · Dolby Theatre · Hollywood Bowl · Griffith Observatory (a short drive) · Runyon Canyon
2.Santa Monica
- Families
- Beach lovers
- Walkability
Walk through Santa Monica: video by HP Walking Tours on YouTube.
A clean, walkable seaside city with a famous pier, a wide sandy beach, the Third Street Promenade and cliff-top Palisades Park. It's the most popular base for a beach-focused LA trip and great for families.
Stay here if
- You want the beach and a walkable town
- You're travelling with children
- You'd like to cycle the beach path to Venice
Skip it if
- Most of your plans are in Hollywood or Downtown
- You're on a tight budget
Within a 10-minute walk
Santa Monica Pier · Santa Monica State Beach · Third Street Promenade · Palisades Park · Main Street · Venice Beach (by bike)
3.Venice Beach
- Young travellers
- Bohemian vibe
- Beach lovers
Walk through Venice Beach: video by Wind Walk Travel Videos on YouTube.
LA's bohemian beach town, with a lively boardwalk of street performers, Muscle Beach, the skate park and quiet residential canals. Abbot Kinney Boulevard adds boutiques, cafés and restaurants.
Stay here if
- You want an offbeat, creative beach vibe
- You love people-watching and street art
- You'd like to walk or bike to Santa Monica
Skip it if
- You'd be uncomfortable with visible homelessness on parts of the boardwalk
- You rely on public transport
Within a 10-minute walk
Venice Boardwalk · Venice Canals · Muscle Beach · Venice Skatepark · Abbot Kinney Boulevard · Venice Pier
4.Downtown LA
- Culture
- Business
- Events
Walk through Downtown LA: video by Walking Expedition on YouTube.
LA's revived downtown, with the Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad museum, the Grand Central Market, historic theatres and the arenas of the sports and entertainment district. It has the best public transport connections in the city.
Stay here if
- You're attending a concert, game or convention
- You love architecture, museums and food halls
- You want good Metro connections
Skip it if
- Visible homelessness and empty streets at night would bother you
- You came for beaches and sunshine
Within a 10-minute walk
Walt Disney Concert Hall · The Broad · Grand Central Market · Bradbury Building · Crypto.com Arena · Olvera Street
5.Beverly Hills
- Luxury
- Shopping
- Safety
Walk through Beverly Hills: video by HP Walking Tours on YouTube.
The glamorous, spotless city famous for Rodeo Drive, grand hotels and mansions behind palm trees. It's safe and central on the Westside, between Hollywood and the beaches, but you'll need a car or rides to explore.
Stay here if
- You want a luxurious, safe and quiet base
- Shopping and fine dining are priorities
- You'd like to be halfway between Hollywood and the beach
Skip it if
- You're on a budget
- You want lively nightlife on foot
Within a 10-minute walk
Rodeo Drive · Beverly Hills Hotel · Beverly Gardens Park · Greystone Mansion · Wallis Annenberg Center · Century City
6.West Hollywood
- Nightlife
- LGBTQ+ travellers
- Food
Walk through West Hollywood: video by Star Path Walking Tours on YouTube.
A small, walkable city between Hollywood and Beverly Hills, famous for the Sunset Strip's music venues, Santa Monica Boulevard's LGBTQ+ nightlife and design shops along Melrose Avenue.
Stay here if
- Nightlife and live music are high on your list
- You want a lively, welcoming LGBTQ+ friendly area
- You'd like restaurants, bars and shopping on foot
Skip it if
- You want quiet nights
- You're travelling with young children
Within a 10-minute walk
Sunset Strip · Santa Monica Boulevard · Melrose Avenue · The Grove and Farmers Market · Pacific Design Center · Hollywood Hills views
Plan your base around your days
If you want beaches and sunsets, stay in Santa Monica or Venice. For film history and the Metro, choose Hollywood. Beverly Hills and West Hollywood sit in the middle, which helps if you plan to drive to both the beach and the hills.
On a longer trip, splitting your stay between the Westside and Hollywood or Downtown cuts down on time in traffic.
Getting around
Most visitors rent a car or use ride-hailing apps. The Metro rail network is useful for Downtown, Hollywood, Universal City and Santa Monica, and the FlyAway bus connects LAX with Union Station.
Parking and hotel fees
Many LA hotels charge for parking and resort fees on top of the room rate, so compare the final price. In beach areas and West Hollywood, street parking is limited.
Where to stay in Los Angeles: common questions
What is the best area to stay in Los Angeles for first-timers?
Santa Monica, for the beach, walkability and families, or Hollywood, for the film landmarks and the Metro line.
Do I need a car if I stay in Santa Monica?
Not to enjoy Santa Monica itself, which is very walkable, and the Metro E Line runs to Downtown. For Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the hills, a car or ride-hail is much easier.
Is Hollywood a nice area to stay in?
It's convenient and full of landmarks, but Hollywood Boulevard is touristy and gritty, especially at night. Hotels a few blocks away from the boulevard are calmer.
Is Downtown LA safe to stay in?
The main hotel, museum and entertainment areas are generally fine, but some nearby streets have serious homelessness. Choose a hotel near the Arts District, Bunker Hill or the sports and entertainment area.
Where should families stay in Los Angeles?
Santa Monica, with its beach, pier and walkable streets, or near Universal City if theme parks are the focus.
Areas change over time. Check recent reviews and the exact location of your hotel before you book. Hotel links may earn Walking Atlas a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Keep exploring Los Angeles
The Los Angeles city guide has more 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Los Angeles city guide →