Best Areas to Stay in Los Angeles

Picking the right base in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles the neighbourhood you book decides how much of your trip is spent in transit. A rental car (or Uber) is the practical way to see LA — freeways connect everything, though rush hour (7–10am, 3–7pm) is brutal. Metro Rail's E Line reaches Santa Monica from Downtown in 50 min; the K Line now connects LAX to the network via the LAX/Metro Transit Center (opened 2024). LAX Automated People Mover to airline terminals opens 2026. Between neighbourhoods, Uber/Lyft averages US$15–30.

Santa Monica

Beach-front hotels, pier, Third Street Promenade and easy Venice bike access.

West Hollywood

Design hotels, Sunset Strip nightlife, Melrose shopping.

Beverly Hills

Grande-dame hotels around Rodeo Drive — Beverly Hills Hotel, Peninsula, Waldorf Astoria.

Downtown LA (DTLA)

Arts District lofts, Grand Central Market, Broad museum, walkable dining.

Hollywood

Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre and TCL Chinese — for first-timers only.

Silver Lake / Los Feliz

Indie boutique hotels, coffee culture and Griffith Park hikes.

Which area suits which traveler

• First-time visitors

  Stay in Santa Monica or West Hollywood for the easiest first-time base near beaches + nightlife.

• Families

  Universal Studios, Disneyland day trip, Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Observatory and Battleship Iowa fill a week.

• Luxury travelers

  Beverly Hills Hotel, Peninsula, Waldorf Astoria, Bel-Air, Aman (2026) and Shutters beachfront.

• Budget travelers

  Getty Center free, taco trucks US$15, Metro Day Pass US$5, Griffith Observatory free.

Booking hotels in Los Angeles

Rates in Los Angeles move with events and season, so compare live prices across the areas above for your exact dates rather than assuming one neighbourhood is always cheaper.