Where to Stay in Los Angeles 2026 | Best Areas + Hotel Map

Los Angeles sprawls across 500 square miles with no true center - neighborhood choice fundamentally shapes your experience. The city divides between the Westside (beaches, affluence), Hollywood/West Hollywood (entertainment, nightlife), and Downtown (culture, emerging). A car is practically essential outside Downtown, though rideshares work for tourist circuits. Traffic defines LA life - staying near your priorities saves hours.

Editor's Pick for First-Timers

Hollywood / West Hollywood Border

Central location with reasonable (by LA standards) access to beaches, Downtown, and entertainment. Walkable neighborhoods around Sunset Strip, good rideshare positioning, and the quintessential LA experience. First-timers can hit major sights without extreme drives.

Beach & Relaxation

Santa Monica

Hollywood Experience

Hollywood

Nightlife & LGBTQ+

West Hollywood

Culture & Arts

Downtown LA

Luxury & Shopping

Beverly Hills

Bohemian Beach

Venice

Foodie & Budget

Koreatown

Quick Guide: Best Areas

Santa Monica: Beach lifestyle, pier, Third Street Promenade, ocean views
Hollywood: Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Sign views, nightlife
West Hollywood: Sunset Strip, LGBTQ+ scene, boutique shopping, trendy restaurants
Downtown LA (DTLA): Arts District, Grand Central Market, architecture, museums, rooftop bars
Beverly Hills: Rodeo Drive, luxury shopping, celebrity spotting, upscale dining
Venice Beach: Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, Abbot Kinney, bohemian beach culture

Things to Know

  • • Hollywood Boulevard at night can feel seedy - avoid lingering on dark side streets
  • • Downtown's Skid Row area (east of Broadway, south of 3rd) has severe homelessness - avoid
  • • Venice Boardwalk has safety concerns after dark - stick to Abbot Kinney and Rose Ave
  • • Airport (LAX) area hotels are isolated and depressing - only use for early flights
  • • Traffic makes distance deceptive - 10 miles can take 45-90 minutes in rush hour

Understanding Los Angeles Geography

LA stretches from mountains to ocean. The Westside (Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills) hugs the coast. Hollywood and West Hollywood sit in the middle. Downtown anchors the east. Traffic between areas is brutal, especially during rush hours (7-10am, 4-8pm). The Metro connects Hollywood, Downtown, and Santa Monica but doesn't reach Beverly Hills or much of the Westside.

Main Districts Westside: Santa Monica (beach), Venice (bohemian), Beverly Hills (luxury), Brentwood (residential). Central: Hollywood, West Hollywood, Mid-Wilshire, Koreatown. East: Downtown LA, Arts District, Echo Park, Silver Lake.

Accommodation Map

Check availability and prices across Booking.com, Vrbo, and more.

Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Santa Monica

Best for: Beach lifestyle, pier, Third Street Promenade, ocean views

$162+ $302+ $648+
Luxury
Beach lovers First-timers Families Active travelers

"Laid-back beach town with ocean breezes and healthy living"

45-60 min to Hollywood by metro/car
Nearest Stations
Santa Monica (Metro E Line) Downtown Santa Monica
Attractions
Santa Monica Pier Third Street Promenade Santa Monica Beach Palisades Park
7.5
Transit
Moderate noise
Safe beach community. Some homeless presence on beach but generally fine.

Pros

  • Beach access
  • Walkable downtown
  • Metro connection
  • Great dining

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Far from Hollywood
  • Traffic to other areas
  • Marine layer fog

Hollywood

Best for: Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Sign views, nightlife

$108+ $216+ $486+
Mid-range
First-timers Nightlife Entertainment Pop culture

"Gritty glamour where movie history meets tourist chaos"

Central - 20 min to Downtown, 45 min to beach
Nearest Stations
Hollywood/Highland (Metro B Line) Hollywood/Vine
Attractions
Hollywood Walk of Fame TCL Chinese Theatre Dolby Theatre Hollywood Sign
8
Transit
High noise
Tourist areas safe by day. Exercise caution at night on side streets.

Pros

  • Iconic attractions
  • Metro access
  • Nightlife
  • Central location

Cons

  • Touristy and chaotic
  • Homeless presence
  • Can feel seedy
  • Traffic

West Hollywood

Best for: Sunset Strip, LGBTQ+ scene, boutique shopping, trendy restaurants

$151+ $281+ $594+
Luxury
Nightlife LGBTQ+ Foodies Shopping

"Stylish and progressive with legendary nightlife"

15 min to Hollywood, 30 min to Downtown by car
Nearest Stations
No metro - car/rideshare needed
Attractions
Sunset Strip Melrose Avenue The Grove West Hollywood Design District
5.5
Transit
Moderate noise
Very safe, well-patrolled. LGBTQ+ welcoming community.

Pros

  • Best nightlife
  • Great restaurants
  • Walkable on Sunset/Melrose
  • LGBTQ+ friendly

Cons

  • No metro
  • Expensive
  • Car essential for wider LA
  • Parking difficult

Downtown LA (DTLA)

Best for: Arts District, Grand Central Market, architecture, museums, rooftop bars

$119+ $238+ $518+
Mid-range
Culture Foodies Architecture Hipsters

"Urban renaissance with converted warehouses and cutting-edge culture"

Metro hub - 30 min to Hollywood, 50 min to Santa Monica
Nearest Stations
Union Station 7th Street/Metro Center Civic Center
Attractions
The Broad Grand Central Market Walt Disney Concert Hall Arts District
9
Transit
Moderate noise
Significant homeless presence. Stick to established areas. Arts District safer.

Pros

  • Best museums
  • Food scene
  • Metro hub
  • Architecture

Cons

  • Large homeless population
  • Dead at night in parts
  • Far from beaches
  • Gritty areas

Beverly Hills

Best for: Rodeo Drive, luxury shopping, celebrity spotting, upscale dining

$216+ $432+ $864+
Luxury
Luxury Shopping Special occasions Classic LA

"Manicured wealth with palm-lined streets and designer boutiques"

15 min to West Hollywood, 25 min to Hollywood by car
Nearest Stations
No metro - car essential
Attractions
Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills Hotel Greystone Mansion Beverly Gardens Park
4
Transit
Low noise
Extremely safe, heavily patrolled wealthy enclave.

Pros

  • Ultra-luxury hotels
  • Premium shopping
  • Safe
  • Beautiful streets

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • No public transit
  • Can feel sterile
  • Limited nightlife

Venice Beach

Best for: Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, Abbot Kinney, bohemian beach culture

$108+ $216+ $486+
Mid-range
Beach lovers Hipsters Budget Unique atmosphere

"Eclectic bohemian beach town with street performers and surf culture"

15 min to Santa Monica, 45 min to Hollywood by car
Nearest Stations
No direct metro - bus connections
Attractions
Venice Boardwalk Abbot Kinney Boulevard Venice Canals Muscle Beach
5
Transit
High noise
Boardwalk area has increased homeless and safety concerns. Abbot Kinney area much safer.

Pros

  • Unique atmosphere
  • Beach access
  • Abbot Kinney dining/shopping
  • People watching

Cons

  • Significant homeless population
  • Can feel unsafe at night
  • Crowded boardwalk
  • Parking nightmare

Koreatown

Best for: Korean BBQ, 24-hour dining, karaoke, nightlife, authentic LA

$86+ $162+ $302+
Budget
Foodies Nightlife Budget Local life

"24-hour Korean food paradise with late-night energy"

20 min to DTLA, 25 min to Hollywood by metro
Nearest Stations
Wilshire/Normandie (Metro B/D Line) Wilshire/Western
Attractions
Korean BBQ restaurants Wi Spa Chapman Market The Line Hotel
8.5
Transit
Moderate noise
Generally safe, especially on main commercial strips. Some rougher edges on outskirts.

Pros

  • Amazing food
  • 24-hour culture
  • Metro access
  • Good value

Cons

  • Not scenic
  • Far from beaches/Hollywood
  • Language barrier sometimes
  • Residential feel

Accommodation Budget in Los Angeles

Budget

$86 /night
Typical Range: $76 – $97

Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities

Most Popular

Mid-Range

$173 /night
Typical Range: $146 – $200

3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations

Luxury

$378 /night
Typical Range: $324 – $432

5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities

💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.

Our Top Hotel Picks

€ Best Budget Hotels

Freehand Los Angeles

Downtown LA

★ 8.6

Hip hybrid hotel-hostel in beautifully restored 1920s building with rooftop pool, excellent bar, and social atmosphere.

Solo travelersSocial atmosphereBudget-conscious
Check Availability

€€ Best Mid-Range Hotels

The Line LA

Koreatown

★ 8.7

Design hotel in converted 1960s building with rooftop pool, great Korean food options, and hip Koreatown location.

FoodiesDesign loversNightlife seekers
Check Availability

The Hollywood Roosevelt

Hollywood

★ 8.5

Historic 1927 hotel where the first Oscars were held. Pool painted by David Hockney, legendary Tropicana pool bar.

History buffsPool loversClassic Hollywood
Check Availability

Hotel Erwin

Venice Beach

★ 8.4

Boutique hotel steps from Venice Boardwalk with rooftop bar, pop art decor, and quintessential Venice location.

Beach loversRooftop seekersUnique atmosphere
Check Availability

€€€ Best Luxury Hotels

Shutters on the Beach

Santa Monica

★ 9.3

Quintessential beach house luxury right on the sand with Cape Cod aesthetics, ocean views, and impeccable service.

Beach luxuryRomantic getawaysClassic California
Check Availability

The West Hollywood EDITION

West Hollywood

★ 9.1

Ian Schrager's sophisticated Sunset Strip hotel with legendary pool scene, nightclub, and celebrity clientele.

Nightlife loversScene seekersLuxury travelers
Check Availability

The Beverly Hills Hotel

Beverly Hills

★ 9.4

The 'Pink Palace' - Hollywood's legendary hideaway since 1912 with iconic Polo Lounge and bungalow suites.

Classic HollywoodUltimate luxuryCelebrity history
Check Availability

✦ Unique & Boutique Stays

Proper Downtown LA

Downtown LA

★ 9

Kelly Wearstler-designed gem in former 1920s building with maximalist interiors, rooftop pool, and mezcal bar.

Design loversInstagram enthusiastsUrban explorers
Check Availability

Smart Booking Tips for Los Angeles

  • 1 Book 2-3 months ahead for award season (Feb-March) and major conventions
  • 2 Summer rates are higher but weather is best; May/June or September/October offer good balance
  • 3 Parking can add $40-60/night at hotels - factor this into budget
  • 4 Consider staying in multiple neighborhoods for longer trips - experience different LA
  • 5 Hostels in Hollywood and Venice offer social atmosphere for solo travelers
  • 6 Hotel taxes in LA County total 15.5-17% - significant budget factor

Why you can trust this guide

We built this guide using recent climate data, hotel price trends, and our own trips, so you can pick the right month without guesswork.

Curated locations based on walkability & safety
Real-time availability via live partner maps
Jan Krenek

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best area to stay in Los Angeles?
Hollywood / West Hollywood Border. Central location with reasonable (by LA standards) access to beaches, Downtown, and entertainment. Walkable neighborhoods around Sunset Strip, good rideshare positioning, and the quintessential LA experience. First-timers can hit major sights without extreme drives.
How much does a hotel cost in Los Angeles?
Hotels in Los Angeles range from $86 per night for budget accommodation to $173 for mid-range and $378 for luxury hotels. Prices vary by season and neighborhood.
What are the main neighborhoods to stay in Los Angeles?
Santa Monica (Beach lifestyle, pier, Third Street Promenade, ocean views); Hollywood (Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Sign views, nightlife); West Hollywood (Sunset Strip, LGBTQ+ scene, boutique shopping, trendy restaurants); Downtown LA (DTLA) (Arts District, Grand Central Market, architecture, museums, rooftop bars)
Are there areas to avoid in Los Angeles?
Hollywood Boulevard at night can feel seedy - avoid lingering on dark side streets Downtown's Skid Row area (east of Broadway, south of 3rd) has severe homelessness - avoid
When should I book a hotel in Los Angeles?
Book 2-3 months ahead for award season (Feb-March) and major conventions

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