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Where to stay in Los Angeles

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Sun, sea, sand and a whole host of interesting areas. Los Angeles is home to plenty of thriving neighbourhoods - it’s huge after all! Whether you choose to stay downtown or head to the beach in Malibu, you’ll never be stuck for where to stay in LA.

LA is so big that the area in which you stay will have a big impact on your travel plans. Downtown, the historic heart of the city, has both chic hotels and hostels, but getting to the coast from here can be a hassle. West LA is a safe and secure area and is a relatively central option for seeing the whole city, while Santa Monica is predominantly mid-to-upper-range territory, perfect for soaking up the beach culture but a long way from the cultural attractions inland.

Best areas to stay in Los Angeles

  1. Diverse downtown LA
  2. A luxurious stay in West LA
  3. Spectacular beachside: Santa Monica and its surroundings
  4. Picturesque Malibu – perfect for watersports!
  5. The thriving area of Long Beach

Holidays to Los Angeles

1. Diverse downtown LA

Since the opening of the Staples Center in 1999, Downtown LA has been experiencing something of a renaissance, with many of its graceful old banks and hotels turned into apartments and the enormous LA Live complex. It remains a diverse neighbourhood, however. In the space of a few blocks you’ll find adobe buildings and Mexican market stalls, Japanese shopping plazas and avant garde art galleries such as Various Small Fires , high-rise corporate towers and antique movie palaces.

Best for: A snapshot of the city

While you’re there: The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles showcases the contribution of Italian Americans to LA, with absorbing exhibits and videos

2. A luxurious stay in West LA

What is loosely called the Westside of Los Angeles begins immediately beyond Hollywood - and contains some of the city’s most expensive neighbourhoods. Bordered by the Santa Monica Mountains to the north, the Santa Monica Freeway to the south, and Hollywood and the beach cities to the respective east and west, this swath of the city best embodies the stylish images that Los Angeles projects to the outside world. Highlights include the impressive collection of the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) , the restaurants and boutiques of West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the UCLA campus in Westwood, though you should also make time for the outstanding Getty Center, positioned high above the LA basin.

Best for: Feeling like a star!

While you’re there: For a tiny taste of East Africa, visit the Little Ethiopia district, home to numerous Ethiopian restaurants, stores and businesses - ideal for foodies!

3. Spectacular beachside: Santa Monica and its surroundings

For many Angelenos, Santa Monica represents the impossible dream: a low-key, tolerant beachside town with a relaxed air and easy access to the rest of the city. Set along a white-sand beach and home to some of LA’s finest stores, restaurants and galleries, this small community has little of the smog or searing heat that can make the rest of the metropolis unbearable. Friendly and liberal, Santa Monica is also a great spot to visit - a compact, accessible bastion of oceanside charm. Santa Monica is most certainly one of the best areas to stay in Los Angeles.

Best for: Laid-back luxury

While you’re there: Don’t forget a stroll down Santa Monica Pier

Holidays to Santa Monica

4. Picturesque Malibu – perfect for watersports!

Everyone has heard of Malibu; it’s been immortalized in surfing movies since the 1960s, Courtney Love sang about it and it serves as the fictional home of Two and Half Men and Iron Man. While its pop, Hollywood image is not so very far from the truth, you might not think so on arrival. The succession of ramshackle surf shops and fast-food stands scattered along both sides of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) around the graceful Malibu Pier don’t exactly reek of money, but the secluded estates just inland are as valuable as any in the entire country: Halle Berry, Jeff Bridges, Mel Gibson, John McEnroe, Steven Spielberg and Barbra Streisand are among numerous stars that have homes here. Zuma Beach and Point Dume State Beach bring in plenty of ocean lovers, too.

Best for: The beach

While you’re there: Ride the waves at Malibu Lagoon State Beach - an iconic surfing spot since the sport was brought over from Hawaii and mastered by Southern California pioneers.

Holidays to Malibu

5. The thriving area of Long Beach

One of the largest ports in the world is Long Beach. 25 miles south of Downtown LA, Downtown Long Beach is quite flashy, with office buildings, a conference centre, hotels, a shopping mall, and some of the best preserved early twentieth-century buildings on the coast. Inland, running from Ocean Boulevard to Third Street, the three-block strip known as The Promenade is lined with touristy restaurants and stores that can get busy on weekend nights. To the south, Shoreline Village contains a generic collection of shops, funfair arcades and restaurants.

Best for: Eating out

While you’re there: Long Beach’s most famous attraction is the mighty Queen Mary, the 1936 Art Deco ocean liner purchased by the city in 1967. It’s now a luxury hotel.

Holidays to Long Beach

FAQs: Best areas to stay in Los Angeles

  • What’s the best area to stay in Los Angeles?

    The best area to stay in Los Angeles depends on your interests, but West Hollywood is a popular choice for its central location, vibrant nightlife, and proximity to attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Sunset Strip. Santa Monica is another excellent choice for visitors, offering a perfect blend of beach relaxation, iconic attractions like the Santa Monica Pier, and a walkable area with plenty of dining and shopping options.

  • Where should first-time visitors to LA consider staying?

    First-time visitors may enjoy staying in Hollywood for easy access to tourist attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Strip and Universal Studios. West Hollywood is great for a mix of sightseeing and local experiences, while Los Feliz provides a more relaxed atmosphere with family-friendly attractions like Griffith Park.

  • What are the safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles for visitors?

    Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood are generally considered safe neighborhoods for visitors, offering well-lit streets, low crime rates, and numerous hotels and amenities.

  • Is Los Angeles easy to explore on foot?

    Los Angeles is a sprawling city and not particularly pedestrian-friendly as a whole. While certain neighbourhoods like Santa Monica and West Hollywood are walkable, the city's vast size and spread-out attractions make it challenging to explore entirely on foot. It's advisable to use public transport or ride-sharing services for exploring the city fully.

  • Where can tourists stay in Los Angeles if they don’t have a car?

    Downtown Los Angeles is ideal for car-free tourists. It's packed with attractions, restaurants, and bars, and has good public transport connections to other parts of the city. For those who want to stay near the beach, you won't need a car in Santa Monica. It has walkable access to beaches, shops and restaurants, as well as good transport links to downtown LA, Hollywood, and other areas.

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