Looking for the best place to stay in Los Angeles?
Follow the guide, we’ve tested, listed and detailed for you the best areas to sleep in Los Angeles as well as the best accommodation in this city that we love!
Home of Hollywood,
the self-proclaimed capital of entertainment, Los Angeles, also known as the
city of Angels, is the most populous city in California and the second
And the second most populous city in the United States. L.A. is also
one of the most important centres for culture, business and commerce in the
in the United States.
Surrounded by
majestic mountains, lush forests and, of course, magnificent beaches along the
the Pacific Ocean, L.A. is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse cities
ethnically and religiously diverse cities in the world. With a thriving
scene and much more to offer, it’s undoubtedly one of the most
one of the most visited cities in the world.
From world-class restaurants to state-of-the-art hotels, L.A. is a city for visitors who love the finer things in life.
But accommodation here ranges from backpacker hostels to extravagant beach resorts, so there’s something for everyone!
Let me introduce you to the 7 most popular areas of the city so that you can plan your stay in Los Angeles.
⏰ Don’t have time to read everything?
Here are our 3 favouriteaccommodations listed by price category:
🚨 These hotels are among the most popular, so don’t hesitate to book. Plus, they offer free cancellation, so you don’t have to worry if you change your mind.
(€€) ❤️ Freehand Los Angeles. Charming Los Angeles hotel in the Downtown area with a swimming pool and bar on the roof terrace offering magnificent 360° views of the city. Book here.
(€€) Best Western Plus Hollywood. Hotel located in Hollywood, 500 m from the Walk of Fame, and 3.2 km from the famous Hollywood sign. The hotel offers a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room and spacious rooms. Book here.
(€) Santa Monica Motel. Small, clean, comfortable and inexpensive motel located 15 minutes from Santa Monica beach. Couples particularly appreciate its location. Book here.
I’m sure you associate the word ‘Hollywood’ with a luxurious lifestyle, but this part of the city isn’t quite as glamorous as it is in the movies, and you might be surprised to discover that there’s some great, reasonably priced accommodation in this area too!
In fact, no visit to Los Angeles is complete without a visit to the famous Hollywood district.
At the heart of this district are three captivating sub-neighbourhoods: Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard and Melrose Avenue.
I strongly advise you to stay close to these three areas, as you’ll get the perfect mix of entertainment, nightlife, shopping and dining!
Once an independent city, Hollywood has long been associated with the American film industry, although most of the major studios have since moved away.
Nevertheless, Hollywood is still home to Paramount, one of the country’s leading studios. Visit Universal Studios to see where some of the most famous films were shot. If you want to spot a celebrity, this is also the place to be!
In my humble opinion, I’d say Hollywood is the best place to stay in Los Angeles, because of its location and diversity: it’s the best option if you don’t have a car, as it’s equidistant from all the main attractions and connected by an excellent public transport system.
Other things to do in Hollywood: Griffith Park Observatory, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Runyon Canyon Park, Hollywood Wax Museum (the oldest museum of its kind in the country), and the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (operational since 1966).
Here are our favourite hotels in the best area to stay in Los Angeles
Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Los Angeles.
(€€) ❤️ Freehand Los Angeles. Charming Los Angeles hotel in Downtown with a pool and rooftop bar offering stunning 360° views of the city. Book here.
(€€) Best Western Plus Hollywood. Hotel located in Hollywood, 500 metres from the Walk of Fame and 3.2 km from the famous Hollywood sign. The hotel offers a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room and spacious rooms. Book here.
(€) Santa Monica Motel. Small, clean, comfortable and inexpensive motel located 15 minutes from Santa Monica beach. Couples particularly appreciate its location. Book here.
The area to go out and visit in Los Angeles: Downtown
Are you a night owl? A party animal who wants to discover all the trendy nightlife spots in Los Angeles? Then I’d advise you to stay in Downtown Los Angeles, because it’s the place for you!
Downtown Los Angeles is the heart and soul of the city, and the main place for people interested in culture and sightseeing. There’s always something exciting going on here too, whether it’s a cool concert, a crazy party or a street show.
Downtown is filled with tall modern buildings, wide crowded boulevards, amazing restaurants serving international cuisines, cozy cafes and tons of different shops for every taste and preference.
Downtown Los Angeles is also very walkable, so one of the first things you’ll do while you’re here is stroll the beautiful streets and take in all that this great area has to offer.
Other places to visit in Downtown Los Angeles include the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Chinatown, Microsoft Theatre, Japanese American National Museum, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles Central Public Library, Grammy Museum, Disney Concert Hall, Bradbury Building and Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral.
Here are our favourite hotels in the area where to stay in Los Angeles to go out and visit
Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Los Angeles.
(€€) ❤️ Freehand Los Angeles. Charming hotel in Los Angeles located in the Downtown area with a swimming pool and a bar on the roof terrace offering a magnificent 360° view of the city. Book here.
(€€) Best Western Plus Hollywood. Hotel located in Hollywood, 500 metres from the Walk of Fame and 3.2 km from the famous Hollywood sign. The hotel offers a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room and spacious rooms. Book here.
(€) Santa Monica Motel. Small, clean, comfortable and inexpensive motel located 15 minutes from Santa Monica beach. Couples particularly appreciate its location. Book here.
Characterised by a colourful promenade and a recreation of the canals of Venice, Italy, the area surrounding Venice Beach is a great place for visitors and especially couples to have fun on the beach.
Muscle Beach, one of the largest in the area, is home to the city’s outdoor weightlifting gym, where local sailors come to work out.
Beach people-watching is one of the most popular activities here, but the beach also hosts a number of events that take place throughout the year.
These include the Venice Canal Yacht Parade (December), the Venice Gardens and Houses Tour (May), the Venice Beach Carnival (June) and a music festival (mid-September).
Of course, I recommend that you visit Venice Beach, whether or not you intend to stay in this part of Los Angeles.
While in the area, be sure to take a stroll down Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Main Street (the main streets of the area), soak up some Californian sun on the beach (of course), see the Mosaic House, explore the reconstructed Venice canals by boat or just relax and soak up the unique atmosphere.
One of the best things about Venice Beach is that it’s largely accessible to pedestrians, so I’d recommend exploring it as much as possible!
Other highlights: skate park, ocearium and guided walking tour of the neighbourhood’s murals and street art.
Here are our favourite hotels in the best area to stay in Los Angeles
Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Los Angeles.
(€€) ❤️ Freehand Los Angeles. Charming Los Angeles hotel in the Downtown area with a swimming pool and rooftop bar offering stunning 360° views of the city. Book here.
(€€) Best Western Plus Hollywood. Hotel located in Hollywood, 500 metres from the Walk of Fame and 3.2 km from the famous Hollywood sign. The hotel offers a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room and spacious rooms. Book here.
(€) Santa Monica Motel. Small, clean, comfortable and inexpensive motel located 15 minutes from Santa Monica beach. Couples particularly appreciate its location. Book here.
The area to sleep in with the family: Santa Monica
Santa Monica is located in the western part of the city, on the coast, and I totally recommend it if you want to spend a fun holiday by the sea. It’s also one of the best places for families visiting the City of Angels!
I can say that Santa Monica is the ideal combination of the lively centre and the relaxed atmosphere of the beach: sounds ideal, doesn’t it?
If you choose to stay in this area, you’ll be surrounded by everything you’ll ever need: unforgettable restaurants, tons of shops, interesting sights and, of course, great beaches.
While you’re here, don’t forget to visit the Santa Monica Pier and Aquarium, the Santa Monica History Museum, the Aviation Museum, the Farmer’s Market, Tongva or Palisades Park or take a ride on the Ferris wheel. Or why not simply sunbathe on Santa Monica State Beach?
In the evening, I’d recommend heading to the Third Street Promenade, an open-air shopping centre where you’ll find plenty of restaurants.
It’s definitely a great place to stay in Los Angeles. What’s more, if you’re travelling by car, you can find a hotel with free parking in Los Angeles here (and you can’t argue with that!).
Other things to do in Santa Monica: Bergamot Station Arts Center, Angels Attic Museum, Palisades Park, Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, Museum of Flying, California Heritage Museum, and St Monica Catholic Church.
Here are our favourite hotels in the area to stay in Los Angeles with children
Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Los Angeles.
(€€) ❤️ Freehand Los Angeles. Charming Los Angeles hotel in the Downtown area with a swimming pool and rooftop bar offering magnificent 360° views of the city. Book here.
(€€) Best Western Plus Hollywood. Hotel located in Hollywood, 500 metres from the Walk of Fame and 3.2 km from the famous Hollywood sign. The hotel offers a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room and spacious rooms. Book here.
(€) Santa Monica Motel. Small, clean, comfortable and inexpensive motel located 15 minutes from Santa Monica beach. Couples particularly appreciate its location. Book here.
Beverly Hills is the most affluent and comfortable neighbourhood in Los Angeles, located to the west of the city.
Naturally, you’ll have to pay a higher price than if you stayed in other parts of Los Angeles.
If you like luxury and designer boutiques, then this is the place to stay!
But don’t expect this famous area of Los Angeles to be just for the rich, as everyone is welcome and the area offers a little bit of everything for everyone.
If you want to spot a celebrity during your stay in Los Angeles, believe me, Beverly Hills is THE place where it’s most likely to happen!
Other places to visit in Beverly Hills include: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Petersen Automotive Museum, Greystone Mansion, Museum of Craft and Folk Art, Zimmer Children’s Museum and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Here are our favourite hotels to stay at in Los Angeles
Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Los Angeles.
(€€) ❤️ Freehand Los Angeles. Charming Los Angeles hotel in the Downtown area with a swimming pool and rooftop bar offering stunning 360° views of the city. Book here.
(€€) Best Western Plus Hollywood. Hotel located in Hollywood, 500 metres from the Walk of Fame and 3.2 km from the famous Hollywood sign. The hotel offers a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room and spacious rooms. Book here.
(€) Santa Monica Motel. Small, clean, comfortable and inexpensive motel located 15 minutes from Santa Monica beach. Couples particularly appreciate its location. Book here.
L.A.’s shopping district: West Hollywood
If you love fashion, shopping and celebrity spotting, then you’re sure to fall in love with West Hollywood!
Nestled in western Los Angeles County, the area is famous for its nightlife and rock music history. It’s also home to the city’s largest gay nightlife zone.
Often referred to as ‘WeHo’, the area’s main attraction is the Sunset Strip, a mile and a half of Sunset Boulevard lined with restaurants, boutiques, nightclubs and rock clubs, including the legendary Whiskey at Go Go.
After the gay bars and rock clubs, part of the district is devoted to art and architecture.
The West Hollywood Public Library and the Pacific Design Center are just some of the area’s notable attractions.
If you’re planning to visit the area, I suggest you check the dates of the annual Los Angeles Gay Pride and the West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnival: these are events you’d be remiss to miss if you’re in the city when they take place!
Here are our favourite hotels in this area to stay at in Los Angeles
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Los Angeles.
(€€) ❤️ Freehand Los Angeles. Charming Los Angeles hotel in the Downtown area with a swimming pool and rooftop bar offering stunning 360° views of the city. Book here.
(€€) Best Western Plus Hollywood. Hotel located in Hollywood, 500 metres from the Walk of Fame and 3.2 km from the famous Hollywood sign. The hotel offers a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room and spacious rooms. Book here.
(€) Santa Monica Motel. Small, clean, comfortable and inexpensive motel located 15 minutes from Santa Monica beach. Couples particularly appreciate its location. Book here.
Other things to do in West Hollywood (WeHo ): Sunset Plaza, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Farmer’s Market, Runyon Canyon Park, Schindler House, Chateau Marmont, Beverly Center and, of course, LACMA – Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
The chic area to stay in Los Angeles: West L.A.
West Los Angeles, or simply West LA, is considered to be one of the most upmarket districts in the city of Los Angeles.
Surrounded by the magnificent Santa Monica mountains and the city’s beaches, this neighbourhood is a fine example of Los Angeles’ elegance and extravagance: if you love the culture, the architecture and the chic side of the city, then this is a neighbourhood I recommend you stay in!
The area is home to many award-winning restaurants and luxury boutiques, as well as the Westside, an urban area in West Los Angeles filled with many attractions and activities, including the Getty Center and Villa, the Skirball Cultural Center (free admission on Thursdays on a first-come, first-served basis) and the Artists & Flea Market (perfect for buying unique souvenirs).
Other things to do in West L.A.: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Third-Street Promenade, Muscle Beach and Topanga State Park.
Here are our favourite hotels in this area to stay in Los Angeles
Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Los Angeles.
(€€) ❤️ Freehand Los Angeles. Charming Los Angeles hotel in the Downtown area with a swimming pool and rooftop bar offering stunning 360° views of the city. Book here.
(€€) Best Western Plus Hollywood. Hotel located in Hollywood, 500 metres from the Walk of Fame and 3.2 km from the famous Hollywood sign. The hotel offers a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room and spacious rooms. Book here.
(€) Santa Monica Motel. Small, clean, comfortable and inexpensive motel located 15 minutes from Santa Monica beach. Couples particularly appreciate its location. Book here.
In this article, I’ve explained everything you need to know about the 7 best areas of Los Angeles, from the famous Hollywood to Santa Monica and Venice Beach. I hope these few words have been helpful to you in selecting your future holiday destination!
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