Top Places to Stay in Los Angeles: 47 Years of Insider Tips

The Best L.A. Neighborhood to Stay in for Families: Los Feliz

Looking for a neighborhood that’s close to Griffith Observatory, from which you can hike to the iconic Hollywood sign? You’re looking for Los Feliz. “Not only is Los Feliz a charming, family-friendly village, but it’s right next to the excitement of Hollywood without any of the crowds,” says Maya Kachroo-Levine, a senior editor at iBestTravel who has been based in the Los Feliz/Silver Lake area for seven years. “Have brunch at All Time, or if you need some quick sustenance before a hike, grab breakfast tacos at Homestate.” Los Feliz is close to Universal Studios, the Los Angeles Zoo, and Hollywood, where you’ll find Paramount Studios and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Don’t miss the Hollywood Farmers’ Market on Sundays,” Kachroo-Levine added. “And Barnsdall Art Park is a classic—it’s perfect for a picnic and has wide-open play spaces for the kids, plus great views and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House for the adults.”

The Best Area to Stay in for Sand, Sun, and Surf: South Bay

This region just south of Los Angeles International Airport includes the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, all with expansive shorelines, great restaurants, shopping, and walkable downtowns. As a long-time Hermosa Beach resident, I can promise the surfing, paddleboarding, volleyball, swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching will keep you and any travel companions busy. The 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail starts in Torrance and runs north along the entire South Bay beachfront before curving around Marina Del Ray, passing the Santa Monica Pier, and ending at Will Rogers State Beach. Manhattan Beach boasts restaurant choices from casual to upscale, and its pier includes the Roundhouse, a free aquarium.

The Best Area to Stay in for Solo Travelers: The Westside

Known for top restaurants, trendy boutiques, designer shops, and cultural attractions, L.A.’s Westside is an ideal destination for the solo traveler. The Getty Center, high atop a hill in Brentwood, offers stunning views and a remarkable restaurant along with its popular art collection. Other museums catering to every taste include the Eames Foundation, Bergamot Station Arts Center, the Museum of Flying, the Skirball Cultural Center, and the Museum of Tolerance. Meanwhile, fashion enthusiasts can head to Santa Monica Place, Rodeo Drive, or the Beverly Center to shop or browse.

The Best Neighborhood to Stay in Without a Car: Downtown (DTLA)

With a growing number of residents, loft apartments, luxury condos, great bars, and creative restaurants, DTLA – one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods – no longer clears out at the end of the workday. Cultural opportunities abound, from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy Museum, and the Microsoft Theater to museums like The Broad and The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Dine at upscale restaurants in skyscraper hotels or choose your favorite counter at the Grand Central Market.

The Best Area to Stay in for Nightlife: West Hollywood

The Sunset Strip, a nearly two-mile section of Sunset Boulevard passing through West Hollywood, has been known for its energetic nightlife for nearly a century. Live-music clubs like The Roxy Theatre and the Whisky a Go Go, and comedy clubs like the Laugh Factory and the Comedy Store, have been the starting point for many popular entertainers. So have other WeHo staples like the Troubadour or Largo at the Coronet. This small, LGBTQ-friendly city has an array of nightclubs, bars, lounges, and glitzy rooftops featuring music from retro to jazz to hip-hop, as well as restaurants, shops, and boutiques.

The New ‘It’ Destination to Stay in: Culver City

Nicknamed the “Heart of Screenland”, Culver City is deeply rooted in the filmmaking industry. The area is still home to the landmark Sony Pictures Studios (formerly the M-G-M Studios), but a recent revitalization has led to its current label as the Los Angeles area’s new “it” destination. Located less than 10 miles from both Santa Monica and DTLA, Culver City is an ideal base for travelers eager to explore the city and the beach. And with a slew of design-forward restaurants, mom-and-pop shops, cafés, and boutiques, its five-square-miles is buzzing with creative energy.

The Best Area to Stay in for First-time Visitors: Santa Monica

First-time visitors to L.A. have many options. Are they interested in sightseeing, history, theater, music, beaches, or museums? Santa Monica has a bit of everything: beaches, a walkable downtown, shopping, parks, mountains, restaurants, an amusement park, art galleries, and an extraordinary weekly farmers’ market. From Santa Monica, visitors can explore the mountains or enjoy nearby Venice Beach. They can head downtown for the day and then back to watch the sun set over the ocean.

The Best Hotels in Santa Monica:

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Located at Wilshire Boulevard and 7th Street within walking distance of the beach, the 267-room Santa Monica Proper Hotel offers a design-forward base for exploring the area’s boutiques, farmers’ markets, and health-conscious cafés. Inside the hotel, you will find Surya Spa, which focuses on Ayurvedic treatments, and a rooftop pool and restaurant with impressive sunset views.

Viceroy Santa Monica

The Viceroy brand’s flagship hotel has been a landmark on Ocean Avenue for more than 20 years. Many of its 162 rooms come with ocean vistas, while its two sparkling outdoor pools with cabanas allow guests to make the most of sunny Southern California.