Where to stay in Los Angeles
A neighbourhood guide to LA — Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown and beyond — plus why you’ll want a car.
Los Angeles is less a single city than a string of neighbourhoods spread across a wide basin, so where you stay shapes your days — and you’ll almost certainly want a car.
The areas
- Santa Monica & Venice — beach, the pier and a walkable, breezy base on the coast (but further from Downtown and Hollywood).
- Hollywood & West Hollywood — the Walk of Fame, nightlife, and central for first-timers chasing the icons.
- Downtown (DTLA) — museums like The Broad, the arts district, and the best transit links.
- Silver Lake & Los Feliz — hip, hilly and low-key, near Griffith Observatory.
- Beverly Hills & Mid-Wilshire — handy for the Getty, LACMA and upscale shopping.
Getting around
- A rental car is the default; factor in traffic and paid parking.
- Ride-hailing works well for nights out; the Metro is improving but won’t cover everything.
When to go
LA is pleasant year-round; spring and autumn dodge the summer crowds and the marine-layer “June Gloom”. See places to stay in Los Angeles and New York.