Hotels in Los Angeles

The best time to visit Los Angeles

To avoid the crowds of summer tourists, try going from January – February. While it might be cold where you are from, this season is premier time for fewer crowds, better hotel rates, and cheaper flights to LA.

Getting around Los Angeles

Los Angeles is not a place you want to rent a vehicle, unless you like freeways and city streets that look like parking lots where you are fighting your way along with aggressive drivers. California drivers have a ‘system’, a mind of their own, and they can tell when you are not a Californian. Instead, stick with the Metro system. Here you have buses, dash buses, and the trains that take you just about anywhere you need to go. Fares are $1.75 USD per adult, but if you purchase a 7-day card, you skip the lines and get a discounted rate. The TAP cards are $1 USD each at the vending machine and onboard buses and $2 USD at TAP vendor locations.

Best places to stay in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, home of the celebrities, glitz and glamour, and of course, stunning beaches. While busy, people here tend to mind their business and move about their day. Getting to know the city requires you to explore, soak up the sights, and act like a local. Once you learn the ins and outs, you might find that LA is one of those cities that is very hard to leave.

Beverly Hills

Welcome to the walkable village of Beverly Hills where you feel like royalty even if you have pennies to your name! It is the place to be if you like window shopping, high-end attire, and people-watching. Hotels here are pricey, but just one night will let you take it all in. Consider staying at The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills (A Four Seasons Hotel), or the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel.

Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown LA can be overwhelming at first, and quite busy. You will see endless rows of traffic, so avoid driving at all costs. Luckily for you, the city is fairly safe and easy to walk around without the need for parking a rental car. When staying in downtown, pick hotels like the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza or Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Both have strategic locations and give you great sights of the city from the balcony.

Hollywood

Hollywood is more than just a place where you see the latest movies. Here you enter a new dimension, find celebrity impersonators, and even stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If you want to stay where movie magic happens, book your room at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel or the Hollywood Orchid Suites.

Malibu

Malibu is a place where shirts and ties go away; it is all about swim trunks and a surfboard tucked under your arm. Malibu sits just north of Santa Monica and has some of the best beaches in Southern California. To stay close to the water, pick the Malibu Beach Inn.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a beach town and busy city mashed together to create one unique location. You have palm trees lining every street, a host of breweries, and amazing shopping. While here, stay at the Oceana Beach Club Hotel Santa Monica or Shore Hotel.

West Hollywood

West Hollywood is the hub for the LGBTQ community of California, and also home to the weekly Farmer’s Market, vintage stores, and boutique-style living. Here you can stay at the Sunset Tower Hotel or the fancy Petit Ermitage.

Venice

Venice is a city in a city. While it is part of LA, it runs at its own pace and plays by its own rules. Visitors here see weightlifters working out in the sun on the beach, the skate park offers free excitement and the main drags of the city are often closed to cars so you can stroll along and explore. If staying in Venice, stay at the kitschy cool boardwalk location known as the Inn at Venice Beach.

Cheap hotels in Los Angeles

Southern California has a reputation for being costly to visit, but if you know the secrets of the city, you can easily find a hotel in the mix without spending too much. On Central Avenue, you have the Sandpiper Beachfront Motel. Also, the closer you get to the airport (LAX), the better rates you will find, including a La Quinta Inn & Suites. If you want a cheap stay in Chinatown, go with the Hollywood Inn Express South or The Mayfair Hotel. In Beverly Hills, there is the Beverly Hills Marriott Los Angeles, which is probably the cheapest option for the richest area of LA.

Los Angeles is home to celebrities, Beverly Hills, and the Santa Monica Pier. When you are here, you might feel quickly overwhelmed at the sights and options. To make it easier, put on your shorts and flip-flops and head to these hotspots:

• Beverly Hills has Rodeo Drive, Greystone Mansion Park, and the Beverly Gardens Park. These are perfect for capturing pictures of your trip, and admission is free.
• Go to downtown and catch an event at Staples Center. The Japanese American National Museum is small but displays exciting exhibits. While you are in downtown, eat at the highly acclaimed Water Grill for some of the best and freshest clam chowder.
• In Hollywood, you cannot say you have visited LA until you go through Madam Tussauds and take a few pictures with wax models of movie stars. Then, stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and stop in at the Griddle Café for some amazing breakfast all day long.
• The beaches of LA are clean, surfer and swimmer-friendly, and the ideal place to stop and rest for the afternoon. Beaches that you must see, whether you are here a day or a week include, Zuma Beach, Paradise Cove, and the El Matador State Beach.
• In Santa Monica, eat at the Hillstone restaurant then visit Ocean Avenue to take in the restaurants and to access the famous Santa Monica Pier. While at the Pier, you can walk over to the Third Street Promenade, which has a massive shopping mall connected to the Pier. On the Pier, go down to the perfect sand or enjoy the carnival.
• While in West Hollywood, take your picture with the Rocky and Bullwinkle Statue or get an outside view of the home owned by Johnny Depp.
• In Venice, you are better off sticking close to the coast, like visiting the Venice Canals Walkway, strolling along Venice Beach, or hitting the Boardwalk.