Photograph: Courtesy veeterzy

Where to stay in Los Angeles: The best neighborhoods to base your visit in

If you have no idea where to stay in Los Angeles, we got you. Here are the trendiest neighborhoods, hotels and sights.

Wednesday August 6 2025

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Edited by Michael Juliano

Editor, Los Angeles & Western USA

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L.A. is a sprawling, hugely varied place, which can make deciding on where to stay in Los Angeles a difficult task. You could go all out with a plush hotel by the beach, or opt for a more affordable budget hotel and save those extra dollars for increasingly costly cocktails. You could stay in the midst of the action of Hollywood’s famous attractions, or get as far away as possible and find the real L.A. If you’re struggling to decide, I’ve taken some of the guesswork out of where to stay in Los Angeles with these six neighborhoods, including a vibrant beachside locale and the one section of Downtown that’s actually worth staying in. I’ve even called out which areas can be reached by the L.A. Metro—so that infamous L.A. traffic won’t clog up your trip and get in the way of your plans for all of the city’s amazing things to do.

First time visiting? I suggest brushing up on these 20 essential L.A. travel tips.

RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Los Angeles

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Where to stay in Los Angeles

West Hollywood

Photograph: Michael Juliano

The swanky shopping plazas, tree-lined streets and billboard-daubed high-rises of West Hollywood conjure more of a sense of Hollywood glamour than Tinseltown itself. Probably best known for the once gritty, now gentrified Sunset Strip, West Hollywood (or WeHo for short) is a vibrant, forward-thinking place where you’ll find some of Southern California’s most eclectic nightlife scenes.

It’s about as centrally located as you can get when it comes to the sorts of attractions that first-time visitors to L.A. often seek out. (Though its lack of convenient freeway access means you’re typically at least 45 minutes from LAX.) To get there, you’ll need to go by car but the colorful gay bars on Santa Monica Boulevard and the world-famous clubs on Sunset Boulevard are best explored on foot.

EAT

Scenic Wolfgang Puck rooftop Merois and veggie-forward hot spot Ardor offer by far the best meals among WeHo’s glitzy hotel restaurants. Vegan eatery Gracis Madre is a cross between Palm Springs casual and Mexican chic, with a bright, airy setting. Go for the guacamole and the sopes con piña, two masa cakes piled high with pineapple salsa.

DRINK

The Roger Room is small, but the drinks pack a punch, with more than 20 classic tipples with a twist. And over in the old office of Marilyn Monroe’s talent agent, Bar Next Door serves impeccably crafted drinks named for nearby L.A. icons.

DO

Explore the stunning modernist Schindler House, where the MAK Center for Art & Architecture has its home, or take in the views from a coveted sunset tour of the Stahl House. Or swing by the storied Troubadour, an intimate club where up-and-comers share the stage with singer-songwriter icons.

STAY

You’re basically never more than a block away from a chic high-rise hotel in WeHo (including the iconic Chateau Marmont). But Petit Ermitage is a magical bohemian getaway that pairs thrift store furnishings with luxe dining, soothing spa services and some seriously romantic rooftop views of the Hollywood Hills.

If you do just one thing…

Laugh your evening away at the world famous Comedy Store, a dim dive of a comedy club where you’re almost certain to see stand-up legends and sitcom stars any night of the week.

See local Airbnbs

Koreatown

Photograph: Courtesy the Line

This tightly packed, 24/7 city center has balanced Art Deco history with a 21st-century building boom that’s transformed Koreatown into one of L.A.’s most exciting neighborhoods. From Korean BBQ joints to raucous karaoke bars, most of Koreatown’s best spots are spread out across the area, but along Wilshire Boulevard between Vermont and Western Avenues is where you’ll find the most going on. Sixth Street in particular has a dense stretch of bars and restaurants packed in.

The area is well served by Metro’s D Line (Purple), so skip the hassle of street parking and allow yourself to imbibe a steady stream of soju in one of L.A.’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Location wise, it’s a much livelier alternative to Downtown L.A.—but only a short drive or subway ride away. You’ll also be within roughly 15 minutes of Hollywood, Exposition Park (and USC) and the dense cluster of museums near LACMA and the Grove.

EAT

For KBBQ, try Daedo Sikdang, a pared-down homage to South Korea’s hanu beef where the helpful staff will guide you through the meal. On the other hand, Guelaguetza is Koreatown’s most memorable restaurant, but you won’t find bimbimbap or galbi here. This place serves incredible Oaxacan food—with rich black mole-topped tamales—as well as its tlayudas, pizza-like corn cakes, that are phenomenal.

DRINK

The best place to flick soju bottle caps and chat over anju (Korean bar bites) with friends in L.A., Dan Sung Sa is a quintessential Koreatown drinking spot with wood panel interiors, dim lighting and no-nonsense service.

DO

The massive, 24-hour spa Wi Spa is the Disneyland of Koreatown saunas, featuring hot tubs, treatment rooms, dry and steam saunas, a restaurant, sleeping rooms and the co-ed-friendly jimjilbang.

STAY

With expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a incredible view of the city, a greenhouse-enclosed restaurant (Openaire) and a karaoke bar by the Houston Brothers (Break Room 86), the Line Hotel lives and breathes Los Angeles.

If you do just one thing…

Share slices of melt-in-the-mouth Kobe-style beef with friends at Park’s BBQ, K-town’s undisputed KBBQ king.

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Los Feliz

Photograph: Courtesy Big Bar/Eugene Lee

Bordered by Griffith Park to the north, Los Feliz is situated along a cozy, evergreen-lined hillside with its own unique charm. Back down towards the flats, the eateries and shops that run along both Hillhurst and Vermont Avenues have a more casual and comfortable feel than nearby Hollywood without as much of the increasingly-luxuriously hip vibe found in its neighbors Echo Lake and Silver Park.

It’s not a convenient base if you plan on regularly venturing into the Westside, but I think Los Feliz is ideal for any trip that’ll primarily have you heading anywhere in Hollywood and east (and even for some near-Valley destinations like Universal Studios Hollywood or the neighboring movie studios in Toluca Lake and Burbank). Metro’s B Line (Red) runs all the way to the southern edge of Los Feliz, where you can also jump onboard a DASH bus to the Observatory. Oh, and FYI: It’s pronounced Los FEE-lisz.

EAT

The unofficial living room of the neighborhood, Little Dom’s has stayed bustling for breakfast, lunch and dinner over the past two decades (swing by for its three-course Monday night suppers). Kismet is jam packed with brilliant Turkish and Mediterranean-inspired shareables and snacks—the shakshuka, broccolli toast and fantastically flakey bread and dips are all great choices.

DRINK

Take a seat in the idyllic twinkle-lit courtyard at Big Bar and sample from a selection of playful but unfussy perfectly concocted cocktails. Or try pre-Hispanic recipes at Mírate, which was recently named one of the best bars on the continent.

DO

Stop off at the bright and airy Skylight Books and search through the independent store’s thoughtfully curated staff picks for some mind stretching reading material. Peruse an always different assortment of pop culture at Soap Plant Wacko and its adjoining gallery La Luz de Jesus. Then catch an early evening matinee in the Egyptian style Vista Theatre (now under the ownership of Quentin Tarantino).

STAY

You’ll only find a couple of overnight options within Los Feliz proper, namely Hotel Covell, a five-room boutique hotel located above Bar Covell. Each room conjures a different phase in a fictional, well-heeled traveler’s life—think a humble Midwestern bedroom, New York in the ’50s and a Parisian love nest. (Though it’s worth noting there’s no pool or gym.) On the northwest side of the neighborhood, a former courtyard motel has been given a chic makeover as the Cara Hotel, perhaps best known for its dreamy patio restaurant.

If you do just one thing…

Climb atop Barnsdall Art Park’s lonely hill to take a self-guided tour of the 1921, Mayan-inflected Hollyhock House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s first California construction.

See local Airbnbs

Beverly Hills

Photograph: Michael Gordon / Shutterstock.com

You know its memorable zip code and you’ve seen its swanky stretches of shops on countless reality TV shows: I don’t really need to give Beverly Hills much of an intro. Simply put, you book a hotel with a 90210 address if you want to feel like you’re living large—and have the bank account to back it up.

I think, as far as location and liveliness goes, I’d nudge most folks just to the east in West Hollywood. But there are some very valid reasons to base your stay here instead, especially for first-time visitors with the means to. For starters, it’s undeniably beautiful, from the palm-tree-flanked rows of high-end shops on Rodeo Drive to the mansion-lined hills. Pair that with its hotel spas and power lunch spots and the city will absolutely meet your luxurious needs at every turn. It’s also a convenient base for destinations to the west, like UCLA, the Getty and the beach, and for anything east, you’ll largely be going against morning (but certainly not evening) traffic.

EAT

If you don’t want to head to Venice for chef Evan Funke’s phenomenal pasta at Felix, his eponymous Funke serves similarly show-stopping Italian fare—with the added bonus of a rooftop bar, which accepts both walk-ins and reservations. The city is also home to culinary icons like Wolfgang Puck’s Spago and Sugarfish offshoot Nozawa Bar.

DRINK

New York transplant Dante has taken up residence in Beverly Hills with a rooftop space that’s perfect for award-winning drinks and ritzy ambience. For something a little more affordable, opt for a stiff drink with the after-work crowd at Beverly Bar.

DO

Though many visitors use a stroll along Rodeo Drive as their means of peering into the lives of L.A.’s one percent, I’d suggest visiting Greystone Mansion, a 55-room Tudor estate where you can visit the lavish grounds for free (the mansion itself is only open for special events).

STAY

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to luxury hotels here. There’s the Maybourne, Waldorf Astoria, L’Ermitage… I could go on and on. But really, it’s the Peninsula that takes the cake thanks to its spa and superlative afternoon tea, and there’s nothing else quite like the Beverly Hills Hotel when it comes to iconic stays.

If you only do one thing…

Put together a snacky meal at the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, a beloved market for cheeses, spreads and sandwiches.

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Arts District

Photograph: Michael Juliano for Time Out

Unless you’re in the area for just a single night to attend a Lakers game, concert or convention, I’d steer the vast majority of visitors away from staying in Downtown L.A.—the area has simply lost too much of the momentum it had been building pre-pandemic. But I’d make an exception for Downtown’s Arts District, which has adorned its historic warehouse aesthetic with vibrant murals and sidewalk seating. The neighborhood was once a bastion for local artists, but has now become a stronghold for all things upscale-cool: handsome coffee shops, bespoke boutiques and a mix of bar bites and fine dining.

The area can be a bit of a transit black hole—Metro’s A and E Lines stop on the very western edge, while parking is often tight on weekends—but the neighborhood’s closest thing to a center, the intersection of 3rd Street and Traction Avenue, is quite walkable. Though the rest of Downtown L.A. may offer more transit connections and cultural landmarks, I think the Arts District makes for a considerably cooler and more pleasant home base.

EAT

The Arts District is a fixture in the top of our best restaurants list thanks to standout spots like Hayato, Kato, Baroo, Camphor and Camélia. But I always find myself returning to neighborhood stalwart Bestia, home to an ingredient-driven Italian menu—and its Middle Eastern sibling Bavel is arguably even more excellent.

DRINK

The bustling, bright interior and twinkle-lit patio at Everson Royce Bar are both perfect settings for its refined cocktails—and seriously delicious burgers. The Arts District is also home to a number of craft breweries (including Angel City Brewery and Arts District Brewing Co.).

DO

International art gallery Hauser & Wirth boasts a museum-caliber collection of contemporary art and modern masters, housed in a former flour mill. Sit down for dinner at Manuela, the rustic-chic complex’s Southern-inspired restaurant.

STAY

The Arts District has somehow largely eluded hotel developments other than Soho Warehouse, an outpost of the members-only club that’s open to the public for hotel stays, and a handful of minimalist rooms at the Kodō Hotel. Otherwise, booking an Airbnb stay in a luxury loft is your best bet. If you’re looking for more conventional hotel accommodations, the Doubletree on the border of Little Tokyo is only about three blocks away.

If you do just one thing…

Indulge your inner foodie at Smorgasburg LA. The ROW DTLA market is the Arts District’s go-to destination on Sundays for its hotbed of fantastic food and retail vendors.

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Venice

Photograph: Michael Juliano for Time Out

Long known as L.A.’s disheveled but beautifully bohemian enclave, the beachfront neighborhood of Venice has been (somewhat) transformed in recent years with the arrival of farm-to-fork foodies and tech-industry titans. There’s the most happening at the end of Venice Boulevard on the pedestrianized Ocean Front Walk more famously known as the Venice Boardwalk; the fancy fashion boutiques and relaxed but refined casual eateries along Abbot Kinney Boulevard; and the low-key dining scene Rose Avenue a few blocks inland. There’s no train service here but Metro does offer a bike share system.

Venice may come across as a bit too grungy for some travelers’ tastes (and I highly suggest keeping your wits about you while you’re exploring), so if you’re looking for a more polished experience I’d suggest heading just up the coast to Santa Monica. There’s a ton to explore on foot in the upscale coastal city (and it’s Metro accessible) but it doesn’t have quite the same laid-back vibe as Venice that I think a lot of first-time visitors to L.A. are looking for.

EAT

Get your day off to a good start at Gjusta, the hugely popular bakery renowned for folding fresh fruit slices into sugar-glazed dough. Temple to authentic, handmade pasta Felix Trattoria dishes out perfectly al dente handiwork alongside small plates and great pizzas; make sure you get there early for the papperdelle, it’s so good, it’s usually all gone well before the end of the night.

DRINK

Lose yourself in an L.A. sunset with a drink firmly in hand at Hotel Erwin’s High Rooftop Lounge, a primo patio overlooking the Pacific, then finish off your day with a nightcap at Gran Blanco, a breezy natural wine hangout underneath the VENICE sign.

DO

Stroll along the arching pedestrian bridges and past the charming beach houses of the Venice Canals, from which the neighborhood gets its name. Though you won’t find boat rentals anywhere along the canals, you can bring your own non-motorized vessel to tour the neighborhood at water level (enter via the launch ramp at Venice Boulevard).

STAY

The Venice Beach House is a historic, ivy-covered craftsman-style inn that dates back to 1911. That rich sense of history doesn’t get in the way of modern comforts though, with each of the nine rooms beautifully and individually decorated with all the amenities you’d expect. There’s a range of options and prices, from a shared bathroom all the way up to an extravagant suite with its own private entrance looking out across the ocean.

If you do just one thing…

The Mosaic Tile House. Artists Cheri Pann and Gonzalo Duran transformed their live-work space into a spectacular collage of colorful tiles, stone and clay wares. You can explore the space on Saturdays from noon to 3pm—you’ll just need to make an email reservation first ($20).

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Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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