Los Angeles Travel Forum

Me and my bro are planning on our first trip to LA as part of a recon to come out and stay for an extended period of time in the near future; travelling from England. Planning on spending 10 days there and are looking for the safest/best areas to get hotel accommodation. We have a reasonably healthy budget and don't want it to be a complete tourist experience but one where we can connect with the locals and get a flavour of what living out there would be like. Any suggestions to stay? I heard West LA/UCLA...Thanks

I would book a hotel in the Santa Monica area, within a few blocks of the beach. Very diverse area, lots of things to do, good restaurants, expensive and cheap, lots of nightlife and pubs, including an English one if you need a dose of footie. West LA is good more toward Barrington, maybe N of Sunset for a more happening your bar scene on the W side of the 405 freeway, plus you are close to the Getty. Just a few thoughts. Karl

Many thanks for swift reply Karl. I've copied and pasted your reply into my notes and will be looking up the places you suggested. Cheers.

Hi,

Yes I agree with Roadquill on Santa Monica. If you guys can find a place near "3rd Street Promenade" that's the area you'd want to be to sample the fun nightly activities.

UCLA is in Westwood and is surrounded by places like the posh Bel-Air and Brentwood---which is also a nice neighborhood to stay in and catch up with the locals. There are tons of things to do in Westwood Village if you guys end up finding a place near there.

Have fun!

G_G

I love the Santa Monica area and West LA is also pretty cool. But....those areas are what I call a more extravagant part of LA. So, if you want a taste of how the better half lives here then those are good suggestions. My cousin, from Japan, lived here for 2 years to further his education. He lived in Pasadena. I think you get a taste of all the cultures there. Still close to LA but a little more down to earth. Avoid downtown LA, south central and Compton areas.

Baysidehotel.com

Burbank is also very nice, with a small town feel but upscale lifestyle. I like the Bob Hope (Burbank) airport ease. Staying in that area allows side trips to mountains, beaches, and even "the valley". With so much diversity of culture in LA, it may be impossible to get a feel for it all in a short time.

The glam of the studios is not as prevalent in the beach areas, but the starlets and would be actors wait tables everywhere.

The weather is always good, but the traffic is not always. Burbank is close to several large freeways, so the central location may be good for you.

Best, Eric