**LA Unveiled: Unlocking The Top 4 Neighborhoods for Tourists and Visitors**

Top Four, Recommended Neighborhoods for Tourists/Visitors:

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In 2022, Los Angeles had nearly 5 million visitors. Wowzers, that’s nearly half the population of residents at any given time. People visit Los Angeles for many reasons. One of the top highlights is it’s the entertainment capital of the world. So many people want to experience the glitz and glam of being this much closer to the cult of celebrity, films, and movies. My personal favorite is the cultural and economic diversity.

Los Angeles is home to 12.5 million residents from all walks of life, different backgrounds ethnicities, and experiences (and you feel this when you try to drive across town lol). There’s a strong segment of creatives, and performers, and I feel like I’m in the midst of it all.

And let’s not forget the incredible climate: perfect for all outdoor activities. Low humidity equaling year-round comfort and nearly 200 days of sunshine. The biggest wake-up to LA moment, was when I no longer planned my days around rain or the weather. The City of Angels is reliably sunny, dry and amenable for being outside! I go cycling when I please, walking when I want, hiking when it’s convenient — and all without having to worry about rain.

In terms of sheer size, Los Angeles is the urban sprawl Queen, beating out New York City with 55% more square miles! This means, driving from one end of town to the other, during rush hour is a harrowing lesson in patience and defensive driving. Believe me, I’m a better driver for having survived several years without a fender bender in LA (a badge I wear proudly).

Since traffic is so challenging, it’s ideal for tourists and visitors to select the ideal neighborhood, guaranteeing an unparalleled vacation; which usually means being central for all their tourist hit lists!

To help you make the most of your trip, I’ve personally curated a list of the top recommended neighborhoods in Los Angeles that cater to the varied interests and preferences of tourists and visitors. So, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on a journey to uncover the hotspots that make these neighborhoods the ideal base for your LA adventure. So grab your sunnies and a hat as we explore the pulse of the city and find the perfect place to lay your head down after a day of exploration.

As a tourist, where should I stay?

Santa Monica

*Santa Monica Beach | Image Source: Unsplash*

One of the top reasons people visit Los Angeles is for the beaches, the ocean, the sun, and let’s not forget that salty marine breeze! Many friends visit, and when I ask their favorite part of LA, they admit - it’s the beach. If this is you, then Santa Monica (recommend walking distance from the ocean) should be your central hub.

You’ll be able to enjoy family-friendly activities like walking along the beach (going to the beach!), cycling the beach bike path and picnicking in Palisades Park or enjoying the unique blend of modern and natural elements at Tongva Park .

When you need to replenish your energy, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance. After exploring Third Street Promenade/Downtown Santa Monica, make your way to the local spots bars and boutique shops dotting Main Street (it’s where the locals live and go!).

Should you then want to see the quirky side of LA, venture further south and stroll the Venice Boardwalk to absorb the free-flowing vibes and alternative lifestyles. Venice is best known for its history of Muscle Beach. While there, drop by the frequented Venice Skate Park to witness skilled skaters honing their craft and performing tricks at nearly all day.

Location-wise, Santa Monica is driveable to Little Japantown aka Olympic and Sawtelle should you get a craving for Asian food and/or want to see where many college students eat. And if you have a car, (for LA), it’s convenient to Westwood (if you want to visit UCLA), Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood.

Luckily, Downtown Santa Monica has the Metro Light Rail which goes across town all the way to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles (and beyond if you don’t mind transferring lines!). So hop on the train, and visit Downtown LA, and feel free to explore other Expo (E) Line stops like Downtown Culver City and the University of Southern California (USC) if you’re feeling ambitious.

Traffic tip: since Santa Monica is the furthest west, if you decide to see the rest of LA, you’ll be delightfully surprised that you’re against traffic so it’s generally bearable with some patience. Just remember: 5 o’clock rush hour is the heaviest going East on the 10 Freeway and 9 am rush hour is the heaviest going West on the 10 Freeway (so going in the opposite direction during those times will spare you from the worst).

*Private event at a West Hollywood rooftop | Image:* © *L.Tran 2023*

2. West Hollywood

If you’re more of a club, bar, or partier and want to see-and-be-seen while also basking in the cultural essence of Hollywood — then West Hollywood (aka WeHo) should be your central hub! It has a bustling and diverse nightlife.

The best parts of the Sunset Strip cut through West Hollywood so you can meader high-end boutiques, and polished restaurants, and take in the history of the Sunset Strip (many milestones have taken place there and many films capture this roadway). Some might call it legendary.

Enjoying luxury shopping and fashion (or at least window shopping) is key to getting the most out of your WeHo stay. The neighborhood is home to celebrated shopping destinations like Melrose Avenue, Robertson Boulevard, and The Grove (a luxury, open-air mall), and don’t miss a food stop at the Original Farmer’s Market!. Visitors can find upscale retail options, unique designer stores, and trendy shops. If you’re here on a Sunday, I highly recommend the Melrose Trading Post for unique vintage finds, and a distinctly Boho, LA vibe.

*During a street festival in WeHo! | Image:* © *L.Tran 2023*

And let’s not forget the obvious…WeHo is LGBTQ+ Friendly. I would say the neighborhood is inclusive, with numerous LGBTQ+ establishments, large vibrant Pride events, and perhaps the most well-known, the annual Halloween Carnaval when the street shuts down and thousands dress up and party in the streets, bars, and clubs).

Proximity to Attractions: WeHo is pretty central so relatively convenient with a ~30 minute Uber/Lyft depending on the time of day. Tourists staying in West Hollywood can visit nearby destinations such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and the cluster of museums in mid-Wilshire including the LACMA (largest art museum on the West Coast), the relatively new Academy Museum of Motion Picture (for movie buffs!), the kid and family-friendly La Brea Tar Pits (natural history focused and you can see actual smelly tar pits) or the Peterson Automotive Museum.

3. Beverly Hills

*Shopping in Beverly Hills // Image:* © *L.Tran 2023*

If your tastes lean more bougie - perhaps you’d prefer Beverly Hills. It has a glamorous reputation (think luxurious, opulence). The neighborhood's prestigious reputation attracts tourists who are seeking a taste of the high-end lifestyle and the chance to indulge in upscale shopping, fine dining, and polished accommodations.

One of the main draws for tourists in Beverly Hills is the well-known Rodeo Drive. Upscale designer retail, luxury brands, and exquisite (read: expensive) jewelry stores. (For a piece of my mind on popular tourist spots including Beverly Hills, read my LA Tourist Spots Rated By A Local guide)

Beverly Hills is historically home to celebrities and currently serves as the hub for several star-studded, annual events including award shows, red carpet premieres, and exclusive parties. That being said, I have never seen a celebrity in Beverly Hills but perhaps I wasn’t at the right locales. As for red carpet events, they only happen a few days of the year, so odd are you won’t get to experience the lovely street closure and high-security areas where celebrities are coming and going (locals generally view these events as an inconvenience, as they disrupt their daily lives and #traffic).

If there’s one thing that’s true, Beverly Hills is a picturesque neighborhood: manicured streets, palm-lined avenues, and grand estates. Take a picture at the Beverly Hills Sign and do a quick walkabout at the Beverly Gardens Park. Walk the grounds of the architecturally interesting Greystone Mansion and (my personal favorite) the nostalgic but ever-so-elegant Beverly Hills Hotel.

*A drink at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel | Image:* © *L.Tran 2023*

Down to the beef, it’s location: It's just a short drive away from the dynamic, nocturnal atmosphere of West Hollywood, the shopping districts of Melrose Avenue (read prior #2 WeHo section for those details). Lastly, it’s not a far drive from the beachy Santa Monica, Venice Beach and the Hollywood attractions. So it works as a central LA base.

Curious what a local thinks of the top LA tourist spots?

Read my post with my honest ratings and recommendations for the most visited attractions:

LA Tourists Spots Rated By A Local (spoilers!)

4. Downtown Los Angeles

*Grand Park, looking at City Hall in DTLA | Image:* © *L.Tran 2023*

So, Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) is actually my favorite neighborhood (more than the prior mentioned ones) but I have it at the bottom for tourists because it’s not for the “beginner” LA visitor. It’s more, if you’ve been here a few times, and are ready for something grittier, hip, and under-the-radar vibes.

Skid Row (the largest, stable homeless population in the USA) is front and center in DTLA, so walking around is not recommended unless you know where you’re going and/or if you’re in a bubble neighborhood.

I mainly recommend Downtown LA if you’re going there for an event, like a work conference, a wedding, a sporting event etc. In that case, I recommend staying very close to your events (like 1-2 blocks is likely fine depending on the direction and your neighborhood). For example, if you are mainly in LA for a sporting event at the Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as the Staples Center), then staying 1-2 blocks from the arena is ideal.

The main downside to this strategy, is you are in a tourist “bubble” but I think from a visitor’s perspective that is OK. Oftentimes, the reality of LA is not so pretty…if you want to read more on this topic - read my Ugly LA Truths post.

That being said, there are a lot of cultural attractions like The Broad (futuristic and relatively playful art museum), the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Grand Avenue (a modern art stronghold), and the Grammy Museum. Once you’re art-ed out, attend a live performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall (or at least admire its soaring, steely frame, as envisioned by the esteemed architect Frank Gehry.

Foodwise, I would be remiss not to mention one of the top-rated places to eat in the nation, Grand Central Market (a historic market now revitalized as a hip food court), and there are Michelin-starred restaurants worth checking out for a special occasion!

Some of LA’s oldest buildings are in Downtown, so it’s an architecture lover’s dream with iconic buildings including the historic Bradbury Building, Union Station, and the Art Deco masterpiece LA City Hall (visit their tower for a good view of DTLA during business hours). For restaurants with a view, Downtown has the most with places like 71Above and Perch.

*Chinatown shortly after a celebration | Image:* © *L.Tran 2023*

When you get bored with the core, I highly recommend spending a few hours in Little Tokyo (eat, karaoke, go to the Asian grocery stores and bakeries), and/or grabbing food in Chinatown.

To learn more about my DTLA, restaurant recommendations check out my dedicated post:

Downtown Eats for Visitors

Click Here For The Full List of Guides for LA…

About Linhda

Linhda loves being a tourist in her own city and sharing her 10+ years of Los Angeles knowledge with others!

She is an avid bike-to-work cyclist (aka commuter), and has recently taken up roller skating. If you have any LA questions drop her a line or say HELLO! I love meeting new peeps. Cheers, linhdy@outlook.com

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