If you’re traveling to Los Angeles, you’re likely interested in more than just staying in downtown Los Angeles hotels. There are numerous attractions and accommodations outside of LA itself, including Hollywood and Santa Monica. The relaxed atmosphere in Santa Monica is perfect for anyone seeking a short beach getaway, while Hollywood is the hotspot for those who enjoy celebrity encounters, fitness activities, and the newest wellness trends.
Traffic in Los Angeles is famously challenging, so it’s best to choose your hotel according to where you’ll be spending the majority of your time. Traveling from LAX to downtown LA during peak hours can cost you at least an hour, despite the distance being just under 20 miles. Nonetheless, making the journey from downtown Los Angeles to the beach is worthwhile for a day.
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles serves as a cultural microcosm of the entire city, featuring numerous small neighborhoods that showcase the diverse cultures of the area. Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, and Olvera Street (Mexico) are the most prominent examples, with each of these unique neighborhoods blending the essence of Los Angeles with the culture, history, and food of the area’s original residents. Besides these particularly vibrant neighborhoods, there are also some distinctly Los Angeles mini-neighborhoods!
Downtown Los Angeles boasts numerous landmarks, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Central Market, the Japanese American National Museum, the Los Angeles Public Library, Library Town, Disney Hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, and the Grammy Museum. Stunning landmark structures can be found all around. The downtown area serves as a shopping center; visit the Fashion District for apparel, the Flower District for blooms, and so on.
Downtown L.A. is not only a cultural center but also a center for traffic and public transportation. You will see a remarkable road infrastructure and access rail, Metro Bus, Metro Rail light rail, or subway, as well as the DASH shuttle service in various directions from this point. Additionally, Downtown Los Angeles is home to the amazing Union Station structure, which appears just as it did in the 1940s.
Hollywood
When discussing renowned locations, there’s no place quite like Hollywood. We’ve all encountered numerous myths and tales regarding Hollywood that are deeply ingrained in your consciousness. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Hollywood Boulevard and the iconic Hollywood sign, we all recognize its appearance.
However, you may be unaware of what exists beyond Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, Melrose Avenue, Capitol Records, and the Chinese Theatre — featuring all the preserved handprints in concrete, where the Oscars are presented. Initially, there are bars and eateries, but spreading out from this hub are shops and art spaces, some rather avant-garde, along with streets lined with mansions, many of which were formerly inhabited by various celebrities. These Hollywood suburban areas are more atmospheric and worth visiting than you might think.
In general, the main streets of Hollywood are recognized for their shopping and nightlife, with Hollywood Boulevard being notable for its historical connection to Hollywood as well. We’ve highlighted several significant landmarks, but there’s also the Hollywood Heritage Museum, Madam Tussauds Hollywood, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and the studio lots — some of which remain operational, while others serve more as museum exhibits, yet many offer tours. Hollywood boasts some remarkable architecture, featuring a significant amount of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work.
Hollywood is quite central and located on the Red Metro Rail line. You could stroll throughout the neighborhood, from Hollywood Boulevard to Melrose. If you can use a car, be sure to drive it along Mulholland Drive.
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Brentwood
These areas are among the most glamorous in Los Angeles, featuring mega-mansions, ultra-luxury boutiques, and highly stylish restaurants. This is the place where the A-listers and aspiring A-listers reside and socialize. Beverly Hills has maintained this image since the 1950s, and while remnants of that time’s allure can still be found in certain streets and estates, there are also budget-friendly areas.
Santa Monica Boulevard separates Beverly Hills, with more shopping located to its south, such as Rodeo Drive, while the northern areas are primarily residential. There are some truly amazing spots to eat and drink near the shopping areas! Trendy Bel Air and Brentwood are where the majority of the mansions are located, along expansive, wide, palm-lined avenues. Brentwood is home to the Getty Centre, making it a cultural center as well. There is a bus that links Downtown Los Angeles with Santa Monica, passing through Beverly Hills and Hollywood along the way.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach features canals similar to those in Venice; however, they were created as a replica, and instead of grand Baroque villas, the waters are bordered by a variety of architectural styles in homes and mansions. The majority of cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops are located in the Abbot Kinney area, but the Boardwalk, which stretches between Washington Boulevard and Ocean Boulevard, is the main attraction, featuring shops, snack stands, arts and crafts stalls, and various beachside businesses.
And there are cafés, bars, and restaurants where one can relax and absorb it all. And naturally, there’s the beach! Featuring Muscle Beach. The purpose of Venice Beach is to gaze and look to your heart’s content, and occasionally, there are additional events and festivals to look at as well.
West Hollywood and Sunset Strip
West Hollywood is home to the Sunset Strip, renowned for its vibrant nightlife and musical heritage, along with portions of Santa Monica Boulevard. It’s a completely different area compared to Beverly Hills, recognized for its vibrant music spots and clubs, many of which have existed since the 60s.
West Hollywood remains one of the top destinations for nightlife in Los Angeles, and it offers a great variety of dining options beforehand. Trendy shopping can be found on Robertson Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. And a massive Pride festival, which represents the neighborhood’s substantial LGBTQ+ community.