My daughter and I are going to be in LA for 3 nights in Sept and I am wondering about staying in just outside of the city to save some money on a hotel. Wondering about places like Culver City, Pasadena, Burbank, Van Nuys or Silver Lake. We will have a car.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Where do you need to be in LA? It can take over an hour to get from one area to the next, even when it's not rush hour. The only time I haven't run into traffic in LA was early Sunday mornings. Good luck.
LA is so large. Staying outside will add extra travel time and hassles to your three days there.
Any of those places are fine just spread out. it really depends on the location of your hotel.
Traffic in LA is murder and rush hour doubles the fun.
The sights of LA are spread out. Just be aware that you will be spending time in your vehicle. .
I finally had enough of LA and moved out when it took me 35 minutes to go three miles and that was not during rush hour. It's only gotten worse.
You could fly into Burbank which is very close to Pasadena. We just stayed in The Pasadena Hotel, fairly reasonable, secure parking extra, wonderful outdoor pool. You didn’t mention what you were doing in the area. Safety is important for two women. I’m a Pasadena native, very beautiful in the winter, September could be hot, smog, and lots and lots of traffic. Huntington Gardens and Library is a special place to visit.
Also, if you stay in Pasadena, you can take the metro into downtown LA. Not sure what part of LA you need to get to, but to Chinatown or Japantown or anywhere near Union Station (you can walk), it's quite convenient. I just wouldn't take the metro later at night though.
Why do you need to be in LA?
I live here. Happy to provide intel.
Burbank and Van Nuys are in the Valley.
Pasadena is 10-12 miles from DTLA but depending on route and traffic could take anywhere from 20 minutes or an hour.
The Silver Lake neighborhood would be the closest but the hotel/motel situation is less than desirable.
It's all the city! Where are you trying to go and what are you planning to do?
If you've never been to LA, don't base things by the mileage distance. Traffic determines everything. Pasadena is very lovely if you want to be on more of the eastern part of Los Angeles. Old Town Pasadena area is a very nice location. So many lovely places to visit in Pasadena.
Culver City is the westside but you would want to stay right in downtown Culver for convenience to walking to restaurants etc, and it's easier access to places like Venice, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood. The Culver Hotel is nice. (Culver City used to be a blue collar town in the "olden days", and where movie studios were including DesiLu.) Now it's Sony Pictures, Amazon Studios, NFL Studios and a nice downtown and definitely a nice place to stay IF you stay in the walkable part of downtown Culver. *Easier access means geographically closer, not easy to get anywhere on the westside, the 405, traffic, etc.
I think of Silver Lake as trendy, funky, indie. . I think of it as a working neighborhood. Can't speak for whether it's a safe neighborhood.
NO NO NO to Van Nuys, and I'm not sure what would make someone stay in Burbank unless they really want to sit in even more traffic trying to get to touristy places.
Don't try to save money on the hotel as your first priority, if you don't have to. Get a nice, safe and convenient (as possible) location.
I love going to The Ivy Restaurant (on Robertson) for brunch on Sunday mornings if you end up staying somewhere on the westside. A fun mother/daughter experience. And there's no reason that you need to stay right in Downtown LA, because that is not particularly desirable.
If you are flying into LAX, then Culver or someplace westside is easier to get to, and if you are flying into Burbank, that's better access to Pasadena. (Again, "better" "easier" all subject to LA's definition!)
It ALL depends on what you want to see - where are the tourist sites you're most interested in?
One suggestion: stay in Downtown Los Angeles. Contrary to public belief, we do have [some] mass transit in LA, and it all intersects downtown. But parking can be expensive.
With a car, if your intended primary touring isn't on the Westside, then look at Glendale - closer in than Pasadena, and good access to downtown, Hollywood, Universal Studios, etc.
If your focus is farther west, look at West Hollywood. I'd suggest Santa Monica only if the beach is your primary focus.
As others have said, any cost savings from staying farther afield will quickly be negated by extended commuting time. Note that the mountains separating the San Fernando Valley - Burbank, Studio City, Universal City, Van Nuys, etc. - from the rest of the city form a natural boundary that makes commuting difficult when crossing back and forth.
Thanks everyone for the helpful replies.
For context, we are driving up the coast from San Diego (zoo, La Jolla Cove, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, 1 day at Disneyland) before coming to LA. While there, we plan to visit Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, Universal Studio, walk of fame, Madame Tussaud's wax museum, maybe a hike to Runyon Canyon to see the Hollywood sign, maybe a visit to Hollywood Forever cemetery, probably a celebrity homes bus tour.
I would love not to have a car in LA but it seems like there are no good options for getting around. I read that walking isn't an option, transit is not very good and traffic is awful!
I was planning to stay in Beverly Grove but the hotels in that area are really expensive with silly resort fees and crazy parking fees. That's why I was thinking to stay on the outskirts.
Your choice of places to visit are all over so there is no one place to stay that is convenient to everything.
I might suggest looking in the Sherman Oaks/Encino area for something as it would be more equidistant than the far flung areas. Van Nuys.....lower on the list. (Check with us here regarding exact hotels as just a few blocks can make a difference.)
OK, with the new information you added, you definitely should stay on the Westside. Anywhere between West Hollywood and Westwood and Culver City. Beverly Grove is a great location. Also look in Century City near the Century City mall. What about someplace like the Kimpton: Hotel Palomar?
Nobody (including me) will probably tell you to stay in Hollywood (different than West Hollywood) but there is a nice Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood. Just stay put in the hotel, using it for respite after a long day. (Not for walking around the neighborhood.) Good access location to the places you are planning to visit. Just trying to think outside of the box a bit.
Also, you are correct....we are totally car dependent in SoCal. And there are no "outskirts" in LA. I think it's important to decide if you want just a place to lay your head at night, or someplace with some nice restaurants and shops within walking distance of the hotel.
There's a Courtyard by Marriott on Olympic Blvd just south of Century City. I stayed there about five years ago and it wasn't bad. (When I lived in LA, I lived part of the time not far from there.)
There is also a Residence Inn in Beverly Hills on Beverly Blvd just off Pico.
My daughter-in-law, granddaughter and friend stayed at an apartment near a Whole Foods and the UCLA campus in Westwood. They felt comfortable on the edge of the campus when they returned to the apartment after touring several of the west side locations you mention. I might suggest another idea for seeing some clustered west side sites. We’ve enjoyed taking visitors to their choice of the Le Brea Tarpits, LACMA, The Grove and the food options at the adjacent Farmers Market. They are all very close to one another in the Wilshire District. Rodeo Drive is also close by.
If you drive to Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier, we like to take guests further west on Hwy1 as far as Will Rogers State Park looking for any white trucks/vans that indicate filming is going on.
...suggest looking in the Sherman Oaks/Encino area...
The majority of your touring will be on the other side of "the hill," so you'd be dealing with the bottnecks traveling to or from the Valley for each trip. Only Universal Studios is in the Valley.
Hollywood actually makes a lot of sense, and doesn't deserve the reputation implied here. I'm often on Hollywood Blvd. late at night after shows at the Egyptian Theatre and don't feel unsafe. West Hollywood could also be a viable option.
Actually, except for Santa Monica and Venice Beach, all of you touring is in or near Hollywood. If you can visit the beach on your drive up from Anaheim, you could then dump the car and do the majority of your touring from your Hollywood hotel. Universal City is just one stop from Hollywood & Highland on the Red line [subway]. Or stay in Universal City and take the Red line into Hollywood. For the cemetery and Runyon Canyon you could use Uber or Lyft. For a slightly more authentic experience, I'd suggest the Academy Museum rather than the tourist traps on Hollywood Blvd.
To keep the car, Glendale continues to be a good option for staying a bit outside the city, with easy access to Hollywood. But plan on spending $20 every time you park.
Check the price of the Best Western on Franklin in Hollywood. Has parking.
Quick drive up nearby Beachwood gives a nice look at the Hollywood sign or drive up to the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park and view it from there.
You would also be able to walk down to Hollywood Blvd and the Walk of Fame.
Also in the Valley check prices for the Beverly Garland ( now known as The Garland ). Its a 10 minute drive to Universal Studios.
However, Hollywood is not at all what you expect. If you want what tourists expect Hollywood to be drive to Melrose Avenue or Beverly Hills. Maybe Larchmont Village would meet your expectations. Great bagels at Sams.
Except for Graumans Chinese Theatre and Musso and Franks Hollywood Boulevard is nothing but tacky gift shops and homeless.
Only good thing on Sunset Blvd is In N Out Burgers at Orange.
As noted elsewhere a visit to the Academy Museum on Wilshire Boulevard would be far more enjoyable.
From there I’d encourage you to see the nearby La Brea Tarpits.
Thank you again to all who took the time to share their suggestions. After much comparison, I am going to book at the Adler A inn Hollywood.
OP The Adler A is actually the Best Western I was referring to. Place has changed names over the years and I never keep up.
Few things about the area.
1.) people rave over the donuts from Kettle Glazed Doughnuts as well as the smash burgers offered at For the Win. I’ve had both and they are Ok….nothing impressive IMHO. Both are in the mini mall across Vista Del Mar. So if you exit the front door of the Adler turn right.
2.) Easy peasy access to the 101 Freeway from the hotel. Exit underground garage and turn left. At stop sign turn right. 1/2 block to ramp onto freeway OR you can follow Franklin under the freeway and follow Franklin to Cahuenga and turn right. Follow Cahuenga as it parallels the freeway and follow signs to the Universal exit.
3.) Birds which is a 10 minute walk East of the Adler is a great spot for meal. Indoor and Outdoor seating. A favorite go to when friends are in town. I also use grub hub delivery from them. Favorite is the 1/4 white with sides. Always get the bleu cheese dipping sauce as well as their baked beans. Dang, now I’m hungry. Mmmmm might have to order lunch from their today!
1/2 Block farther is Gelsons, an expensive supermarket.
There Is also a pizza place Fresh Brothers near the Tailwaggers pet store. Have never tried it.
4.) the large french looking chateau is the Scientology Headquarters. I’ll keep my opinions to myself.
5.) If walker/hikers turn left out the front door of the Adler and head East past Birds and Gelsons. Walk towards the stop light at Western. About 2 long blocks from Gelson’s. Turn left at the Girl’s Academy ( Immaculate Heart ) and climb the grade on Western to the Ferndale entrance to Griffith Park. Stay on the lovely and serene trail into the park and up to the Griffith Observatory. Unsure of the hours of the Trails cafe these days but it’s a pleasant spot for a coffee.
6.) the near by Los Feliz neighborhood is nice. Vermont and Hillhurst are the streets where you’ll find cafes and shops.
Claudia, thank you so much for the detailed advice. This place is such an amazing resource. I sincerely appreciate people taking the time to help me in my planning.
All the best!
You are welcome.
will add the following since you will have a car.
Ages ago when city planners laid out roads they were smart enough to make certain a few went from downtown to the coast.
As you desire to see Santa Monica I’m going to advise that you travel West after 9:30am so traffic won’t be too bad. If you have patience and would like to see different neighborhoods as you drive then try Santa Monica Blvd or Venice Boulevard.
Otherwise chance the Freeway System. 101 towards downtown to the 10 West.
Last thing I’m going to suggest is the slippery shrimp at Yang Chows in LA’s Chinatown.
that's great advice from Claudia - she really knows LA
You are best being stationed up in Burbank/Van Nuys or Silver Lake.
Culver city is far from places like Universal or Downtown Los Angeles. Pasadena - def no! Though I do recommend visiting the Huntington Gardens during your trip I wouldn't recommend staying there as its usually overpriced and far away from everything else.
When you visit things here try to avoid our "rush hour" blocks: 6am-9am and 3:30pm-6:45pm.
When you visit things here try to avoid our "rush hour" blocks: 6am-9am and 3:30pm-6:45pm.
When I lived in LA "rush hour" was usually 4 AM to 2 AM. At least that's when I hit the worst traffic. :)
