May 27, 2024
9 min read
The Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Los Angeles
Hopped off the plane at LAX and don't know where to stay? There's a lot of information out there, so we've pulled together everything you need to know about L.A.'s best neighborhoods from the travel mavens we all know and trust. Whether you're looking for hipster beach towns, celebrity hangouts, or where to get the coldest beer in the city, we've got you covered.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is an upscale, hip area near many landmarks with a great food and nightlife scene.
"There’s perhaps no neighborhood more emblematic of the Southern California lifestyle… Its relative dissociation from the center of the city makes it extra special—a real retreat for locals and travelers alike. The accommodations range from eclectic bohemian stays to traditional beachside retreats, but all of them boast proximity to what you’re really here for: the ocean." -
Conde Nast Traveler"...a quintessential SoCal coastal town on steroids. It’s home to a blissfully big beach, amusement-filled pier, increasingly excellent restaurant scene, live music venues, one of the best farmers markets in all the land, and Larry David." -
Thrillist"You’ll find more than just a beach town, though; there are plenty of things to do in Santa Monica without setting foot on the Pier or Third Street Promenade, from fresh dinners prepared straight from the farmers’ market to bars with a view." -
Time Out
West Hollywood
West Hollywood, one of L.A.'s main gayborhoods, is a hip, upscale area with great food, shopping, and nightlife.
"From its legendary Sunset Strip lined with palm trees and rich Hollywood history to its breathtaking views and storied hillside mansions, it has a magical sensibility and allure that is all its own." -
Vogue"...scores of fine dining restaurants and luxury designer boutiques, plus many of L.A.’s favorite gay bars, West Hollywood packs a ton to do in just two compact square miles. Think of the neighborhood as Hollywood’s designer sibling, with plenty of crosswalks and narrow two-lane streets that make it one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods and a prime destination for bar hopping." -
Thrillist"Retailer lovers unite: West Hollywood is the place to be. This surprisingly walkable SoCal neighborhood has two trending shopping districts—West Hollywood Design District (WHDD) and the Sunset Strip… Whether you’re looking for luxe labels, emerging designers, or cutting-edge brands, you’re likely to discover it all here." -
Elle
Silver Lake
Silver Lake is a hip, upscale, residential area of Los Angeles, loved by locals for its trendy vibe.
"Silver Lake has also become a serious eating destination, particularly over the past couple of years…I found Silver Lake really appealing because it has a strong sense of neighborhood and identity." -
G.Q."While you won’t find any major museums or landmark attractions in Silver Lake, that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of eclectic culture or exciting things to do in the neighborhood. Go shopping along Sunset Junction, take a stair hike between hillside houses or roll out a blanket in front of the Silver Lake Reservoir." -
Time OutFrogtown (Elysian Valley)
Frogtown is a hip residential area, frequently visited by locals for its great food scene.
"Not only is the riverside neighborhood a small and mostly residential part of L.A…. It's now a hotbed of activity, where visitors and residents bike along the L.A. River, post up at a number of excellent coffee shops, and visit the local brewery." -
Time Out"It’s home to some of the coolest under-the-radar shops, restaurants, galleries, and hangouts... From modest cafes to an ever-expanding selection of funky eateries, it's easy to munch your way through the eclectic menus that comprise the local food scene and enjoy the artistic flair that makes this neighborhood." -
Locale Magazine
Culver City
Culver City is a hip, upscale area home to businesses and great food.
"In recent years Culver City has been overtaken by an influx of tech and media companies, but the neighborhood remains as picturesque as when Hollywood stars first strolled down its avenues and backlots... It also means that you’ll find just about everything you need—from restaurants to hotels to bars and entertainment options—within the bounds of its bikeable five square miles." -
Thrillist"Whether you're hungry for one of L.A.'s best burgers or in search of the most unique off-the-beaten-path museum, you'll find plenty to enjoy in Culver City." -
Time Out
Venice Beach
Venice Beach is a hip area home to businesses, landmarks, and nightlife.
"Venice Beach, California, is the top U.S. beach to visit… for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing, it's not just the water that draws the crowds. Venice Beach’s Ocean Front Walk is the second most-visited destination in Southern California, prime for people-watching, colorful public murals, and seaside restaurants like The Waterfront Venice." -
Travel + Leisure"If you want the dopest candles or just really, really great art-inspired items for your home that are made by really cool artisans, the people there have curated the perfect vibe." -
Selema Masekela for Thrillist
Malibu
Malibu is a hip, upscale, residential area of Los Angeles, loved by locals for its secluded beach town vibe.
"At its heart, Malibu is a small town—but with its remarkable concentration of some of the prettiest hiking trails in the country, 20-plus distinct beaches, and a close-knit community… Add the recent influx of locally owned shops, boutique hotels, and restaurants and Malibu is a destination with something for everyone." -
Goop"If the mention of Malibu conjures up images of celebrity homes and swanky patios by the beach, you’re certainly not wrong. But the scenic city is also far more low-key than you may be imagining: It’s full of quiet sandy beaches, dramatic canyons, hole-in-the-wall seafood joints and hiking trails galore." -
Time Out
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is an upscale residential area, home to many famous locals, with world-famous shopping and landmarks.
"Beverly Hills is getting a small facelift... There has been a spate of buzzy new dining options and hotels…in addition to some major luxury retail openings... providing locals and visitors alike an excellent reason to give the city so synonymous with glamour a fresh look." -
Vogue"Beverly Hills is a much more approachable area than reality T.V. may lead you to believe. Beverly Hills is surrounded by other high-end neighborhoods, with West Hollywood to the east and Century City and Westwood, home of UCLA, to the west. Despite its name, most of Beverly Hills actually sits within the “flats," with pedestrian-friendly districts." -
Time Out
Pasadena
Pasadena is an upscale residential area loved by locals for its secluded suburban vibe, with some popular landmarks.
"With the San Gabriel Mountains as its background, Pasadena is a picturesque city of its own, with a slower pace and fewer crowds, plus an array of compelling restaurant options and plenty of green spaces for recharging." -
Thrillist"Though miles from the beach, Pasadena sometimes has the feeling of a resort town—perhaps a product of its status as exactly that around the turn of the 20th century. The city is stocked with historical charm, from the shops in Old Town to the graceful Gamble House, while located only a short drive from hilly hikes and mountainous wilderness. There’s still plenty of excitement behind that relaxed disposition; after all, this is the home of the Rose Bowl and the Rose Parade." -
Time Out
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is a hip, upscale area, loved by, and home to many locals.
"Manhattan Beach boasts two miles of sparkly coastline, almost all of it stacked with dreamy hillside homes. It's certainly the most upscale of the Beach Cities...Head down to the beach for countless volleyball nets, the Manhattan Beach Pier and the Strand, the bike and walking path that traces the shoreline." -
Time Out"…Manhattan Beach's laidback, small-town vibes, its culinary landscape has a big-city feel—attracting award-winning architects, world-famous chefs, and discerning diners alike. Boasting swanky steakhouses, low-key sports bars, and intimate wine tasting rooms all just minutes from each other, this coastal city has an increasingly diverse dining scene." -
Thrillist
Downtown LA
Downtown LA is a hip business area and home to great food, nightlife, and landmarks.
"Downtown LA and the adjacent Arts District have experienced a renaissance...morphing into an entertainment and dining hub. The area is now fully dense with luxe live-work loft apartments, polished cocktail lounges, high-end restaurants that are several steps beyond the old office lunch standards..." -
Thrillist"...what used to be a mostly industrial expanse has blossomed into an exceedingly cool and covetable destination for some of the most inventive food in the city, under-the-radar shopping, and general good times." -
Goop
Los Feliz
Los Feliz is a hip residential area, frequently visited by locals for the food scene.
"Under the shadow of Griffith Observatory, Los Feliz is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood lined with shade trees, where people and their dogs eat alfresco on root-warped sidewalks. It’s an ideal place to go for a walk, whether your vision of an ideal walk means people-watching along city streets or hiking dirt trails through L.A.'s biggest park." -
Washington Post"Los Feliz manages to strike a balance between desirability and approachability—its shops and eateries stay casually comfortable without becoming painfully cool. It's a polished, albeit still eclectic, neighborhood whose laid-back charms are best explored on foot." -
Time Out
Koreatown
Koreatown is a hip area with a fantastic food scene.
"When I finally moved to K-town… it took me approximately 24 hours—and an irresponsible amount of riotously spicy food and perfectly frosty beer—to realize how much I'd been missing. These three square miles constitute some of the weirdest, booziest, most diverse turf in America." -
GQ"…this relatively small pocket of the city manages to pack in so many restaurants, karaoke lounges, cafés, and day spas that it feels like we could be there all day every day and still find new treasures… there are also great new hotels, shops, and markets right next to the old-school spots we've loved for years." -
Goop
Burbank
Burbank is predominantly a business district.
"Burbank is more than just T.V. show tapings and movie studio tours. The San Fernando Valley city stretches from Griffith Park to the Verdugo Mountains, with worthwhile restaurants, bars and shops in between." -
Time Out"Most Angelenos know Burbank best for being home to a good chunk of the city’s entertainment industry…One thing Burbank doesn’t get a lot of attention for, though, is its restaurant scene...but if you do find yourself looking for tasty eats in this city sitting in the shadows of Hollywood, you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised with the dining options." -
Thrillist
Echo Park
Echo Park is a hip, upscale area in L.A., home to many locals.
"The wave of trendsetters and trendseekers have transformed the neighborhood—love it or hate it—into a haven for dive bars and casual dining as well as eclectic live music and art galleries....We think you’ll find plenty to love in Echo Park, whether you're spending an afternoon at Echo Park Lake or a summer evening at Dodger Stadium." -
Time Out"Echo Park Lake is in dozens of movies and T.V. shows, but it remains one of the most down-to-earth spots in Los Angeles. Since its renovation in 2014, the lake has become even more of a meeting point, picnic spot, and jogger's paradise…perfect for families looking for an outdoorsy afternoon in notoriously unwalkable L.A." -
Conde Nast Traveler
Hollywood
Hollywood is home to famous landmarks, business offices, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
"Hollywood is having a bit of a moment right now. High-end celebrity hangouts and hotel bars feel right at home with tucked-away cocktail bars and bespoke coffee shops—and there seem to be more and more by the day." -
Time Out"While sections of Hollywood Boulevard can skew touristy, the neighborhood has pockets of major cultural spots, including excellent galleries, iconic music venues, and countless restaurants." -
GoopHighland Park
Highland Park is a hip residential area, great for foodies and frequently visited by locals.
"A walk down Highland Park’s Figueroa Street on a sunny Sunday afternoon reveals the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhood's glorious mix: Mid-century modern furnishings spill out the front doors of antique shops; elote vendors sit at curbs across from record stores, hair salons, and pour-over coffee shops; groups of friends linger over brunch cocktails." -
Vogue"Its tree-lined residential streets mix with a walkable urban culture... You'll find a swanky, steampunk-esque bowling alley not too far from an off-the-beaten-path museum, and a sidewalk taco stand just down the block from a smashburger sensation." -
Time Out
