Last updated on March 8th, 2018 at 09:03 pm
Los Angeles is huge and offers so much fun for families to enjoy on vacation. Whenever we want to travel to big cities with as much to do as in L.A., we look to stay in a neighborhood that gives us the best access to the things we want to experience on our trip. The top things we consider are what kid-friendly attractions are in the immediate area; whether there is easy access to public transit or is it easier to get around by car; and whether there are budget-friendly restaurants and shopping nearby. Here are some family-friendly areas in L.A. with our aforementioned specifications to make deciding where to stay in L.A. a little easier when planning your trip.
Weigh Your Options for Transportation and Accommodations
The key to getting the best price on kid-friendly hotels in Los Angeles is using Hipmunk to make your booking. You can refine your search to certain neighborhoods, choose important amenities, and state your budget to find the best option for your family. Decide whether you will have a car in L.A. before deciding on an area.
Hollywood
Hollywood is a great base for families who want to be close to famous attractions like Universal Studios and the Walk of Fame. It has great access to public transit for families traveling without a car.
- Kid-friendly budget restaurants in Hollywood
- Fun things to do in Hollywood
- Hollywood Tours
West Hollywood (We-Ho)
West Hollywood, affectionately called We-Ho, is central to both Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Most hotels in this area are along Sunset Boulevard and in the adjacent residential areas. There are a few aparthotels as well, which are great for families on a budget because of access to a kitchen, allowing them to cook instead of going out to dinner. Public transit from here to other areas is easy; there are even express buses to Santa Monica and the adjacent beaches.
- Cheap eats in West Hollywood
- Family friendly We-Ho
- Great West Hollywood shopping
Beverly Grove
This neighborhood is a pedestrian-friendly area with hotels, and dining and shopping choices to fit every budget. Public transit is great in this area with buses to Hollywood, We-Ho, downtown L.A., Beverly Hills, and the Westside, including Santa Monica and Brentwood.
- Budget restaurants in Beverly Grove
- Fun things to do with kids in Beverly Grove
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a coastal city just outside of Los Angeles that is a great alternative for families who want to make the most of the beach and explore the area on foot. There are lots of shops and restaurants within walking distance from hotels. While some areas of Venice Beach can be a bit sketchy, the area near Santa Monica Pier is safe and family friendly. There is great public transit service from Santa Monica to tourist attractions in Los Angeles as well.
- Affordable accommodations with Airbnb
- Free things to do in Santa Monica
- Cheap eats in Santa Monica
Los Angeles is a huge city that offers families so much to enjoy on vacation! I hope our recommendations help you decide where to stay in L.A. for your base your next family trip. Do you love visiting The City of Angles? Where do you like stay when you visit?
Anna
I visited LA a month ago. We stayed in Venice beach, because we found a nice hotel there that was within our (psychological) budget. The truth is that apart from Venice beach/Santa Monica it wasn’t convenient for anything else! Every morning we had to drive for 30 minutes in order to get to Hollywood (in order to hike up to the Hollywood sign, visit paramount studios etc). I think Hollywood/West Hollywood is a better and more central place to stay. We researched some airbnb apartments in WeHo but didn’t come by cheap!
Tracey
Thanks Anna! We-Ho would definitely offer easier access to more attractions (closer). I did find a lot of Airbnb apartments there for under $100USD (300 entire place ones) a night. Availability can change from week to week with Airbnb rentals, sometimes by a large margin, depending on events and popular things happening in areas you may want to stay.