Los Angeles, California needs no introduction. It is the home to
Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios, beaches and many other
attractions that kids are sure to love. These, plus the fact that they
are spread out across a large city, means that the hardest thing about
planning a trip to LA with a family is deciding where to stay.
To make the task easier, here’s a list of some the main areas to
stay in Los Angeles. Public transportation is generally not very good
here, so this is something to take into account when picking a
destination if you don’t plan on renting a car.
Downtown LA
The downtown area of Los Angeles is largely a business district, but
Chinatown and Little Tokyo are nearby. However, downtown isn’t close to
any of the main tourist attractions and much of the downtown area goes
quiet at night. But it is a good area for families that want to use
public transportation during their stay. The main train station is right
downtown while most of the bus and subway routes pass through the area.
Otherwise, it’s probably best to look to other areas if you’re trying
to keep your kids entertained.
Hollywood
Hollywood is known the world over, and for many visitors it’s an
essential stop on a visit to LA. In Hollywood, there’s the Walk of Fame,
Universal Studios, TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood sign. All are
easily accessible. Nearby, West Hollywood is also a good place to stay.
There are buses to Hollywood and Santa Monica. Plus, the
Hollywood/Highland subway station makes it easy to get in and out of the
area as well.
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is just what you imagine it to be – money, money, money
at every turn. Home to the famous shopping street of Rodeo Drive,
massive celebrity houses, and lovely hotels and restaurants, Beverly
Hills is an attractive, safe area for families. It is also quite easy to
get to beaches and Hollywood, but not the best option for public
transport users overall. This is a good choice for families with their
own car who want to stay in a quieter area while still being close to
many attractions. And of course, this is not an area to head to if
you’re on a budget.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a lovely beach area that offers endless rows of shops
and restaurants, as well as the family friendly Santa Monica Pier
complete with an amusement park. It is very safe and an interesting area
to walk around, with plenty for kids to see. There are buses from Santa
Monica to other areas, but it is not the best choice if you plan to
rely heavily on public transportation. Santa Monica is a good choice for
families who want to be near the beach and explore the area they’re
staying in rather than heading off to visit attractions across the rest
of the city.
Venice Beach
Just south of Santa Monica, Venice Beach is a fabulous place to hang
out and people watch. The two-and-a-half mile promenade by the beach is
full of shops, restaurants, bars, sporting facilities and interesting
people (to say the least). This is a great place for families to enjoy
some time together walking, eating, and taking pictures, although it can
be unsafe to walk around here at night. It is a great option for
families who are stopping over in Los Angeles and want to be close to
the airport (LAX), which is just on the other side of Marina Del Rey,
the world’s largest man-made small boat harbor.
Anaheim
Anaheim is where to go if you’re in the mood for theme parks. Home to
Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, and Knott’s Berry Farm,
the area is a great base for families who want to hit the roller
coasters, get scared in haunted houses, and eat expensive hot dogs. The
major drawback is that it’s about an hour south of Hollywood, so it’s
best for families who place theme park visits above pictures on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s also a good option for families who rent
cars and plan to visit San Diego, which is a couple of hours' drive
south.
