LA: What Neighborhood to Stay In
LA, the city of angels, of lights and palm trees stoked in aspiration. Also made up of a ton of smaller neighborhoods or smaller towns. The areas all have their own vibe, different places to experience the angles of LA. Here are a handful of areas and their personas.
Hollywood
It’s Hollywood baby. Slightly more grunge than the white sign and mansion walls of the films you see, Hollywood has it all. It’s busy but central straddling the center of east and west respectively. If you’re into doing the staple tour things, Hollywood is a token place.
Image by Andre Tan
West Hollywood
Weho is home to short-shorted boys with nice haircuts and is in between Hollywood and the West Side. It feels less Hollywood and more billboard.
Image by Koke Mayayo
Koreatown
LA’s Ktown has the biggest population of Koreans outside of Seoul itself. Here, Ktown or largely downtown, is quite Korean, an expanse of the city with tons of Korean food and snacks. Not replicably mistakable for Korea, it’s still verifiably Korean enough.
Image by Visit Koreatown
Little Tokyo
Just off of Ktown, Little Tokyo is small-scale-ish and quite charming with usual fan-favorite tea, sushi, and hip spots. It feels like a Japanese version of LA, larger scale than Japan, and cleaner than LA.
Image by John Sequeira
Silverlake
Silverlake is a realm with those who wear baggy pants and sling canvas totes. Some of the sweetest old LA houses were built here and it’s overall comprised of those addicted to LA but with a milder pace of it all. It’s the most staple area of the east side.
Image by Molly Steenson
Echo Park
Next to Silverlake, Echo Park has a younger crowd and a more established local population. A vibrant Hispanic community in this central heart of LA.
Image by John Sequeira
Los Feliz
Similar to Echo Park but more neighborhood than the city bustle of the lake. There is a lot of cute local architecture in Los Feliz.
Image by John Sequeira
Highland Park
Highland Park is like Brooklyn but LA’s version with a long stretch of eateries and cute walk-ins. If traveling with young kids, this is a great choice as it’s home to the 30s and young families.
Image by Maks Ksenjak
Eagle Rock
Eagle Rock is mellow, almost too mellow to be considered LA. It’s situated nicely in between the chaos and the outskirts.
Image by John Sequeira
Glendale
Glendale has higher rises and a plethora of mainstream shopping. It’s for those who want to experience a diverse population who are go-getters in this town. It hosts a diverse food scene across the blocks.
Image by John Sequeira
San Gabriel Valley
The valley is largely Asian and areas are comprised of robust Asian populations. Chinese signs hang along storefronts and businesses, and it’s of course home to the most authentic and amazing Asian food. The area is a relaxed semi-urban semi-suburban feel.
Image by John Sequeira
Pasadena
Pasadena has an old town that’s exceptionally appealing, and it’s also home to the notorious Rose Bowl.
Image by Joe
San Marino
Where the Father of the Bride House is, a nicely scaled residential area with lovely lawns and parks. San Marino feels like an elegant small town but with the iconic LA palm trees still.
Image by New Moon Restaurant
Beverly Hills
Where the star-studded idea of LA basks, the glamour of the roads and houses, if you want high-end shopping and care about your shoes to the max, Beverly Hills, that’s where you want to be.
Image by BP Miller
Culver City
Culver City is close enough to the beach yet not on the beach, it’s a great residential area with nice dining and places to go out.
Image by John Sequeira
Malibu
Malibu is the laidback and glamorous coastal part of LA. Go for the fish, stay for the sunsets. The area hosts some of LA’s most lovely beaches and mountainscapes.
Image by Carlos Bastiat
Santa Monica
The tipsy younger brother of Malibu, the pier hosts the park for those who want more fireworks fun than beach. More touristy, more happening, and more surf-friendly than Malibu.
Image by Gerson Repreza
Venice
Skaterboys, drum circles, older bohemians, Venice is a staple beach area of LA. Built and named after the canal city of Europe, it has its own waterways with bridges above to enjoy. An iconic place many internationals vie to visit.
For a list of excellent hotels throughout LA, check out my blog here.
Image by Dennis Mita
