Downtown LA
Grand old buildings, galleries and the city's best transit.
Downtown Los Angeles has transformed from an office district into a place to stay: historic hotels, rooftop bars, museums, Grand Central Market and the Arts District. It is the best base if you want to use the metro, go to a concert or see the cultural institutions. It also has the city's most visible homelessness and some empty-feeling blocks at night. Choose the Historic Core or the Arts District edge, and do not walk west of the core alone after dark.
What works
- Union Station and metro lines
- Museums and Grand Central Market
- Historic hotels and rooftop bars
What doesn’t
- Visible homelessness
- Some blocks empty at night
- Parking is expensive
One local move
Use the metro and leave the car at the hotel. Grand Central Market is good for lunch; the Arts District for dinner and bars. Walk with purpose at night and take a rideshare back rather than cutting through empty blocks.
Getting around
Union Station connects the metro, light rail and Amtrak; the Historic Core is walkable and served by several lines. Use the metro to reach Hollywood or Santa Monica and avoid downtown parking.
Safety
Take normal big-city care. Avoid Skid Row and the streets around it, especially after dark; keep to the busy Historic Core, Arts District and Grand Central Market. Do not leave anything in a parked car.
4 picks in Downtown LA
One strong pick per tier. All prices are sample ranges, not live quotes.
The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles
A polished hotel at LA Live with large rooms, a spa and a rooftop pool; convenient for concerts and the convention centre.
The Hoxton, Downtown LA
A stylish hotel in a historic building near the Historic Core; small rooms, good restaurants and a lively ground floor.
Freehand Los Angeles
A hostel-hotel in a restored building with dorms, private rooms and a rooftop pool; sociable, affordable and central.
Hotel Figueroa
A 1926 hotel with Moroccan-inspired interiors and a courtyard pool; historic, atmospheric and a short walk from LA Live.
Nightly ranges are sample estimates in USD for a standard double room. They move with season, events and how early you book.
Eat & drink nearby
Grand Central Market
Market
A historic market hall with dozens of vendors, from tacos to coffee; crowded at lunch and a good way to try several things.
Guisados
Tacos
A local taco chain known for braised fillings and handmade tortillas; cheap, fast and satisfying.
Bavel
Middle Eastern
A stylish Arts District restaurant serving modern Middle Eastern food; book ahead and sit in the courtyard if you can.