Los Angeles is one of the biggest cities in the world, quite literally. It’s so sprawling that most visitors need access to a car just to try and see everything. As you might imagine, a city this size also has an abundance of different neighborhoods, each with its own vibe and pros and cons.

Even if you have a car, where you stay when visiting LA is important because of the traffic and how long it takes to get places. With that in mind, I’ll break down some of LA’s top neighborhoods to stay in and where I think you should avoid staying. 


The Best LA Neighborhoods to Stay 

West Hollywood
West Hollywood is one of my favorite LA neighborhoods and is a rare gem here because it’s very walkable. In WeHo, you’ll find plenty of great restaurants, bars, and shopping. It’s also home to the famous Sunset Strip. For those who plan to bring their dog to LA, WeHo is very dog-friendly; I love to take our dog, Piper, to the West Hollywood Dog Park at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd and San Vicente. It’s also clean, safe, and central for easier access to other LA areas.

The downsides to WeHo are that it can get pricey, and parking is hit-and-miss since many neighborhoods have permit parking overnight. 

Silverlake
The Silverlake area is great for those who prefer to stay in an area without many tourists that also has more of an artsy, eclectic vibe to it. Silverlake is lined with local eateries, coffee shops, bars, and stores, so there’s plenty to do in the area. Also, it’s not too far from Hollywood for those who still want to visit big tourist sites. This hipster-friendly neighborhood is a great find, but keep in mind that it’s not close to the beach, so getting near the water will easily be a day trip with the city’s notorious traffic.

Santa Monica
With plenty to do, including its iconic pier and the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica is a great option for those who want to stay close to the ocean (except for any beachfront Airbnbs in Malibu, of course).

Santa Monica is home to many hotels, so there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to lodging. Plus, you can easily access other beach areas, including Venice, which is right next door.

Burbank
Consider Burbank if you’re looking for somewhere quiet and safe with more affordable hotels. This valley neighborhood has more of a suburban vibe, and it’s where Warner Bros. Studio is located. It’s also right next to Universal City, which houses Universal Studios here in LA. The downside to Burbank is that you’d definitely need a car, though downtown Burbank is fairly walkable and has plenty of shops and restaurants. Another advantage of Burbank? It has its own airport, which is way smaller and less crowded than LAX.


Where to Avoid Staying in LA

Downtown
Normally, you might assume a city’s downtown is the place to be, but that’s not the case with LA. Though there are some cool spots worth checking out, downtown is one of the less safe areas of LA. The upside to downtown LA is subway accessibility, but personally, I would avoid staying here and opt for another neighborhood.

Hollywood
Hollywood might be on your Los Angeles bucket list, but it’s not the ideal place to actually spend the majority of your trip. Loud, crazy, and filthy are just some adjectives I think of when it comes to Hollywood. You’re constantly dodging poop on the sidewalk, and Hollywood Blvd., in particular, is overwhelming. Instead, plan a day to visit Hollywood.

Venice
Though it’s a famous LA neighborhood, Venice has seen an uptick in crime in recent years. Venice is worth visiting, including the boardwalk and Abbot Kinney Road. However, I recommend staying in a different beach neighborhood, such as Santa Monica, because it is safer and less rowdy. 
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By the Airport
Unless you’re only here for one night, staying by the airport just isn’t worth it since you’re not really close to anything unless you take a drive or an even longer bus trip. Even though hotel deals can be better around the airport, you’ll make up the cost in Uber rides or gas.

When my husband and I go out for vegan breakfast in LA, we usually end up ordering a burrito. However, not all vegan breakfast burritos are created equal. In fact, some are pretty bad. That’s why it's worth writing about when you find something truly great. 

This year, we visited a new coffee and breakfast spot near us called Blackwood Coffee + Bar on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. As usual, we ordered a vegan breakfast burrito, but this time, the burrito ended up surpassing our expectations. Honestly, this was the best vegan breakfast burrito that I’ve tried thus far in LA. 

The burrito costs $15 but is quite large, so you definitely get your money’s worth. It comes with ‘just egg,’ ground ‘soyrizo’ (soy version of chorizo), kale, mushrooms, oven-baked potatoes, and melted vegan cheddar. Regarding parking, you can either park at a meter out front or find parking in the residential neighborhood off Santa Monica Blvd. According to their website, Blackwood Coffee’s West Hollywood location is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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Madrid is the capital city in Spain, and for many travelers, it’s one of those bucket list locations. I recently stayed at the Ok Hostel in Madrid and will share my experience while there to help you decide if this sounds like a place you might stay at during your Spain vacation.

How Much Does It Cost to Stay at the Ok Hostel Madrid?
The Ok Hostel Madrid was one of the cheaper stays on my Spain trip, with a nightly rate of 29 euros for a 6-person room. 

Are Hostels Cheaper Than Hotels?
Yes, hostels are generally cheaper than hotels, with nightly rates at a fraction of the price you’d pay for a hotel stay. When you’re traveling around Europe, the price of hotel stays can quickly add up, so hostels are a fantastic way to help cut down costs. 

Of course, the biggest disadvantage is that you don’t have a room to yourself, but if you’re out exploring most of the time, this isn’t a dealbreaker.


What I Liked About the Ok Hostel Madrid

• The location - As with most hotels I’ve experienced, the Ok Hostel is in a central area of Madrid, walking distance to major city sights as well as the primary train station. The hostel is even located at the beginning of the city’s famous El Rastro Market.
• Friendly service - I thought the people at the front desk were really nice and helpful.

What I Didn’t Like About the Ok Hostel Madrid

• More busy and loud - This hostel was definitely one of the busier ones I’ve stayed at and had more of a party-hostel vibe to it. 
• Bad washing machines - Don’t do your laundry here! While they have a washing machine and dryer, they ended up making my clothes smell awful. I then had to re-wash my clothes at a nearby laundromat. 
• Bathroom setup - The bathroom and sink were outside of the room where the shower and toilet were, which meant you had to get ready in the room where everyone was sleeping. This isn’t a big issue during the day, but if you’re up early, it can be awkward trying not to wake other people.