Is Westwood a good place to stay in LA?

Question

Hi there,

We are two families (4 adults and 4 children - ages 11, 14, 14, and 17) planning a trip to the US at the end of August. We'll be in LA for 3.5 days. Our itinerary includes a day at Universal Studios and visits to Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Hollywood, Getty Center, and more.

We're traveling on a budget and found the Royal Palace Westwood hotel, which offers a good price, free parking, breakfast, and positive reviews.

Is Westwood a good location for tourism? We have a car but prefer not to spend 2 hours in traffic to reach each attraction. Would you recommend spending a bit more to stay in Hollywood or Santa Monica and visit some attractions on foot instead?

Thanks for your assistance!

Answer

Westwood can be a convenient and reasonably affordable location to stay in Los Angeles, especially for families traveling on a budget. It is home to UCLA and has a fairly central location on the west side of LA, which makes it relatively close to some attractions like the Getty Center and Santa Monica.

However, there are several factors to consider:

Proximity to attractions: Westwood is about 10–15 minutes from Santa Monica and roughly 25–35 minutes to Venice Beach, depending on traffic. Hollywood and Universal Studios are farther east, typically 30–45 minutes without traffic, but LA traffic can easily double these times.
Parking and costs: Staying in Westwood often provides free or easier parking compared to more tourist-heavy areas like Santa Monica or Hollywood, which is a big plus if you have a car and want to save on daily parking fees.
Neighborhood and amenities: Westwood is a safe, family-friendly neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and grocery stores, making it convenient for families who want to self-cater breakfasts or snacks. The Royal Palace Westwood hotel’s free breakfast is a bonus for families.

Alternative considerations:

Santa Monica: Staying here allows walking access to the beach, pier, and Third Street Promenade. It can reduce driving time for beach days but may be more expensive and have limited parking.
Hollywood: Offers closer access to Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Griffith Observatory. Staying here can save travel time for attractions in central and eastern LA but might not help with beach visits, and parking can be challenging.

Recommendation:

For a 3.5-day trip with a mix of attractions across LA, Westwood is a reasonable compromise. It is budget-friendly, safer, and has amenities for families. Since you have a car, you can manage the drives to Hollywood and the beaches, though LA traffic should be planned around (early morning or late afternoon is better). If minimizing driving is your priority, then splurging on a beach-front hotel in Santa Monica or a centrally-located hotel in Hollywood could make your trip more convenient, but it will likely cost more.

Is Westwood a good place to stay in LA?

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