Hotel base location recommendations

Question

We are coming in for three days before we cruise out of the San Pedro port. Never been to LA area before and trying to determine a good home base location for our stay. We are not interested in Disney and want to do more of the touristy things around LA. Can anyone recommend good base location that’s safe and allows for good travel to the most common tourist areas.

Would also love recommendations of things to do and see that are off the beaten path. We love the outdoors and exploring.

We will have a rental car.

Answer

For a three-day visit to Los Angeles before cruising out of San Pedro, it’s important to balance safety, access to tourist sites, and manageable driving distances. Since you have a rental car, you have flexibility, but traffic and parking can be challenging, so choosing a central and convenient base is key.

Recommended base locations:

Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) – Offers proximity to museums, historic architecture, Olvera Street, and the arts district. Parking is widely available in hotels and garages. Central location makes driving to Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Griffith Park feasible.
Hollywood / Hollywood Hills – Ideal if you want quick access to the Walk of Fame, Hollywood Bowl, and Griffith Observatory. Some scenic hillside hotels offer views and quieter stays while still being close to main attractions.
Santa Monica / West LA – A good choice if you prefer a more relaxed, beachside environment. Easy access to the ocean, Venice Beach, and some excellent outdoor walking paths. About 40-50 minutes to San Pedro but provides a scenic route.
Long Beach / near San Pedro – If proximity to the cruise port is your priority, this is the closest base. It’s convenient for embarkation and reduces stress on the last day, though slightly farther from Hollywood and other classic tourist sites.

Touristy but manageable activities:

Griffith Observatory and hiking trails in Griffith Park – offers city views and moderate trails.
Runyon Canyon – easy to moderate hiking, good for outdoor exploration and city views.
The Getty Center – art, architecture, and gardens with panoramic views of LA.
Santa Monica Pier and nearby beach walks – classic coastal experience.
Hollywood Boulevard – Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and nearby shops.

Off-the-beaten-path and outdoors suggestions:

Angeles National Forest – scenic drives, waterfalls, and light hikes.
El Matador State Beach (Malibu) – secluded beaches and coastal trails.
Watts Towers – unique artistic landmark in a residential neighborhood.
Mount Baldy – a 45-minute drive from LA, with moderate hikes and panoramic views.
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park (Palos Verdes) – tide pools, coastal trails, and cliffside scenery.

With three days, you can mix classic highlights with a couple of outdoor adventures. If minimizing daily drive time is important, consider splitting your stay: one night closer to San Pedro for port convenience, and the rest centrally located in DTLA, Hollywood, or Santa Monica to explore the city efficiently.

Hotel base location recommendations

More Los Angeles Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions