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What area to visit

Hi, my husband, our 8 year old and myself will be visiting LA this summer. We are going to stay in Anaheim for a few days to do Disney but also wanted to stay somewhere else in the LA area for a couple of days. My husband and I were there about 10 years ago and stayed in Santa Monica. We did the hop on hop off tour and thought that would be a perfect way to show our son. But I have been seeing a lot of reviews recently saying that Santa Monica isn’t a safe area anymore- is this true? Would there be a better area to stay? We would love somewhere with walkable restaurants/ shops near by, as well as some kind of driving tour we could do.

Thank you

Santa Monica has long been a popular choice for visitors due to its beach, pier, and walkable downtown area. Like many urban areas, certain parts of Santa Monica have seen increased homelessness and petty crime, but the main tourist areas near the beach, Third Street Promenade, and the pier are generally considered safe during the day and early evening. Many families still choose to stay here because of the convenience, walkable restaurants, and attractions.

If you are looking for alternatives that are family-friendly, with walkable shops and restaurants, and still provide easy access to a driving tour of Los Angeles sights, consider these areas:

  • West Hollywood (WeHo): Centrally located, safe, with many restaurants and shops. Easy access to Sunset Boulevard and the Hollywood Hills for sightseeing. Parking and accommodations can be pricier.
  • Beverly Hills: Iconic and safe area, walkable near Rodeo Drive, restaurants, and cafes. Great starting point for a driving tour of Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard, and nearby attractions.
  • Hollywood: Convenient for sightseeing and hop-on hop-off bus tours, though some blocks can feel tourist-heavy or less polished. Staying closer to Hollywood & Highland or near the Walk of Fame can be practical.
  • Pasadena: Family-friendly, walkable Old Town area with shops and restaurants. Slightly farther from the coast, but a charming option with less urban congestion.

For your driving tour of Los Angeles, consider a loop that hits the key attractions:

  • Hollywood: Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre
  • Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Hills: iconic views
  • Beverly Hills: Rodeo Drive, residential streets with celebrity homes
  • Santa Monica / Venice Beach: beach, pier, boardwalk

Staying near the coast (Santa Monica, Venice, or nearby Marina del Rey) gives you beach access and family-friendly walks, while West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or Pasadena offer safer, central locations with easy access to driving tours. Ultimately, for a family with an 8-year-old, daytime safety is manageable in Santa Monica if you stick to main tourist areas, but if you want a quieter, more residential feel with easy access to attractions, Beverly Hills or West Hollywood may be preferable.

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