Hawthorne, or better neighborhood?

Question

Hi, my daughter and I will be in LA later this month for 5 days and she wants to do college tours of UCLA, USC, Pepperdine, and possibly UC-Irvine. We are renting a car. I also understand that Irvine and Pepperdine are completely opposite ends, so may cross off the Irvine visit. I have a great Airbnb reserved in Hawthorne (affordable, tons of great reviews) but I’m also wondering if there might be a better area for us to stay in—but one that won’t break the bank for lodging. We do want 1 beach day and Manhattan Beach seems like a good option, so also factoring that into the equation. Public transit is definitely an option, but I do know we’ll want a car for at least a few of the days for the college visits—at least Pepperdine. Thanks much for any suggestions!

Answer

Hawthorne is an affordable and convenient option if your priority is a budget-friendly Airbnb with good reviews. It’s centrally located in the Los Angeles metro area, making drives to several campuses manageable with a car, although traffic will be a consideration. From Hawthorne, you can reach UCLA in about 20–30 minutes without heavy traffic, USC in 20–25 minutes, and Pepperdine in roughly 40–50 minutes depending on traffic. Manhattan Beach is also about a 15–20 minute drive, which is nice for a beach day.

If you are open to other neighborhoods that may offer a slightly nicer stay or more atmosphere while still being relatively affordable, here are some options:

West Los Angeles / Culver City: Closer to UCLA and beach areas, with many boutique hotels and short-term rentals. Culver City also has a nice dining scene and is relatively safe.
Santa Monica: Ideal for beach access and westside attractions. Hotels can be pricier, but some smaller boutique hotels or Airbnb options exist. Good if you want beach days integrated with your college visits.
El Segundo: Close to LAX, Manhattan Beach, and the westside colleges. Slightly quieter than Santa Monica, with some mid-range hotels and vacation rentals.
Marina del Rey / Venice area: Trendy with access to the beach, nice restaurants, and reasonable Airbnb options. Driving to Pepperdine would take 35–45 minutes depending on traffic.

For your itinerary:

UCLA: Westwood / West LA area; about 20–30 min from Hawthorne.
USC: Downtown LA / Exposition Park area; 20–25 min from Hawthorne.
Pepperdine: Malibu; 40–50 min from Hawthorne or slightly shorter if staying near Santa Monica/Marina del Rey.
Manhattan Beach: 15–20 min from Hawthorne, or walkable if staying in beach neighborhoods.

Overall, staying in Hawthorne is a practical choice for budget reasons and centrality. If you prioritize combining a nice beach stay with some boutique hotel options, West LA, Culver City, or Marina del Rey would give you a better vibe for the evenings and beach time, though at slightly higher cost. Having a car gives you the flexibility to choose whichever location suits your budget and preferences.

Hawthorne, or better neighborhood?

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