Area near the Crypto Arena

Question

Hi,

Due to visit downtown LA for a few days in July after staying in the Santa Monica area to catch a game at the arena. Is this area under curfew? Do you think I should look at changing my hotel to another area? Or do people think this will all be over by July?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Answer

Short answer: the downtown curfew that was imposed in mid-June was lifted by the mayor on June 17, so as of late June there was no standing curfew covering the Crypto.com Arena area. That said, downtown experienced a period of fast-moving protests, large deployments, and temporary curfew orders in June — so conditions were fluid and could change again if large demonstrations return.

Here’s a detailed, practical breakdown to help you decide whether to change hotels for your July trip and how to plan around a game at the arena.

What actually happened and what that means for July

The city imposed a curfew for a roughly one-square-mile section of downtown (8:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m. initially, later adjusted) in response to violent clashes and vandalism during large protests in June.
Mayor Karen Bass announced the curfew and later lifted it (the public notices in mid-June show it was lifted on June 17). That means, as of the lift, there was no ongoing curfew order covering the arena area.
“Fluid situation” note: large protests and law-enforcement responses were the reason for the curfew. If similar large-scale demonstrations resume, the city could reintroduce temporary restrictions or increase security at short notice.

Should you change your hotel?

If your trip is in July and you prefer minimal chance of disruption, you can keep your Santa Monica plans (it’s a separate coastal neighborhood and was not in the downtown curfew footprint). Staying in Santa Monica is a good way to avoid most downtown protest activity while still getting to the game — it’s an easy rideshare or Metro light-rail plus short walk/transfer to the arena.
If you want to be close to the arena for convenience (short walk to/from the game), staying downtown makes sense but expect heavier police presence and the possibility of temporary street closures on event days. If that would stress you, consider nearby alternatives that are quick to the arena but quieter at night (see options below).
For most visitors: no need to panic-rebook right now. Book a hotel with a flexible cancellation policy if you want the option to move later if the situation changes.

Practical tips for visiting the Crypto.com Arena area in July

Monitor local news and the LA Mayor / LAPD social accounts the week of your trip for event notices, protest warnings, or short-term curfew re-imposition. (The city issued public notices during June’s events, so they’ll use the same channels again if something changes.)
Plan your nights: if a large demonstration is anticipated downtown, avoid late-night walks in the immediate Civic Center/Financial District area and take rideshares or public transit.
Buy event tickets and check arena messages: the arena and team often post travel advisories and recommended arrival times for games; follow those for the smoothest arrival/departure.
Choose hotels with flexible cancellation or free rebooking so you can change plans with minimal cost if conditions shift.
If you rely on public transit late at night, check Metro and DASH schedules — service and detours can change during large events.

Alternate neighborhoods to consider (if you want to be close but not in the eye of potential downtown activity)

West Hollywood / Beverly Grove: lively nightlife and restaurants, usually a short rideshare to the arena and a good middle ground between Santa Monica and downtown.
Hollywood / Hollywood & Highland: touristy with lots of dining options; still an easy rideshare to the arena and typically less likely to be affected by downtown civic protests.
South Bay (Torrance/Redondo) or Marina del Rey: further away but offer beachside calm if you want a quieter stay and don’t mind a longer transit to the arena.

Bottom line

The downtown curfew that made headlines in June was lifted in mid-June; by the time you travel in July there’s a fair chance things will be calmer, but the situation could change if large protests recur. If minimizing hassle and uncertainty matters to you, keep your Santa Monica hotel (it’s not in the curfew footprint) or pick a nearby non-downtown neighborhood. If you prefer to be walking distance to the arena, a downtown hotel is convenient but be prepared for heavier security, possible street closures, and to follow local advisories the week of your stay.

Area near the Crypto Arena

More Los Angeles Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions