Staying Downtown . Citizen M (Near Pershing Square Metro)

Question

I'm deciding where to spend my last 2 nights in the US before flying back to Australia . I'll have been travelling for a month in various States and don't want to rent a car .

I'm not intested in the usual tourist attractions . More interested in good food . A decent bar (live music a bonus) and soaking up the real LA vibe .

I'll be arriving at LAX from SFO .

Is it reasonably straightforward to get from LAX to Pershing Square? Would this be a good public transport base to move around the area . (Not planning in going too far .)

I am totally comfortable using public transport and will avoid Skid Row .

I have posted here previously about staying at the beach . My plans changed and I will stay there on the way in .

Many thanks . I have recieved awseome advice previously on this forum . It's much appreciated .

Answer

Staying at CitizenM Downtown LA near Pershing Square is actually a very solid choice for someone who wants to enjoy good food, bars, and an urban LA vibe without renting a car. That location gives you walkable access to several neighborhoods and easy Metro connections, and it’s one of the safest/most convenient pockets of Downtown for visitors.

Getting from LAX to Pershing Square is straightforward without a car. You can take the LAX FlyAway Bus to Union Station, then transfer to the Metro B/D (Red/Purple) Line for a short ride to Pershing Square. It’s simple, inexpensive, and avoids heavy traffic. Alternatively, you can take the LAX Shuttle → Metro K Line → E Line → transfer downtown, which is also easy, though one extra step.

For moving around, Pershing Square is a decent transit base as long as your plans are focused on Downtown, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Echo Park, and Hollywood. LA transit can be slow for cross-city trips, but for a couple of relaxed days with no interest in the big tourist sights, you’ll be fine. The area around CitizenM is lively, walkable, and full of great food options.

As for atmosphere, Downtown LA offers a very real local vibe—not beachy, not glamorous Hollywood—more urban, creative, and diverse. You’re also well positioned to avoid Skid Row simply by walking west rather than east. Stick to the Broadway, Spring Street, Grand Ave, and Bunker Hill areas, which are safe and commonly used by locals and visitors alike.

Below are suggestions for things you can do from your base without needing a car.

Grand Central Market – A quick walk from your hotel and one of the best food halls in LA. Excellent global food stalls, coffee, and unique snacks.
The Last Bookstore & Historic Core – Great for wandering, with interesting cafes, bars, and the iconic Broadway Theater District.
Little Tokyo – One stop on the Metro or a 15–20 minute walk. Amazing ramen, sushi, izakayas, bakeries, and a very real neighborhood vibe.
Arts District – Easy by Metro or a short rideshare; tons of breweries, creative restaurants, and bars with live DJs or small performances.
Grand Avenue & Bunker Hill – Walt Disney Concert Hall, music venues, modern architecture, and upscale dining.

For bars and live music, Downtown gives you lots of options without needing to go far.

Seven Grand – A stylish whiskey bar with regular live jazz and a great atmosphere.
Perch LA – Rooftop, fantastic ambience, occasional live music, and close to your hotel.
The Redwood Bar – Pirate-themed dive bar near Civic Center with frequent live bands.
Angel City Brewery (Arts District) – Big open space with events, music, and food trucks.

Overall, staying near Pershing Square is absolutely workable for your goals. It’s one of the few places in LA where you can spend two days entirely on foot or by Metro and still have top-quality food and bars at your fingertips. You’ll get that urban LA feel, avoid car hassles, and stay in a lively but manageable part of the city.

If your final goal is simply relaxing and enjoying good food, bar-hopping, people-watching, and getting a sense of true LA outside the tourist bubble, your chosen base is a very good fit.

Staying Downtown . Citizen M (Near Pershing Square Metro)

More Los Angeles Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions