Central location between Burbank and Long Beach/Anaheim?

Question

Visiting my wife's relatives out in Southern California/Los Angeles area later this summer. They're spread out. I'm trying to find a central location for a hotel stay between Burbank in the north to say Long Beach in the south. Probably a quick visit to Anaheim also.

What is a central location / hotel someone can recommend me to stay? Los Angeles seems like it's in the middle but others have told me try not to stay in Downtown LA because it's hard to get out of the city traffic there. Is the area around LAX safe to stay? Was thinking of just staying near burbank but the commute down to Long Beach is probably too long.

TIA!

Answer

Finding a central location between Burbank in the north and Long Beach/Anaheim in the south can be tricky due to Los Angeles traffic, but there are a few practical areas to consider that balance distance and accessibility.

Here are some thoughts and options:

Near LAX / Westchester / Playa Vista: Staying near LAX gives relatively good access to the 405 Freeway, which runs north-south and can connect you to Long Beach, Anaheim, and even Burbank with some planning. The area is generally safe, especially hotel zones, though traffic can still be heavy at peak times.
Inglewood / West Los Angeles: Just east of LAX, this area provides multiple freeway options (405, 105, 10) and is roughly midway between Burbank and Long Beach. It’s close enough to the Westside attractions and offers a variety of hotels.
Mid-City / Culver City: Central LA neighborhoods like Culver City or Mid-City are another option. These areas give reasonable access to both the 405 south and the 101/110 north, and they have safe hotels with easy parking options. They’re not right next to Burbank but can reduce overall driving compared to staying strictly in Long Beach or Burbank.

Other considerations:

Staying in Downtown LA is generally not recommended for this kind of commute; traffic congestion and freeway interchanges make getting out of downtown slow during most of the day.
Burbank is very convenient for northern visits but can make your trips to Long Beach and Anaheim quite long, potentially 1–1.5 hours in traffic, so it’s better for multiple days with northern plans.
LAX-adjacent hotels often have free shuttles, easy parking, and are generally safe. Some newer options in Playa Vista and Marina del Rey offer a quieter, more pleasant stay than the airport-adjacent motels.

Recommendation:

For a balanced approach, consider Culver City, Westchester, or Playa Vista. You’ll still have to deal with traffic, but the area provides the best compromise between north (Burbank) and south (Long Beach/Anaheim) destinations.
If visiting Anaheim is your main southern target, consider a hotel near the 5 Freeway in Long Beach or Seal Beach—this reduces driving south but makes northern trips longer.
Always plan drives outside peak hours (7–10am and 4–7pm) to minimize stress and travel time.

Overall, a central LA area with good freeway access (Culver City, Westchester, or Playa Vista) is probably your best option for a multi-destination visit.