Where to stay in Los Angeles
Calling Los Angeles a “city” is a bit of a misnomer—LA is more of a collection of neighborhoods and incorporated areas strung together, and each of these locations offers a unique experience to its visitors. Deciding which part of the city to stay in can greatly impact the kind of trip you will have on your visit to Dodger Stadium. Because Los Angeles is so vast and diverse, it would be impossible to give one or two or even three recommendations on where to stay.
In this chapter, we will look at seven areas of Los Angeles to stay in and what kind of experience they will provide so you can decide for yourself which is best for you. Those seven areas are, in order of distance from Dodger Stadium:
Before we look at each one of these neighborhoods in more detail, let’s see where Dodger Stadium is in relation to the rest of the city.
Where Dodger Stadium is located
Dodger Stadium is located on the east side of Los Angeles in the small hilltop residential neighborhood of Chavez Ravine, about two miles north of the heart of Downtown Los Angeles and less than a mile from Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park.
As picturesque as the park’s location is, it is in an awkward part of town. It sits on the top of a hill in a semi-residential neighborhood. At the bottom of the hill in any direction from the stadium are an assortment of public parks, schools, churches, and undeveloped land. Then, about a mile from the stadium (a half mile if you don’t count the parking lot) down Vin Scully Ave, is Sunset Blvd in Echo Park.
While Echo Park provides a satisfying bar and restaurant scene, there’s not much in the way of lodging, outside of a handful of motels.
All to say, the area around Dodger Stadium is not a great place to stay on your trip to Los Angeles.
But that’s okay! That’s why we put together the top seven areas we recommend staying in LA on your trip to Dodger Stadium and what each area has to offer.
Downtown LA
It wasn’t that long ago that the only reasons to go to Downtown Los Angeles were Lakers games and jury duty. But that’s not the case anymore.
Downtown LA is only a couple miles away from Dodger Stadium, making it the most convenient location for commuting to the ballpark. The city has made a lot of effort in the last 10-15 years to turn what was once a forgotten crime-ridden part of town into a safer, bustling area with tons of hotels, bars, restaurants, nightlife options, and museums. LA Live, Crypto.com Arena, and the Arts District are just a few of our favorite parts of Downtown LA.
But, while Downtown LA has gone through lots of change for the better in the last decade, it can still be dingy in many parts, particularly as you get closer to Skid Row, and especially at night. The city has done a great job of maintaining a safe environment for tourists and residents, but you will likely see some trash in the street and more than your fair share of homeless people talking to themselves.
Do we think this is unsafe? No. Do we think this is visually unappealing? Yes, and if you’re not used to it, it can be unsettling. When walking around at night, you will want to be attentive and mind your surroundings. But if that doesn’t bother you, Downtown LA is a great choice for your trip to Dodger Stadium.
(Note from the Editor: my most recent trip to downtown LA was July 2024, and I can reinforce all of the above. I stayed at the Hotel Figueroa, a Hyatt property one block away from LA Live. During the day, the area was fairly empty and appropriately safe. At night, there were homeless on the streets and I felt like I needed to be very aware of where I was walking. It’s just an uncomfortable feeling not knowing who you might literally run into while walking around. And yet nothing of consequence happened during my four-day stay, and I feel comfortable staying in downtown. Just remember: you’re not in Kansas anymore when you’re in Downtown LA).
Pros
- Closest to Dodger Stadium
- Close to Crypto.com Arena
Cons
- Hotels can be expensive
- Parking can be expensive
- Downtown can be sketchy at times
Glendale/Burbank/Pasadena
Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena are adjacent cities in the San Fernando Valley, just north of Downtown Los Angeles, between five and ten miles from Dodger Stadium, depending on where you stay. These cities are clean, safe, and family-friendly.
Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena offer a quieter, more suburban feel compared to the more active areas of Los Angeles. Staying in these cities puts you near Dodger Stadium (by LA standards, at least), making it another convenient option for your Dodger Stadium trip. You’re also close to major freeways, making it easy to explore other parts of the city.
Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena also offer fantastic dining and shopping options, particularly Glendale, which is home to the Glendale Galleria and the Americana at Brand. If you’re looking for a mix of entertainment, shopping, and outdoor activities, with the added convenience of being just a short drive from Dodger Stadium, these parts of the San Fernando Valley are great options.
Pros
- Pretty close to Dodger Stadium
- Less expensive hotels/parking
- Not as touristy as other spots in LA
Cons
- A little more generic
- Not as touristy as other spots in LA
West Hollywood
West Hollywood, also known as WeHo, is a trendy and lively neighborhood in Los Angeles, seven miles west of Dodger Stadium. It’s a popular destination for visitors looking for a vibrant nightlife scene, high-end shopping, and a variety of dining options.
West Hollywood is smack-dab in the middle of Los Angeles, making it a convenient option to visit other popular LA destinations like Beverly Hills and Hollywood. West Hollywood is home to the iconic Sunset Strip, which contains some of LA’s most popular hotels, bars, and nightclubs. WeHo is also known for its thriving LGBTQ+ community and is home to one of the world’s premier Pride festivals.
West Hollywood is a top choice for those seeking a sceney LA experience—swanky hotels, Michelin-rated restaurants, and premium shopping—all within a (relatively) short drive to Dodger Stadium.
Pros
- LA hip
- In the middle of it all
Cons
- Pricey
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a beach town located on the west side of Los Angeles, about 17 miles west of Dodger Stadium. While it’s not as close to Dodger Stadium as some of the other areas on this list (made even worse by LA traffic), it’s still a great place to stay if you want to experience the best of Los Angeles.
Santa Monica is a popular tourist destination for its beautiful beaches, shopping, and dining options. It is home to famous attractions like the Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade, known for its pedestrian-only shopping district. It’s also a convenient destination if you fly into LAX, and/or plan on exploring the coastal communities of Los Angeles, like Venice and Malibu.
Santa Monica is a great option for those looking for an LA beach vacation with a lively atmosphere that’s not too far from the heart of the city, and who don’t mind the 45-minute drive to the stadium on game day.
Pros
- A great destination for tourists
- You may end up there anyway
Cons
- It’s a trek to Dodger Stadium through LA traffic 🙁
South Bay
The South Bay is a region of Los Angeles along the coast, approximately 25 miles southwest of Dodger Stadium. This area is known for beautiful sandy beaches, outdoor activities, and relaxed beach town vibes (even more so than Santa Monica).
The South Bay is home to a variety of beach towns including Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach. Unlike Santa Monica (which still feels very much part of LA) these are true beach towns away from the hecticness of the big city. This region contains great beaches, surfing, and hiking.
Staying in the South Bay will generally be less expensive than other LA beach neighborhoods like Santa Monica or Malibu (although, this is still LA, so take “less expensive” with a grain of salt). Getting from the South Bay to Dodger Stadium could take between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
If you’re looking for a mellow beach trip that’s off the beaten path of LA, the South Bay cities will give you just what you need.
Pros
- These are some of the most beautiful areas of LA
- Great for a beach vacation
Cons
- Definitely a traffic-heavy commute to the stadium. Bring a playlist and some patience.
Malibu
Malibu is a beachside city in western Los Angeles, just north of Santa Monica and a little over 30 miles away from Dodger Stadium. Malibu is the gold standard for LA beach destinations. It’s probably the swankiest beach community in Los Angeles, so expect the price point to be commensurate.
Malibu is basically an island—it’s far from everything and is a pain to get to—but that’s part of its allure. Malibu is known for its stunning beaches and landscapes. The Santa Monica mountains surround the city, offering plenty of hiking and outdoor activities.
Getting to and from Dodger Stadium will take between 60-90 minutes. If your priority is a remote, luxury Southern California beach vacation and you’ve got the budget, Malibu will not disappoint.
Pros
- It’s absolutely beautiful
Cons
- It’s expensive and far away from Dodger Stadium
Orange County
Orange County (including Anaheim) is a suburban tourist destination located south of Los Angeles. The only reason we can think to stay here is if Dodger Stadium is secondary on your list of things to do while in the LA area, behind a number of things in Anaheim.
Orange County is home to some of Southern California’s premier beaches, like Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. It is also home to Disneyland, located in Anaheim. If you plan to visit Disneyland, the Orange County beaches, or want to see more of Southern California, staying in Orange County is a great choice. But be advised: it will take you between one and two hours to get to the ballpark, depending on where you stay.
One advantage to staying in Orange County is that you can take the Amtrak from multiple OC stations to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, where you can hop on the Dodger Stadium Express, a free shuttle for ticket holders that will take you from the train station to Dodger Stadium. More on this later, in Local Transit.
Pros
- Close to Disneyland and other attractions
- You can take the train to downtown LA and then connect via stadium express bus
Cons
- It’s far… and can make for a long day
Bottom Line
There are a lot of places to stay in LA, and the choice can seem overwhelming. Our advice is to think about what else you want to do while you’re there, and try to position yourself either near those things, or in between those things and Dodger Stadium.
Here’s what we’d suggest:
If you want to be close to the stadium, are also planning on catching a game at Crypto.com Arena, and don’t mind the costs—stay in Downtown LA.
If you like a more suburban feel and/or are looking for a mix of entertainment, shopping, and outdoor activities—stay in Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena.
If you’re looking for a trendy neighborhood, want to see the iconic Sunset Strip, like a thriving LGBTQ+ community, and/or want to visit some of LA’s most popular hotels, bars, and nightclubs—stay in West Hollywood.
If you want beautiful beaches, a lively atmosphere, pedestrian-only shopping, great dining options, and/or want to see famous attractions like the Santa Monica Pier—stay in Santa Monica.
If you’re looking for relaxed beach town vibes, surfing, hiking, a slightly less expensive stay (comparatively), and don’t mind a 45-60 minute drive to the stadium—stay in South Bay.
If you want the gold standard for LA beaches and landscapes surrounded by mountains, a swanky, luxury vibe, have the budget and/or don’t mind a 60-90 minute drive to the stadium—stay in Malibu.
If you want to see Huntington Beach or Newport Beach, or even just more of Southern California, and Dodgers Stadium is secondary to say, Disneyland, and you don’t mind a 1-2 hour drive—stay in Orange County.
