Where to Stay in LA with Kids

Santa Monica is the easiest call for families. Pacific Park on the pier has a solar-powered Ferris wheel and over a dozen rides sized for small kids. Colorado Avenue runs straight from the 3rd Street Promenade to the water, so you walk everywhere. Hotels cluster near Ocean Avenue and 4th Street, five minutes from sand. Main Street south of the pier has solid casual restaurants without tourist pricing. Summer crowds are real, but the beach is wide enough that it never feels overwhelming. You genuinely do not need a car here, which saves $30-$50 a day in parking and Uber fees.

Best for

Families with toddlers and young kids who want beach days and a car-free base

Walk times

Pacific Park pier 8 min
3rd Street Promenade 5 min
Santa Monica State Beach 3 min

Skip if: Your trip centers on Disneyland or Universal Studios, driving from here adds 90 minutes each way

Local tip: The free Breeze Bus Route 1 runs along Ocean Avenue and connects to the pier and Palisades Park without touching traffic.

Compare prices across providers

Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.

$202per night

Hollywood and Universal City

Universal Studios next door, but pick your exact hotel block carefully

Mid-range $150-$320/night

Hollywood Boulevard itself is gritty and not ideal for young kids. The area around Universal City on the Cahuenga Pass is a different story. Universal Studios Hollywood sits off Highland Avenue, and CityWalk outdoor mall gives kids somewhere to burn energy after the park. Hotels on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, a mile south, are quieter and better value than those directly on Hollywood Blvd. The Metro B Line stops at Universal City, reaching Santa Monica or downtown without driving. Dolby Theatre and the Walk of Fame are fine for a couple of hours but do not anchor a family trip.

Best for

Families with kids aged 8 and up who want Universal Studios as the trip centerpiece

Walk times

Universal Studios Hollywood 15 min
Hollywood Walk of Fame 20 min
CityWalk outdoor mall 10 min

Skip if: You have children under 5, Universal has height requirements on most major rides and the boulevard area is not stroller-friendly

Local tip: Book the first Universal entry slot at 9am. Lines for Harry Potter World double by 11am and stay that way until closing.

Compare prices across providers

Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.

$168per night

Burbank

Quiet suburban feel with Warner Bros and Griffith Park within easy reach

Mid-range $120-$250/night

Burbank does not have the glamour of Santa Monica, but it is genuinely one of the best places for families in Greater LA. San Fernando Boulevard through downtown Burbank has independent restaurants and ice cream shops that feel normal. Warner Bros Studio Tour departs from Olive Avenue and is excellent for families with kids over 6. Griffith Observatory is 20 minutes south, and Griffith Park has pony rides and a carousel on Zoo Drive. Hotels near Hollywood Way run $120-$250 and include real parking. Traffic to anywhere in LA is easier from Burbank than from Westside neighborhoods.

Best for

Budget-conscious familiesWarner Bros fansand anyone who wants a real neighborhood without constant traffic noise

Walk times

Warner Bros Studio Tour 12 min
Downtown Burbank on San Fernando Blvd 8 min
Burbank Town Center mall 10 min

Skip if: You want beach access, Burbank is 45 minutes from Santa Monica on a good traffic day

Local tip: Park at the Warner Bros lot ($15 validated) and walk to downtown Burbank for lunch. You save $30 compared to eating inside the studio.

Compare prices across providers

Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.

$134per night

Downtown LA and Exposition Park

Three world-class museums within a five-minute walk of each other

Mid-range $130-$280/night

Exposition Park around South Figueroa Street and Exposition Boulevard is underrated for families. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California Science Center with Space Shuttle Endeavour, and the California African American Museum are all within a five-minute walk of each other. Admission to the Science Center is free. Grand Central Market on Broadway is an easy lunch stop and genuinely kid-friendly. Downtown hotels near 7th and Figueroa are cheaper than Westside options and Metro accessible. Avoid the blocks directly east on San Pedro Street near Skid Row, which are several blocks from the hotel district but worth knowing about.

Best for

Science-obsessed kidsfamilies on a longer LA trip who want cultural depthand anyone arriving by train at Union Station

Walk times

Natural History Museum 5 min
California Science Center 3 min
Grand Central Market on Broadway 20 min

Skip if: Your kids are under 4 and need beach or open outdoor space, downtown streets are not stroller-friendly and parking is expensive

Local tip: The Science Center is free but Space Shuttle Endeavour requires a timed ticket at $4-$7. Book online the week before, they sell out on weekends.

Compare prices across providers

Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.

$146per night