Where to Stay in Los Angeles as a Solo Traveler (Hostel, Safety, Areas)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a giant patchwork of beach towns, hill neighborhoods, and movie-set boulevards, so where you sleep can make or break your solo trip.

I’ve couch-hopped across the county and learned that choosing the right base means less time in traffic and more time chasing tacos, sunsets, and pop-up art shows. 

This guide breaks down the best areas, what each feels like, and a few safety and booking hacks so you can land on the perfect street your first night in town.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Los Angeles

Best for Hostel Newbies

STAY OPEN Venice Beach10.0

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Best for Female Solo Traveler

Freehand8.5

from $20.09 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Banana Bungalow Hollywo...8.6

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Why Los Angeles Is a Must-Visit Destination

LA packs global food, hike-able mountains, year-round beach weather, and a film scene you can literally walk into. One morning you’re surfing gentle waves in Santa Monica; that afternoon you’re museum-hopping in Downtown; by night you’re watching stand-up in a strip-mall theater. Public transit is improving, English and Spanish mix everywhere, and locals are used to newcomers chasing dreams—solo travelers fit right in.

Top Neighborhoods to Stay in Los Angeles

Hollywood

• Vibe & draws: Walk-of-Fame sidewalks, cheap food courts, nightly bar crawls.
• Pros: Metro Red Line, tour pickups, endless hostels.
• Cons: Tourist traps, street noise late.
• Best for: Party lovers, first-timers, movie buffs.

Santa Monica

• Vibe & draws: Pier rides, farmers’ markets, bike paths.
• Pros: Beach hostels, safe streets, E-Line train to Downtown.
• Cons: Higher dorm prices, nightlife ends by 2 a.m.
• Best for: Sunrise surfers, cyclists, chill seekers.

Venice

• Vibe & draws: Street art, skate park, Abbot Kinney cafés.
• Pros: Ocean views, creative crowd, hostel events.
• Cons: Petty theft on the boardwalk; limited evening buses.
• Best for: Artists, yogis, budget beach fans.

Downtown (DTLA)

• Vibe & draws: Rooftop bars, food halls, arts district murals.
• Pros: Multiple rail lines, historic theaters, late-night eats.
• Cons: Some blocks empty after dark; hostel choices few.
• Best for: Culture hunters, car-free travelers, basketball fans.

Koreatown

• Vibe & draws: 24-hour BBQ, karaoke rooms, Art-Deco facades.
• Pros: Central for rideshares, affordable pod hotels.
• Cons: Traffic heavy, little green space.
• Best for: Night owls, foodies, budget solo travelers.

Silver Lake

• Vibe & draws: Indie music venues, coffee strips, reservoir walks.
• Pros: Thrift stores, veggie diners, relaxed crowd.
• Cons: Hilly, few hostels—expect shared Airbnbs.
• Best for: Digital nomads, vintage hunters, laid-back nights.

The Best (and Worst) Areas to Stay in Los Angeles

Best picks by style:

• Nightlife & tours: Hollywood — walkable bars and cheap dorms.
• Beach vibe: Santa Monica or Venice — sunsets, bike lanes, hostel socials.
• Car-free culture: Downtown — museums and transit hubs.
• Food mission: Koreatown — late eats and low-cost beds.

Areas to think twice about:

• Far South LA and industrial pockets east of the river — limited transit, few traveler services, higher petty-crime stats.

Safest Area to Stay in, Los Angeles as a Solo Traveler

Santa Monica consistently ranks safest for visitors: busy streets, bright lighting, and a strong police presence. West Hollywood also feels secure with walkable nightlife corridors and plenty of rideshares.

Stick to main boulevards, avoid deserted beach paths after midnight, and use hostel groups for late returns.

• Download the “Transit” app for real-time bus/rail updates—helps you avoid empty stops.
• Portable phone battery saves you from dark-street navigation fails.
• If a rideshare price surges, walk to a busier corner; rates often drop within minutes.

Tips for Booking Social Hostels in Los Angeles Without Overpaying

Hostels beat hotels for solos: cheaper beds, free events, and instant travel buddies. Use hostelz.com to compare Booking.com and Hostelworld in one click—filters for women-only dorms, “best for solo travelers,” or full-on party spots make hunting easy.

Look for places boasting common kitchens or rooftop lounges; they’re magnets for making plans over tacos or Trader Joe’s pasta.

Backpacking Los Angeles? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Matt Kiefer

Hey, I’m Matt, the founder behind Hostelgeeks.com. My team and I are collecting the absolute best hostels in the world for you. We share the coolest hostels so you can focus on your travels, rather than spending your time trying to pick a good hostel.

Personally, I’ve bunked in over 600 hostels and stamped my passport in more than 70 countries. My heart beats for Vietnam, Spain, and France, and so many more destinations. I’m a Foosball champ but a beer pong amateur.

Last but not least: Hostelgeeks is a proud ambassador of Hostelz.com.