Los Angeles, United States
California
Los Angeles is huge and completely built around cars, which actually works in your favor as a solo female traveler since you can avoid sketchy areas entirely. The safety difference between neighborhoods is massive - you can feel totally secure in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood, but other areas require real street smarts. Uber and Lyft work great here and are way safer than the limited public transit, especially at night. The entertainment industry makes solo dining really normal in nicer areas, and restaurant staff are used to helping women traveling alone. You'll see everything from perfect beaches to Hollywood attractions, but the key is knowing which neighborhoods to stick to and which to skip completely. The visible homelessness in some areas can be jarring if you're not expecting it, but smart planning keeps you in the safer zones.
Daytime Safety
GoodNight Walking Safety
ModerateHarassment Risk
ModerateTransportation
ModeratePickpocketing Safety
ModerateScam Safety
GoodPolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
GoodDrug Activity
ModerateHomelessness Visibility
High- Beverly Hills
- West Hollywood
- Santa Monica (main areas)
- Pasadena
- Culver City
- Studio City
- Los Feliz
- Manhattan Beach
- Skid Row (Downtown LA)
- Hollywood Boulevard at night
- Venice Beach after dark
- Downtown LA (certain areas at night)
- South LA
- Compton
- Parts of Hollywood
English is the main language. LA is very diverse with big Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Armenian communities. Tourist areas operate in English, with multilingual support available, especially in areas like Koreatown and Chinatown.
- LA is pretty casual - you can wear athleisure and beach clothes most places. Only upscale restaurants and clubs in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood really have dress codes.
- Tip 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, and tip rideshare drivers in the app. Valet parking costs $5-15 and is common at nicer places.
- The city is very diverse with a strong entertainment industry presence. The health and fitness culture is big here - juice bars, yoga studios, and workout stuff everywhere.
- Uber and Lyft are your best bet, especially at night. They're reliable and cover the whole area.
- Renting a car gives you the most freedom but parking is expensive ($15-30/day in popular areas) and traffic is terrible. Don't leave anything visible in your car - break-ins are common.
- Metro buses and trains work during the day but many people don't feel comfortable using them. Avoid public transit at night and in sketchy downtown areas.
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are perfect - temps around 65-75°F, way fewer tourists, and hotel prices drop after summer. June is tricky because of 'June gloom' when the coast stays cloudy and cool until afternoon, which can mess with beach plans. Summer (July-August) hits 80-90°F inland and gets packed with tourists, plus everything costs more. Winter is actually nice at 60-70°F, but you might get hit with random rainstorms that can flood some areas and make traffic even worse than usual.
Help other women explore Los Angeles safely
Safe Accommodations in Los Angeles
Carefully vetted accommodations trusted by solo female travelers, with female-friendly features and safety amenities.
Safety Features
- 24-hour front desk and security
- Well-lit entrances and lobby areas
- Concierge can help with area advice
- Long-standing reputation as female-friendly
Walking Distance
Highlights
- Historic hotel originally founded by women
- Known for being welcoming to solo female travelers
- Downtown location with good security
- Has a poolside Mediterranean restaurant
Social Atmosphere
Mix of business travelers and tourists
Safety Features
- Front desk staff know the area
- In a generally safe neighborhood
- Property is well-lit
- Close to tourist areas with police presence
Walking Distance
Highlights
- Close to Santa Monica Beach and Pier
- Cheaper option near the beach
- Walking distance to restaurants and pier
- Located in the safer Santa Monica area
Social Atmosphere
Quiet motel, not much social interaction
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Neighborhoods in Los Angeles
Explore the different areas of Los Angeles and find the perfect neighborhood for your stay.
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is the safest and most upscale area in LA, with luxury shopping, high-end restaurants, and excellent security. It's expensive but you'll feel very safe walking around day or night.
West Hollywood
West Hollywood has LA's most inclusive nightlife scene in a relatively safe environment. The LGBTQ+-friendly culture, walkable streets, and good restaurants make it a popular area, especially if you want to experience the Sunset Strip.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica gives you the classic LA beach experience in a relatively safe area with good police presence. Tourist spots like the pier can get crowded with pickpockets, but overall it's a decent base for exploring the coast.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach gives you a taste of LA's alternative culture and art scene, but timing matters for safety. Abbot Kinney has good dining and shopping, but the boardwalk area can be risky, especially at night. Stick to daytime visits.
Koreatown
Koreatown gives you authentic Korean food and nightlife that runs all night. The constant activity provides some safety, but recent crime stats are higher than surrounding areas, so be extra careful in the evenings despite the busy atmosphere.
Silver Lake
Silver Lake gives you a taste of LA's creative hipster culture in a relatively safe area. Good coffee, innovative restaurants, and art venues, plus it's safer than nearby Echo Park if you want the alternative scene without too much risk.
Los Feliz
Los Feliz offers a good balance of safety, affordability, and culture, with one of LA's lowest crime rates. Easy access to Griffith Park, charming village feel, and good local restaurants make it a solid base if you want security without sacrificing character.
Culver City
Culver City offers a good blend of safety, culture, and dining in a walkable area. The arts district, good restaurants, and family-friendly atmosphere make it a secure base for exploring LA while having its own attractions.
Pasadena
Pasadena offers LA's most refined suburban experience, combining excellent safety with cultural attractions like the Huntington Gardens and Norton Simon Museum. This historic city provides a peaceful break from LA's intensity while maintaining good access to the broader metro area.
Studio City
Studio City gives you one of LA's safest neighborhoods with convenience and proximity to the entertainment industry. Peaceful residential streets, good amenities, and easy access to Universal Studios make it ideal if you want security without giving up access to LA's entertainment scene.
Hollywood
Hollywood has the iconic attractions and entertainment history, but safety is a real concern. You can explore during busy daytime hours, but avoid evening visits unless you're in a group. Many experienced travelers suggest skipping Hollywood entirely for safer neighborhoods.
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown LA has some of the city's best dining and cultural attractions, but requires careful planning due to variable safety conditions. While the area has improved and has great restaurants and rooftop bars, stick to busy, well-lit areas and avoid solo exploration after dark, especially anywhere near Skid Row.