LA is a driver’s city. If you’ll have a Hola Car Rentals car rental, these neighbourhoods make a great base: Westside (beach access), Hollywood (central sights), and the San Fernando Valley (space and value). Here’s how to pick the right area—and hotel—when you’ll be driving.
Westside: Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey
Choose the Westside if beach mornings and Pacific sunsets top your list. You’ll pay more for hotels, and many properties charge nightly parking. The trade‑off is easy access to PCH, the 10 and coastal drives. Families who pack heavy will love the extra room of a minivan rental, and leaving early keeps the 10/405 manageable.
Hollywood & nearby: most central for sightseeing
Stay around Hollywood/West Hollywood if you’ll bounce between studios, Griffith Park and museums. Expect hotel parking fees, but you’ll cut cross‑town time. A mid‑size with good visibility is ideal for canyon streets; compare SUV rentals at LAX for a stress‑free setup.
San Fernando Valley: space, garages and value
Burbank, Studio City and Sherman Oaks offer driveway‑style hotels, larger rooms and easier kerbside loading. You’ll rely on the 101 and 134 to reach the coast, but parking is simpler and often cheaper. If you’re travelling with friends, a passenger van makes group logistics easy.
Hotel‑parking checklist
- Confirm nightly parking cost and whether in/out privileges are included.
- Ask about EV chargers, height limits and valet‑only restrictions.
- Check weekend event surcharges (Pier concerts, games, award shows).
- Budget time for check‑in traffic—arriving before 4pm helps.
Why book with Hola Car Rentals
Hola Car Rentals keeps LA driving simple: All‑Inclusive+ with maximum coverage, free cancellation up to 48 hours, and cashback on tolls when your plans include expressways. Fly into LAX and head straight to your hotel from our Los Angeles pickup or choose a roomy minivan through Enterprise at LAX for effortless arrivals.
Ready to book? Lock in your Los Angeles car rental with Hola Car Rentals—transparent pricing, strong insurance and friendly support.
Downtown LA (DTLA): A great hub for food halls and venues, with plentiful garages. It’s farther from beaches and canyon hikes, but freeway access is excellent. Many hotels charge for valet; confirm self‑parking options if you prefer to hold the keys.
Universal & Burbank area: For studio tours and early call times, staying near Universal City or Burbank shortens drives and simplifies parking. Look for hotels with included parking—often easier to find than on the Westside.
Booking tip. Compare the full trip cost: nightly rates plus parking, expected fuel, and any tolls. Hola Car Rentals helps you forecast expenses with clear pricing and extras like toll cashback. If your plans change, free cancellation up to 48 hours keeps your itinerary flexible.
Sightseeing strategy with a car. Cluster attractions by zone to minimise crosstown traffic. Do Griffith Park (Observatory, Zoo) on the same day as Hollywood, and save the beach for another. Use garages rather than circling for street parking—municipal structures around Hollywood & Highland and Santa Monica are reliable and safer for luggage.
Pick the right vehicle for your base. Compact cars make valet ramps and tight garages effortless, while a mid‑size SUV balances visibility on canyon roads with comfortable freeway cruising. Travelling as a family? A minivan with sliding doors is worth it for hotel loading zones and beach gear.
