Los Angeles

What's a good area to stay in Los Angeles?

I know there is a substantial traffic problem. I've no idea where I'd go or what I'd do (yet). What I'm looking for is a "safe" area, and preferably a quiet one.

Last time I was in LA,15 yrs ago, had a great time in the Manhattan Beach area.
Its a pretty hip area.

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, the entire coastal area down thru San Pedro and into Long Beach is hip, nightclub and beach houses area for whats left of the swinging singles. Some gays with the real estate upheaval but bars in Long Beach will usually have a pink triangle. Long beach was one third bikers, one third retirees and one third gay, until it was discovered by Condo Renovation types and all those cheap funky used book stores closed and where replaced by condos for the Yuppies.

Marina Del Rey is rich people's yachts and rich people's bars. Women you meet in the Marina will own Spam and/or Porno companies. If you meet Women Empowerment Types in The Marina they will usually be creative and successful but will actually live in Encino where they shoot much of their Assertive Whore Soft Core Fantasies for the Internet Subscription market or Gut Shot Debbie shows for the woman who skewers her male poker opponents.

Playa Del Rey is largely Rich Black's yachts and rich Black bars.

Downtown is a mess but skid row is the latest real estate boom area. So as you step over drunks you can look at real estate bargains and the muzzle of a pistol or two.

Santa Monica is upscale, particularly near the beach/downtown area. Parking disputes can lead to death so can trusting businessmen from the Middle East who own Hookah Clubs.

Quote: Nareed

What's a good area to stay in Los Angeles?

Santa Barbara. There are no nice places
in LA.

Santa Barbara decades ago when hippies and runaways infested State Street and local bars were cheap and land was still somewhat cheap.

Now the bars are all upscale wine bars and the land is all vineyards and Condominiums and cars all cost more than the average American makes in his life.

Quote: Nareed

What's a good area to stay in Los Angeles?

I know there is a substantial traffic problem. I've no idea where I'd go or what I'd do (yet). What I'm looking for is a "safe" area, and preferably a quiet one.

Los Angeles is a sprawling community with a very inefficient public transportation system. Therefore it is better to decide what you would like to see or do, and your budget, then plan accordingly.

One thing to keep in mind is that safe and quiet are inversely related to the liberalness of the neighborhood.

Quote: Fleastiff

Santa Barbara decades ago when hippies and runaways infested State Street and local bars were cheap and land was still somewhat cheap.

Now the bars are all upscale wine bars and the land is all vineyards and Condominiums and cars all cost more than the average American makes in his life.

As someone who lives in Santa Barbara, there is some truth to the bars = upscale wine bars statement. The artsy area known as the "Funk Zone" has been transformed over the past two years. Lower State street still has some bars (500 block), and there are a few way up on Upper State street as well. You just have to know where to go. The vineyards are 30+ miles from here, you have to go over the pass (hwy 154) out to Santa Ynez. No vineyards here. There are a few apartments and condos, yes, but mostly single family homes. There is still a significant hippy class here. It is a beautiful place to live, I appreciate it every single day. Five minutes to the beach. Five minutes to hikes in rugged hills. No real traffic to speak of (unless you are driving south on a Sunday). Great things to do around town. Not too far from Las Vegas (5 hours) or Los Angeles (2 hours). Summer days in the 70's, winter days in the 60's. It would be perfect if it would just rain again!

As far as recommendations for Los Angeles, I'd say Santa Monica somewhere. It's convenient to a lot of places, and enjoyable by itself.

Quote: Fleastiff

Santa Barbara decades ago when hippies and runaways infested State Street and local bars were cheap and land was still somewhat cheap.

I lived in Santa Barbara in the late 70's
and owned a dive bar in the 500 block
of lower State St. Yes, lots of bums there
in those days, all over lower State. Land
was not cheap when I was there, that's
why I left. I realized I would never own a
house , and I didn't really care for the
people anyway. The transient population
drove me nuts, lots of crime, burglaries
and breaking into cars. I moved in 83 and
have never been back. It's a beautiful
place to live, if it wasn't for the people.

Quote: teliot

you have to go over the pass (hwy 154) out to Santa Ynez.

I loved the Santa Ynez valley and its airport. over the pass? I remember the By Pass.... where the old Stage Stop Bar was and probably the second best restaurant in California next door to it. All those bikers, all those broads who used to ride Rice Burners but now are wealthy and go to the Miracle Worker twice a month but still ride, only now its a Harley.

A dive bar in 83? Should have befriended the young girls until you found out which were runaways and which were throwaways. Take the throwaways down across the San Ysidro Crossing and in one trip you would have made enough to own a mansion in Santa Barbara.

Thanks for all the replies. You've all been very helpful.