Where you stay in Los Angeles during the 2028 Olympics matters more than at most host cities. LA is spread across 500 square miles — choosing the wrong base can add hours of daily travel and hundreds in rideshare costs.
This guide breaks down the top neighborhoods by venue proximity, Metro access, hotel availability, and honest assessment of what each area is actually like for visitors.
1. Downtown LA (DTLA) — Best Overall Base
Ideal for: Basketball (Crypto.com Arena), boxing, visitors prioritizing Metro connections
DTLA is the most transit-connected area in Los Angeles. The 7th/Metro Center station is the hub of the entire Metro rail network — from there you can reach Pasadena (Rose Bowl), Long Beach Arena, UCLA, and Inglewood (SoFi). Walking distance to Crypto.com Arena means you can attend basketball and boxing without any transport stress.
Best pick in class: Hotels in South Park (around L.A. Live) and the Arts District tend to fill first. The JW Marriott at L.A. Live is attached to Crypto.com Arena — the closest possible hotel to that venue. Book at least 18 months before the Games.
- Crypto.com Arena: walkable (5 min)
- SoFi Stadium (Inglewood): 45–60 min by Metro
- Rose Bowl (Pasadena): ~40 min by Metro
- Long Beach Arena: ~60 min by Metro
2. Koreatown — Best Value Central Location
Ideal for: Budget-conscious visitors, late-night dining, central positioning
Koreatown sits between Hollywood and Downtown — 15 minutes by Metro to either. It is denser and more walkable than most of LA, with excellent Korean BBQ, 24-hour restaurants, and lower hotel prices than comparable proximity areas. The Metro B/D Lines run through at Wilshire/Vermont and Wilshire/Normandie stations.
- Cheaper hotels than Hollywood or Santa Monica equivalents
- 24-hour restaurants — critical after late evening events
- Metro to DTLA: ~15 min
- Metro to Hollywood: ~20 min
3. Inglewood — Best for SoFi Events
Ideal for: Attending Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony, or Athletics at SoFi Stadium
Inglewood is only 3 miles from SoFi and LAX. Hotel availability near the stadium itself is limited — the area is still developing — but hotels in the LAX corridor (5–10 min drive from SoFi) offer good proximity. For the Opening Ceremony (July 14, 2028) especially, being close to SoFi is worth the premium.
4. Pasadena — Best for Rose Bowl Events
Ideal for: Soccer fans attending Rose Bowl matches
Pasadena's Old Town is one of the most pleasant walkable areas in greater LA. If your primary events are football/soccer at the Rose Bowl, staying in Pasadena means you avoid 30–40 min Metro commutes from DTLA. The event-day shuttle from Memorial Park Metro station runs directly to the Rose Bowl. The Langham Huntington is the most iconic hotel option; the Westin Pasadena is more practical for budget.
5. Long Beach — Most Overlooked
Ideal for: Long Beach Arena (combat sports) and El Dorado Park (archery) events
Long Beach is its own city with its own downtown, waterfront, and hotel market. It is significantly less competitive for accommodation than central LA neighborhoods, and for visitors primarily attending Long Beach events, staying here makes transport trivially simple. Metro A Line to Downtown Long Beach from DTLA: ~60 min if you need to attend events elsewhere.
Quick Comparison
| Neighborhood | Best For | Metro Access | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown LA | Crypto.com Arena, transit hub | Excellent | $$$–$$$$ |
| Koreatown | Value, central location | Good | $$–$$$ |
| Inglewood | SoFi Stadium events | Limited (improving) | $$$ |
| Pasadena | Rose Bowl soccer | Good | $$–$$$$ |
| Long Beach | Long Beach events | Good (Metro A Line) | $$–$$$ |
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