Where to stay for direct Metro access to Olympic venues. Compare neighborhoods by transit time, hotel price, and what each neighborhood offers.
The 2028 Olympics will bring crowds to Los Angeles, but if you choose your hotel neighborhood wisely, you can avoid the parking chaos and traffic jams. Staying near Metro stations means fast, affordable transit to Olympic venues, plus you're in walkable neighborhoods with restaurants, bars, and attractions.
This guide breaks down the best hotel neighborhoods by Metro access, price, and what each area offers. Whether you're looking for budget value, beach access, nightlife, or proximity to specific venues, there's a Metro-connected neighborhood for you.
Best for: Walking to venues, nightlife, convention center, Crypto.com Arena
Downtown LA is the beating heart of Olympic transit. It's served by four Metro lines (A, B, D, E), connecting you to most Olympic venues within 15-40 minutes. Major hotels cluster around the Arts District and Civic Center, putting you steps from stations like 7th St/Metro Center, Pershing Square, and Civic Center.
From Downtown, you're a short walk or train ride to the LA Convention Center (rowing, modern pentathlon, badminton), Crypto.com Arena (basketball, gymnastics), and the LA Memorial Coliseum (track and field). Major event venues at UCLA, SoFi Stadium, and Long Beach are 30-50 minutes away by direct train.
Price Range: $150-350+ per night | Best Transit Time to Venues: 15-40 minutes
Best for: Nightlife, dining, entertainment, mid-range budget
Hollywood on the B Line (Red Line) puts you in the heart of LA's nightlife and entertainment district. The Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine stations connect you to the red carpet neighborhood with excellent restaurants, bars, and the Walk of Fame.
From Hollywood, downtown venues are about 30 minutes by Metro. You're also well-positioned to reach UCLA (via bus transfer), making this a solid base if you're catching swimming, volleyball, or basketball at Pauley Pavilion.
Price Range: $130-250 per night | Best Transit Time to Venues: 25-45 minutes
Best for: Budget travelers, foodies, Korean cuisine
Koreatown is the most affordable neighborhood on this list, with hotels $100-150 per night, and it has direct access to B and D Lines (Wilshire/Normandie and Wilshire/Western stations). You're in one of LA's best eating districts, with karaoke, BBQ, and Korean cafes on every block.
Transit times are slightly longer (30-50 minutes to downtown venues), but the price savings are significant. If you're looking to stretch your Olympic budget and don't mind a slightly longer commute, Koreatown is an excellent choice.
Price Range: $90-150 per night | Best Transit Time to Venues: 30-50 minutes
Best for: Beach lovers, budget-conscious, rowing and canoe sports fans
Long Beach on the A Line (Blue Line) gives you beach access, cheaper hotels ($120-180/night), and direct proximity to the Long Beach Marine Stadium where rowing, canoe slalom, and water sports will take place. The Pike downtown has bars, restaurants, and ocean views.
It's about 45 minutes to downtown venues, so Long Beach is best if you're primarily attending water sports or don't mind the commute. The beach atmosphere and savings make it a unique option for Olympic visitors who want a break from the urban core.
Price Range: $120-180 per night | Best Transit Time to Venues: 40-50 minutes (closer to water sports)
Best for: Opening/Closing Ceremonies, football, basketball, brand new hotels
Inglewood is home to SoFi Stadium, which hosts the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, football, and basketball. The new K Line (Katz Line) opens in 2025 and runs directly to Inglewood/Downtown Inglewood station, a 5-minute walk from SoFi.
New hotels are opening specifically for the Olympics. From Inglewood, you can reach downtown venues in about 35-40 minutes via K Line. If your main event is at SoFi (especially the Opening Ceremony), Inglewood is unbeatable — you'll be nearby and fresh, not exhausted from a long commute.
Price Range: $130-220 per night | Best Transit Time to Venues: 35-45 minutes (5 min walk to SoFi)
Best for: Rose Bowl venue, historic Old Town atmosphere, families
Pasadena on the A Line (Gold Line) gives you charming Old Town dining and shopping, plus proximity to the Rose Bowl (athletics, soccer). The neighborhood has mid-range hotels ($140-220/night) and a slower pace than downtown or Hollywood.
It's about 40-50 minutes to downtown venues, so Pasadena works best if you're attending Rose Bowl events or want a quieter base with day trips into downtown. The historic character and tree-lined streets feel more like a suburb than the urban Olympics experience.
Price Range: $140-220 per night | Best Transit Time to Venues: 40-50 minutes
Best for: Beach lovers, premium travelers, sunset walks, E Line direct routes
Santa Monica on the E Line (Expo Line) is the premium beach option. Hotels are pricier ($200-350+/night), but you get ocean access, iconic pier, upscale dining, and excellent Metro connectivity. The E Line runs directly to downtown and the Convention Center.
From Santa Monica, downtown venues are about 40-50 minutes away via E Line. You're also well-positioned for UCLA (volleyball, swimming, basketball) via the E Line. If budget allows, Santa Monica offers the best combination of urban and beach amenities.
Price Range: $200-350+ per night | Best Transit Time to Venues: 35-50 minutes (shorter to UCLA/Convention Center)
Use this table to compare transit times, hotel prices, and what each neighborhood excels at:
| Neighborhood | Metro Line(s) | Hotel Price | Time to Downtown | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown LA | A, B, D, E | $150-350+ | 5-15 min | Central hub, walking to venues |
| Hollywood | B (Red) | $130-250 | 25-30 min | Nightlife, dining, entertainment |
| Koreatown | B, D | $90-150 | 30-40 min | Budget value, amazing food |
| Long Beach | A (Blue) | $120-180 | 40-50 min | Beach access, water sports venues |
| Inglewood | K | $130-220 | 5 min to SoFi, 35-40 to DT | SoFi Stadium, ceremonies |
| Pasadena | A (Gold) | $140-220 | 40-50 min | Rose Bowl, historic charm |
| Santa Monica | E (Expo) | $200-350+ | 40-50 min to DT, 25-35 to UCLA | Beach, premium experience, UCLA venues |
Downtown LA is the hub. It's served by A, B, D, and E Lines, putting you within walking distance of Crypto.com Arena, LA Convention Center, and LA Memorial Coliseum. Most other venues are 30-50 minutes away by direct train. If you can afford Downtown, it's the smartest choice for venue access.
Koreatown is the champion. Hotels run $90-150 per night, and you have B and D Line access. You're about 30-50 minutes from most Olympic sites, but the price savings are enormous. Plus, the food scene is incredible.
Santa Monica. The E Line (Expo Line) connects you to downtown and UCLA venues. You get ocean access, the Santa Monica Pier, and upscale dining. Expect to pay $200-350+ per night, but you're getting premium accommodations plus a real beach vacation experience.
Yes, but Long Beach is best if you're attending water sports. The A Line connects you in about 45 minutes to downtown. Long Beach Marine Stadium (rowing, canoe) is your closest venue. Hotels are cheap ($120-180/night) and you get a beach town vibe.
Absolutely. The K Line drops you 5 minutes from SoFi's entrance. If the Opening Ceremony or major football/basketball events are your priorities, staying in Inglewood means you're fresh and don't need to wake up at 5 AM for a commute. From Inglewood, downtown is about 35 minutes away.
If soccer or athletics at the Rose Bowl are your main events, yes. The Gold Line (A Line) gets you there in about 10-15 minutes from downtown Pasadena. It's a charming neighborhood with historic Old Town vibes, but it's farther from most other Olympic sites (40-50 minutes to downtown).
No. If you choose a hotel within walking distance of a Metro station, you can reach all Olympic venues without a car. TAP cards are $2, rides are $1.75, and you avoid parking costs and traffic. This is the whole advantage of staying near Metro.
The best neighborhood for you depends on your priorities:
Book early, verify Metro access when you choose your hotel, and get a TAP card before you arrive. With those three steps, you'll have a smooth, stress-free 2028 Olympics experience.