Youth Hostels in Los Angeles in general

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Just bare that in mind before being sucked in by the free offers of hostels in LA, and learn from my mistakes. I arrived at LA's central station on a hot, February afternoon. The sun was already baking the pavements and blazing off the cars as they streamed by. I was on a tight budget. I'd just travelled across the US by train for a bargain price of $150, and now I needed a place to crash. The Los Angeles Backpacker's Paradise Hostel seemed to be the answer. Free lunch, free airport transfer, free breakfast, free shuttle bus to venice beach, free taxi to the hostel - this was the one. The ...  Read the complete review

I have stayed in numerous hostels in north america but none compared to the one I stayed in venice beach, LA. Firstly we stayed in one recommended in a book, we were looking for the cheapest thing going, but this was in the dodgiest place. We were took a walk and found an alternative however, $20per night but well worth it..... basically a mexican family conerted their house into a small hostel, their two upstair bedrooms became dormitories, about 8 bunkbeds with a adjoining bathroom, one room for the men, and one room for the girls. But whilst staying there we met some funny people, one of the girls was a french lady who had set a business up and ...  Read the complete review

LA being such a spread out city, it can be a problem deciding where to stay. Instinctly you would think downtown area is central, but not for LA, nothing is central. Hollywood....no no.... it's rundown and not very safe at night. Venice beach... ok not too bad.... I would still say Santa Monica is the best, it's peaceful, safe and pleasant. It's slightly expensive though. But if you are travelling alone or just with another friend, and not driving, I will recommend Hostelling International Santa Monica. You don't have to be a member, just pay slightly more and get six stamps and you will be a member. I was there with my sister, just the two ...  Read the complete review