Is Los Angeles safe for tourists?

Los Angeles is safe for tourists in its most-visited areas, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame corridor near Hollywood/Highland Station. Crime rates vary sharply by neighborhood, so knowing where to go and what to avoid makes a real difference. Most visitors complete their trips without incident by sticking to well-trafficked areas and using the Metro B Line to move between major attractions.

Safe neighborhoods for tourists in Los Angeles

Santa Monica ranks among the most visitor-friendly areas in the city. The Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier, and the surrounding blocks see heavy foot traffic day and night, and the Santa Monica Police Department maintains a visible presence along the beachfront.

Beverly Hills operates its own police department, separate from the LAPD, and the department patrols Rodeo Drive and the surrounding shopping district with high frequency. Tourists walking between shops or dining on Canon Drive face minimal risk.

West Hollywood, governed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, covers the Sunset Strip and Santa Monica Boulevard. The area draws large crowds on weekends and has well-lit streets with active nightlife. Incidents do occur near bar closing times, so stay aware of your surroundings after 1 a.m.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame corridor between La Brea Avenue and Vine Street sees millions of visitors each year. Daytime visits near Hollywood/Highland Station on the Metro B Line are generally fine. After midnight, the stretch east of Highland Avenue toward Cahuenga Boulevard gets quieter and less patrolled, so plan your evening accordingly.

Downtown Los Angeles west of Main Street, including Grand Avenue, the Broad Museum, and the area around 7th Street/Metro Center Station, is safe for daytime visits. The Arts District along Traction Avenue has grown into a popular dining and gallery destination with low incident rates.

Areas where tourists should exercise more caution

Skid Row, concentrated in the blocks between 3rd Street and 7th Street east of Main Street, has one of the highest concentrations of unhoused residents in the United States. The LAPD's Central Division covers this area, but tourists have no reason to walk through it. If you arrive at Union Station and plan to head toward the Arts District or Grand Avenue, use a rideshare or take the Metro A Line rather than walking east on 5th or 6th Street.

Parts of Downtown Los Angeles east of Main Street, including the area around San Pedro Street and Maple Avenue, see higher rates of property crime. Keep bags zipped and phones in your pocket rather than in your hand.

Certain stretches of Hollywood Boulevard east of Vine Street, particularly after midnight, attract a different crowd than the tourist-heavy blocks near the TCL Chinese Theatre. If you're heading to a late show at the Fonda Theatre or a bar on Cahuenga, take a rideshare directly to the venue rather than walking from a Metro station.

Venice Beach's boardwalk is popular during the day but can feel unpredictable after dark, especially near the north end toward Windward Avenue. Stick to the main boardwalk during daylight and leave before sunset if you're unfamiliar with the area.

Los Angeles neighborhood safety at a glance

Emergency numbers and resources in Los Angeles

The LAPD operates a non-emergency line at (877) 275-5273 for situations that don't require an immediate response, such as reporting a theft after the fact or filing a noise complaint. For anything urgent, call 911.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health runs a 24-hour crisis line at (800) 854-7771. If you or someone with you is in a mental health emergency, you can also call 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which connects you to local support.

Metro Transit Security covers all rail lines and bus rapid transit routes. Text 213-788-2777 to report suspicious activity on the Metro without making a phone call. Metro Transit Officers patrol stations including 7th Street/Metro Center, Union Station, and Hollywood/Highland.

The nearest urgent care and emergency rooms to major tourist areas include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, which covers West Hollywood and Beverly Hills visitors. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center at 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 serves the Westside and Santa Monica corridor.

Getting around Los Angeles safely by Metro

The Metro B Line connects Union Station to Hollywood/Highland in about 20 minutes and runs through 7th Street/Metro Center, making it the most useful rail line for tourists moving between Downtown and Hollywood. Trains run from approximately 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on weekdays, with extended hours on weekends.

The Metro E Line links Downtown to Culver City and terminates at Downtown Santa Monica Station, putting the pier and Third Street Promenade within a 5-minute walk. This line is well-used by commuters and tourists alike and feels safe throughout its route.

Avoid leaving bags unattended on Metro platforms, particularly at 7th Street/Metro Center and Pershing Square stations, which see higher foot traffic and occasional opportunistic theft. Keep your TAP card or phone ready before you reach the turnstile rather than fumbling at the gate.

For areas without Metro rail access, including Beverly Hills, Venice Beach, and the Sunset Strip, rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are the practical choice. Confirm your driver's license plate before getting in, and request rides from well-lit, populated spots rather than stepping into a side street.

Sustainable travel and safety in Los Angeles

Choosing the Metro over a rental car reduces your exposure to the frustrations of LA traffic and cuts your carbon footprint at the same time. The Metro E Line to Santa Monica and the B Line to Hollywood cover the two most popular tourist corridors without requiring you to navigate the 405 or find parking.

Walking-friendly neighborhoods like Santa Monica's Main Street corridor and the Arts District in Downtown LA reward visitors who explore on foot. Both areas have low vehicle-pedestrian conflict zones and active street life that makes walking feel natural rather than risky.

If you rent a bike or e-scooter through Metro Bike Share, stick to the protected lanes along Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica and the Spring Street protected lane in Downtown. These routes keep you separated from traffic and connect major attractions without requiring a car.