Jack

I am going to LA for the first time in a few weeks and want to know about West Hollywood. Is it safe to walk around between 5-10 p.m.? What about parking (safe? easy? expensive?)? What should I know before venturing out?

michele

Jack,
West Hollywood is fine for walking, but I don't know where, exactly, you want to walk. LA is not a great city for walking as I am sure you know. Parking is never easy, but there are plenty ot meters on Santa Monica boulevard and SOME of the side streets offer parking to non-residents. There is construction going on (and on and on) on Santa Monica boulevard which makes it even more difficult to park. If you have a more specific address (sometimes West Hollywood is used loosely and could be Beverly Hills or LA), I'd be happy to provide more details.

Thyra

Michele is very correct regarding construction on Santa Monica Blvd.When will it end???
Santa Monica Blvd. is safe to walk down in my experience, it is the major artery through the predominantly gay section of Los Angeles and certain concentrations of blocks have lots of gay bars etc. But great shops and fun dance clubs. If you do manage to find residential street parking (which is really tough on Fri and Sat nights) beware of the signs.. a lot of residential street parking needs a permit.. or you may need a permit to park on certain days and certain hours, (just got a ticket last weekend)

Jack

ORIGINAL POSTER - Thanks for the advice. What I should have asked was are there reasonable parking garages/lots in the vicinity of Santa Monica and San Vicente, and if so, would it be safe to walk in that area after dark? Coming from the East I am both aware of the pain of resident only parking and the fact that LA is not a walking town! In any event, I will not be there on a weekend (hopefully that will reduce some parking hassles). If I need to street park, will I return to my parking space only to find my car gone?!

Christina

That's a pretty congested area traffic-wise, but where isn't in LA. Yes, it's safe to walk around there, that's a safe part of town. I'm not sure about the parking garages so will let someone else answer that, I kind of doubt it but think you can find parking around there on side streets without too much trouble--I just drive through there on the way to a friends' house in Mandeville Canyon so haven't paid much attention. BUT that is not West Hollywood at all. It is simply West LA. If you want to go to West Hollywood, that's a different part of the city, about 5 miles to the east of there; I'd probably describe it as around the area between La Brea and La Cienaga Blvds going north/south(and, yes, SM Blvd.). So, maybe you should explain where you really want to go and what you want to see to figure out the parking, walking situation (people do jog along San Vicente in Brentwood--that area you described is pretty much Brentwood, I believe, there are some posh restaurants, cafes, upscale shops, etc in Brentwood Village (area sort of north of Wilshire around Bundy and Barrington and San Vincente aves.) A lot of those merchants validate parking; there is a large lot on the Veteran Administration's property nearby that charges to the public, but I'm not sure exactly the best entrance (I think on the north end but not sure). I'm not sure about the residential are parking situation around there. Is Brentwood safe to walk around at night? hmmmm.... ever see the OJ Simpson trial? you decide

michele

Jack,
If there is a lot on Santa Monica and San Vincente I sure haven't found it, but I am not on the Westside that much, and who knows, with all that construction maybe one has appeared. There IS public parking in Beverly Hills on Santa Monica boulevard that isn't too far of a walk to West Hollywood. However,as you will be there during the week , you will have a good chance of getting a space on a meter or a sidestreet. I think it's two hours and your car will be there.

Thyra

There is a small strip of public parking on the South side of Santa Monica blvd. West of Crescent Heights, that spills out onto a side street called La Jolla, it's about 20 or so metered spaces, highly coveted as you can imagine.

michele

Jack,
The Pacific Design Center(BIG BLUE) has a lot and it's about a two block walk to Santa Monica Boulevard.Enter on Melrose and Santa Monica. THAT should solve your parking problem.

michele

Jack,
Two more suggestions: there is a lot behind RAGE(bar, night club) right on SM Boulevard and the Post Office has a lot, also on SM Boulevard. I think PDC is your best bet as you could avoid a lot of traffic and construction detours, but if it's not open at night, the above will solve your parking problems.

Barbara

There are also meters on Melrose, one block south of Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood is one part of L.A. where you'll find lots of pedestrian traffic. Many locals walk to the local restaurants, cafes, etc. because parking is such a nightmare & Santa Monica is being torn apart.