Which of the following areas of Los Angeles would be recommended to stay in during a 5-day visit, in terms of safety and attractions :
Hollywood, Pasadena, Universal city, Beverly Hills, or Glendale. Thanks alot!

I've lived in So. Calif for 50 years and moved to wine country between L.A. and San Diego. Don't go up that way except to drive thru- fast!! Just recently a murder was commited in the parking lot of Magic Mountain in Valencia, last year a gang shoot out at Raging Waters and Universal Studios. I do want to get brave and go visit the new J. Paul Getty Museum. It looks great! I don't think you would like Pasadena, Hollywood or Glendale. Perhaps Bevery Hills. Then you could make your way to Griffith Park, and the Observatory and planetarium and the L.A. Zoo. There is also the Gene Autry Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits. Then there are studio tours, Little Tokyo The races at Santa Anita will be over. There is a Holiday Inn in Hollywood 2P/2B $134 or Orchid Suites Hotel for $60 and the Best Western Hollywood Plaza Inn in the Heart of Hollywood, 5 min from Universal for $64. In Beverly Hills the motels are pricerer in my AAA book. You know you can use the EXCITE search engine to look up info on any city in the world (just about) Type "travel to Beverly Hills" in your browser and info should come up- sometimes complete with maps. Do the same for any other city you are interested in visiting as well as the museums etc. Good luck! Bring a bullet proof vest! hehe!!

I too live in the LA area and of the places you mentioned I would have to say Pasadena or Beverly Hills would be the best to stay. In both of those areas you are close enough to all the action (20 mins to 1 hour drive) but yet still far enough away from all the traffic and congestion. Yes i won't lie to you there are unsafe areas however for the most part the areas that you mentioned are fine.

We lived in Pasadena for 7 years and recently (last weekend) returned to celebrate a family thing in Sherman Oaks. We stayed at the beautiful Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel in Pasadena and felt that we had returned to a most special place. Pasadena is an oasis in the midst of crazy L.A. but from Pasadena one can get to Universal Studios, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, the new Getty (make a reservation in advance), as well as all the wonderful things in Pasadena--specifically Old Pasadena which has been totally renovated and is pure pleasure. From Pasadena during the day it's about 1 hour to the beach, but if you really want a beach experience, I would split my time between Pasadena and Santa Monica.(keep in mind that LA is really not a wonderful beach city-from Pasadena you can drive over 134 to 101 and then over Coldwater Canyon Drive to Bev. Hills--turn right on Sunset and follow it past UCLA to PCH, turn right and go to Malibu. If you do this, stop at the touristy but still attractive Gladstone's 4 FISH on Pacific Coast Highway right at Sunset Blvd. for lunch and to watch the surfers or gulls, whichever happens to be around.) It's a wonderful city--sure, there is crime, but there is also crime in DC and New York and Chicago. When you arrive in LA, pay special attention to the quality of light--it's like being on stage!! Only other hint--use your turn signals when changing lanes and then do so fast!! Unless you're used to it, don't drive in the fast lane, although now many freeways have a 24 hour, 7 day carpool lane which is heaven for two or more people. Enjoy this great city with all its cultural diversity.

Of the places you suggested Beverly Hills is the nicest. Pasadena has mixed areas, Universal City is really neat and close to many attractions and freeways and would be my second choice. They ar both safe areas. Hollywood is very interesting to see and you shouldn't miss it, but neither should you stay there. It isn't always very pleasant.

Los Angleles is like any other major city. We have our crime and our criminals. We also have some wonderful people and the best sights anywheres in the world within an hours drive. Just use your common sense and you will be fine.

I have lived in the Los Angeles area for nearly 30 years now and while it has its problems it is a great place to live most of the time. The weather is wonderful, the scenery and attractions wonderful, the restaurants and theater some of the best in the world. If you need more information please feel free to e mail me directly.

I am a partner in a 25 year old law firm and I am also a building and safety commissioner for the city of los angeles appointed by the mayor. The crime has dramatically been reduced under my friend Chief of Police Bernard Parks and I think you will be quite safe. Just be smart and have a wonderful time.

The most beautiful hotel I've stayed in anywhere was the Beverly Prescott @ 1224 S. Beverwill Dr. in Beverly Hills. An easy (and safe) walk to Rodeo Drive and an easy drive to all attractions. Great restaurant, wonderful staff and the cleanest hotel anywhere. Huge rooms with views of the Hollywood sign. Contact Express Reservations (a hotel consolidator) for discounted prices. 800-356-1123

I agree with the post regarding the Beverly Prescott. It is a wonderful and beautiful hotel. Before I moved to LA last year, I was out here on business about 12 times annually. I would stay at the Prescott whenever possible. Don't worry too much about crime. I have lived in 3 states, and many cities...I currently live in one of the beach cities outside LA, and have never been happier. This is a GREAT place with MANY things to do.

I live in the L.A. Area and if I was staying out here I would be staying in Beverly Hills, Universal City or Pasadena in the immediate L.A. Area (in that order). But how about Orange County? You can go to all the spots from there too and there are many places down there and most would be safe. You just have to use common sense in L.A. like any other big city.

Most of the above suggestions are pretty good. Ignore the posting from the alarmist. Los Angeles is a very large city. The population in the metro area execeeds 15 million. Therefore there are bound to be some bad areas among the good. Crime and problems are highly publicized in Los Angeles but it is safer than many other large cities in the US. Of all the areas you mentioned, Hollywood is probably the least desirable. Good place to visit but I wouldn't stay there. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is smog. Depending on the time of year etc., it can get pretty bad especially inland. I would avoid Pasadena if smog is a concern.

I would probably opt to stay along the beach either in Orange county or north of Santa Monica. Go to the "Travel Web" ( www.travelweb.com/index.html ) to check out accomodations. You can get a pretty good idea of what is available and the prices for anywhere. You can even book your place. Often they will still have vacancies and the rates are not bad.

My son who is currently working and living in Manhattan, would feel blessed to be back in Los Angeles. Not only is crime a factor in big cities, but quality of life as well and the quality of life in LA is great! If you're going to stay on the West side as opposed to Pasadena, I would stay in Sta. Monica at the Loews Santa Monica Beach hotel. Expensive, but beautiful and cleaner air---although still some smog. Smog never bothered me in Pasadena although it does exist. Those of you who talk about smog should know that the worst year for smog was 1956 and it's gotten progressively better ever since! I remember flying out of Chicago in August and as we took off my husband said "Look out there at all that haze!, When we get to LA, they'll call it smog and you tell me the difference!!" Enjoy a really nice city!