My girlfriend and I are going to California this summer for holiday.

We would like to stay 4-5 nights in L.A.
Which district would be the nicest live in? Maybe at the Pacific Coast?

LA is huge and it is really hard getting around especially if you do not have a car.

I think the best location in LA is Santa Monica. By the beach so you will be able to swim.

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo all have good hotels near or on the beach and are relatively centrally located to launch day trips to points of interest.

I think Hollywood is tacky verging on seedy. Worth an hour to visit, but don't drag your trip down by staying there. Don't stay at an LAX hotel. You don't want a vacation in a lay-over dormitory on a service road.

Southern California is enormous with traffic that does not let up all day long. The biggest danger of an LA vacation is spending all your time on the freeway. Take care not to try to go too far or too many places.

I second Manhattan or Hermosa Beach.

Also, we recently had a very pleasant stay at Marina del Rey at this place: http://www.jamaicabayinn.com/#?chebs=gl_jbi

If you prefer to be near more action, Santa Monica is on the water. We like the studio suites here : http://www.embassyhotelapts.com/roomrates.html

HTTY

To fly into Los Angeles and NOT stay at the beach is a huge mistake; you can be at some of the most beautiful and "fun" beaches in the world!
the south bay beaches ( Manhattan, Hermosa & Redondo)are just minutes from LAX but an entire different world than "Los Angeles"; one hour from every southern california attraction you want to hit!
just a thought: instead of staying at a resort hotel ( which we have!) try out a vacation rental...on or just off the beach!
http://www.vrbo.com/400664

Depends on the budget, Santa Monica is pretty pricey in the summer. Manhattan an especially Redondo I would disagree about, I don't think they're easy places to take day trips from, especially without a car.

You definitely would want a car, so if you don't, it will have a huge impact on where you stay.

I think Hermosa is a great choice. The beaches are great, and depending on what you want to pay, you can be right on the beach. It isn't hard to get anywhere from there.

What types of things are you interested in doing while you are here?

If you want to stay near the beach I'd look at Venice or Santa Monica.

If you want to stay right downtown The Figeroa Hotel is very good and reasonably priced.

in order to be totally helpful, we'd need to know your budget, and whether you are renting a car or not . . .

At Venice Beach, we like the Inn at Venice Beach because it's small, unique, includes continental breakfast, has an inner courtyard, and parking is only $8/day. It's a Pacifica hotel, sister property to the Jamaice Bay Inn mentioned above, which we also like a lot. It is more expensive than the Inn at VB, though.

There's a Holiday Inn in Santa Monica, right next to the beach. I don't know it's address, but it is behind Finn McCool's Irish Pub at 2702 Main Street (a cute little area).

I am giving you less expensive, well-located ideas, not knowing your budget or preference.

Thank you everybody for useful replies.

I would prefer near to the Coast. Budget $150-200 per night.

I've never been to USA before. So I'm looking forward to visit your coutry.

Check out Inn at Venice Beach ASAP, then, to snag your budget price.