For a Metro-based first visit, stay in Hollywood or Downtown; for beaches, stay in Santa Monica. The City of Los Angeles lists its transient occupancy (hotel) tax at 14%. Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Malibu and Culver City are separate cities whose rates may differ, so ask your hotel to itemize taxes. This page compares areas and calculates the City of Los Angeles tax; it does not rate individual hotels. Some booking links are affiliate links (see our disclosure).
Where to stay in Los Angeles
Compare areas, see the 14% City of Los Angeles room tax and calculate your total. Booking links come after the advice.
Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details.
Which area to choose
| Area | Best for | Trade-off | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood | Walk of Fame, Metro B Line access | Busy and touristy | Hollywood guide |
| Downtown LA | Rail hub, museums, food | Not a beach setting | Downtown guide |
| Santa Monica | Beach and Metro E Line | Busy in summer; separate city | Santa Monica guide |
| Venice | Boardwalk, canals | No verified Metro rail station | Venice guide |
| Pasadena | Museums, rail day trip | Away from the coast; separate city | Pasadena guide |
| Beverly Hills | Luxury shopping | Costly; separate city | Beverly Hills guide |
Our assessment based on official descriptions. We have not inspected or rated individual hotels and publish no nightly rates.
City of Los Angeles room tax calculator
Estimate the tax added to a room rate inside the City of Los Angeles: transient occupancy tax of 14% per the Los Angeles Office of Finance (read October 11, 2026). Other cities and any resort or service fees are not included.
Booking notes
- Olympics: the LA28 Olympic Games run July 14–30, 2028; book early for those dates.
- Getting from the airport: see the transportation guide.
- Affiliate links: the partner banner and "Compare" buttons may be affiliate links; they are labeled and never change our area advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Which area should I stay in Los Angeles?
Hollywood or Downtown for Metro access, Santa Monica for the beach. See the neighborhoods guide.
How much is hotel tax in Los Angeles?
The City of Los Angeles transient occupancy tax is 14%. Other cities set their own rates.
When should I book a hotel in Los Angeles?
Book early for major events such as the 2028 Olympics (July 14–30, 2028). We have no verified price-by-month data, so we do not claim a cheapest month.
Are the hotel links affiliate links?
Some are. They cost you nothing extra and do not change what we write. See the affiliate disclosure.
Sources
Facts on this page were read from the sources below on October 11, 2026. Hours, fares, prices and event dates change — confirm with the source before you travel. How we research and update.
- Transient Occupancy Tax Requirements — Los Angeles Office of Finance
- LA28 announces official Games dates — LA28
- FTC Endorsement Guides: What people are asking — U.S. Federal Trade Commission
- Discover Los Angeles — Discover Los Angeles (LA Tourism)
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