3 guys in mid 20s Visiting for a week: Santa Monica vs Hollywood (San Diego: rent, to live)

[daum]

Hi!

My friends and I will be visiting LA at the end of the month for a week. We are trying to decide between Santa Monica and Hollywood. From our research so far, it looks like Santa Monica is a little bit more expensive than Hollywood.

We are really interested in enjoying the nightlife, the party scene, and the outdoor activities in LA.

So, I was hoping LA locals could answer some of our questions.

1. What is the nightlife like in Santa Monica and how does it compare to Hollywood?
2. I've been reading that the nightlife in (West) Hollywood mostly caters to gays. Are there active nightlife for straight guys as well?
3. Is the nightlife in either place pretty active during the weekdays as well? Or is it only during the weekend?
4. Generally, how far apart (time wise with traffic and all) are Santa Monica and Hollywood?
5. Are the crowds at each place different? We are pretty average regular people (not really hippy or edgy, not jocky, not yuppies).

Some of us are saying we should stay in Santa Monica and enjoy the beach and go to Hollywood for nightlife; and Some of us are saying we should stay in Hollywood and just visit the beach during the day. Which do you think is better?

We are three Asian guys if that matters (2 Koreans and 1 Indian).

Even if you don't have answers for all the questions, please, feel free to give us your opinions!

Thanks!

[disgruntled la native]

1. Santa Monica is more laid back overall. A mix of dive bars and taverns, a few loungy places, and only a handful of upscale nightclubs. Drink prices will still be expensive. Hollywood has it all, from dive bars to $1000 bottle service.

2. Only a portion of West Hollywood is gay nightlife, between Santa Monica Blvd from Robertson to Crescent Heights. If you're on Sunset or Melrose it'll be straight bars and clubs.

3. Yes, especially in West Hollywood and Hollywood, but there will be at least a few people out in Santa Monica too.

4. About 10 miles apart, could be 30 minutes with no traffic, 60-90 with.

5. Santa Monica's nightlife tends to be more affluent, yuppie, preppy (though not overtly), square. West Hollywood and Hollywood attracts a mix of wannabe glamorous types and interesting characters.

I think if you're looking for a more traditional experience Santa Monica will be better. If you want risk and stories to tell back home, try Hollywood.

[hamellr]

Both. Spend half your time in each.

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

1. Santa Monica is more laid back overall. A mix of dive bars and taverns, a few loungy places, and only a handful of upscale nightclubs. Drink prices will still be expensive. Hollywood has it all, from dive bars to $1000 bottle service.

2. Only a portion of West Hollywood is gay nightlife, between Santa Monica Blvd from Robertson to Crescent Heights. If you're on Sunset or Melrose it'll be straight bars and clubs.

3. Yes, especially in West Hollywood and Hollywood, but there will be at least a few people out in Santa Monica too.

4. About 10 miles apart, could be 30 minutes with no traffic, 60-90 with.

5. Santa Monica's nightlife tends to be more affluent, yuppie, preppy (though not overtly), square. West Hollywood and Hollywood attracts a mix of wannabe glamorous types and interesting characters.

I think if you're looking for a more traditional experience Santa Monica will be better. If you want risk and stories to tell back home, try Hollywood.

This is basically all the OP needs to read. You nailed it.

[GatsbyGatz]

If it's possible, hit up the Gaslamp District in San Diego. Santa Monica is laid back and relaxed; maybe a place to take a girl out to grab a drink or to meet a business partner, but not for two young guys to live it up and hit on girls.

Hollywood, West Hollywood, and the Gaslamp in San Diego is where you'll want to go.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by GatsbyGatz

If it's possible, hit up the Gaslamp District in San Diego. Santa Monica is laid back and relaxed; maybe a place to take a girl out to grab a drink or to meet a business partner, but not for two young guys to live it up and hit on girls.

Hollywood, West Hollywood, and the Gaslamp in San Diego is where you'll want to go.

You can definitely live it up and hit on girls in Santa Monica. Circle Bar on Main is the biggest meat market but several other places have that going on too including the new hip place the bungalow. Not as much as West Hollywood or hollywood, i'll give you that.

[hken]

Stay at the beach. You can roll out of bed, walk to the beach and hang out all afternoon and then cab it to Hollywood on those nights you want to check it out.

You should also spend a couple days down in Manhattan/Hermosa beach. Gotta do South Bay while you are out here.

[GatsbyGatz]

Originally Posted by hken

Stay at the beach. You can roll out of bed, walk to the beach and hang out all afternoon and then cab it to Hollywood on those nights you want to check it out.

You should also spend a couple days down in Manhattan/Hermosa beach. Gotta do South Bay while you are out here.

I agree with this. Santa Monica is definitely the place to be during the day.

[LBNative]

Stay at the beach. Rent a car and explore Hollywood at night. Visit Koreatown too. A bunch of late hour things to do.

[daum]

Thanks guys! Is there still traffic around 3am or so? Just asking to see how long of a drive it will be if we stay in SM and go clubbing in hollywood at night.

I also forgot to ask. Is the water warm enough to swim around late August/ early Sept?