Safety near UNION STATION (Los Angeles: hotel, transfer, safest area)

[thisiscool01]

I'm taking the train to Los Angeles and planning to stay the night. I found a hostel about a 30 min walk away- Stay on Main Hotel & Hostel. I was just wondering if this area was safe to walk? I tried searching for this information myself, but all the information is a few years old. It seems like this is not the safest area though...

[StreetLegal]

I think you are talking about a property on Main Street between 6th and 7th Street, correct?

I am a single guy and I'd have no problem making that walk (except it is kind of a long walk). If you are a 80 year old grandmother I'd be less confident. But during the daytime that is not a bad area to walk at all. Just stay on Main or west of Main. One block to the east is Los Angeles Street where "Skid Row" starts (between 3rd and 7th Street). Don't wander over to that area.

Also, no less important you can transfer at Union Station to the metro redline (subway) which will let you out at 5th and Hill. That will cut your walk down to a 5 or 10 minute walk. The cost is $1.75 for a one way trip. It is safe to walk from there to your spot on Main (day or night). Just use typical big city precautions and stay out of Skid Row (esp. at night).

[kasuga888]

^ do that. I usually prefer walking on spring street before turning onto main though. Usually less crazies. Avoid east of main st unless you are near little tokyo ( above 3rd st)

[UB50]

Los Angeles St. is fine during the day. Yeah, there are a lot of homeless but there are a lot of businesses around there too.

[Dave Osborn LA]

Don't know if this is useful but a good piece of advice I heard to not get bothered in some less-than-ideal areas is to eat something. The idea being that if you're walking down the street munching on an apple or eating a sandwich or something no one's going to give you a second look. You're just taking a stroll eating an apple on your lunch break!

Whereas if you are nervous about it, and unsure of the area, looking all around to make sure it's safe, that's what gets noticed. I agree with other posters though, during the day not too bad, lot's of folks about. Good Luck!

[UB50]

Originally Posted by Dave Osborn LA

Don't know if this is useful but a good piece of advice I heard to not get bothered in some less-than-ideal areas is to eat something. The idea being that if you're walking down the street munching on an apple or eating a sandwich or something no one's going to give you a second look. You're just taking a stroll eating an apple on your lunch break!

Whereas if you are nervous about it, and unsure of the area, looking all around to make sure it's safe, that's what gets noticed. I agree with other posters though, during the day not too bad, lot's of folks about. Good Luck!

I don't think that is a good idea. People are likely to ask you for food or ask you if you have another one (apple). Homeless people can be hungry!

If you do get bothered, it's likely going to be people either asking for money or food. That's about it.