A Local’s Guide to Los Angeles for Young Travelers & Digital Nomads

Why LA?

Los Angeles is more than just Hollywood and palm trees—it’s a city of contrasts, cultures, and hidden gems. From budget-friendly beach towns to artistic hubs, LA offers something for everyone, especially young travelers, digital nomads, and adventure seekers looking to experience the city without spending a fortune.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best neighborhoods to stay in, cool things to do on a budget, great places to eat, and how to explore LA without a car.

👉 Coming Up in This Guide:
✅ Affordable & mid-range places to stay
✅ Best cheap eats & hidden local gems
✅ Free & budget-friendly activities
✅ Digital nomad-friendly cafés & co-working spaces
✅ Nightlife & social spots for young travelers

1. Where to Stay: Budget-Friendly & Mid-Range Options

LA is massive, and where you stay matters A LOT. Here are the best neighborhoods for affordability, safety, and easy access to major spots.

🏝️ Venice Beach – Best for Laid-Back Vibes & Digital Nomads

• Why stay here? Close to the beach, full of creatives, and packed with affordable cafés & co-working spots.

• Budget stays:

  • 🏨 Samesun Venice Beach Hostel – $50/night for dorms, $120 for private rooms

  • 🏨 The Kinney Venice Beach – Stylish & mid-range, around $180/night

• Best for: Digital nomads, solo travelers, surfers, and those who love a chill vibe.

🎭 Downtown LA – Best for City Lovers & Culture Seekers

• Why stay here? Close to historic sites, artsy neighborhoods, and cool nightlife.

• Budget stays:

  • 🏨 Freehand Los Angeles – Hostel/hotel mix, $55 for dorms, $150 for private

  • 🏨 The Wayfarer DTLA – Trendy mid-range boutique, around $170/night

• Best for: City lovers, museum-goers, and nightlife enthusiasts.

🎸 Silver Lake & Echo Park – Best for Hipsters & Foodies

• Why stay here? Trendy, walkable, full of indie cafés, music spots, and affordable restaurants.

• Budget stays:

  • 🏨 PodShare Los Feliz – Co-living & budget-friendly, $60/night

  • 🏨 Silver Lake Pool & Inn – Mid-range, stylish, around $200/night

• Best for: Artsy travelers, musicians, and those who want to explore LA’s indie scene.

💡 Travel Tip: If you’re on a super tight budget, consider staying in Koreatown or North Hollywood—they’re cheaper, still well-connected, and packed with amazing (and cheap) food!

2. Best Cheap Eats & Local Hidden Gems

LA has insane food options, and you don’t have to spend big to eat well.

🌮 Street Food & Taco Trucks

• Leo’s Tacos Truck (Multiple locations) – $2.50 tacos, legendary al pastor

• Mariscos Jalisco (Boyle Heights) – $4 shrimp tacos, best in LA

🍔 Classic LA Eats

• In-N-Out Burger – $3.50 for a Double-Double

• Tommy’s Original (Downtown) – $5 chili burgers that hit different

🍣 Budget-Friendly International Bites

• Sapp Coffee Shop (Thai Town) – $10 boat noodles

• Guelaguetza (Koreatown) – $12 mole tamales, Michelin-recognized

• Tacos 1986 (Hollywood) – $3 tacos, $5 mulitas

☕ Digital Nomad-Friendly Cafés

• Menotti’s Coffee Stop (Venice Beach) – Best for a chill, beachy work vibe

• Verve Coffee (Downtown) – Great WiFi, $4.50 lattes

• Maru Coffee (Arts District) – Cozy, aesthetic, good for deep work

💡 Travel Tip: LA’s farmer’s markets are a hidden budget hack—tons of fresh, cheap food! Check out Hollywood Farmers’ Market (Sundays) or Smorgasburg LA (Sundays, Downtown).

3. Free & Budget-Friendly Things to Do in LA

LA has TONS of free or super cheap activities.

🌊 Beach Days & Outdoor Adventures

• Venice Beach & Muscle Beach – Free people-watching & good vibes

• Santa Monica Pier – Walk the boardwalk, enjoy the sunset (rides $5-$10)

• Runyon Canyon – Free hiking with insane city views

• Griffith Observatory & Hollywood Sign Hike – Epic skyline views, totally free

🎭 Cultural & Artsy Vibes

• The Getty Museum – FREE admission (parking $20)

• The Broad Museum – Free modern art museum, but book ahead

• LA Arts District Street Art Walk – Totally free, just explore!

🎬 Classic LA Experiences

• Hollywood Walk of Fame – Free, though kinda touristy

• TV Show Tapings – Get free tickets to Jimmy Kimmel, The Late Late Show, etc.

💡 Travel Tip: Want cheap attractions? Get a GoCity LA Pass—$90 for 3 attractions (saves $$ if you’re visiting Universal Studios or Warner Bros Studio Tour).

4. Best Nightlife & Social Spots for Young Travelers

LA’s nightlife scene is as diverse as the city itself. Whether you want rooftop bars, cheap dive bars, live music, or underground parties, there’s something for everyone.

🍹 Budget-Friendly Bars & Rooftops

Los Angeles isn’t exactly cheap when it comes to drinks, but these spots offer great vibes without the insane price tags.

• The Highlight Room (Hollywood) – Rooftop bar with skyline views, cocktails ~$15

• EP & LP (West Hollywood) – Trendy rooftop, good for socializing

• Perch (Downtown LA) – Parisian-style rooftop, $6 beer during happy hour

• The Edison (Downtown LA) – Speakeasy vibes, live jazz nights, cocktails ~$14

🎸 Live Music & Indie Venues

LA’s music scene is 🔥. Whether you love rock, hip-hop, or electronic, there’s a venue for you.

• The Echo (Echo Park) – Indie bands & cheap tickets (~$15)

• Zebulon (Frogtown) – Underground & experimental music scene

• The Roxy (West Hollywood) – Classic LA music venue with big-name acts

• Sound Nightclub (Hollywood) – Best affordable electronic music club (~$20 cover)

🕺 Underground & Secret Parties

If you’re into warehouse raves, underground hip-hop, or artsy pop-ups, check out:

• Dialogue (secret house & techno parties)

• The Lash (Downtown – hip-hop & electronic underground scene)

• Secret SoCal Desert Raves – Check Reddit (r/aves) or Instagram for locations

💡 Pro Tip: Many clubs in LA have expensive covers ($20-$40). Get in free by going before 10 PM or signing up for guest lists!

5. Public Transport & How to Get Around LA on a Budget

Let’s be real: LA is NOT a walkable city 😅. It’s massive, and public transport isn’t the best, but you can get around without renting a car if you’re smart about it.

🚇 Budget-Friendly Transportation Options

• Metro (Bus & Subway) – $1.75 per ride or $7 for a day pass

• Metro Bike Share – $1.75 for 30 min, good for Venice/Santa Monica

• Ride-Sharing Apps – Uber & Lyft are common, but check out:

  • Curb (cheaper than Uber)

  • Metro Micro (shared rides for $1, great for local trips)

• Scooters & E-Bikes – Bird, Lime, or Wheels (~$0.39/min)

🚗 Should You Rent a Car?

• Pros: More freedom, essential for day trips, ~$40/day

• Cons: Parking is a nightmare & gas is $$$

💡 Budget Hack: FlyAway Bus from LAX to Downtown is only $9.75 instead of a $50 Uber!

6. Hidden Gems & Local-Only Spots

Want to experience LA like a local and avoid tourist traps? These hidden spots are must-visits.

🌅 Secret Viewpoints & Scenic Spots

• Cahuenga Peak Hike – A better, less crowded Hollywood Sign hike

• Elysian Park Swing – Secret swing with insane city views

• Ascot Hills Park – Stunning skyline views without the crowds

🎨 Arts & Culture Without the Tourists

• Velaslavasay Panorama – Weird but amazing 360° painted panorama

• Hauser & Wirth – Artsy warehouse gallery with free exhibits

• Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine – Hidden meditation garden

🍜 Off-the-Radar Cheap Eats

• Carnitas El Momo – Best pork tacos in LA (~$3)

• Jitlada – Legit Thai food, spicy & delicious (~$15 plates)

• Tire Shop Taqueria – No-frills, best carne asada tacos (~$2.50)

💡 Insider Tip: Ask locals & bartenders where they eat—LA’s best food isn’t always online!

7. Budget Breakdown: How Much to Expect to Spend in LA

Let’s talk MONEY—because LA can be done on a budget if you plan right.

🏠 Accommodation Costs

• Hostels: $50-$70/night

• Budget hotels: $120-$180/night

• Mid-range hotels: $180-$250/night

• Airbnb (private room): $90-$140/night

🍽️ Food & Drink Costs

• Street food/taco trucks: $3-$6 per item

• Casual restaurants: $10-$18 per meal

• Mid-range sit-down restaurants: $20-$40 per meal

• Happy hour drinks: $5-$8

• Cocktails at clubs: $14-$18 😭

🚗 Transport Costs

• Metro day pass: $7

• Uber/Lyft (short trips): $8-$15

• Rental car: ~$40/day + $15-$25 parking

• Scooters/e-bikes: ~$3-$8 per trip

🎟️ Activities & Attractions

• Free stuff: Beaches, hikes, museums, street art

• Paid attractions:

  • Universal Studios: ~$110

  • Warner Bros Studio Tour: $69

  • Disneyland: 😵 $150+

💡 Money-Saving Tips:
✅ Get a Metro pass instead of Ubers
✅ Happy hour for cheaper drinks
✅ Farmers markets for cheap eats
✅ Use CityPASS for attraction discounts

8. Best Day Trips from LA

If you have extra time, these day trips are 100% worth it:

🏖️ Malibu – Stunning beaches, seafood, and hiking

• El Matador Beach – Most scenic hidden beach

• Point Dume – Best ocean views & cliffs

• Neptune’s Net – Famous seafood shack

🌵 Joshua Tree – Desert landscapes & trippy rock formations

• Hidden Valley Trail – Best easy hike

• Pioneertown – Old West movie set town

🎢 Anaheim (Disneyland & Beyond)

• Disneyland is $$$, but Knott’s Berry Farm is a cheaper alternative (~$65 ticket)

💡 Budget Hack: Rent a car only for day trips instead of the whole stay!

Why LA is Worth Visiting (Even on a Budget!)

Despite its expensive reputation, Los Angeles is one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world. If you know where to stay, eat, and explore, you can experience the best of LA without draining your wallet.

✨ My Final LA Travel Tips:
✔️ Stay in Venice, Downtown, or Silver Lake for affordability
✔️ Eat at taco trucks & happy hours instead of fancy restaurants
✔️ Use Metro passes & bikes instead of renting a car
✔️ Do free stuff—hikes, beaches, museums, and street art
✔️ Go off the beaten path for real local experiences

Whether you’re a digital nomad, solo traveler, or adventure seeker, LA has something for you—without breaking the bank. Pack your bags and get ready for the ultimate West Coast adventure! 🌴✨