Safe places to stay by Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS)

[AnnieB]

Are there any safe places to stay by LAX Union Station these days, or does anyone have an idea of where to stay when we need to be at the station early?
It doesn't need to be inexpensive - I mainly care about not being in an unsafe area.
We need a hotel for the night before our train back home, maybe around something fun to do or see for an afternoon. But neither my husband nor I have been to LA, and what we hear isn't good.

 

[tgstubbs1]

If LA doesn't sound good to you have you considered staying somewhere else and then traveling to LA for your train the next day? Maybe some towns on the coast would be good. Santa Barbara is a favorite with many but there are others.

 

[AnnieB]

The goal is to avoid a rush hour drive to/through LA the morning we leave. So it would be great to be able to stay at least somewhat nearby. We’d be coming from a nice long stay in La Jolla.

 

[tgstubbs1]

There is a DoubleTree about 4 blocks south and should be safe.

 

[AnnieB]

Thanks!

 

[Rasputin]

The Metro Plaza Hotel is near the station and seems to get good reviews.

 

[dadonatrain]

I’ve stayed at the Metro Plaza a couple times. It’s walkable as long as you’re not dragging a steamer trunk. It isn’t fancy but I’ve never thought I was at risk there. I also recall finding some decent simple spots for a quick supper also.

 

[Sidney]

I’ve stayed at the Metro Plaza a couple times. It’s walkable as long as you’re not dragging a steamer trunk. It isn’t fancy but I’ve never thought I was at risk there. I also recall finding some decent simple spots for a quick supper also.

Agree on Metro Plaza. Basic,safe and a short walk. Phillipes is down the street for french dips and very good breakfasts.

 

[MARC Rider]

Here's a crime mapping tool from the LAPD that shows the location of criminal incidents.
CrimeMapping.com - Helping You Build a Safer Community
Crime Mapping and COMPSTAT - LAPD Online
I was a little reluctant at first to share this, because it makes LA look like it's the East End of London during the Jack the Ripper era, but things aren't really that bad. The default is to plot crimes over the last week, and it looks like the place is really dangerous. But you can also specify plots for individual days, and all of a sudden, the reported crime virtually disappears. You also can select out the crimes which might be of most interest to someone staying in the area the night before boarding the train -- stuff like assault, robbery, and homicide, and those crimes are even more rare. (And assault is a very tricky one to interpret, as the legal definition of assault can consist of touching someone's arm during a heated conversation.)

Unfortunately, word of mouth and media reporting of safety issues in big cities tends to overestimate the risk from violent crime. First of all, no one compares crime rates with the rates of injuries and damages from traffic incidents. Secondly, reporting in the media is quick to emphasize when one of these incidents occurs in the city, complete with live video. I mean, our local news reports in Baltimore always seems to lead with news of some shooting (usually not fatal, but often is so), and one might get the idea that if they stepped one foot in Baltimore City, they're going to get shot and beaten up, but I've lived in Baltimore City for over 40 years and the worst I've had is my car broken into (they didn't even bother to steal it.) I spent years walking from the light rail at Mt. Royal to Penn Station at 5:30 AM and never had any trouble. I imagine the part of Los Angeles around the train station is a similar area. And one would certainly be pretty safe within a reputable hotel in the area. I've only been in the area around the LAX station once, and it didn't seem like it was a particularly rough neighborhood.

 

[AnnieB]

Here's a crime mapping tool from the LAPD that shows the location of criminal incidents.
CrimeMapping.com - Helping You Build a Safer Community
Crime Mapping and COMPSTAT - LAPD Online
I was a little reluctant at first to share this, because it makes LA look like it's the East End of London during the Jack the Ripper era, but things aren't really that bad. The default is to plot crimes over the last week, and it looks like the place is really dangerous. But you can also specify plots for individual days, and all of a sudden, the reported crime virtually disappears. You also can select out the crimes which might be of most interest to someone staying in the area the night before boarding the train -- stuff like assault, robbery, and homicide, and those crimes are even more rare. (And assault is a very tricky one to interpret, as the legal definition of assault can consist of touching someone's arm during a heated conversation.)

Unfortunately, word of mouth and media reporting of safety issues in big cities tends to overestimate the risk from violent crime. First of all, no one compares crime rates with the rates of injuries and damages from traffic incidents. Secondly, reporting in the media is quick to emphasize when one of these incidents occurs in the city, complete with live video. I mean, our local news reports in Baltimore always seems to lead with news of some shooting (usually not fatal, but often is so), and one might get the idea that if they stepped one foot in Baltimore City, they're going to get shot and beaten up, but I've lived in Baltimore City for over 40 years and the worst I've had is my car broken into (they didn't even bother to steal it.) I spent years walking from the light rail at Mt. Royal to Penn Station at 5:30 AM and never had any trouble. I imagine the part of Los Angeles around the train station is a similar area. And one would certainly be pretty safe within a reputable hotel in the area. I've only been in the area around the LAX station once, and it didn't seem like it was a particularly rough neighborhood.

Thanks so much, this is helpful!

 

[Asher]

Common sense will keep you safe and a taxi will get you to the station on time regardless where you stay. Enjoy your self.

 

[davidsdesire]

when we're in Downtown LA, we stay at the Millenium Biltmore. The neighborhood is safe and Central Market is within walking distance. In addition, the Biltmore is beautiful, historic and affordable. We stayed a week in December and still love it.

 

[flitcraft]

I'd like a recent report on the Metroplaza too. I'm planning a trip with my little granddaughter and I need to reassure her parents that the trip there is safe. I may have to splurge on the Biltmore and cabs, it looks like.

We've stayed at the Metroplaza on a number of occasions pre-COVID and found the neighborhood safe, if a little low-rent. But if things have changed for the worse, I will have to re-think.

 

[jiml]

The Westin Bonaventure or adjacent Sheraton, or any of the hotels in the LA Live complex are all around a mile away and I've never had a complaint about the short taxi ride.

 

[Sidney]

I have stayed at the Metro Plaza many times,including February and never had a problem with the surroundings. You pass by a gas station with some of the highest prices in the nation. Why would anybody go there when gas stations two dollars less are a few minutes away.

 

[Eric in East County]

On those occasions when we had to catch the Coast Starlight in LA, we would spend the night in San Diego close to the Santa Fe Depot and then catch the first Pacific Surfliner for LA. If you'll be in La Jolla, then this is another option for you.

Eric & Pat

 

[IndyLions]

I stayed at the Doubletree. Good hotel, easy walk.

 

[pennyk]

I stayed at the Doubletree. Good hotel, easy walk.

I have stayed there also and have walked (in daylight).

 

[ehbowen]

Why would anybody go there when gas stations two dollars less are a few minutes away.

Answer: When you're returning a rental car (actually, TWO rental cars!) to Union Station, you don't have GPS and don't know the area, it's 1:50 on a Sunday afternoon...and the Budget desk closes at two!

(BTDT...May 2006!)

 

[AnnieB]

On those occasions when we had to catch the Coast Starlight in LA, we would spend the night in San Diego close to the Santa Fe Depot and then catch the first Pacific Surfliner for LA. If you'll be in La Jolla, then this is another option for you.

Eric & Pat

Thank you for this great idea! This is exactly what we'll do heading back. Is it pretty safe to assume the 6am train won't be late, to leave on the 9:50a Starlight going north? You take the 6am? There is a 4am but that seems awfully early.

As a sidenote, it seems like there are a lot of recent negative reviews on Tripadvisor for Metro Plaza, maybe going downhill a little bit? Each person's different experience and perspective, I guess.

 

[flitcraft]

The trouble with the Metroplaza, if the surrounding area is becoming less safe at least in appearance is that the Coast Starlight often arrives quite late in the evening. In the past, I've not hesitated to walk from Union Station even past 10 pm. But that was then and this is now--and I can say that my advice about various area of Seattle, my hometown, would not be identical to advice I would have given in 2019. And, traveling with a little girl both makes me feel more vulnerable and might worry her. She lives in a town where there aren't people living in tents and approaching strangers to ask for money. I know that I'll have to have the conversation with her about why this exists at some point on our trip, but I'd rather it not be at 10 pm walking from Union Station to the Metroplaza.

 

[AnnieB]

The trouble with the Metroplaza, if the surrounding area is becoming less safe at least in appearance is that the Coast Starlight often arrives quite late in the evening. In the past, I've not hesitated to walk from Union Station even past 10 pm. But that was then and this is now--and I can say that my advice about various area of Seattle, my hometown, would not be identical to advice I would have given in 2019. And, traveling with a little girl both makes me feel more vulnerable and might worry her. She lives in a town where there aren't people living in tents and approaching strangers to ask for money. I know that I'll have to have the conversation with her about why this exists at some point on our trip, but I'd rather it not be at 10 pm walking from Union Station to the Metroplaza.

Spot on. I find myself wishing they had any other option than coming in after dark, we'd happily take it! I hope your conversation goes well, you guys stay safe, and have a great trip!

 

[Eric in East County]

Thank you for this great idea! This is exactly what we'll do heading back. Is it pretty safe to assume the 6am train won't be late, to leave on the 9:50a Starlight going north? You take the 6am? There is a 4am but that seems awfully early.

As a sidenote, it seems like there are a lot of recent negative reviews on Tripadvisor for Metro Plaza, maybe going downhill a little bit? Each person's different experience and perspective, I guess.

The last time we did this was in 2004. We caught the first train to leave that day which was probably 6 a.m. and it did arrive in plenty of time to connect with the Coast Starlight.

 

[caravanman]

Until recently, as a foreign visitor, I have judged my safety in America through European eyes. I have often thought that many Americans automatically see "different" as "dangerous"...

With Covid, the impact on the economy, many more folk have fallen on hard times of course.

As an older person now, I wonder if my former blythe spirit approach could get me into trouble for real in todays America?

I have no issue with folk asking me for handouts, or walking in an untidy neighbourhood, but what is the reality of serious crime against ordinary tourists in big cities today?

Is crime mostly drug wars, holding up businesses, or does the data say ordinary tourist folk are in much real danger?

Probably the topic is just too wide open, but I imagine there must be info available on what types of crimes occur?

 

[Alice]

Here is a map of Los Angeles city crime reported by LAPD. Put Union Station in the search box and change the "when" filter to whatever period you want. As of now, there are three incidents in the past week that I would find concerning walking from Union Station to Metro Plaza. A longer period gives a better picture of course. Other agencies also report to this mapping outfit.

Forgot link, sorry
CrimeMapping.com - Helping You Build a Safer Community