What do you feel are the safest neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles in April, 2026?
Where I feel pretty safe whenever I visit:
Thankful for your input and real-life experience.
Pacific Palisades, Cheviot Hills & Rancho Park, Sherman Oaks, Westwood, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, plus Manhattan Beach.. would cross my mind without thinking too much about it. I don’t have any statistics on hand, but that is the feeling I get whenever I am around. West Hollywood is also pretty safe. You just need to avoid the party areas around Santa Monica Blvd.
The LAPD crime data report indicated a decrease of 19 or 20 percent in homicides in 2025, compared to 2024. I guess that is no surprise, as the city was still recovering from the “defund the police” years. It’s always the same. They scream defund the police, homicides go up, the police budget gets increased to the prior years (which might take a couple of years), then homicides drop again.
I live in Santa Monica. I feel it’s better than 2-3 years ago. Might also be because a lot of areas like 3rd street didn’t even recover yet. Fewer tourists + locals are on the street.
I feel actually still pretty safe around Santa Monica Boulevard. As a matter of fact, I live very close.^^ I feel people there are super chill for the most part. WeHo has obviously more family-friendly areas, but it’s not bad for what it is (partying).
Sawtelle comes across as pretty safe during the day and night. I have never had any issues since I moved here a year ago. I see women of all ages walking around alone after midnight. As far as I can tell, I don’t see much crime at all. The police are very present as well.