The best family-friendly hotels in Los Angeles in 2026 are Regent Santa Monica Beach near the pier, Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, the Hilton and Sheraton at Universal City, the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Grand Californian in Anaheim, and the Langham Huntington in Pasadena. Each has a pool and space for kids, and most are near a big attraction.
The best family base depends on the plan: Universal City for the studio and theme park, Anaheim for Disneyland, Santa Monica for the beach. All of these hotels have pools, which matters more to kids than anything else. See also our things to do with kids in LA.
A beach hotel near the pier with an ocean-view pool.
Regent Santa Monica Beach, formerly the Loews, is a short walk to the pier, the beach and Pacific Park, with a heated pool facing the ocean.
Families can easily walk to restaurants and the Promenade.
Good to know: Rent bikes and ride the beach path to Venice.
1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
An ocean resort with pools, a water slide and tide pools.
Terranea in Rancho Palos Verdes has several pools, including one with a water slide, plus beaches with tide pools and naturalist-led activities for kids.
It is a full resort, so you rarely need to leave.
Good to know: Check the daily activity schedule for kids' programs.
100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Next to Universal Studios, with a pool and city views.
The Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is a high-rise next to Universal Studios Hollywood, with a shuttle to the park and CityWalk.
Rooms on upper floors look over the Valley or the hills.
Good to know: Use the shuttle to skip the theme park parking fee.
555 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA 91608
A Universal City hotel with a shuttle to the park.
The Sheraton Universal sits on the hill above Universal Studios, with a pool and a shuttle to the park and CityWalk.
It is a reliable base for the studio and Hollywood.
Good to know: Book a package with Universal tickets for savings.
333 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA 91608
The original Disney hotel, a walk from the parks.
The Disneyland Hotel is a few minutes' walk from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure via Downtown Disney. Its pools have slides themed after the Monorail, and the rooms are Disney-themed.
Character dining is on site.
Good to know: Book character dining ahead; it fills up.
1150 W Magic Way, Anaheim, CA 92802
A Craftsman-style lodge with its own entrance into the park.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is styled like an Arts and Crafts lodge and has a private entrance into Disney California Adventure.
It is the most convenient hotel for Disney's parks.
Good to know: Use the private park entrance to save time each morning.
1600 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
A grand 1907 hotel with gardens and a big pool in Pasadena.
The Langham Huntington is a historic hotel on 23 acres of gardens in Pasadena, with a large pool, a covered bridge and space for kids to run.
The Huntington Library and gardens are close by.
Good to know: Afternoon tea in the lobby is a hit with older kids.
1401 S Oak Knoll Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
A downtown tower next to LA Live and Crypto.com Arena.
The JW Marriott at LA Live is in the downtown entertainment district, near the Grammy Museum, Crypto.com Arena and family restaurants. The pool deck is a calm escape.
It is good for families going to games or concerts.
Good to know: Pair with a Lakers, Clippers or Kings game.
900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Waterfront hotel near the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Hotel Maya sits on the Long Beach waterfront next to the Queen Mary, a short ride from the Aquarium of the Pacific.
It is usually better value than Santa Monica.
Good to know: Take the water taxi across to the aquarium.
700 Queensway Dr, Long Beach, CA 90802
Santa Monica for the beach and pier, Universal City for Universal Studios and the Hollywood sights, and Anaheim for Disneyland. Pasadena is a calmer, greener option.
The Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City and the Sheraton Universal are both next to the park, with a free shuttle or short walk to CityWalk.
Staying at a Disney hotel gives you a short walk to the parks and early entry on some days. The Grand Californian has its own entrance into Disney California Adventure.
Most allow kids under 18 to stay free in their parents' room, but resort fees and parking are charged per room. Check the rules for rollaway beds and cribs.
Terranea has several pools including a water slide; the Disneyland Hotel's pool has slides themed to Monorail cars.