Cool local music venues are more often on the east side. I would do half the trip close to the ocean and the other half in Los Feliz/Silver Lake/Highland Park etc to get the best of both worlds.

I stayed at a pretty duvet hotel in Santa Monica, right near the beach and it had a kitchen. It was really perfect as you don’t stay in your room that much. Wish I could remember the name, but I would search there.

In LA, the most lively beach city is Santa Monica. Venice is as well, but both have a bit of bad rep regarding crime. Down the coast a little, you have Laguna, quite a bit more ritzy, but less lively a scene. Huntington Beach perhaps is a better choice in that area. A few of the San Diego beach cities might even be more of what you’re looking for than LA, TBH, if you’re into rock music.. I’m thinking Oceanside in particular, but SD lifers would know better. Good luck with your trip!

Many beach cities don’t allow airbnb rentals. If I were wanting beaches- I’d go to Manhattan or Hermosa Beach. Music I’d go to Long Beach. I hope you have a car? All are safe.

Just FYI, Airbnb is pretty heavily restricted in LA. It’s limited to 120 days for primary residence only. So if you’re staying somewhere that’s obviously set up to be a 365 airbnb short term rental that the host does not live in, it’s likely illegal.

Marina del rey, Santa Monica, pacific palisades

You may want to skip LA. The places that are cheap are not going to be safe or cool. You don’t get all three.

Saying “not too expensive” just took all the options away. Lol

West LA (Mar Vista area)/Santa Monica will give you the best happy medium between what you want that is safe enough. Know that you’re not getting a 0% crime rate coming to LA so be street smart. That area is about a 30 minute drive from West Hollywood (w/o traffic) and has good public transport. The buses are affordable and safe enough, and you can take them straight to the beach. It takes roughly the same amount of time to drive to Silverlake too. 1/

Cool music venues along with being close to the ocean is tough. For music, you're better off in Los Feliz. Not at much music on the west side.