Flight
LAX will have the most options and cheapest prices, but can be a nightmare to get in and out of. Great if you’re staying near the beach or on the west side.
Flight
Burbank is a tiny airport and a breeze to get in an out of. If you fly Southwest, you get to walk out onto the tarmac with the mountains in the distance.
House Or Rental
AirBnB or other vacation rentals are probably the way to go. Downtown LA, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Los Feliz, Culver City, Pasadena, Santa Monica, and Venice are all relatively walkable and lively neighborhoods. If you do stay on the west side or near the beach (Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City), know that it will probably take an hour to get to Grand Harbor.
Rental Car
The truth is that LA is most fun and accessible if you have a car, though traffic is real. Waze and Google Maps are great navigation apps. LA has a subway/metro that is great for saving time but has spotty coverage--though it does go to the beach, downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown, and Pasadena. And rideshares or taxis are highly recommended if you want to help us close down the open bar.