What City is Close to LAX Airport? The Ultimate Guide
As a home renovation expert who loves traveling and gaming in my spare time, I know how important it is to understand what major airports can easily get me to my destination. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the largest and busiest airports around, serving tens of millions of passengers each year. In this guide, I’ll give you insider knowledge on exactly what major cities and neighborhoods surround LAX so you can travel smart.
Let’s start with the basics:
Where is LAX Located?
LAX is located about 16 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, in the southern part of the city near the Pacific Ocean.
The airport’s address is 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
It sits just east of the Pacific Ocean, with dock areas of Long Beach to the south.
LAX borders the cities of El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Westchester, and Inglewood.
Two major highways – the I-405 and I-105 – pass right by LAX for car access.
Now that you know precisely where LAX is situated, let’s look at the major cities and neighborhoods that surround the airport so you can get your bearings:
Major Cities Within 10 Miles of LAX
Inglewood – Just 3 miles east of LAX; home of SoFi Stadium and The Forum entertainment arena.
El Segundo – Directly borders LAX; center of LA’s aerospace industry with major company offices.
Culver City – 6 miles northeast of LAX; has 40,000 residents and is home to Sony Studios.
Playa Vista – 5 miles north; planned high-tech, residential community with parks.
Westchester – 2 miles north; business and recreation center with music and arts.
Marina Del Rey – 5 miles southwest on the coast; popular for watersports and dining.
Santa Monica – 11 miles northwest; iconic beach community with entertainment and culture.
Neighborhoods Closest to LAX Runways and Terminals
Westchester – Less than 2 miles north; features two public golf courses.
Lennox – Directly borders the north; largely residential with a Hispanic/Latino majority.
Del Aire – 2.5 miles north; family community of 10,000 residents.
El Segundo – Shares the north border; small town charm plus aerospace jobs.
As you can see, LAX is surrounded by cities and neighborhoods that cater to both residents and visitors. This prime location near major freeways gives the airport quick access to all corners of Los Angeles.
Now, let’s look at some key stats:
LAX By the Numbers:
3,425 acres – LAX’s total size, about 5.4 square miles
9 – Number of passenger terminals at LAX
26 – Oil wells operating at LAX to produce jet fuel
3 – Number of hotels located at LAX
70 million – Total passengers served in 2021, up from 52.5 million in 2020
2.3 million – Tons of cargo handled in 2021
1,500+ – Daily takeoffs and landings at LAX
80 – Domestic airports served by LAX flights
40 – International destinations served
LAX is a true mega-airport based on its sheer size and immense passenger volumes. The airport’s convenient proximity to major Los Angeles neighborhoods and cities gives flyers smooth access.
Speaking of access, let’s discuss the ways to get to LAX:
Convenient Ways to Get to LAX
Drive & Park – Close highways and parking lots make driving a top option. Terminal parking starts at $8/day.
Taxi – Taxis queue outside each terminal for pickup. Cost is around $50 to downtown LA.
Rideshare – Designated Uber and Lyft pickup spots located just steps from terminals.
Metro Rail – Metro Rail stations connect to the LAX Metro Bus Center near Terminal 1.
Metro Bus – Metro Bus Center is located just east of Terminal 1 for transfers.
Shuttles – Private shuttles serve major tourist spots like Disneyland and local hotels.
Car Rental – On-site rental desks make picking up a car easy. Shuttles transport to facilities.
As you can see, LAX gives travelers stellar options for getting to terminals or connecting onwards to your hotel, meeting destination or Los Angeles attractions.
Speaking of attractions, LAX is conveniently near many major ones:
Distance from LAX to Top LA Attractions:
Hollywood Sign – 13 miles, 25 minutes
Getty Center Museum – 14 miles, 25 minutes
Santa Monica Pier – 16 miles, 30 minutes
Universal Studios – 31 miles, 45 minutes
Disneyland – 34 miles, 50 minutes
Dodger Stadium – 19 miles, 30 minutes
Staples Center – 17 miles, 25 minutes
As a local resident, I can tell you LAX gives you fast access to iconic places like Hollywood, Santa Monica beach, and amusement parks. You can easily reach most top attractions in under a 30 or 45 minute ride.
Now for some fascinating facts about LAX’s unique history:
Fun Facts About LAX
LAX first opened in 1930 as Mines Field, named after real estate man William W. Mines.
The futuristic Theme Building was designed by architect Charles Luckman in 1961.
The Theme Building houses a small observation deck, not actual airport facilities.
LAX occupies the former sites of Mormon farms and Japanese plant nurseries.
Runway 25 Left is LAX’s longest at 12,091 feet in length.
At 381,000 square feet, Terminal 2 is the largest terminal at LAX.
A scene from sci-fi hit “The Terminator” was filmed at LAX in 1984.
An LAX entrance road way is named for astronaut Neil Armstrong.
From its roots as Mines Field in 1930 to the bustling mega airport it is today, LAX has a fascinating history for aviation buffs.
I hope this insider guide gave you all the key details on the cities, neighborhoods, stats, access, and history to help you feel oriented to LAX Airport! Let me know if you have any other LAX or SoCal travel questions.
