Best cheap, safe, and clean places in LA?

I live in LA. When family visits, I do all the research to find them the best deals, so I can recommend these places. These aren't your normal overpriced touristy spots, but are central to freeways if you have a car (which i recommend) but also close to airport and public transportation.

1. Hilton Garden Inn - this is kind of a business hotel, but still great for families and you can get great deals on the weekends ($140/night). It's the model property to all Hilton Garden Inns so they keep it really nice. Free parking, free airport shuttle, green line metro stop is literally next door. Their shuttle will take you to beaches too. 

2. Hyatt House Los Angeles/El Segundo - you can get a 2 bedroom 2 bath suite here which makes it great for a family for around $220/night. Great value. Parking/breakfast/wifi, all free. Very close to green line stop too. Also, they have a free shuttle that will take you to nearby beaches like Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach (some of the best beaches in LA).

3. TownePlace Suites Los Angeles LAX/Manhattan Beach - they also have a 2 bedroom suite option for less than $200/night. Good value. Free breakfast and wifi, but no airport or free shuttle. They charge $8 if you have a car. Walk to green line is a few blocks. 

4. SpringHill Suites Los Angeles LAX/Manhattan Beach - literally next door to TownePlace and similar amenities. For about $150/night you can get a room with beds and/or pullout sofa for kids. 

I'd check these 4 places for your dates and see who has availability. They all have pools for the kids to play around a bit too.

These hotels are is an area of LA that most people wouldn't think about. It's not your typical tourist centric hotel, but it is reasonable, safe and clean. If you assume that to see LA you'll be driving a lot (it's VERY spread out) then picking some place central like this works well. 

I'd rent a car especially if you're planning on going to family attractions like Santa Monica, Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood. LA normally has really reasonable rental car deals. If you shop around you can find something for $20-30/day. 

Local Tip: if you're staying at any of these, take the family to the Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier. It's a hidden gem. It's small, but free and the touch tanks are always fun for the kids. Parents can grab coffee on pier at and watch the surfers or eat/drink/shop in downtown Manhattan Beach. You guys will love it.  

The Farmer's Daughter Hotel is definitely worth considering. It is very central, public transportation (buses mainly) run through here (be warned LA's public transportation system is terrible) and you're right across from The Grove and Farmers Market - which gives you endless food options, a movie theater, shopping and more. A good place to call home base.

Hey Sam, JR has a lot of good advice but to add a few more:

When my sister came to visit, she stayed at Holiday Inn Express Century City. This was a really great hotel especially for what she was paying. It had a little boutique look for a budget hotel, which was awesome. It was a very nice place with big, clean rooms. It was 5 minutes away from Beverly Hills and has free breakfast and wifi :)

I've heard great things about the Hollywood Downtowner Inn. You're close to all the touristy hot spots like Mann's Chinese Theater and Universal Studios Hollywood. The Metro is right down the street to take you to other parts of Los Angeles and again, free complimentary breakfasts. 

If you're looking to be closer to the beach, the Marriott Marina Del Rey would be a good budget option. Safe and clean area, especially for a family. Rent bikes at Daniel's Bicycle Rentals-Sales and ride down the beach path to nearby beach towns (Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Playa Del Rey, Manhattan Beach) all have great restaurant options along the way. 

The Westin Los Angeles Airport (pretty sure it starts at $134 a night) is super close to LAX, has a nice pool area for the kids and a gym! You're still close to beaches too, Manhattan Beach is right down the street. I'm sure your kids would love the Manhattan Beach Creamery or even just a walk down the Manhattan Beach Pier. There's an awesome aquarium at the end! Have fun!