Cross Campus Review: Coworking With Style
A vibrant, amenity-packed Los Angeles coworking space that beats WeWork on energy — if you can stomach the price tag.
Cross Campus feels like a place I'd feel happy, sociable, and productive.
Our reviewerThe Vibe WeWork Couldn't Match
We tried a long list of Los Angeles coworking spaces — BizHaus, Satellite, WeWork, and a few Craigslist finds — before landing on Cross Campus, one of the pricier options on the list.
The reason it won out is atmosphere. With over a hundred people regularly working there, connectivity never faltered, outlets and couches were abundant, and the space was full of vibrant, passionate entrepreneurs rather than the somber, library-like feel of other spots. Staff and members alike were consistently friendly and accommodating, and quiet, well-behaved dogs made regular appearances.
The perks add up: a new craft beer on tap each week plus kombucha, snacks that occasionally run low by midweek but get restocked within a day or two, and 12 half-hour conference room credits per membership that never require advance booking. Lockers are available for overnight storage, provided you bring your own lock.
Cross Campus also spans Santa Monica, Downtown LA, Pasadena, and a fourth location opening in El Segundo by the end of 2017 — all under one membership, which made it easy to work near an evening event and skip rush hour. WeWork was the only real competitor on vibe, but its westside location near Lincoln and Jefferson made the commute a dealbreaker.
The tradeoffs are real: $375 a month is steep next to roughly $250 bare-bones alternatives, and parking is genuinely difficult — no coworking space in LA offers it for free. Santa Monica has a $13/day valet option; otherwise it's meters and bike racks.
Why We Love It
- Energetic, social atmosphere with genuinely helpful staff and members
- Reliable internet and abundant outlets even with 100+ people working at once
- One membership covers four Los Angeles locations
- Free rotating craft beer and kombucha on tap, plus snacks and coffee
- 12 half-hour conference room credits per month with no advance booking needed
- Dog-friendly, with well-behaved pets a regular sight
Considerations
- At $375/month, noticeably pricier than bare-bones coworking alternatives around $250/month
- Parking is difficult and not free at any LA location
- Snacks and drinks sometimes run low by midweek before restocking
Our Hands-On Review
Arriving between 9 and 10 a.m. usually meant an easy claim on a favorite seat, even with open seating, though the space fills in more as the day goes on. Mornings often started with a big glass of kombucha while working through email.
The Santa Monica location has slightly more energy than the roomier Downtown space, though both stayed comfortable even at capacity. Free craft beer on tap each week adds a social, casual note that encourages members to grab a drink and get to know each other.
Multiple Locations, One Membership
With Santa Monica, Downtown LA, Pasadena, and a new El Segundo location opening by the end of 2017 all covered under one membership, it's easy to work near an evening event on the other side of the city and skip rush hour traffic entirely.
We Recommend This To Readers Who:
-
Want an energetic, social workspace
Cross Campus is full of engaged entrepreneurs rather than library-quiet cubicles.
-
Work across multiple LA neighborhoods
One membership covers Santa Monica, Downtown LA, Pasadena, and soon El Segundo.
-
Can absorb a premium price for the vibe
At $375/month it costs more than bare-bones alternatives, but the atmosphere and amenities justify it.
A Closer Look
Investment in Your Workday
Membership runs $375 a month, with a discount available for mentioning TopDown, against roughly $250/month for bare-bones alternatives elsewhere in LA.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| MembershipPopular | $375/mo |
Good to Know
The Bottom Line
If it weren't for the price, Cross Campus would be a perfect 10 — it delivers the energetic, well-located workspace WeWork couldn't match, and for freelancers who can afford it, that's worth paying for.
