If you are packing heat and drinking 40's stay in Compton. Just teasing
If I were you I would stay in the Hermosa or Manhattan Beach which is about a 15 minute drive from Compton. These hotels are near the ocean, restaurants and shops.
These 2 hotels are high end
Beach House Hermosa Beach
www.beach-house.com/hermosa-beach-hotels.html
Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach
www.shadehotel.com
This Hampton in Hermosa Beach is more reasonable.
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hote...tyhocn=LAXHBHX
Oh and a Holiday Inn Express in Hermosa Beach
www.hiehb.com
You might as well stay where you can just walk to go to dinner, go for a walk along the Strand
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-strand-h...A/query:strand and some good people watching too.
They are just 5 miles South of LAX.