The Ramada Inn is a decent hotel, and it's within walking distance to the airport.
They have breakfast snacks - Coffee & Doughnuts - at the safety course, so you don't really need a hotel with a breakfast bar (just don't eat in the classroom, or Frank will hit you over the head with a rotor blade)
If you are going to spent any time in LA, and want to see something other than KTOA, you need a car. There is just no other way to get anywhere in that city.