The city of Los Angeles is the heart of the second largest metropolitan area in the U.S.
While it's most famous for Hollywood, that is just one aspect of this sprawling and highly
diverse city.
Los Angeles is one of the world's most prominent centers of culture, technology, and
international trade. It is home to renowned institutions covering a broad range of
professional and cultural fields. The city and its immediate vicinity lead the world in
producing popular entertainment — such as motion picture, television, video games and
recorded music — which forms the base of Los Angeles' international fame and global
status. The Los Angeles Consular Corps is one of the largest and most important
consular communities in the world.
PLACE TO VISIT
Union Station - No trip to downtown LA would be complete without a visit to Los
Angeles's historic Train Station. The station was built in 1939 with a Spanish mission
exterior. The large waiting room and restaurant appears like it would have looked like in
the 1940's. They also use Union Station in lots of movies, including Blade Runner, where
the main hall was used as the Police Station
The Bradbury Building - Built in 1893, the Bradbury Building is one of Southern
California's most remarkable architectural achievements. Behind its modest exterior lies
a magical light-filled Victorian court that rises 50 feet with open cage elevators, marble
stairs and ornate iron railings. The building has been a set for many movies, including
Blade Runner in 1982.
Library Tower - At 73 floors and 1,017 feet, it is said to be the tallest building
between Chicago and Hong Kong. Note to photographers: the Library Tower's security
personnel for the will try to discourage you from taking pictures of this building.
LA Derby Dolls - LA has revived a sport that peaked in the 1970's, and tickets to
roller derby matches can be purchased by those 21 and over. The sport is probably best
summarized with a quote from the Derby Doll's own site: "Quad Skates. Short Skirts.
Scars." $15.
MacArthur Park - has been famous for a long time, starting with Charlie Chaplin.
Chaplin made several films at the lake here, which was one of his favorite places. More
recently its reputation was tainted by perceptions of violence and drug use , but the park
has been cleaned up over the last few years, and is once again a nice place to visit. Take
a paddle boatsout on the small lake or watch one of the ever-present soccer matches.
Hollywood Sign - Hollywood's most recognizable landmark is easy to spot high up
on Mount Lee in Griffith Park. You can drive part way up for a closer look, but you can't hike
all the way to the sign.
Grauman's Chinese Theater - The most famous movie theatre in the world, Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened in 1927 and is home to the cement footprints, handprints, and (in some cases) otherprints of many of history's most famous movie stars. The theatre is also a former home of the Oscars, and today hosts many movie premieres. The forecourt that showcases the star's prints is free to all visitors. Movies are shown for $10, and half-hour walking tours are available for $5.
Walk of Fame - along Hollywood Boulevard and also Vine Street, The Hollywood
Walk of Fame consists of a series of stars embedded in the sidewalk to commemorate
famous movie, radio, theatre, and TV personalities. Since 1960 over two thousand stars
have been immortalized; the schedule for upcoming star ceremonies is listed on the
Walk of Fame's website.
Watts Towers - 17 interconnected structures, two of which reach heights of over 99
feet (30 m). The Towers are located near (and visible from) the 103rd Street-Kenneth
Hahn Station of the Metro Rail LACMTA Blue Line. Next to the Towers is a small museum
and a cultural center.
Leimert Park - A famous center for Los Angeles' African-American culture, this
neighborhood (just south of Crenshaw/Martin Luther King- accessible by bus) is a must-
see if in the area. A quick sidetrip into nearby Baldwin Hills offers beautiful views of
Downtown Los Angeles as well as a nice peek at lifestyles in the "Black Beverly Hills".
The Shrine Auditorium - A huge venue that holds the Emmy's and other award
shows. Is located on Jefferson Blvd and Figueroa Street across the street from the
University of Southern California, famous for its red bricks and nightlife. Closed to visitors.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - This is where the opening ceremonies of
the Olympics were held. It is located on the south side of USC.
The Museum of Tolerance - is amazing. An intereactive experience inspired by
the Holocaust, the museum challenges visitors to look inside themselves and assess
their own levels of tolerance. This is the antidote to theme park burnout: the museum is
highly interacitve and engages kids (about 10 and older). Find your kids asking you about
such things as racial and economic tensions. A highlight of the museum is priceless, live
testimony by Holocaust survivors. Check the website or call for times. The Museum of
Tolerance is a unique experience, creating the best kind of memories and interactions for
families.
The J. Paul Getty Museum - The Getty Center in Los Angeles presents the
Getty's collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of
dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views. The Getty Villa in Malibu
is an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of
ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.
Hammer Museum - Located in the Occidental Petroleum Building at the corner of
Wilshire and Westwood Blvd. The museum itself houses a continual changing number of
both modern and classic exhibits, one of the recent highlights was an exhibition of
modern American cartoon work. The Museum also holds a lunch time "art Talk" every
Wednesday at 12.30pm which is popular among the local business people.
Koreatown - is a major attraction in the area. Also, head over to Hancock Park for a
peek at LA's wealthiest (but least-well known) neighborhood. Once there, walk along
Larchmont Blvd. and look into the overpriced but homey boutiques along HP's main
street. For local Oaxacan & Salvadoran culture, walk along Pico Blvd between Vermont &
Normandie (the "Byzantine Latino District") and investigate Latino Catholic imagery &
icons at one of the numerous local markets before heading over to Papa Cristo's for
Greek.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - The Los Angeles area is served by six major commercial airports and
more than a dozen private airports.
Los Angeles International is the major gateway. The airport is huge, with nine terminals,
and the only way to get from terminal to terminal (other than walking) is to use the free "A"
shuttle buses that run in a loop between the terminals.
By train - The main Amtrak station is at Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St. next to the
Hollywood (US-101) freeway in downtown Los Angeles. The train station also has a Metro
Red Line subway station (platforms in station's basement) and Metro Gold Line light rail
station (on platforms 1 and 2, parallel to the Amtrak and Metrolink trains), while local city
buses stop at various locations around the terminal, including some in the MTA
(Patsaoura s) bus plaza at the east portal of the station. The train station is patrolled by
private security staff and people lingering too long in the seats may be asked to show a
ticket. Taxis are available at the west exit and the station is within short walking distance
to the Civic Center and Olvera Street. Chinatown and Little Tokyo are also nearby.
Union Station is spectacular (opened 1939), but there are several stops within the County
that may be better located to your destination. L.A. is big, make sure you get the right stop.
Unfortunately, while Union Station has the best bus and light rail options it may be far
from other landmarks. Burbank Amtrak Station is next to the Burbank airport where
options include Metrolink, bus and rental cars at the Air Terminal.
Metrolink trains are significantly less expensive than Amtrak; for example, LA to
Oceanside $12.50 Metrolink, $19 Amtrak; the Metrolink trains run less frequently; some
routes are shared where a ticket allows you to ride either train.
By bus - The Greyhound terminal is at 1716 East 7th Street, near I-10 along South
Alameda Avenue, in the heart of the city's vast, notorious skid-row district. This is a very
dangerous part of the city, filled with drug addicts and other mentally unstable people; one
should use the greatest caution here even within the bus station. From the Greyhound
station, take a taxi or Metro Bus #60 to get downtown.
Fortunately, other terminals are in far safer areas and have better access to public
transportation. From the north, the North Hollywood station is located at 11239 Magnolia
Boulevard, one-quarter mile south of the Metro Red Line North Hollywood station. The
Hollywood station, at 1715 North Cahuenga Boulevard, is one-quarter mile west of the
Metro Red Line Hollywood/Vine station.
Of note for passengers coming from the east is the El Monte station, at 3501 North Santa
Anita Avenue. The station also houses an M.T.A. and Foothill Transit bus station, and
frequent express bus service to Downtown Los Angeles is available upstairs. The El
Monte station also houses a substation of the local county sheriff. Also, from the east, the
Pasadena Greyhound station, located one-quarter mile west of the Lake Avenue Metro
Gold Line station, is an option.
From the south, Greyhound passengers should use the East Los Angeles station,
located at 1241 South Soto Street, or the Compton Station, located at 305 North Tamarind
Avenue. The East Los Angeles station has multiple lines operating to downtown nearby,
while the Compton station is across the street from a Metro Blue Line station.
