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This article is about the city of Los Angeles. For the Los Angeles metropolitan area see Los Angeles County.

The city of Los Angeles [1] (also known as the "City of Angels" or simply LA) is the largest city in California. Located on a broad basin in Southern California, it is surrounded by vast mountain ranges, deep valleys, forests, desert, and the Pacific Ocean.

The metropolitan area is the second largest in the United States in terms of population, home to nearly 18 million people who hail from all parts of the globe and speak over a hundred different languages. The metropolitan area is centered in Los Angeles County, but stretches into Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County.

Los Angeles is an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade, but it is most famous for being the center of the world's entertainment industry, which forms the base of its global status.

Districts

These districts are a part of the city of Los Angeles. See also Los Angeles County for destinations in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Understand

Even before the rolling blackouts, or O.J.'s ride in the infamously-slow Bronco chase, or Arnold "the Terminator" Schwarzenegger became governator of the state, Frank Lloyd Wright said, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles."

The Los Angeles metro area has been a "boomtown" since the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1876, first attracting some "folks" from the Midwest and East Coast with warm winters, becoming a gateway to a remarkable diversity of immigration from throughout the Pacific Rim and Latin America.

The city of Los Angeles is huge. From the Sylmar district in the north to the Port of Los Angeles in the south, the drive can be approximately an hour an a half long; possibly longer once traffic is factored in. The sprawling L.A. metropolitan area includes smaller cities, such as Santa Monica, Burbank, Pasadena, Long Beach, Anaheim, and Riverside some of which were founded around the end of the nineteenth century and retain distinct identities. Geographically, some district names within the city of Los Angeles are so common, that they are believed by some to be separate of Los Angeles when in fact, they are neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Hollywood, Van Nuys, and Bel-Air are just some examples of well-known neighborhoods that are actually a part of Los Angeles, while West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills are independent cities.

Los Angeles' primary newspaper is the Los Angeles Times [2], and another daily newspaper is the Los Angeles Daily News [3]. The free LA Weekly [4] comes out on Thursdays and is a good source for concerts, movies, and other local information. A few local areas may have their own free neighborhood papers as well. "BrokeLA.com" [5] has a listing of under $10 events in Los Angeles.

People

Los Angeles is a very diverse city with nearly half of its population being born outside the United States. It has the third largest Mexican population in the world, behind the Mexican cities of Mexico City and Guadalajara, and is home to about a dozen of other large immigrant populations, many with their own little enclaves of restaurants, shops, and places of worship. The gay-friendly areas include the city of West Hollywood, as well as the Silver Lake and the Westside areas.

Climate

The city enjoys a temperate climate for most of the year. Summers are warm and occasionally hot and brings the infamous dirty air, though the smog is somewhat less than years before. Between the months of June - September average daytime highs are 82 (F), and nighttime lows average 63 (F). Winters are quite mild and bring much of the annual rainfall. Between the months of December - March average daytime highs are 68 (F), and nighttime lows are 49 (F). Spring is comprised of a mixture of gloomy rainy days and warm sunny days, while fall has the same mixture, typically with more sunny days, however.

Temperatures can also fluctuate wildly depending where you are in the city. For example, it can be 84°F (27°C) in Venice and 93°F (41°C) in Pacoima on the same day in mid-July. The coast tends to stay a bit cooler which helps during summer days, but as such, is chillier at night even in the summer. Bring a sweater and pants if you stay for dinner near the coast.

Visitor information

• <listing name="LA Inc. Visitor Information Center" alt="Downtown" directions="at W 7th St; Metro: 7th St/Metro Center" address="685 S Figueroa St" phone="+1 213 689-8822" email="" fax="" url="http://www.discoverlosangeles.com" hours="" price=""></listing>
• <listing name="LA Inc. Visitor Information Center" alt="Hollywood" directions="in the Hollywood and Highland Center; Metro: Hollywood/Highland" address="6801 Hollywood Blvd" phone="+1 323 467-6412" email="" fax="" url="http://www.discoverlosangeles.com" hours="" price=""></listing>

Talk

English is the dominant language in Los Angeles. However, like much of the rest of California, with a large Latino population and a history under Spanish and Mexican rule, Spanish is very widely spoken in Los Angeles. Even the city's name is a Spanish phrase meaning "The Angels." In fact, Los Angeles has one of the largest Spanish speaking populations in the world, with street and store signs in certain parts of the city printed in both English and Spanish. According to the U.S. Census, roughly 70% of Los Angeles' population speaks English either as their first or second language, while roughly 44% of Los Angeles speaks Spanish as a first or second language. With the large immigrant population, many other languages such as Armenian, Tagalog, Chinese, Japanese, Persian, Russian, Korean, Hindi, and Vietnamese are also widely spoken. Street signs in ethnic enclaves will often be printed in one of these languages. For example, street signs in Chinatown will be printed in English and Chinese.

Get in

By plane

The Los Angeles area is served by five major commercial airports and more than a dozen private airports. The five major airports are located in Los Angeles, Burbank, Santa Ana, Long Beach, and Ontario.

Los Angeles International [6] (Predefinição:IATA) is the major gateway. The airport is huge, with nine terminals. A free "A" shuttle bus loops around all the terminals, and departs from the curbside on the lower level. If you do not mind walking, it is no more than a 10 min walk between any of the terminals, and if you are transferring between adjacent terminals, walking will be quicker than the shuttle; a streetside sidewalk connects all the terminals. There is no free wifi. Paid wifi is available from T-mobile. $6per hour or $9.99 for the whole day.

LAX Terminals

Terminal	Airlines
1	Southwest, US Airways, US Airways Express
2	Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Mobility Command, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, Avianca, Hawaiian, KLM, Lasca, TACA, Virgin Atlantic, Volaris, WestJet
3	Alaska, Horizon, Virgin America, V Australia
4	American, Cathay Pacific (arrivals for flights CX882/884 only), Qantas (Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne)
5	Delta
6	AirTran Airways, Allegiant, Continental, Copa Airlines, Frontier, Delta, JetBlue, United (some international arrivals), Spirit Airlines
7	United
8	United Express
Tom Bradley / TBIT	Serves most of the flights by international carriers, for example British Airways or Lufthansa

Many international flights do not leave from or arrive at the Tom Bradley International terminal. To avoid missing flights, always determine in advance which terminal(s) your international flights will be flying in or out of, especially if you are connecting through LAX.

There are also two executive terminals for charter aircraft, if time means money.

Public transportation connections for the airport are not the greatest. LAX FlyAway [7] runs shuttles to Union Station (half-hourly, $7.00 one way), Westwood, Van Nuys and Irvine Station. There is no train service right to the airport, but free shuttle buses run to Aviation Station on the Metro Green Line. Taxis to Downtown cost $45.00 and take 30 min in good traffic but can be far slower in rush hour.

On your return to the airport, be sure to arrive at least three hours before your flight as lines for security are notoriously long and often time-consuming.

If you want to rent a car, there are around 10 different companies with very frequent shuttle buses picking up on the lower level around all terminals and going to large offsite lots. If you want to compare prices, you will need to do so using the telephones in the arrivals area or on the Internet in advance of arriving. There are no details from the shuttle drivers or negotiable prices. Signing up to one the car rental club schemes can get the shuttle bus to drop you at your car, thus saving substantial time.

The other airports in the region are Long Beach Airport [8] (Predefinição:IATA), Bob Hope (Burbank) Airport [9] (Predefinição:IATA), Orange County/John Wayne Airport [10] (Predefinição:IATA), and LA/Ontario Airport (Predefinição:IATA) east of L.A. All five airports lack direct train service; only the Santa Ana Airport is within walking distance of a Metrolink commuter rail station.

LAX is the airport many travelers use when visiting the L.A. area. The airport generally does feature lower fares, and more nonstop and frequent service when compared to the other airports. Flying into LAX is the best option if this is the closest airport to your final destination, and (even if LAX is further away) the fare is simply too good to pass up. However, if your destination is closer (or almost as close) to one of the other four airports, and the fare really isn't a huge difference, then consider those airports. For instance, if you plan to spend most of your time in the San Fernando Valley, there is the Burbank Airport. If your visit will be centered around Orange County, there's the Santa Ana Airport or even the Long Beach Airport. If you will be staying in the Inland Empire, there's the Ontario Airport. These airports can save a lot of hassle due to the fact that they are less busier than LAX. Also, the L.A. area is so wildly spread out and populated, that going anywhere will generally require a lot of driving, as well as possibly enduring traffic jams. On any particular day at any random time, a traffic jam can develop and it is not unheard of to take an hour just to go a few miles on the freeway. So utilizing the nearest airport will only be of convenience to you.

Private pilots will prefer smaller general aviation airports such as Santa Monica (Predefinição:ICAO), Van Nuys (Predefinição:ICAO), Hawthorne, or any of the other small airports in the area that do not handle commercial flights. LAX does not cater to small general aviation; Burbank (Predefinição:ICAO) does, but is considered high-traffic for this type of flight; Long Beach (Predefinição:ICAO) does, but has a very complicated runway system and, again, is considered high traffic. General aviation will fare much better at L.A. area airports that do not handle commercial flights at all. Much of Los Angeles is Class Bravo or other controlled airspace, but due to the number of airports and the generally good weather, Los Angeles makes a fantastic flying destination.

By train

The main Amtrak [11] 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 (Patsaouras) 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. Be warned that it can get quite uncomfortable in the station especially when it is hot and/or there are a lot of people. Great for business travel but perhaps not the best for families or any large group of people.

Amtrak routes serving Los Angeles are the following:

• The Coast Starlight [12] runs daily between Los Angeles and Seattle via Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area, with one other LA County stop northwest of Downtown in the San Fernando Valley (Van Nuys).
• The Pacific Surfliner [13] runs several trains daily between San Diego and Los Angeles, with some trains traveling north to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. There are many local stops northwest of Downtown in the San Fernando Valley (it shares a route with the Coast Starlight but stops at more stations) and southeast to Orange County.
• The Southwest Chief [14] runs daily to Chicago via Albuquerque and Kansas City. Local stops south of Downtown and east into the Inland Empire (Fullerton, Riverside, and San Bernardino).
• The Sunset Limited [15] runs three times a week out to New Orleans via Tucson and San Antonio. Additionally, Amtrak's Texas Eagle [16] service between San Antonio and Chicago incorporates the Sunset Limited to provide a direct connection to Los Angeles. Local stops east of Downtown into the Inland Empire (Pomona and Ontario).
• The San Joaquin [17] from Fresno and Sacramento goes no further than Bakersfield (about 115 miles to the north). However, coordinated bus travel to Union Station on a single ticket is available from Amtrak. From the San Joaquin Valley (also know as the Central Valley), this is the only option available that involves any train service. Since the track is generally west of the State Route 99 freeway, it serves different cities than the Greyhound Bus line.

Metrolink [18] is an extensive regional train network with rail lines to Riverside, Lancaster, Oceanside, San Bernardino, Oxnard, and points in between. Union Station is the main station served by Amtrak, the hub of the Metrolink network, and it is well-served by the Los Angeles Metro.

Union Station is spectacular (opened in 1939 and with the era's associated grand architecture), but there are several stops within the county that may be better located to your destination. LA is massive so make sure you get the right stop. Unfortunately, while Union Station has the best bus, subway, light rail, and commuter rail connections (and a Hertz and Budget car rental desk), it may be far from other landmarks. If you are arriving in LA by train but planning to travel around the area, here are some alternate connection options:

• The Burbank Amtrak station is next to the Burbank Bob Hope airport, where connections include Metrolink, bus and the usual rental cars at the airport's terminal. Book Amtrak through to Burbank (BUR), although doing so means you'll probably make a connection to a Pacific Surfliner at Union Station (since no long distance train serves Burbank). If that is the case, Pacific Surfliner tickets are not tied to a specific train and can be used on any Pacific Surfliner train as well as any Metrolink trains serving the same route. So when your long distance train arrives at Union Station, you can simply take the first available train heading to Burbank. (Note that Metrolink calls the same station Burbank-Bob Hope Airport, as Metrolink also serves an additional Downtown Burbank station not served by Amtrak.)
• Los Angeles World Airports operates a cheap motorcoach service between Union Station and LAX, where every major rental car company has countless thousands of cars available (weekend prices can be real bargains). Called the Union Station FlyAway, it serves the MTA (Patsouras) bus plaza adjacent to the station.
• You can also take bus 42 or the subway to LAX (Purple, Blue, and Green Line) to LAX where you can rent cars. If you are a tourist, you can plan visiting all the tourist places that are on the Metro Subway lines on one or two days and rent the car only for the rest of the trip (to go to Disneyland, Malibu or Santa Monica).

Several Metrolink lines overlap Amtrak's routes or serve the same cities via a slightly different routing. Metrolink tickets can cost significantly less than Amtrak tickets; for example, LA to Oceanside is $14 on Metrolink but $19 on Amtrak. Train frequencies vary between Amtrak and Metrolink for given station pairs (some are more frequent via Amtrak and some are more frequent via Metrolink, since some Metrolink runs terminate before the end of the line).

By bus

The Greyhound [19] terminal is at 1716 East 7th Street, near I-10 and South Alameda Street, south of the city's Downtown Arts District and east of the vast, notorious Skid Row district. Though a growing residential population in the area has brought increased safety and services, this neighborhood remains largely underdeveloped. You should still not linger around here longer than you have to, and staff often ask people who are here too long to show their tickets.

Access to connecting transit services is limited. From the Greyhound station, take a taxi or bus 760 or 60 to connect to 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, a quarter of a mile south of the Metro Red Line North Hollywood station. The Hollywood station, at 1715 North Cahuenga Boulevard, is a quarter of a 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 Ave. 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 Ave. The East Los Angeles station has many buses to downtown nearby, while the Compton station is across the street from a Metro Blue Line station.

LuxBus [20] offers four daily trips to and from Anaheim, San Diego, and Las Vegas.

Hoang Express [21] offers service to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Phoenix.

Get around

Public transportation or car?

Public transportation in L.A., as in many western American cities, leaves something to be desired. Although the Los Angeles area has numerous bus routes and several transit agencies, and a fairly new subway and elevated network to boot, this is still not adequate enough considering the region's population and size. For instance, a few bus routes at best may have service every 10 or 20 minutes, while others (especially away from the main tourist areas) may have service every 30 to 90 minutes. Also keep in mind there is not a bus line to reach every nook and cranny, and as such, it is not uncommon to find yourself walking up to a mile or more to your destination after you've gotten off the bus at the closest stop. And because there are numerous bus transit agencies in the L.A. area, you may find yourself paying additional money when you get off one transit agency's bus and board another transit agency's bus to continue your journey. Keep in mind, some bus routes will end service in the early evening, so you should plan your trip accordingly to make sure you are not stranded while on an outing, thus subjecting yourself to an expensive taxi ride back to your hotel -which, depending on how far away you are, may end up costing roughly the same amount as if you had rented a car for the day in the first place.

Los Angeles also has a medium-sized, and expanding, subway/light rail system to help speed up journeys around the city. If you plan to be staying near a Metro Rail station in the outlying areas, this may suffice as the rail network will take you to some of the tourist areas such as Hollywood, Universal Studios, Chinatown, and Long Beach. However, those who plan to stay for multiple days in the city, and will be staying or visiting outlying areas, and would otherwise have to take multiple buses during their visit, are strongly advised to rent a car if the budget allows.

For visitors who will routinely be traveling only a couple of miles or so, and willing to plan for much longer trips, and who will stay just a few days, and not minding the generally 20-60 minute bus wait, then they may find that the L.A. public transportation system can be sufficient enough. Basically, if you intend to travel in the areas of the West Side, downtown L.A., Beverly Hills, and Hollywood, and primarily travel during weekdays, then public transportation may reasonably accomodate your needs.

Metro Rapid buses come more frequently and make fewer stops than local buses and should be used when possible. Remember that many cities in the county (including Santa Monica, Culver City, Long Beach, and Santa Clarita) operate their own bus agencies, independent of the Metro, charging different fares.

If you choose to rent a car, you will get a look at the infamous L.A.-area freeway system and a taste of the notorious traffic jams. This, however, will still be more convienent than bus travel for long trips.

By rail

Los Angeles County's Metro Rail subway and light rail system has grown considerably over the past 20 years and is increasingly useful in getting around.[22]

Many neighborhoods and sightseeing destinations can be reached using the Metro, including Downtown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown, Los Feliz, Thai Town, Hollywood, Universal City, North Hollywood, Chinatown, Pasadena and Long Beach. Public transportation is preferable to the gridlock that often occurs on Los Angeles-area streets and highways.

A single-trip fare valid on one line in one direction costs $1.50 (no transfers) and can be purchased from ticket vending machines located in the stations. Alternatively, a day pass (valid until 3 a.m. the next day) costs $5; a weekly pass (running Sunday to Saturday) costs $20, and a monthly pass costs $75. Passes allow unlimited access on Metro bus and rail lines. Day passes can be purchased through ticket vending machines in stations (on buses, day passes can be purchased only using a reusable TAP card), and weekly and monthly passes on TAP cards can be obtained online or at Metro Customer Centers.[23] (The main one is at Union Station.) Metrorail and metrobus services can be used with the passes (a few express bus routes require payment of additional fare except for pass users). Route maps are available online and in stations.[24]

Metro fare payment works on a proof-of-payment system. There are turnstiles in the subway stations and some light rail stations. Passengers using a TAP card must tap the turnstile to have a valid fare. Passengers using paper one-day passes can walk through the turnstiles as they are currently unlocked, but there are plans to lock at least some of the stations. However, tickets or passes must be purchased before entering boarding zones; there, Metro police randomly check for valid tickets on the trains or platforms, even if people did not board any train. The penalty for not being able to show a valid ticket is $250 and up to 48 h of community service.

Trips that involve multiple lines or transfers require separate tickets for each line or a valid day, weekly or monthly pass. Passes can be more cost effective than several single-ride tickets.

Metro Rail/Transitway Lines:

• Red Line, a subway that runs from Downtown (Union Station) to the Hollywood area, then to North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley. This route shares track with the Purple Line for about half of its length; when boarding a subway train, check its destination signs to make sure you are on the right train. Station display signs should also provide information about the destination of the train you are boarding. Trains run on average every 12 minutes daytime, becoming less frequent in the evening.
• Purple Line, a subway that runs from Downtown (Union Station) to Koreatown. This route shares track with the Red Line for most of its length; when boarding a subway train, check its destination signs to make sure you are on the right train. Note that the Purple Line trains outside of rush hour are only two cars in length and will not fill the length of the station. There are tunnel signs to help guide you to where the train will stop.
• Blue Line, a light rail line that runs from Downtown (7th Street/Metro Center Station) through South Los Angeles to Long Beach.
• Gold Line, a light rail line that runs from East LA through Chinatown and Northeast Los Angeles to Pasadena.
• Green Line, a light rail line that runs from the South Bay (near LAX) east to the city of Norwalk along Interstate 105.
• Orange Line, a transitway across the San Fernando Valley from North Hollywood to Warner Center (Woodland Hills), using sleek articulated "bus-trains" on rubber tires.
• Silver Line, a transitway from El Monte to Artesia using "bus-trains" on rubber tires. A surchage is to be paid on this route. must be purchased for this route.

Note that Metro operating hours and timetables vary fom one line to another.[25]

There is currently no direct rail connection between Downtown Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but a free shuttle from the Metro Green Line Aviation/LAX Station to terminals is available. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) operates the much more convenient and direct LAX FlyAway shuttle every 30 min between Union Station and airport terminals.[26]

Distinct from Metro is the Metrolink commuter rail system, centered at Union Station. This commuter rail system reaches as far as Ventura, Lancaster, San Bernardino, and Oceanside (northern San Diego County) but runs limited night and weekend service. Metrolink does not accept Metro passes and requires the purchase of separate tickets. Like Metro, Metrolink uses the honor system, where no barriers are required to enter the system, but frequent random inspections ensure that every passenger has a valid ticket or pays $250 fine with 48 h community service. Metrolink tickets are honored as a day pass on Metrorail and Metrobus.[27]

By bus

For information on the Los Angeles bus system, operated by Metro, call 1-800-COMMUTE (1-800-266-6883) or go on the site first.[28]

Many Angelenos without a car use the bus as their primary mode of transportation. Within the central area, roughly from Santa Monica Blvd on the north, the Downtown area on the east, Pico Blvd on the south, and Santa Monica on the west, the buses are somewhat frequent. Outside of this corridor, however, service is not as frequent. An online 12 min map is available.[29]

Rapid buses have fewer stops than local service and cut through the traffic well.[30] Check the schedules in advance as many routes change and have reduced frequency in the late hours. Fares are currently $1.50 per ride (no transfers), $5 for a day pass (also good on Metro Rail), and $20 for a weekly pass. Day passes can be purchased from any Metro Rail station or bus operator; weekly passes can be purchased in selected stores in the county, and at Metro Customer Centers.[31]. They are also available online.[32]

Neighboring cities often operate their own bus systems with different fares. Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus system provides service in that city as well as linking Santa Monica with Westside L.A. districts such as Brentwood, Westwood, and Venice Beach, and also downtown L.A. and LAX.[33] The Culver CityBus operates buses in and around Culver City.[34] Note: Unlike many American cities that have one or perhaps two transit agencies with compatible fares, the L.A. region has several transit agencies and their fares structures are not interchangeable with each other. You will have to pay additional monies if you're switching buses to a different transit agency.

By car

Los Angeles is notorious for its traffic conditions, and its freeway system can get extremely clogged at times. Still, automobile travel is the easiest way to see parts of the region. Many major car rental companies are located at LAX.

Many natural areas surrounding the LA metropolitan area can be reached only by car. See the article about Driving in Los Angeles County for more information. If you are going to be driving, make sure that you have access to extensive street and freeway maps or a GPS navigation system or you may get lost on the spaghetti map of freeways.

The freeways can be confusing for visitors. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with your chosen route prior to setting out on your trip and pay attention to traffic and road signs. "Carpool Only" lanes may be entered with two or more occupants in a vehicle.

Listening to a radio station is helpful for any long trip through LA since most stations regularly disseminate traffic information during the daylight hours. KNX 1070 AM and KFWB 980 AM are the most frequent and cover the metropolitan area, including Orange and Ventura counties and the Inland Empire.

Although LA's traffic jams are legendary, the freeway grid provides for an effective movement of traffic and a variety of alternatives. Be sure to have an alternative route planned out in advance; many freeways run parallel to one another and serve as viable alternatives, especially in long-distance trips. If possible, use a passenger as your navigator. You may also check SigAlert [35] or TrafficReport [36] for current traffic information before your trip.

As for driving on the street grid, most cities in the Greater Los Angeles Area (also called Southland) have well-maintained streets, but streets within the city of Los Angeles itself tend to have a lot of cracks and potholes (the city government spends about half of its annual budget on law enforcement, which leaves little for street maintenance). Wilshire Boulevard is particularly notorious for extremely bumpy conditions and requires extreme caution to avoid destroying the suspension of one's vehicle. The city government has installed sensor loops on most major streets and publishes real-time traffic speed maps online.[37].

Also, most California cities have dedicated left-turn traffic lights at major intersections, allowing for so-called "protected" left turns, but most Los Angeles intersections do not have them, so they operate under the rule where one must yield to opposing traffic and turn only when it is safe. Some Los Angeles streets are so congested that it is impossible to turn until the traffic light reaches the yellow (caution) phase.

Therefore, it is customary in Los Angeles for as many as two or three vehicles to creep into the middle of such intersections in order to turn against opposing traffic on a yellow light. If you are a first-time visitor, you may find yourself being honked at by other drivers (or honking at other drivers) until you become accustomed to this.

Driving around downtown is especially frustrating to deal with. Even when there are not a large number of vehicles present, drivers still tend to go slower in this area because of the numerous turns and exits.

Another frustration of driving in downtown Los Angeles is the very expensive cost of parking there. Many downtown hotels and many hotels outside of downtown (such as in high-density areas like LAX, Hollywood and Century City) have parking garages, but will charge you exorbitant daily parking fees. Even worse, they may have only valet parking, meaning you will be expected to also tip the valet. If you plan to bring or rent a car to drive around Los Angeles, consider looking for hotels that have free parking or at least reasonable fees for self-parking garages.

Many Los Angeles intersections have red light enforcement cameras, linked to sensor loops which are energized about a third of a second after the traffic light turns red. You will know the camera activated when it flashes its strobe light at you to obtain a clear view of your face (which is required along with a picture of the license plate to issue a ticket under California law). These intersections are sometimes marked in advance by signs and should be approached carefully to avoid a fine.

By taxi

Taxis can be expensive. You can flag them down or call one of the numerous companies. If you are not near any restaurants, bars, transportation hubs, major attractions, or commerce zones, expect to wait an extraordinarily long time. The city is spread out and the overwhelming majority of locals have their own motor vehicle; hence, cabs are expensive and rare.

By motorcycle

An often overlooked alternative which deals well with Los Angeles' lackluster public transportation and frustrating traffic conditions is to travel by motorcycle. Rentals range from around $70 for a basic bike up to $300 a day for high-performance sport bikes, with plenty of range and options between. This option garners a higher per-day rental price than a car, with obviously diminished cargo space. However, a motorcycle's significant increase in fuel economy combined with the city's inflated gas prices, ability to navigate quickly through traffic jams, and ease of parking in a notoriously difficult-to-park-in city may be appealing to the adventurous rider. A quick web search will reveal numerous rental agencies, including Eagle Rider (http://www.eaglerider.com/), Cheap Motorcycle Rental (http://cheapmotorcyclerental.com/), and others. California riders must have a class M1 license.

Riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles is not for the faint of heart, nor will it afford an inexperienced or conservative rider much of an advantage in terms of travel time. However, for those who are not adverse to "lane splitting," which means riding between two adjacent lanes of slow or stopped traffic, motorcycle travel is indeed the fastest way of getting around Los Angeles during peak traffic times (for distances greater than 20 miles, helicopter may be faster). While this practice is illegal in many US states, as long as it is undertaken "safely" and at speeds under 45mph, it is perfectly legal in California to split lanes. Motorcycles with engines less than 250cc or incapable of maintaining speeds exceeding 60mph will not be permitted on freeways. Foreign travelers not familiar with the United States may notice motorcycles tend to be comparatively large, heavy, and fast. Extreme caution should be exercised. While Los Angeles may have a reputation as a seething death-trap for motorcyclists, it is arguably much safer and less hectic than most of the world's cities due to its wide lanes, generally lawful drivers, reasonably well-maintained pavement, and surprisingly low-density urban sprawl.

The canyon roads of Malibu, Topanga, and the San Gabriel mountains are frequented by motorsports enthusiasts year-round due to their extreme "twistiness" and contain celebrated hangouts such as Neptune's Net (on the Pacific Coast Highway), the Rock Store (on Mulholland in Malibu Canyon), and others. Bikers visiting on the weekend will find good company, cold beer, and excellent riding there. The drinking age for humans is 21, and it is enforced.

See

Historical

• <see name="Olvera Street" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="" geo="" tags="">This is the historic center of LA and the city derives its name from the pueblo established here (Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles - Our Lady the Queen of the Angels). The oldest building in the city is located here and is open to visitors, as are a number of Mexican restaurants and shops; it is across the street from Union Station.</see>

• <see name="Union Station" alt="" address="800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="" geo="" tags="">A historic downtown site and the main railway hub for the city.</see>

Museums/Galleries

• Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.

• California Afro-American Museum.

• Page Museum at La Brea Discoveries, 5801 Wilshire Boulevard. A fascinating site of palentological excavations. Saber-tooth cats, mastadons, giant sloth, bison, Dire wolves, the American lion (yes - there was one), camels, horses. An on-going work of digging the complete remains of tens of thousands of years old animals out of tar continues today and a massive collection of the bones inside. Well worth the visit away from the glitz of Hollywood and back in time when man was just appearing in the area. Rancho La Brea is one of the world’s most famous fossil localities, recognized for having the largest and most diverse assemblage of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the world. Visitors can learn about Los Angeles as it was between 10,000 and 40,000 years ago. Watch volunteers dig out bones every summer, watch your step as active tar seeps are all over the property, watch the methane bubbles boil up in the lake in front of the museum, hold your nose.

• The Museum of Tolerance, <see name="" alt="" address="9786 West Pico Blvd" directions="" phone="310-553-8403" email="" fax="" url="" hours="Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, SUN 11AM-5PM, Early close on Fri 10AM-3PM Nov-Mar" price="Adults $13, Seniors (62+) $11, Student with I.D. and Youth 5-18 $10">The Museum of Tolerance (MOT) is a multi-media museum designed to examine racism and prejudice in the United States and the world with a strong focus on the history of the Holocaust. It is sponsored by the Simon Wiesenthal Center.</see>

• Japanese American National Museum.

Parks

• <see name="Griffith Park" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="" geo="" tags="">A former ostrich farm, this is the second largest park within a city in the whole country (and in LA, where you'd least expect it!), and is a great place for hikes, picnics or hanging around with friends. The hiking trails lead up to Mulholland Drive, and provide great views of the city. One of the main hiking trails is located on Bronson Ave. The street will end leading up to the trail. Griffith park has several options for kids, including the L.A. Zoo, "Travel Town" which is a free exhibition of old trains and model trains with trains rides for children ($3), the Autry western museum, pony rides, a golf course, driving range, horseback riding, a christmas light drive in December (expect traffic), and The (Space) Observatory.</see>

• Exposition Park is surrounded by Figueroa Street to the east, King Boulevard to the south, Vermont Avenue to the west, and Exposition Boulevard to the north. In 1909, California's Sixth District Agricultural Association and the county and city of Los Angeles agreed to transform Agricultural Park (renamed Exposition Park in 1910) into an exposition building and armory. In return, the county would construct and operate a history and art museum and the city would maintain the grounds.

• <see name="Mulholland Drive" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="" geo="" tags="">This famous avenue is worth a drive if you have your own transport. It's the setting for endless movies and first kisses, and provides great views over the city. The easiest way to enter is to head north up Highland Ave into the Cahuenga Pass - you'll come to a turnoff to your left that is signed. Beware of speeding cars near this intersection.</see>

Do

Concerts and Conventions

While the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood has more ambience, and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena offers a chance of seeing concerts with 90,000 of your closest friends, the city of LA has its own concert venues that are worth exploring.

• <do name="Nokia Theatre at LA Live" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.nokiatheatrelalive.com/" hours="" price="">Part of the $2.5 billion LA Live project, the Nokia Theatre is located near the Staples Center. The 7,100 seat venue hosts annual events such as the ESPY awards show and major-name concerts.</do>

• <do name="Staples Center" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.staplescenter.com/index.html" hours="" price="">While primarily a sports venue, Staples Center also hosts a large number of major-name concerts with its 19,000 seat capacity.</do>

• <do name="LA Convention Center" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.lacclink.com/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Within walking distance of the Staples Center, the massive convention center hosts everything from the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo [38] to the adult film industry's Erotica LA [39] convention.</do>

• <do name="LA Fair" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://datenig.ht/page/12/" hours="" price="">A taste of rural living just outside of the large metropolis. The LA fair offers fun attractions for the entire family such as a petting zoo and rides.</do>

Pro sports

LA has great opportunities for seeing live pro sports.

• <do name="LA Dodgers" alt="" address="Dodger Stadium" directions="" phone="" url="http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="" geo="" tags=""> Who wouldn't want to grab a Dodger Dog and enjoy watching a game of baseball in this venerable stadium which opened in 1962 and home of 6 time world champions? Also, for $35 you can get all-you-can-eat hot dogs, sodas, and nachos at the Right Field Pavilion.</do>

• <do name="LA Lakers" alt="" address="Staples Center" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.nba.com/lakers/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="" geo="" tags="">Do they need an introduction? They are the most popular basketball team in the city. Prices are very high (the most expensive ticket in the NBA) but you will rarely be disappointed with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the beautiful Staples Center.</do>

• <do name="LA Clippers" alt="" address="Staples Center" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.nba.com/clippers/" hours="" price="" geo="" tags="">The Los Angeles Clippers are a rising NBA team. Tickets are slightly cheaper than Laker tickets. The basketball season runs from late October to June. </do>

• <do name="LA Kings" alt="" address="Staples Center" directions="" phone="" url="http://kings.nhl.com/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="" geo="" tags="">LA's hockey team - One of the NHL's brightest young teams with stars like Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. A fun hockey experience and a great, affordable way to experience the Staples Center.</do>

• <do name="LA Sparks" alt="" address="Staples Center" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="" geo="" tags=""> LA's women's basketball team - they especially need your support! A good, inexpensive family outing and a chance to be shown that women are just as capable of dazzling the crowd with their athletic prowess as men!!</do>

In addition, baseball's LA Angels and hockey's Anaheim Ducks play in nearby Anaheim, and the city's two soccer teams—Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy (featuring David Beckham and USA World Cup star Landon Donovan) of Major League Soccer play at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

Buy

Shopping

Los Angeles has a well-known, diverse and unique shopping traditions and destinations. Shopping malls will dominate your shopping trip as they are nearly inescapable in many of your destinations. For example, the Hollywood & Highland mall is a popular meeting point for those gazing at the Walk of Fame and Mann's Chinese Theater. Other malls you may bump into are the Grove (next to the Farmer's Market) and the Beverly Center, which is quite unlike other shopping malls as it is multilevel with a nice view of Los Angeles from its food court patio.

Lacking any significant public square, Los Angeles funnels its commercial life onto its streets. Among the most popular street is Larchmont Blvd. which caters to the wealthy elite of Hancock Park with one-of-a-kind boutiques. Melrose Avenue, especially in the West Hollywood portion, one-ups Larchmont Blvd. with celebrity presence.

Broadway in Downtown will take you out of the comforts of manicured shopping centers and drop you onto its chaos. With merchandise geared towards the regions's millions of Latinos, forty dollars would probably get you a brand new wardrobe. You will also find pirated DVD's and CD's. You can find a lot of brand name merchandise at discounted prices. Broadway once was the city's premier boulevard and looking up above the gritty flea markets and you would see the opulent theaters that defined luxury in early 20th-century Los Angeles.

For a similar experience in a less-polished, but also livelier environment, try Alvarado Blvd around Wilshire & 6th. This district gives an insight to how most of working-class Los Angeles shops. Big deals can be found on a wide range of counterfeit goods, but don't stay too long after dark when the neighborhood gets sketchy. Make sure to check out the art deco buildings that exist in between the makeshift warehouses (malls), as well as the Alvarado Terrace Park, surrounded by early century mansions.

Specialty

Downtown is the destination for some focused retail therapy. Want flowers? Why there's a Flower District in Downtown! Jewelry? Fashion? Seafood? Toys? Yep, there are entire districts in Downtown dedicated to these particular products. You can buy art in Gallery Row up and down Main Street or see artists at work in the Artist District. They are located mostly just east of the towering Financial District. Beware though as they exist along with the notorious Skid Row.

Music

No matter what music you're into, Los Angeles will feature artists to your taste. Visit the Rock Venues on Sunset Blvd. Jazz Clubs in Hollywood. The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown. etc. As the second capital of hip-hop culture Los Angeles has hundreds of records stores scattered around the area. Also, though vinyl has disappeared from the shelves of regular record stores, many stores still sell used and new vinyl. Amoeba Music in Hollywood is without a doubt the best in the city. An exploration of underground music would be advised to perhaps begin at The Smell in Downtown or listen to KXLU 88.9 Monday-Friday for details on numerous shows.

Eat

The Los Angeles area is one of the best places in the country for food - you can find just about anything you can imagine somewhere within its loose borders. From traditional American diner culture (try Mel's Drive-In in West Hollywood) to the new wave of organic cafes, to inexpensive taco trucks, and swanky eateries with breath-taking food, there are no shortage of options.

Los Angeles abounds with inexpensive, authentic food that represents the culinary traditions of L.A.'s many immigrant communities. You have to be willing to do a little legwork, go to neighborhoods you might not otherwise go to and often deal with charmless florescent-lit storefronts in strip malls, but your reward is hype-free, authentic cuisine from around the world served up at bargain prices. Food critic Jonathan Gold has been finding and reviewing these gems since the 1980s, mostly in the free paper LA Weekly [40].

The newest arrival on the L.A. food scene is the gourmet food truck. These are not your average taco trucks and construction-site catering operations, but purveyors of creative and surprisingly high-quality food. A few noteworthy food trucks are "Grill Em All," run by 2 metalheads doing outstanding gourmet hamburgers, "Nom Nom," doing Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, "Kogi," doing Korean-inspired tacos and burritos, and "Manila Machine," doing Filipino food. A listing of well known trucks can be found, along with a real-time map showing their locations on any given day at http://www.foodtrucksmap.com/, and many trucks also have their own websites and post their daily schedules and locations on Twitter.

Coverage of regional food from other parts of the U.S. is spotty. Migration into the city has been disproportionately from Texas and Oklahoma, the South, Midwest and greater New York City and food representing these areas is easy enough to find. Food representing New England and other parts of the East Coast, the Pacific Northwest, and the Intermountain-Rocky Mountain regions can be elusive, along with many ethnic cuisines with central- and east-european origins. However L.A. is birthplace of the drive-thru and numerous fast food chains clog the roadsides. The In 'n Out Burger chain is far above average for hamburgers, french fries and milkshakes.

The cultural diversity of Los Angeles is an evident influence on the local vegetarian food restaurant industry. Where else but L.A. can you find strictly vegan and vegetarian dining, be it Chinese, Ethiopian, Mexican, Thai, American, Indian, International Fusion, Vegan Macrobiotic, and Raw Gourmet restaurants among others. Other dietary restrictions are catered to as well. For example Genghis Cohen in West Hollywood serves Jewish Chinese food and kosher Mexican or Italian is not hard to find along predominantly Jewish parts of Pico Boulevard.

There are several different supermarket chains of varying quality - for something different (and cheap) try Trader Joe's, a reputable grocery store with multiple locations (the original is in Pasadena), selling many organic products with no preservatives. They normally give out great samples to the public and sell their acclaimed Charles Shaw wine, also known as "Two Buck Chuck." Whole Foods [41] is another market with multiple locations and a favorite among the health conscious -- but also a little pricey. Their salad bar is fully stocked, they have huge fresh burritos, sushi, hot dishes ready to go, and a comprehensive selections of pre-made, delicious salads. This is a great place to buy food for a picnic!

The nearby cities of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Santa Monica also offer numerous dining options.

LA visitors and locals alike have the opportunity to indulge in a selection of specially priced three-course menus from a wide variety of LA’s best restaurants during dineLA Restaurant Week [42]. It takes place over a two-week time period. Restaurant week for 2008 was January 27 to February 1, 2008 and February 3 to February 8, 2008.

Drink

The hotel bars are generally considered by Angelenos to be the nicest places to have drinks. Some of the more popular upscale ones include: Chateau Marmont (Sunset Strip), Skybar at The Mondrian (Sunset Strip), Tower Bar at the Sunset Tower (Sunset Strip), and The Rooftop Bar at The Standard (downtown). Hollywood and the Sunset Strip are generally considered the nightlife centers of LA, though neighborhoods such as Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Echo Park are home to the dive bars and cafes favored by trendy hipsters. Downtown has recently recaptured some of its former glory with a selection of popular nightlife destinations such as The Golden Gopher, The Edison and the bars/clubs at LA LIVE. Hollywood's Cahuenga Corridor (Cahuenga between Selma and Hollywood Boulevard) boasts several popular bars in a row making bar-hopping a possibility in a city where it's not the norm.

Bars close at 2 am with most last calls at 1:30 or 1:45. It is worth noting that some bars and almost all clubs charge cover and some may have VIP lists that are relatively easy to get on. Look up promoters and ask them to add you to their list. This is the easiest way to get into clubs such as Ecco, the Kress, Myhouse and similar popular Hollywood clubs.

Sleep

It's hard to summarize the plethora of hotel options in L.A. From some of the most opulent (and expensive) hotels in the world to budget hostels to apartment-hotel crash pads, there's something for everyone. Deciding where to stay will have a lot to do with what areas you plan on visiting, and how you're going to get there. As usual in Southern California, a car opens up a world of options, but be sure to check the parking arrangement at your accommodations before you arrive.

Hollywood is probably the most popular option for those wanting to sight-see and chase their image of that world. Downtown has long been popular with the business crowd but is rapidly receiving a makeover with hotels like The Standard [43] bringing a hipper crowd. Beverly Hills has some of the nicest hotels in the city, expect the prices to reflect its reputation. Sun and sand seekers can head to Santa Monica or Venice, while those just in town for a day or two might consider staying on the Westside near LAX airport. Pasadena to the northeast of LA is a peaceful and leafy city and a good alternative.

Stay safe

Most tourist destinations within Los Angeles area tend to be fairly safe, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Westwood, and West L.A. However, walking at night in some areas of the city (and some suburban cities as well) should be conducted with caution; and depending on the area, in groups. If traveling by car there is little threat of being harassed day or night, provided you avoid driving around neighborhoods with blatant signs of gang activity as mentioned below.

Certain areas in or near downtown, such as Skid Row (which is where the Greyhound station is located), Pico-Union, Westlake, Boyle Heights, and South Central, can be dangerous regardless of the time of day and should be avoided altogether when walking if possible. If traveling in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, the neighborhoods of Pacoima, Panorama City, Van Nuys, North Hills, and Canoga Park are also best avoided on foot.

Though cities such as Detroit, St. Louis, and Atlanta have higher reported crime rates per capita than Los Angeles, these numbers can be deceiving. L.A. statistics are skewed because safe neighborhoods such as Bel Air, Pacific Palisades and Westwood help balance the numbers from the very dangerous neighborhoods. If the South Central area of Los Angeles were counted as its own city, it would have the highest crime and murder rate of any city in America. Neighboring Compton, an actual independent city, currently ranks as the fourth most dangerous city in America. Luckily for Los Angeles, Compton's statistics are not counted as part of L.A.'s crime data, but the cities border each other. As a general rule, you should exercise great caution if walking in the area roughly bounded by Interstate 10 on the north, Interstate 710 on the east, Artesia Blvd/Highway 91 on the south, and La Cienega Boulevard on the west.

Both the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles, unfortunately, are considered the gang capital of America. Gangs generally confine themselves to certain areas and should be of little concern to the typical traveler, who is unlikely to venture into such areas. Gangs will usually identify their territory with graffiti markings. While most visitors to L.A. will not visit neighborhoods where gang violence is a concern, common-sense precautions apply should you become lost and end up in a bad neighborhood: remain on high-visibility roads or freeways, avoid confrontations with groups of young men, and should a confrontation arise flee immediately. If a person who appears to be a gang member asks you where you are from, prepare to flee or to defend yourself, as that is a common gang challenge. Use common sense on freeways to avoid incidents of road rage, which accounts for ten or so deaths per year.

Most homeless individuals are harmless; they will likely only ask you for money and if you refuse, will simply go on to the next person. They are most heavily concentrated in Hollywood and Skid Row. Avoid walking along Skid Row near Downtown at any time of day or night.

In the unlikely event of a major earthquake, duck and cover and stay where you are during the shaking, then go outside once the shaking stops. Buildings and other structures are unlikely to collapse. Your largest threats come from breaking windows and falling objects such as ceiling tiles and bookshelves. Try to get under a table, desk, or doorjam to reduce your exposure to these threats. You are more likely to be injured if you try to run during the shaking.

Stay healthy

Los Angeles is notorious for air pollution problems. However, air quality in the city has improved dramatically in recent decades, and Los Angeles has even fallen from its Number One position on lists of the worst air in the United States due to aggressive cleanup efforts on behalf of the state and regional air quality authorities. Generally, smog is worst during summer months and is worse further inland where it is away from the ocean breezes and gets trapped by the surrounding mountains. Air pollution can also become a problem if a wildfire is burning in surrounding hills.

Contact

Internet

Internet cafes are spread around town and most easily found in heavily touristed spots such as Hollywood Blvd and Melrose Ave. For most travelers, stopping by a local coffee shop such as Starbucks or The coffee bean should suffice. Most will either have free service for customers or require a nominal fee for usage. Many less expensive hotels and motels also offer complimentary internet access, often usable in the lobby before you check in.

There is also a growing trend for local fast food establishments and some restaurants to provide complimentary Wi-Fi.

Get out

• San Fernando Valley — "The Valley" is the sprawling northern section of the city and home to Universal Studios, NBC Studios, CBS Studio Center, Walt Disney & Warner Brothers Studios and a few other attractions.

• West Side — The West Side of Los Angeles County is home to Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, Venice and numerous other upscale communities.

• Orange County — upscale beach communities south of Los Angeles

• San Diego — a 2 to 4 hour drive south of Los Angeles (depending on traffic)

• Las Vegas - a 4 to 5 hour drive east of Los Angeles known for entertainment and casinos.