SLIDE 3 Downtown Los Angeles
Hip and historic, downtown Los Angeles (or simply DTLA) off ers big-city excitement with restaurants, cultural attractions, and major league sports. An infl ux of new residents has helped energize the area, and downtown’s re-emergence has also been spurred by such attractions as Grand Park, an urban oasis with views stretching from the Music Center (including Walt Disney Concert Hall) to City Hall.
South Park
South Park, a commercial district in downtown Los Angeles. It is location of the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Staples Center, the “L.A. Live” entertainment complex and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. South Park is bounded by the Harbor Freeway
- n the west, the Santa Monica Freeway on the south, Main Street on the east, and Eighth Street on the north.
Pasadena
Set at the base of the towering San Gabriel Mountains, Pasadena is best known as the home of the annual Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl football matchup. But this appealing city some 10 miles north of downtown L.A..has secret charms that go well beyond the marching bands, fl
- wer-covered fl
- ats, and touchdowns on New Year’s Day. With architectural gems and world-class
museums, stylish shopping and a red-hot dining scene, Pasadena has plenty of ways to fi ll a half- or full-day break from big-city bustle.
Arts District
District by district, Downtown L.A. is going through a rebirth, with the Arts District at the height of its renaissance. What started as an urban artists’ colony in the 1970s has recently become a hotbed for creators from all arenas, making it one of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods to visit. Located just east of Little Tokyo and west of the L.A. River, it’s easy to see why artists like Paul McCarthy and George Herms made this vibrant, and yes, highly walk-able neighborhood their home.
Hollywood
From bustling Hollywood Boulevard, it’s less than 10 minutes to North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District. You’ll fi nd more than 20 professional theatres putting on memorable performances in L.A.’s very own version of “off
- Broadway,” with creative stagings and
- riginal works the norm. Here, aspiring actors gain experience, while seasoned pros (Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander has performed here)
sometimes show up to take a turn on the boards. What’s especially great about NoHo—and unusual for the region—is that it’s walkable, low-key, and unhurried. Stroll the main drag to visit vintage boutiques and mingle with local artists and actors at outdoor cafes. Or af er a play, walk to dinner at such restaurants as The Federal Bar, a gastropub housed in a 1920s-era bank.
West Hollywood
West Hollywood has been dubbed “The Creative City,” and for good reason. Bordering Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, “WeHo” is where fashion and the arts rule, easy to see as you travel the streets of the West Hollywood Design District. This trendsetting area includes galleries and the Pacifi c Design Center on Melrose Avenue, and interior design showrooms along Beverly Boulevard. Shop at leading boutiques along ever-stylish Robertson Boulevard. Or head to the fabled Sunset Strip— home to such legendary music venues as The Roxy and the Viper Room, once co-owned by Johnny Depp. Then check out the bars along Santa Monica Boulevard.
Glendale
As the fourth largest ethnic enclave outside of Armenia, following Moscow and Berlin, Glendale is a paradise for many delectable foods
- f the Middle East. You’ll fi
nd a few worthwhile diversions within the city limits, but you’re also never too far from most major inland attractions thanks to Glendale’s adjacent freeways—specifi cally the 5, 134 and 2, with the 210 to the north. It also sits just across the LA River from Griffi th Park and a short drive from Downtown Los Angeles—and, unfortunately, we emphasize “drive” due to a lack of subway
DESCRIPTIONS OF LA COMMUNITIES
