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Most populous city in California, US
Photo: Alek Leckszas, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
The central business district and historic center of Los Angeles, which has seen a revival with new museums, performing arts venues, trendy hotels, bars, shops, and restaurants.
In the hills east of the downtown area is the Hispanic center of Los Angeles. This area is mostly residential in character, with a few scattered attractions.
The historic and spiritual heart of the entertainment industry, with many tourist attractions paying tribute to the film and television stars of the past and where many movies still have their public premieres.
A funkier area in the heights north of Downtown and east of Hollywood that includes some rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods and the expansive Griffith Park, with its zoo, museums, and famous observatory.
Though it has long had a reputation for gang violence and is the infamous site of the Rodney King riots, this area has mellowed significantly in the years since. While it remains off most people's radar, there are some highlights including the Watts Towers and the science museums of Exposition Park.
Home to the Miracle Mile District of Wilshire Boulevard, with its historic architecture and museums near the La Brea Tar Pits. Nearby are the studios, shops, and entertainment of the Fairfax District.
By car
Several major freeways enter the Los Angeles region.
By train
The station is a spectacular example of Mission Revival architecture, with a spacious waiting room and courtyards with outdoor seating, as well as some eating and shopping establishments on-site.
By bus
Most of the buses are routed to Los Angeles from San Francisco Bay Area (via Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and/or Oxnard); Sacramento (via Modesto, Stockton, Merced and/or Bakersfield);…
By boat
By car
Los Angeles is notorious for its traffic conditions, and its freeway system can get extremely clogged at any time.
By taxi/rideshare
Taxis can be expensive. Save for a very small number of locations, you cannot flag one down on the street, but have to call one of the taxi companies to send a cab to pick you up.
By motorcycle
An often overlooked alternative which deals well with Los Angeles' lackluster public transportation and frustrating traffic conditions is to travel by motorcycle.
By bike
Metro introduced a bike share program in 2016.
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