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Los Angeles County

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Los Angeles County is a large region in Southern California roughly the same size as Rhode Island. Overwhelmed by the city of Los Angeles, which spreads its tentacles throughout the county, there are many other cities in this area.

[edit] Regions

The county spreads over thousands of square miles. Angelenos usually divide up the county into several regions to keep them straight.

[edit] Cities

There are 88 cities in Los Angeles County. Below are some of the more famous:

  • Beverly Hills - Home to many of the entertainment industry's rich and famous, as well as some amazing high-end shopping.
  • Hollywood - While technically a part of the city of Los Angeles, Hollywood is nevertheless one of the world's most famous destinations.
  • Long Beach - Located in the southern part of the county, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, the Long Beach airport, and other common tourist stops.
  • Los Angeles - The City of Angels offers food and entertainment options that are among the best in the world.
  • Pasadena - Sitting at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, it is the home of the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl on New Year's day. Its Old Pasadena district is one of the more vibrant destinations in the county.
  • Santa Monica - Famous for its pier, Santa Monica is a beach town popular with visitors.
  • Venice - Also technically part of Los Angeles, Venice is home to the infamous Muscle Beach -- where a 300 pound benchpress is merely a warm-up. A great way to learn the history and have fun with friends is with scavenger hunts put on by local outfit "venicescavengers". A must do... www.Venicescavengers.com

[edit] Other destinations

  • Angeles National Forest [1] - +1 626 574-5200 Fax: +1 626 574-5233. Spanning most of the county from east to west, Angeles National Forest offers camping, fishing, hiking and skiing. Driving through the forest is free but if you plan on parking, an Adventure Pass is required except for the last Saturday of each month. Daily Pass: $5, Annual Pass: $30.
  • Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area [2] - 24-hour recorded message: +1 805 370-2300, Visitor Information: +1 805 370-2301 Fax: +1 805 370-1850. The Santa Monica Mountains NRA is made up of several smaller units ranging from an old movie studio lot to wilderness areas and is administered by the National Park Service.

[edit] Understand

Los Angeles is in the Pacific Time Zone and practices Daylight Savings Time.

For emergencies in Los Angeles County, dial 911 toll-free from any phone including payphones. Note that dialing 911 from a cell-phone will place you in contact with the California Highway Patrol.

[edit] Talk

English and Spanish are the two most common languages spoken in Los Angeles County. Most government agencies and many businesses will have someone available who speaks Spanish. Because of the ethnic diversity of Los Angeles, there are many neighborhoods where other languages are dominant, mostly from Asian countries.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

  • Los Angeles International Airport [3] (IATA: LAX) - 1 World Way, Los Angeles, +1 310 646-5252. LAX is one of the major ports of entry for international flights into the United States as well as a major destination for domestic flights so it can be quite busy, especially around holidays. Most of the major airlines as well as some smaller regional airlines fly into LAX. All of the major rental car agencies have a location near the airport with hundreds of cars available for rent.
  • Bob Hope Airport [4] (IATA: BUR) - 2627 Hollywood Way, Burbank, +1 818 840-8840. Alaska, America West, American, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines fly into this airport located north-east of Downtown.
  • Long Beach Airport [5] (IATA: LGB) - 4100 Donald Douglas Dr., Long Beach, +1 562 570-2678, Fax: +1 562 570-2603 e-mail:lgbarpt@longbeach.gov. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, America West Airlines and JetBlue Airways fly into this airport located in southern Los Angeles County.

Airports near Los Angeles County
  • Ontario International Airport [6] (IATA: ONT) - 1940 East Moore Way, Ontario, +1 909 937-2700. Located 37 miles (59 km) from of Downtown Los Angeles, Ontario is about a 40 minute drive east of Downtown.
  • John Wayne Airport [7] (IATA: SNA) - 18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana, +1 949 252-5200. Located 40 miles (64 km) from Downtown Los Angeles, John Wayne Airport is a 45 minute drive south-east of Downtown.

[edit] By car

Several major highways come into Los Angeles County.

  • From the north: Interstate 5 and U.S. Highway 101
  • From the east: Interstates 10 and 15
  • From the south: Interstates 5 and 405

[edit] By train

  • Amtrak [8] - Toll free: +1 800 872-7245
  • Metrolink [9] - Toll free: +1 800 371-5465. Metrolink trains connect surrounding counties with Los Angeles County with most lines having a terminus at Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. Each line has several stops in Los Angeles County in addition to stops in their originating counties.

[edit] By sea

  • Long Beach has a Carnival Cruise Lines [10] terminal. 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, +1 562 901-3232.
  • San Pedro has a cruise ship terminal that all of the major cruise ship lines (except Carnival) sail from. Berth 90-93, San Pedro, +1 310 514-4049. Fax: +1 310 514-4057.

[edit] Get around

Los Angeles County has an extensive freeway system that criss-crosses the county. The freeway system is a mixed blessing allowing access to most areas at the same time being very confusing for the uninitiated, especially during rush hour. Driving is a central and extremely frustrating part of life in Los Angeles. See driving in Los Angeles County for some basic information.

Several Los Angeles County cities also have their own bus lines.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Los Angeles area gardens with native plants. Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour [13] - +1 818 768-1802, organized by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants [14]. The annual garden tour, which began in 2004, showcases mostly private gardens throughout the Los Angeles basin that feature 50% or more native plants. Unlike most tours, garden owners (many of whom design the gardens themselves) and knowledgeable docents are available to identify plants and discuss techniques of gardening with California native plants. The tour usually takes place in April over a weekend, with half the gardens open to attendees on Saturday and the other half on Sunday. In 2006, more than 1,700 people visited more than 30 gardens; in 2008, more than 1,000 people visited 38 private gardens; in 2009, more than 46 gardens are featured. Garden locations ranged from Santa Monica to Monrovia, from Woodland Hills to Tujunga.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Television Show Tapings. The major studios offer free tickets for those wanting to view the taping of a television show. Numerous agencies handle ticket distribution including Audiences Unlimited [15] and Hollywood Tickets [16]. Tickets can also sometimes be obtained through the studio's web site, and nightly shows such as the Tonight Show often have a studio box office that distributes tickets for that night's tapings. There are also occasionally booths or individuals in Hollywood or other areas frequented by tourists distributing tickets; however, you should never pay anyone for any ticket to a television show taping - tickets are always free, and scalped tickets are illegal and may not be honored by the studios. Also, note that even if you have a ticket seating is not necessarily guaranteed and will be provided first-come, first-served. You will need to arrive at least one hour prior to filming, and filming typically lasts for 2-3 hours.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Los Angeles and the surrounding area offer the most eclectic dining experience you can ever imagine. There are a few good places of note:

Fred62, a great retro diner, is on Vermont Avenue just north of Sunset Boulevard.

You want a good old fashioned meal that Frank Sinatra would envy, ironically he ate here a few times from rumors. Musso And Frank's great food, great atmosphere located on Hollywood Boulevard a few blocks east from Mann's chinese (theater not buffet).

Pink's Hot Dogs, you can't come to L.A. and not eat here, its located on Fairfax about 2 miles off sunset, The best hotdog you will ever consume.

Tommy's, scattered around the city; popular place to get a chili cheeseburger and chili cheese fries. Many are open late or 24-hour. Beware of imitators.

Bob's Big Boy, leave the relish off this tasty morsel and add on some 1K Island, you'll thank me later. Located in the sunny vale of Burbank a couple of blocks from Universal City Walk.

Mercialgio great Italian place right outside the gate of Universal City walk, one of the best Italian joints in town.

House of Blues, where else but on Sunset Strip, great awesomely bad food, great prices, rocking place.

The Roxy, up the street from the House of Blues, not too shabby either, used to be the hang out back in the day.

The Griddle Cafe, little place, get up early and bring your appetite, they have some of the best pancakes you will ever experience, the french press coffee is some of the best in town, filled with a lot of pretentious industry types but if you can get past that you will love the food.

Roscoes Chicken And Waffles, if you are from out of town you gotta have some chicken and waffles, its located on Grove, right off Sunset near the 101. nuff said on this place

Taco trucks can be found along streets at night and are open late and provide inexpensive authentic food.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Cahuenga Corridor, North of Hollywood but South of the 101, quite a few fun places to inbibe quantities of alcoholic beverages, if you have a woman or are a woman check out "The Beauty Bar" 10 dollars for a Martini and a Manicure, get there early the line tends to gather after 9PM ish.
  • Lucky Stikes Bowling alley, this place is just awesomely awesome, its located off Hollywood and Vine, behind the borders. What more do I need to say than bowling and beer. Also located downtown across from the Staples Center.
  • Bar 107, this is downtown, but quite a fun happenin joint. Its at ironically 107 4th Street, towards East L.A. Great kitsch.
  • Sunset Strip, mainly the location of live music venues, it also has drinking destinations such as The Rainbow Bar, SkyBar, Chateau Marmont, Libertine, and Saddle Ranch Chop House (one of the few places in LA with a mechanical bull).

[edit] Stay safe

For all emergencies in Los Angeles County, dial 911.

There are some areas in Los Angeles County that are considered to be less safe than others. Parts like South Los Angeles (a.k.a. South Central: Compton, Inglewood, etc.), Harbor Gateway, Wilmington, and other cities aren't considered very safe.

The area east of Downtown L.A., aka East L.A., also has a higher crime rate than other areas and has gang problems as well.

[edit] Get out

  • Disneyland - in Anaheim, not too far from the border of Los Angeles County.
  • Palm Springs - Desert playground of the rich and famous.
  • Joshua Tree National Park - Two different deserts meet in this park, which is filled with a vast array of rock formations and desert plant life, especially in the spring or after rainfall when the desert flowers are in bloom.
  • Santa Barbara - A quiet sea-side resort town 1 1/2 hours north of Los Angeles.
  • San Diego - A sunny oceanfront city with many attractions such as Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and the museums of Balboa Park.
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