Saturday, September 19, 2015

Quick Guide to LA

image via tripadvisor
LA, the "City of Angels".  Beautiful beaches along the Pacific Ocean, the famed Hollywood walk, spectacular hiking trails, theme parks, museums and many more…. with all these long list of to-dos and to-sees, one never get bored in LA. Knowing my priorities, I choose to walk the city one step at a time and so I did.


Neighborhoods

LA is a very diverse city, there are a lot of unique ethnic neighborhoods around, such as Little Armenia, Koreatown, Little Tokyo... especially good for food-hunting.


Transport

A day ticket/ week ticket/ TAP card is a good way to save money on transportation. Taxis/ pricate car hire app also provide cheap (sometimes free) and comfortable rides.
Read more: LA; how to save on transport



See


Downtown, Hollywood, Getty center, Getty Villa, Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory and Park, Disneyland, Universal Studio, Beverly Hills.
Read more: 2 days in LA itinerary

Do


  • Enjoy a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Tickets as low as $1 available from time to time. 
  • Cheer on the LA Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Don't forget to nab some Dodger dogs (all-you-can-eat package from $35)!
  • Watch an NBA game at Staples Center.
  • Jogging at Venice Beach.
  • Hike Mt. Hollywood.


Eat


Kogi tacos, Shrimp toast, Hotdogs, Deli Sandwich, Chicken and Waffles, Strawberry Donuts, Others.
Read more: What to eat in LA? the most important question

Shopping

Hollywood & Highland mall, the Grove , Farmers' Market, Westside Pavilion, Beverly Center.

Safety

Well… I really can’t tell you that it is safe.
LA, unfortunately, have a large concentration of homeless. Although I find most of them to be harmless, I felt uncomfortable travelling alone. LA is also known to have a relatively high rate of gang violence and crime, so always be alert and don't venture into sketchy neighborhood  with too many graffiti.
Watch out for forest fire and rattlesnakes on hiking trail.

Visitor Information Centers

1. Downtown
685 S Figueroa St
☎ +1 213 689-8822

2. Hollywood 
6801 Hollywood Blvd
☎ +1 323 467-6412


Special Events rough guide

courtesy of LA times
January - Tournament of Roses Parade.
February - Chinese New Year two-day street fair with dragon parade
                    Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood
March - Los Angeles Marathon
April - LA Times Festival of Books
             Los Angeles's Fiesta Broadway
June – Pride weekend
            Independent's Los Angeles Film Festival
            X Games
July - Independence Day
August - Nisei Week Japanese Festival
                The Watts Summer Festival
September - The LA County Fair
                      Abbot Kinney Festival
October - Halloween

courtesy of discoverlosangeles.com
November - (Mexican tradition) Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
                      AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival
                      The Hollywood Christmas Parade
December - The Marina Del Rey Boat Parade
                     The LA County Holiday Celebration

Day Trips from LA:

Palm Springs, San Diego, Las Vegas, Pheonix, Santa Barbara.



Thank You for Reading! 
This post is based solely on my opinion or personal experience. 
Feel free to share your thoughts with me by commenting below!

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