What are the main attractions in downtown Los Angeles?

Question

Staying in a hotel on South Grand Avenue (downtown), what kind of attractions can I see here, and how far away are they? Can i travel by the Metro system or should I just walk to each attraction?

Answer 1

Well, Chinese Theater, Sunset Blvd, Universal Studio, Rodeo Drive.

Answer 2

Downtown is going through some major changes. It was quite run down for awhile, but things are picking up. The Convention center is downtown with the new Auto show getting ready to start very soon, Staples center is next door where the lakers and the Kings play, Olvera street is the 1st street in the City of Los Angeles and is interesting for it's historical influence, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Museum of Contemorary Art, the Disney Concert Hall (Frank Gehry designed and worth seeing) are both on Grand Avenue, there is a good mall on 7th and Flower, the old art house theatres from the 1920's on Broadway are interesting as is the architecture from some of the older buildings like the Bradbury Building. You can take the subway to Hollywood in 10 minutes, Universal Studios in 20 minutes. Downtown is very interesting and historically significant, be careful of people on the street as there are a lot of homeless and derelicts, but you will be fine during the day. If you are staying at Checkers or the Biltmore, you will like it a lot. There are some really great restaurants like Water Grill right on Grand Avenue as well.

Answer 3

There's nothing to see Downtown, and all the areas next to it are ghetto and seedy. Few Angelenos ever set foot Downtown (they drive by it on the freeway as quickly as possible).

The big buildings Downtown are not remarkable either, arthitecturally (L.A.'s skyline is very generic). The streets are practically deserted after working hours. The Chinatown is small compared to New York and San Francisco. And the Metro service is extremely limited (you can get to Universal Studios and Pasadena, but anywhere else will require a car).

The real action in Los Angeles is out near the water and the more wealthy suburbs any way. That's where the best shopping, people-watching, and attractions are. Ditch your Downtown reservations...and go to Malibu, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, or coastal OC.

Answer 4

Typically Downtown L.A. gets a pretty bad rap for its dirty streets and hobo-infested sidewalks. Nevertheless, there is quite a lot for a tourist like yourself to do there while visiting Los Angeles. You can sample the fine Mexican cuisine and culture on Olvera Street (the oldest neighborhood in L.A.), take a stroll through beautiful Echo Park, check out the displays at the California Science Center, take in the history at Union Station, or check out a sporting event at the Staples Center. With some good planning and a little research, there's a plethora of things to do in Downtown.

Answer 5

"Luck" is dead wrong. None of the places he listed are in Downtown Los Angeles. Downtown Los Angeles isn't as seedy as it used to be, but the truth is that it isn't all that interesting.

I used to work in Downtown and would shake my head when I saw tourists walking around.

If you can, try to cancel your hotel reservation and stay in Santa Monica or Hollywood. Santa Monica is closer to nice places and has more of a fun atmosphere. Hollywood could also be a lot of fun depending on what you're into.

Places to go in downtown: the Neon Museum, the Bonaventure Hotel, Chinatown, Olvera Street (you'll enjoy this one), Disney Concert Hall (interesting architecture), MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art).

I'll add extra places to visit if I think of them...so check back.

One of the nice things about downtown is that it is not to far away from Hollywood and you can always take a day trip to Santa Monica.

Answer 6

I agree that if you can, try to find a hotel in another area (like Santa Monica) for a few days. I know some people who stayed downtown without a car, and they said with the bus system it took them 4 hours to get to the Getty. Between Venice/Venice Beach area and Santa Monica there's a lot to do.

If you do stay where you're at, the LA Cathedral is pretty impressive, and you're right by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). You also have Chinatown and the Jewelry District - but ultimately you're not getting the "true" LA experience down in that area.

btw please don't go to skid row!

Answer 7

I work downtown, and there are few gems if yo look for them. There's the Standard Hotel; they have a fabulous rooftop bar. It's one of my favorite places in LA. Chinatown is nearby. If you go, get dimsum at Empress Pavilion. Otherwise, have dinner at Yang Chow. Little Tokyo is also close by. The MOCA is having an exhibit of works by Magritte. Very nice.

But I will admit, the better tourist attractions are further west.

Answer 8

Take the bus all the way to Santa Monica beach. One bus should run all the way from downtown to Santa Monica by Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica Blvd, or whatever. Along the way, you will pass very near or through Beverly Hills, UCLA, and Hollywood. The boardwalk at the beach goes for miles on past Venice Beach. You can't miss that experience. There may be a rail system that goes partway to Santa Monica.

Answer 9

Don't take the info from the first poster, "Lucky".

"Well, Chinese Theater, Sunset Blvd, Universal Studio, Rodeo Drive."

...The Chinese Theater and Sunset Blvd are in Hollywood.

Universal Studios in in Universal City, in the San Fernando Valley.

Rodeo Drive is in Beverly Hills! Far from downtown.


...Anyways, there's not much to do in downtown L.A. Go out into the Westside (Beverly Hills, Malibu, etc.)

Answer 10

The best attraction in Downtown LA is Skid Row (yes, there really is a Skid Row!).

Rent a car and drive to the places other people said...Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood.