About Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a bright and eclectic patchwork of neighborhoods and lifestyles. Made up of dozens of communities, there is no one unifying experience that sums up the life and the heartbeat of this city among cities. From the eternal sunshine and Hollywood glitz to the traffic and smog, this City of Angels will forever be many things to many people.

Downtown

While not exactly in the center of town geographically, downtown is still a major center of activity. But while the focus is mostly on business, downtown also features many shops, restaurants, bars and even a few museums.

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History

California’s earliest residents were Native Americans. Prior to the mid-18th century, several native peoples dominated the area, most notably those from the Tongva nation. Legend even has it that these early inhabitants were reluctant to establish large settlements in what is now the L.A. basin due to its poor air quality-perhaps a premonition of things to come, and certainly ironic given today’s smog.

The earliest key date in the development of Los Angeles is August 2, 1769. It was on that afternoon that a group of Spanish explorers from the east, led by Junipero Serra and Captain Gaspar de Portola, entered what came to be known as Los Angeles, in the area around Elysian Park.

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Fast Facts

Population: 16,373,645

Median Age: 32.3

Male: 49.58%

Female: 50.25%

Ethnic Make up:

    White: 55.1%

    Black: 7.6%

    Native American: .9%

    Asian: 10.4%

    Hispanic 40.3%

Medium Household Income: $49,965

Where To Stay

According to the tired but true axiom, the three most important things in real estate are location, location and location. In the universe of Los Angeles, that cannot be stressed enough, and where you stay will have a tremendous impact on your L.A. experience. The following are some of the most-recommended areas to lodge.

Downtown

Downtown Los Angeles contains the heart of the financial and business districts of the city, and is perfect for corporate travelers. All of the best amenities can be found at the New Otani, an upscale Japanese-style hotel known for its elegance and simplicity, and the luxurious Regal Biltmore, famous since 1923 and once home to the Academy Awards during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

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Climate

By Car

Freeways

Los Angeles has one of the largest freeway systems in the world, with 27 freeways handling millions of commuters a day. Los Angeles is the most car-populated metropolis in the world with about 1 car per 1.8 people.

It’s handy to have a good street map available in your car, because the city is so vast that you’re certain to end up in unfamiliar territory occasionally.  The Thomas Brother Guide is the most frequently recommended, but any detailed map with do.  AAA offers maps free to its members.

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Voter Registration

It is important to note that if you are registering to vote for the first time, changing your name or political party, or have moved to a new county, you must also complete a Voter Registration form to update the SOS Elections Division database. Give your completed Voter Registration form to a technician, and DMV will mail it to the SOS Elections Division office for updating.

When applying for or renewing your driver license or identification card at any DMV office, you have the opportunity of registering to vote.

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Public Transportation

By bus

Los Angles Metro Transit Authority (MTA)

1-800-COMMUTE (266-6883)

www.mta.net

The LA bus system is the city’s primary mode of public transportation.  It covers a large area, but can be slow, because bus drivers, like everyone else, get stuck in the city’s infamous traffic. The MTA’s website has schedules, maps, and a trip planner. Fares are currently $1.25 per boarding (no transfers) or $3.00 for a day pass (also good on Metro Rail); you can buy both from any Metro station or Metro bus driver. Bring a street map, as MTA buses sometimes change their routes unpredictably in order to make up lost time.

By rail

The MTA’s Metro is the city’s light rail service.  The $3/day pass works on both the Metro and the bus system.  There are 5 rail lines with plans to extend the red line all the way to Santa Monica, and extend the Gold Line further. The Orange line through the San Fernando Valley (North Hollywood to Warner Center) runs on it’s own bus-road with bicycle path. All rail lines have multiple connecting buses.

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Air Transportation

Los Angeles has five commercial airports. The main airport for the city is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the fifth busiest commercial airport in the world.  Other major commercial airports include Ontario International Airport (ONT), Bob Hope Airport (BUR), formerly known as Burbank Airport, Long Beach Municipal Airport (LGB), and John Wayne Airport (SNA) of Orange County.

LAX

1 World Way

Los Angeles, CA 90045

310-646-5252

www.lawa.org/lax

Los Angeles International (LAX) is the major gateway for the city. The airport is huge, with no less than nine terminals.  There are shuttles between the terminals to make moving around a little easier.

LAX Terminals

Terminal

1  America West, Southwest, US Airways

2  Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Hawaiian, KLM, Northwest, Virgin Atlantic

3  Alaska, American, Horizon, Midwest Express

4  American Airlines

5  Aeromexico, American, Delta

6  Continental, United international flights

7  United Airlines

8  United Express (SkyWest)

B  Tom Bradley International Terminal, serves most international carriers

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City Area Code(s)

The area codes for the Los Angeles area are 213, 310, 424, 562, 626 and 818.

Television

Radio

Newspapers

Dining & Nightlife

When it comes to dining amd nightlife, anything one can possibly dream up can be found in Los Angeles. Celebrity-only seating on the West Side is countered by family-style seating in Silverlake, and cuisines from Ethiopian to Polish are all here somewhere. With so many choices and a limited time frame, here are some highlights that should not be missed.

Santa Monica/Venice/Malibu

These beachfront neighborhoods offer the full range of dining options from earthy-hippie cuisine in Venice to star-studded glamour in Malibu. When not gazing into the deep blue Pacific, be sure to focus your attention on Babalu for down-to-earth Caribbean cuisine, Chez Mimi for the most romantic French experience you’ll have this side of Paris and Geoffrey’s for fresh cuisine with a heartstopping view of the Cal of nia coast. Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois On Main is a wonderful choice, as well as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Schatzi On Main, just one of the many celebrity-owned restaurants around the city.

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Theme Parks

Los Angeles and its surrounding areas are home to many world famous and exciting amusement parks. The most well-known the world over is Disneyland, America’s Magic Kingdom. New to the Disney family is Disney’s California Adventure, open since February 2001. Experience the magic of moviemaking at Universal Studios and check out the good-time rides and attractions of Knott’s Berry Farm. For roller-coaster thrills go to Six Flags Magic Mountain, and for water-sliding chills, don’t miss Raging Waters.

Disney’s California Adventure

(714) 781-4565

1313 S Harbor Blvd

Anaheim, CA 92802-2309

www.disneyland.com

Next to Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure celebrates the Golden State. There’s a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge, a studio back lot, and an old oceanfront amusement parks. There are plenty of restaurants and rides geared just for adults, including a winery, along with the usual kid’s theme-ride faire.

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Live Performances

Comedy

With countless small theaters and clubs in Los Angeles, open mic nights for struggling comedians are everywhere. For a more polished performance check out the famous Groundlings. This well known “training camp” for television shows like Saturday Night Live has an ever-changing billing of up-and-comers with an occasional star headliner. The Improv and the Comedy Store consistently feature well-known, professional headliners as well as budding new talent.

Music

When they are not out partying on the Sunset Strip, rock and roll musicians can be found performing at several Los Angeles venues. The Palace, the El Rey Theatre and the Palladium each house small acts. The Forum, the Universal Amphitheater and the Staples Center are the location of choice for larger rock shows. Classical and jazz concerts are usually found at the Hollywood Bowl and The Greek Theatre.

Theater

The creative activity in the theaters of Los Angeles easily proves that L.A. does indeed have culture. Even well-established film and television actors hone their skills at L.A.’s many theaters. The Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County complex in downtown Los Angeles houses many of the city’s major theater venues, including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre.

Golf

Here’s just a sample of the golf courses in and around Los Angeles.  There are dozens more to challenge all skill levels.

Griffith Park

4730 Crystal Springs Dr

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323-664-2255

www.griffithparkgolfshop.com     

The oldest municipal golf course in Los Angeles, Griffith Park offers two 18-hole courses, both par 72, and two 9 hole courses.  Green fees are between $10 and $25.

Rancho Park Golf Course

10460 W. Pico Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90064

310-839-4374

www.rpgc.com     

This course opened in 1949, and was once the host of the Los Angeles Open.  It’s very popular, but when you get a tee time it will be $17-$25 to play.

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Sights & Attractions

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

6925 Hollywood Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90028

323-461-3331

www.manntheatres.com/

A Chinese-themed movie house that you can still catch a flick at.  Outside are dozens of hand and foot prints of famous stars throughout the ages.

Hollywood Sign

Beachwood Canyon Dr

Hollywood Hills, CA

Mount Lee in Hollywood Hills hosts the famous sign.  It was built in 1923 as a real estate advertisement and was repaired in 1978.  Drive up Beachwood Drive for the best view.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hollywood Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90027

213-469-8311

Located on both sides of Hollywood Boulevard from Gower to La Brea. Brass stars were first embedded at the corner of Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard in 1960.  It’s basically a fancy sidewalk, but interesting to peruse while you’re in the area.

Musuems

California African American Museum

600 State Dr

Los Angeles, CA 90037

213-744-7432

www.caamuseum.org

This free museum focuses on the history of African Americans’ contributions to the country, especially to the west.  It also has educational programs with music, film, and other performances.

Getty Center

1200 Getty Center Dr

Los Angeles, CA 90049

310-440-7300

www.getty.edu

Funded by the J. Paul Getty Trust, the Getty center houses paintings, photographs and sculptures on 110 beautifully manicured acres in the mountains.  Admission is free, but you do have to pay $7 for parking.

Japanese American National Museum

369 E 1st St

Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-625-0414

www.janm.org

The Museum is in an old Buddhist temple, and visitors can learn about Japanese immigration to America.  There’s origami, Japanese family photo albums, information about World War II internment camps and more.

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Shopping

Shopping Districts

Fashion District

110 E 9th St

Los Angeles, CA 90079

213-488-1153

www.fashiondistrict.org

The downtown Fashion District has everything from cheap knockoffs to top tier fashion brands.  Shoppers can also get yards of cloth or fresh bouquets at wholesale prices, or visit the thousands of high end brands housed in the CaliforniaMart and New Mart buildings.

Jewelry District

Hill St at 6th St

Los Angeles, CA 90302

213-622-3335

www.lajd.net

Not far from the fashion district, the jewelry district is filled with all different types of jewelry.

Melrose Avenue

Melrose Ave at La Cienega Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90069

This famous street is home to some of the LA’s top restaurants, trendiest stores, and best walking tours. The street connects downtown to Beverly Hills and cuts through Hollywood and West Hollywood.  Glamorous, but you can still find a deal in many of the stores.

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Recommended Tours

Walking around Los Angeles is not an easy task. As the world’s largest metropolis, Los Angeles has become as famous for cars and traffic as it is for its film industry. Before considering an exploration of the city, a rental car is certainly advisable, if not compulsory.

The Best of the Beach

Santa Monica

This beach community offers great shopping and dining. The Third Street Promenade and The Pier are major centers of activity. Here you can ride roller coasters, shop, eat, fish or just take in the ocean air.

Pacific Coast Highway/Malibu

When you’re ready to hit the coast, head north on the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. A few miles north of Malibu is Leo Carillo State Beach. This unique inlet features rock formations and tide pools overflowing with some of the most unusual aquatic life in the world.

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Outdoors

Los Angeles Zoo

5333 W Zoo Dr

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323-644-6400

www.lazoo.org

The Zoo has 113 acres with 1100 animals that represent some distinct 350 species. One of the most popular exhibits, Red Ape Rain Forest, is a state-of-the-art facility that is home to zoo’s unique orangutan population.  There’s also a petting zoo.

Bronson Caves

2960 Canyon Dr

Los Angeles, CA 90068

The caves have been used for plenty of TV and film shoots, including Batman.  It’s a good place to hike around and enjoy nature but be only minutes from the bustle of city life.

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Education

Public Schools

Los Angeles Unified School District
333 S. Beaudry Ave., 24th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213 241-1000
www.lausd.net

Los Angeles Unified School District serves the city of Los Angeles, as well as several surrounding communities. It is the second-largest school district in the United States, with over 700,000 students.   This district is broken down into eight mini-districts to ease bureaucracy.

It’s not uncommon for those who can afford it to send their children to private schools, which range in price from a few thousand dollars a year to more than many universities’ tuitions.

“Everyone in Los Angeles has a stake in the education of our children. Whether we are parents, grandparents, family members, educators, support workers, employers, or neighbors, we are affected by the quality of education in our community.

Because we are a community, we must all work together to make a difference in the education of our children. In order to do so effectively, it is our responsibility to articulate our goals and objectives and the strategies we believe to be key to changing the face of education in Los Angeles. A clearly articulated Strategic Plan provides a tool that we can all use to focus our collective energy and efforts to achieve our ultimate goal of preparing our students to succeed as members of our global community and workforce.  All students will achieve grade level standards for literacy and mathematics to enable them to be globally competitive in the 21st century.”- Roy Romer, Superintendent of Schools.

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Area Employers

The following list contains a sampling of the many potential employers in the area.

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Getting Around

The 101 connects Ventura County to Los Angeles to the south.  It runs through Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo, Westlake Village.  23 heads north from Westlake Village to Moorpark, and then 118 heads East to Simi Valley.

Oxnard and Camarillo both have general aviation airports, but the airports that serve Los Angeles are probably the best bet as far as commercial aviation is concerned.  Santa Barbara also has an airport to the north, but fares are typically much more expensive.

Public Transportation in the area is generally handled by South Coast area transit, from Oxnard to Ojai and Ventura.  The buses cost $1.25 for a full fair ticket.  More information can be found by contacting SCAT or looking at its website.

South Coast Area Transit (SCAT)

201 E. Fourth Street

Oxnard, CA  93032

805-487-4222

805-643-3158

www.scat.org

Go Ventura Smartcard, is great for transit riders who use multiple bus systems in Ventura County. You can purchase a single monthly pass that is good on all participating bus systems or you can put money into an electronic-purse account and the appropriate fare (minus a 10% discount) will be deducted for each system.  When you board a bus, simply tap the card on the reader device and your fare is recorded.

Ventura County Overview

Ventura County lies north of the City of Los Angeles. In the 1970s and 1980s, Ventura County surged to the forefront of the smart growth movement through a series of voter initiatives that barred development on large areas of open space surrounding its cities. These measures have limited sprawl, allowing the county to maintain its status as one of California’s leading agricultural areas and limiting air pollution in its narrow valleys. Ventura County has a total popultion of 753,197. Its largest cities include Camarillo, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura.

Camarillo

The fourth largest city in Ventura County, Camarillo claims slightly more than 61,500 residents. Occupying just over 19 square miles of land, the city enjoys an unusually high percentage of college-educated and professionally-employed residents and ranks third among Ventura County’s ten cities in median family income.

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Shopping

Camarillo

Camarillo Premium Outlets

740 E. Ventura Boulevard

Camarillo, CA 93010

805-445-8520

www.premiumoutlets.com/camarillo

Camarillo Premium Outlets opened in the mid 1990s.  It’s packed with deals on everything from housewares to high fashion, and gets very busy only weekends on holidays.

Thousand Oaks

The Oaks Mall

222 West Hillcrest Dr

Thousand Oaks, CA

805-495-4628

www.shoptheoaksmall.com

A nice mall anchored by Macy’s, JC Penny’s and a soon to open Nordstrom.  There’s also plenty of dining options, both casual and fine.

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Education

California State University Channel Islands

One University Drive

Camarillo, CA 93012

805-437-8400

www.csuci.edu

Cal State Channel Islands is Ventura County’s first 4 year public institution of higher education.

Ventura County Community College District

255 W Stanley Ave Suite 150

Ventura, CA 93001

805-652-5500

www.vcccd.edu

The Ventura County Community College District is an organization of the community colleges in Ventura, Moorpark, and Oxnard.  The VCCCD oversees these colleges and helps provide administrative support.

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Parks & Beaches

Parks and Beaches

Channel Islands

Channel Islands National Park is a United States National Park comprised of a series of islands that are located off the coast of Ventura County.  Five of the eight Channel Islands are actually part of the national park: Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa.

There are no entrance fees to visit the park. However, a fee is charged for camping on the islands. The fee includes both the National Park Service fee that supports the operation of the campgrounds and a reservation fee by the company that manages the reservation system for the National Parks.

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Golf

Camarillo

Camarillo Springs Golf Course

791 Camarillo Springs Road

Camarillo, CA 93012

805-484-1075

Las Posas Country Club (Private)

955 Fairway Dr

Camarillo, CA 93010

805-482-4518

Spanish Hills Golf and Country Club  (Private)

999 Crestview Ave

Camrillo, CA 93010

805-388-5000

Sterling Hills Golf Club

901 Sterling Hills Drive

Camarillo, CA 93010

805-987-3446

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