Population:
3,900,000+
Time Zone:
Pacific
Climate:
The Los Angeles area enjoys sunny and pleasant weather year round. High temperatures usually top out in the 80s and lows rarely fall below the 40s. Sunshine is the norm, with rain occurring mostly between October and April. Winter brings dense morning fog. Things intensify the further you move inland; temperature extremes are greater, the sun is more plentiful, and when it does rain, it?s a heavier shower.
Airport:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
1 World Way
Los Angeles, CA 90045
310-646-5252
Getting Around Los Angeles:
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT)
1-818-808-2273
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA)
1-800-COMMUTE
Taxis:
United Independent Taxi
800-411-0303
United Taxi of San Fernando Valley
818-780-1234
Yellow Cab
800-200-1085
Bell Cab
888-235-5222
Beverly Hills Cab Company
800-273-6611
Checker Cab
800-300-5007
City Cab
818-253-1600
Independent Taxi
800-521-8294
United Checker Cab Company
310-834-1121
Dining:
Maple Drive
345 North Maple Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-274-9800
Catch a glimpse of someone famous at this is a local favorite serving delicious gourmet American food!
Da Pasquale
9749 Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-859-3884
Let?s face it; an affordable meal can be hard to find in Beverly Hills, which makes Da Pasquale an extra treat. You?ll find Italian classics, pizza, pasta and roast chicken are favorites.
Water Grill
544 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213-891-0900
Like oysters? The Water Grill offers a dozen different types and is considered by many to be the city?s best seafood place. Papier-mâché fish dance on a ceiling painted with bubbles creating a fun and comfortable atmosphere.
Kay ?n Dave?s Cantina
262 26TH St.
Santa Monica, CA 90402
310-260-1355
Hungry? For big portions but not big prices, check out local favorite. From breakfast to dinner, the restaurant is busy with regulars and first-timers. Pancakes and breakfast burritos are followed in the later hours with grilled tuna Vera Cruz, spinach and chicken enchiladas, seafood fajitas and much more.
The Palm
9001 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015
310-550-8811
Covered with caricatures of the famous on the walls this great eatery serves steaks that are grilled to perfection and the fresh Nova Scotia lobsters are big enough to share. For dessert, the New York cheesecake, flown in directly from The Bronx, is a must.
Hard Rock Café
1000 Universal Studios Blvd.
Universal City, CA 91608
818-622-7625
Visit the 1st Hard Rock Café to open up in the United States 21 years ago with walls adorned with rock & roll memorabilia and the Taj Majal style building is excellent.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant and Market
1000 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
818-753-4867
Start with the ?Best Ever Popcorn Shrimp? and move on to the ?Bubba?s Bucket of Boat Trash? and finish with the awesome Alabama Mud pie.
Nightlife:
Tiki Ti
4427 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-669-9381
This tiny bar is big on fun! The dynamic crowd and wide selection of drinks make this bar inviting. Want to see some of the rich and famous? They have been known to rub elbows here!
Derby
4500 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-663-8979
Boasting everything to everyone, the Derby has high domed ceiling, key shaped doorway and elegant comfort around every corner. Sip your favorite drink listen to the best music ranging from swing to alternative to goth and everything in between.
Laugh Factory
8001 Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90046
323-656-1336
Laugh out loud when you catch talent in the raw on open mic night or see one of the greats that have preformed here in the past such as Tony Rock and Bob Saget.
Circus Disco
6655 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-462-1291
Not sure what you would like to do? With 7 spacious areas including a patio, VIP lounge, disco room, and bungalow playing techno, salsa, hip-hop, and more, by the best DJ's in L.A., you will want to dance the night away.
LAX
1714 N. Las Palmas
Hollywood, CA 90028
323-464-0171
There is no shortage of Hip Hop and R&B music at this club. Come early, the lines are long and many celebrities have been know to frequent this local hot spot.
The Vipor Room
8852 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90069
310-358-1880
Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Pearl Jam and more have played at this choice location with its two floors and fully stocked bars.
House of Blues @ Sunset Strip
8430 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323-848-5100
Get some down home cooking and listen to the incredible live blues music by a variety of admirable performers.
Insider Tips:
If you hope to catch a glimpse of a celebrity while you?re in L.A., you?ll have to keep your eyes open and be alert. Although celebrity sightings are not uncommon ? many famous people dine at popular restaurants such as the Hard Rock Café ? you can?t expect to see them as they appear on the big or small screen. Baseball caps, sunglasses and a lack of make-up are the norm when well known celebs grace the streets.
If you?re an allergy sufferer, beware the smog. Mountains in the L.A. area trap air pollutants, which mix with fog and give the sky a brownish tinge. Smog is usually the worst in August and September. Occasionally, dry Santa Ana winds distribute dust in some areas of the city, creating a problem for those with sinus problems. Summertime brings a brief respite from the Santa Ana winds.
The plentiful sunshine in L.A. demands a good sunscreen. Protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun with a high SPF lotion and reapply throughout the day.
Got questions? Ask the Purple People Greeters. The greeters, employed by the Downtown Center District of Los Angeles, wear purple t-shirts that say ?District Safety? or ?Downtown Guide? and they travel in pairs. They are on hand to answer questions, give directions, report disturbances to the LAPD and generally keep an eye on the downtown area.