Downtown Los Angeles City Center

These images represent only a very tiny microscoptic section of the 115 square block Fashion District. Buyers for retail stores from all over the world come here to purchase in bulk. The general public also come here to shop for the best bargains anywhere. The Fashion District which generates yearly sales in excess of eight billion dollars is the nation's largest and the world's second largest. More about the Fashion District can be found in the ATTRACTIONS 2 section.

Larger in area and population than the size of most small cities, the downtown Los Angeles City Center is made up of 15 unique districts, each with it's own personality and charm. No where else in all of Southern California will you find the wide choice of hotels, restaurants, shopping, entertainment and transportation options that you will find here in the downtown Los Angeles City Center.

The South Park District is one of the fastest growing areas of the City Center. Thousands of residential units have been built there during the last several years. South Park is served by the Blue Line light rail. South Park is home to the Los Angeles Convention Center, Staples Center and Nokia Plaza. South Park is also home to the Original Pantry Cafe since the early 30s.

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Back to: LOS ANGELES A WORLD CLASS CITY

Broadway is often called the Broadway Theatre and Shopping District because of the many classic movie palaces and stores that line the busiest street in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES IS A LOT MORE THAN JUST BEACHES, THOSE BEVERLY HILLS HOMES OF THE FILTHY RICH & INFAMOUS, HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR, THE PRICEY WESTSIDE, AND TRENDY SANTA MONICA.

The bustling Los Angeles Jewelry District is at times busier than Broadway, especially during the holiday season. There's more photos and information about the Jewelry District in the ATTRACTIONS 2 section.

The Financial District. Flower Street (left) is home to many corporations. Metro Center Station (right) has two platform levels, an upper level for light rail and a lower level for two heavy rail subway lines.

West 7th Street is a mixture of lofts, offices and businesses. This is the home address of Macy's Plaza and Sheraton Hotel.

CITY CENTER MAP

IT'S THE SMART VISITORS TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT CHOOSE THE DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES CITY CENTER

The Los Angeles Marathon attracts world class participants from all over the world.

The Financial District as seen from a hotel room near MacArthur Park in the Westlake District.

The area around West 7th and Figueroa is where you will find a good number of tourist class hotels, fine dining, shopping, and entertainment.

A penthouse in the Old Bank District. As more people move into the City Center, penthouses are becoming more popular than ever but they don't come cheap. Prices start in the several millions of dollars.

Ice skating in Pershing Square is a City Center tradition from late November to late January.

Once written off as a haven for crime during the 80s and 90s, MacArthur Park has been cleaned up and is now one of the City Center's premiere parks.

The Fashion District has become such an upscale area there is even a Starbucks on the ground floor of this industrial building.

Olive Street straddles the old and new downtown.

Just a few of the many happy visitors who took the time to write us...

"Your website helped us in deciding on where to stay during our two weeks in Los Angeles last summer. Thanks to your well informed website about the downtown area, we stayed at the Sheraton right next to Macy's Plaza. We had a great time exploring the area and we made good use of your city's subway and light rail system being that we were across the street from a subway station which made getting to where we wanted to go a heck of a lot easier than driving a rented car".
Marlene & Gregory from Rhode Island

"In the past when I came to Los Angeles on movie industry related business trips I would usually rent a room down in boring Santa Monica then get a rental a car so I could get to my appointments in Hollywood but this was always a hastle driving in all that traffic but after looking over your downtown page I didn't know that I had so many options as far as hotels, restaurants, entertainment and transportation goes. I've been coming to Los Angeles on business almost five years now and on a recent trip I stayed in a downtown hotel the first time. I should have done this a long time ago. No more staying on the westside for me. I love downtown Los Angeles"
Jack from Connecticut

UPDATE!

6th Street Bridge over the Los Angeles River

UPDATE!

LOS ANGELES CITY CENTER

At one time Broadway had the world's greatest display of neon signs. Now with the restoration of many of the movie palaces along with office building conversions, the neon signs are making a comeback.

UPDATE!

The downtown Los Angeles City Center is the favorite destination in all of Southern California for domestic and international travelers who are looking for an exciting and safe place to stay. The City Center has it all: hotels, restaurants, shopping, museums, tours, entertainment and nightlife.
Most importantly the downtown City Center is the regional hub of Los Angeles�s mass transit system. Visitors staying here do not need a car and all the headaches that go with it especially when it comes to buying expensive gas, driving in slow congested traffic and searching for parking like they do on the Westside, South Bay and down in Orange County. Many tourist class hotels here are within walking distance of a Metro light rail or subway station. After purchasing your fare just board a train and enjoy the ride. Arrive at your destination fully relaxed and ready for a great day of sightseeing. Metro trains can quickly take you to popular local destinations such as Chinatown, the Jewelry District, Nokia Plaza, Grauman�s Chinese Theatre, Universal Studios, Staples Center, the annual Toyota Grand Prix and the yearly Tournament of Roses Parade and *Rose Bowl game. With rail connections at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) you can travel in comfort by Metrolink or Amtrak train to Santa Barbara, *Disneyland, *Legoland in Carlsbad and the sunny resort city of Oceanside, only two hours south from Los Angeles. You can even take the train down to exciting *Mission Bay for a day trip to *Sea World then make it back up to Los Angeles just in time for a wonderful evening dinner. Gamblers can rent a car at LAUPT, drive out to the Vegas strip, gamble a few hours (it�s safer on your wallet that way) then drive back to Los Angeles all in the same day. Better yet there are many Vegas style casinos only a ninety minute drive from Los Angeles.
The City Center has something for everyone.
Hotels: From budget (Best Western) to five stars (Ritz-Carlton) the City Center has the best selection of hotels anywhere in Southern California. Tourist class hotels include the Hilton, Westin Bonaventure, Millennium Biltmore, Raddison, Sheraton, Wilshire Grand, Marriot, Omni, Miyako, Ramada, JW Marriot, Holiday Inn.
Restaurants: The City Center has more than a thousand restaurant choices from sandwiches and tacos to elegant fine dining. Most notable are Denny�s, I HOP, Cole�s, Wolfgang Puck�s, Original Pantry Cafe, Lawry�s, McCormick & Schmick�s, ESPN Zone, Trader Vic�s, Conga Room, Clifton�s Cafeteria, Daily Grill, Morton�s Steakhouse, Palms, California Pizza Kitchen.
Shopping: Macy�s Plaza, City National Plaza, 7th & Fig Mall, Grand Central Public Market, Arcade Building.
Guided Tours: Movie palaces, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, City Hall, Staples Center, Olvera Street, Bradbury Building, Nokia Theatre, Disney Concert Hall, Union Station. Other tours including historic and contemporary city tours are available.
Museums: The Wells Fargo Western Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Japanese-American National Museum, Museum of Neon Art, Natural History Museum, Grammy Museum, Chinese-American Museum, Los Angeles Sports Museum.
Entertainment: Movies, live stage and concerts are presented in several venues including the Orpheum Theatre, Million Dollar Theatre, Staples Center, Nokia Theatre, Shrine Auditorium, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Disney Concert Hall, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, East West Players, Los Angeles Theatre Center, Regal Cinemas, Laemmle Theatres. The Los Angeles Convention Center books trade shows and expos throughout the year.
Fine jewelry at affordable prices: The Los Angeles Jewelry District has more than 3,500 jewelry businesses within seven city blocks. These reputable jewelers, many having been in business here for generations are licensed and members of one or more jeweler�s association.
The best clothing deals: The Los Angeles Fashion District is a 115 city block area of manufacturer's retail and wholesale outlets. This is where buyers for retail stores worldwide come to purchase merchandise for their clothing departments. Here you will find rock bottom prices on clothing and fashion accessories as well as the biggest selection in sewing supplies. You can even find fine imported rugs and a complete selection of quality materials to restore sofas and car seats.
On-Location Movie or TV production: Film production takes place somewhere on city streets most days especially during weekends. You may even see some of your favorite film and TV stars on-location or at a nearby caf� taking a filming break.
Nightlife: Sushi bars, and night clubs stay open until 3 a.m. Many restaurants and convenience stores are open 24 hours.
Safe City: The downtown City Center continues to be one of the safest places in the entire metropolitan Los Angeles area year after year according to annual crime reports by local police agencies.

So enjoy your stay in the downtown Los Angeles City Center.

* Requires bus transfer to this location