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Los Angeles Downtown is also known as DTLA mainly a financial and commercial hub of Los Angeles and it has fancy skyscrapers, tower offices, luxury hotels, and restaurants. The downtown of Los Angeles is an economic center and attracted to the professionals.
There are several people who visit Los Angeles but make the mistake of skipping exploring Los Angeles Downtown. The Los Angeles downtown is quite a busy area during the day.
It has different entertainment opportunities to explore the rich history and world-class museums.
Is LA downtown safe?
We often see in the news or on social media that Downtown Los Angeles isn’t very safe. Based on our experience, I wouldn’t disagree. There is a mix of safe and less safe areas.
During the daytime, downtown is generally safe, especially on business days, except for a few areas. However, at night, you might encounter some homeless individuals, which can make certain places feel a bit unsafe.
It’s highly recommended to plan your visit carefully to avoid ending up in a shady neighborhood. You can definitely steer clear of areas that are considered unsafe due to higher crime rates, homelessness, and limited police presence.
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You should be cautious or avoid going to Skid Row, which is located between 3rd St and 7th St, and Main St to Alameda St, as it is known for its large homeless population. It’s also best to avoid the main shopping areas after business hours.
Additionally, some streets near South Park can become deserted at night. Metro stations like 7th Street/Metro Center are known to have higher crime rates and should be approached with caution.
To stay safe, it’s best to stick to busy areas, stay aware of your surroundings, and use Uber or rideshare services instead of walking alone at night.
Where to stay in Los Angeles:
Sheraton Grand Los Angeles Downtown:
During our stay in Los Angeles, we stayed at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles Downtown. The ambiance was great, with modern amenities and friendly staff—they even allowed me to check in at 9 a.m. Our room was very spacious, and the hotel lobby was also quite large and welcoming.
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There are many attractions nearby, and a shopping mall, along with other shopping options, is located right next to the hotel. The Metro and bus stations are also within walking distance, making it easy to get around.
The only downside is that the area becomes quite empty at night, which can make it feel a bit unsafe. I would recommend using Uber or a rideshare service if traveling late at night.
Indigo Hotel Downtown:
Hotel Indigo Downtown Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles Downtown near the Convention Center. The hotel is an ideal spot for business and leisure travelers.
This is located near the landmarks.
The room is quite spacious and the ambiance of the hotel is also very nice. There are many restaurants and cafes in the surrounding area.
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How to commute to/within Los Angeles Downtown:
Public Transit:
There is a Metro Rail system in the Los Angeles area which connects downtown Los Angeles to other parts of the city. You can also go to Hollywood, Santa Monica, and other districts of the Los Angeles area. There are also bus networks covering another part of downtown.
The buses and Metro Rail are cheaper options but you have to be mindful that The Metro station and train aren’t clean and there were quite a few passengers dealing with mental health issues so, honestly, sometimes, I felt a bit unsafe using public transport.
Uber/Lyft:
If I’m being honest, the public transportation system isn’t as efficient as what you’d find in Europe, and not every place is connected by public transport.
Most of the time, I ended up using Uber or Lyft which is available throughout Los Angeles, including within Downtown.
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Walking:
You can easily walk in Los Angeles Downtown during the daytime but I wouldn’t suggest doing it during the nighttime or after business hours.
How much time do I need to explore Los Angeles downtown:
You might be wondering how much time is needed to explore Downtown Los Angeles. Well, it depends on how much time you have and what your interests are.
If you only want to explore a few landmarks, one day should be enough. But if you want to visit museums, and landmarks, and try out some restaurants, I would suggest sparing at least two days to explore Downtown LA.
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In this blog, we will highlight different options in Art & Culture, Outdoor & Scenic Spots, and Historic & Unique Attractions.
Things to do in Los Angeles Downtown:
1. The Broad Museum
The Broad Museum in Los Angeles is a contemporary art museum located in the heart of downtown LA.
The museum features a collection of postwar and contemporary works from renowned artists like Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, and Yayoi Kusama.
The museum also has a very unique architecture and design. One of the surprising things for me was that it has no admission fee and it offers visitors a unique experience to explore cutting-edge art.
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2. Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Walt Disney Hall is truely a beautiful architectural masterpiece with its bold, curvaceous design - it’s a shiny one and looks like a building of the future.
It’s a Philharmonic and home of classical music and performances. The ticket for the musical show starts from $25 but the process depends on the selection of the seat and show. Moreover, you have to book in advance as well.
3. Bradbury Building
The Bradbury Building is famous for its Victorian architecture and it was featured in sci-fi classic Blade Runner. This building was constructed in 1893 and it has an open-air atrium, skylit ceiling, and must-visit landmark.
4. Olvera Street
We haven’t been to Mexico but it's on our list to visit - but we experienced a mini Mexico in LA downtown at Olvera Street. The district is often called a birthplace of Los Angeles and it’s a vibrant historic district presenting Mexican culture.
This district has colorful vendors, traditional stalls, and restaurants selling Mexican food.
We really loved the vibes - it was a pretty small district but a very interesting experience to get a unique glimpse of Mexicans in Los Angeles.
5. Angels Flight Railway
Angels Flight Railway is a historic funicular in downtown Los Angeles it was opened in 1901 and it connects Hill Street with Grand Avenue.
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You can go up and down using this orange-and-black cable car. This funicular is also featured in various movies like La La Land.
We took the funicular to the Grand Avenue and explored a bit and enjoyed the view of skyscrapers from there.
6. Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market opened for the first time in 1917 in LA downtown. The central market has diverse food vendors offering rich cultural heritage.
You can enjoy everything from tacos and ramen to gourmet burgers and fresh produce.
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7. Grand Park
If you are looking for a little break in Los Angeles, and escape from the hustle of the city. You can go to Grand Park and enjoy the calmness.
The Grand Park has a walking park and it’s stretched from City Hall to the Music Center.
When the sunset, it's Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain its with colorful LED-lit water display.
8. Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo in Los Angeles reflects the culture of Japanese Americans and it’s one of three official Japantowns in the U.S. There are authentic ramen shops, sushi bars, bakeries, and unique boutiques selling Japanese goods.
You can also visit the Japanese American National Museum and the Go For Broke Monument in the district.
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9. Chinatown
Chinatown has a rich culture and provides a glimpse of mini China in the north of downtown LA. The district has a lively culture and it has traditional architecture, statues, and unique shops. The area is also famous for its food as it has different restaurants.
10. Art’s District
We met some people who recommended visiting the Arts District. It was located not far from Little Tokyo, so we decided to check it out. To be honest, it wasn’t anything exceptional - it was a pretty empty area with street murals on the walls of different warehouses.
We didn’t feel the vibes of the place, so we left after exploring for a bit. We would rather have skipped it and visited another place instead of going there.
Other Recommendations:
a. The Last Bookstore
The Last Bookstore is known for its vast collection of books but that’s not all - it’s an Instagram-worthy book tunnel and creative layout.
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b. Los Angeles Central Library
The Los Angeles Central Library was built in 1926 and it features an iconic blend of Egyptian and Art Deco design.
The library has an extensive collection of books, archives, and special exhibits.
c. MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)
If you are into Art, then you should also consider visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) which presents the impressive collection of artists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Barbara Kruger. It’s free with a General ticket but you have to book in advance.
Conclusion:
Downtown Los Angeles has a lot to offer from a vibrant mix of history, culture, and modern buildings and skyline. You should definitely consider spending at least 2 days in LA downtown.
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