Comprised of 88 incorporated cities, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Burbank, Compton, Hollywood, Inglewood, and Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County (LA) is the most populous county in the United States. People from all walks of life and industry are drawn to work and play in Los Angeles. In addition to being the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles’ charm is underscored by a coastal vibe offset by majestic rolling hills, inland desert and a bustling urban mecca.
LOCAL CUSTOMS
From a long list of famous tourist attractions to simple but enjoyable features like Los Angeles’ Beverly Center (an eight-story shopping mall), picturesque mountain and beach views, and even poolside parties, where no one dives into the pool, the local delicacies are tempting enough to turn visitors into residents. One surprising fact to keep in mind is that Los Angeles is home to a large number of Chicago natives, all of whom cite the “great weather” as a reason for becoming permanent residents. Speaking of weather, except for the infrequent rain, LA is probably the only county in the US where one can experience all four seasons in the same day. As a result, in addition to pools and canopied lounges, heat lamps and outdoor fireplaces are staples of the place.
It’s true, even with eight interstates, traffic on the Los Angeles freeways is a beast. Rest assured, however, that MapQuest for LA is 99 percent accurate, making it easy to avoid freeways altogether. Motorists who have no idea what to do when they see a reckless pedestrian are less accurate. (Hitting on breaks is prohibited because it causes accidents). Apparently, jaywalking is a fine offense in Los Angeles. So if habit compels you to rush out to get to a date, think twice. Walking to the corner of every block and waiting for the light to flash green is a painful reminder of how long you avoid crossing to work. According to residents, an $85 fine is the quick cure for “cutting corners.” So is a $40 fine for not fueling parking meters in Beverly Hills.
LA is a very popular walk for celebrities who have to be in town for one reason or another, usually something to do with music or movies. Spotting local and visiting celebrities is easy to do. On a visit to Los Angeles, recording artist Ronnie Devoe of New Edition fame was onstage with his wife, Shamari Fears, during airport transit, as was Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. Hip-hop artists Lyfe Jennings (mall) and Chingy (hotel lobby) were also seen and even made time for casual conversation. While the group’s Reverend Run, Run DMC and Lamman Rucker (Why Did I Get Married?) were out and about for a local red carpet.
Nearly every entertainment industry event in Los Angeles is preceded by a red carpet where local actors and executives, in particular, tend to be very gracious about posing for photos. However, coverage charges for celebrity-studded events can start at $75. If you’re looking to network in the industry, estimate no more than 10% return on investment. Getting people to follow up after an event between scheduled productions is more of an art than a science.
Go west? If so, Manhattan Beach is a welcoming place for beach lovers. Santa Monica is relaxing, Westwood is hip, and Beverly Hills is upscale (No smoking in city limits please, and note that parking rules apply per second!).
It is always helpful to ask locals for restaurant references. However, given sky-high prices throughout Los Angeles, it’s economical to shop for groceries during an extended stay and eat out in moderation. Ralph’s is owned by the same company as Kroger, but as a brand it is better suited to Publix or Dominick’s. Fresh fruit and quality juices are in abundance at Ralph’s. The take away section is very diverse and suitable for travelers or just people on the go. Be sure to try the Italian cream cheese cake from the bakery. It is outstanding
For a genuine Los Angeles experience, try taking the 405 (San Diego Freeway) just to see if you can get off in less than five minutes. Also try to find a restaurant that offers sweet tea (instead of ice cream) and macaroni and cheese on the same menu. Avoiding two-minute theft (getting your vehicle ticketed and towed in record time) in downtown Los Angeles is definitely a skill worth mastering. The last thing you can do is try to beat a crosswalk timer, which gives you 15 seconds to get your butt on a sidewalk before the light turns red. Depending on how wide an intersection is and when you start to cross, it’s a hustle. Needless to say, the timer feature is something New York taxi drivers would appreciate.
For a metropolis with more metal than Motor City and parking garages on every corner, parking fees are unnecessarily exorbitant. If you’re willing to walk, a pair of Timberlands, Air Force Ones, or Chuck Taylors can certainly help you avoid parking hassles. (The latter brand is a must in Los Angeles.) Otherwise, save your sunglasses and dress shoes for curbside service and bring plenty of cash for tips.
