“Downtown
Los Angeles is the historic heart of the city and a perfect example of how the
LA experience is continuously evolving,” said Adam
Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism
& Convention Board. “Home to culturally rich districts, including
Chinatown, Little Tokyo and El Pueblo de Los Angeles, diverse
entertainment and art offerings, and some of the best culinary options in the
city, DTLA is a can’t-miss destination for families, couples and solo
travellers alike.”
LA
was founded downtown in 1781, and today, DTLA abounds with beautiful historic
sites as well as thrilling new architecture, world-class museums and
cutting-edge art galleries. Boutique hotels are booming, and the food-and-drink
scene is thriving with friendly new breweries, sleek bars and innovative
restaurants. There’s also shopping for every style and budget, from luxury
apparel to the latest in streetwear. Here's a guide to DTLA's distinct districts.
Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill is home to a dozen bucket-list DTLA destinations,
including Frank Gehry’s architectural wonder, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a renowned
venue for live music and home to the LA Philharmonic. Gehry also designed the
new Conrad Los Angeles hotel across the street, whose
dining concepts, Agua Viva and San Laurel, feature menus from world-famous
chef Jose Andres.
Arts District
Stroll through this vibrant, up-and-coming neighborhood to
discover art galleries, street art, trendy boutiques, breweries, cafes and
restaurants. Check out the galleries at Hauser & Wirth, Art Share L.A., Arts District Co-Op, Over the Influence and the newly opened DOMA Arts
Complex.
Colorful street art and
powerful murals adorn the neighborhood, including “Bloom,” a floral tribute to the
late community activist Joel Bloom; “Kiss,” a picture of a smooching couple and
the words “Kiss the one you love every chance you get”; a portrait of artist Ed
Ruscha, and murals at the Container Yard.
Little Tokyo
Only one of three official Japantowns in the United States, Little Tokyo is a major cultural and civic center for
Japanese Americans — and a destination for anyone who loves Japanese food,
shopping and all things kawaii.
In Japanese Village Plaza, boutiques like Japangeles and PopKiller/Pop Little Tokyo sell T-shirts,
hats, posters and other merchandise celebrating Japanese pop culture. The nearby Weller Court outdoor mall is home to Midori Matcha ice cream, the Kinokuniya bookstore and Marukai Market
grocery store.
Fashion District
Spanning 100 blocks in the heart of Downtown LA, the Los Angeles Fashion District is the hub of
the LA fashion industry. Start at Santee Alley for a variety of formal wear and
deals on apparel, accessories
and footwear for the entire family. On the last Friday of each month,
designer showrooms hold public sample sales at markets such as California
Market Center.
The Fashion District also includes the LA Flower District;
Santee Passage food hall, home to Vegan Hooligans and Holy Basil; and at City Market South, Superfine Pizza, the Italian restaurant Rossoblu, DAMA for Latin food, and Creature
Comforts brewery, housed in an old produce market.
El Pueblo Historic District
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument marks
the place where 44 settlers of Native American,
African and European heritage arrived from Mexico in 1781 and founded the
village that grew into one of the world’s
greatest cities.
The colorful Mexican Marketplace on Olvera Street features huarache sandals,
embroidered blouses and woven blankets, while mariachi music brings locals out
to dance on the plaza. Try Mexican food from Cielito Lindo or El Rancho Grande, or a
“French-dipped sandwich” from either Philippe the Original or Cole’s French Dip — both claim to have invented the
recipe.
Chinatown
Twin golden dragons adorn the Chinatown Gateway Monument,
welcoming visitors to the first Chinatown in the U.S. owned by Chinese
residents. Shops and street vendors along Broadway sell fresh produce, straw
hats, toys, housewares and more. You’ll see art around
every corner, including the famed “Dragon
Chasing Pearl” mural, a statue of martial arts
star Bruce Lee and art galleries.
South Park
South Park is home to the LA Live Entertainment District and Crypto.com arena, where the Lakers, Clippers, Kings
and Sparks play. Nearby, check out the exhibits at the GRAMMY Museum or bowl a game at Lucky
Strike. Hotels include JW Marriott Los Angeles at LA Live, Residence Inn Los Angeles LA Live, Hotel Figueroa and The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles at LA Live, along with the new double-branded Moxy Downtown Los Angeles and
AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. Don’t
miss Moxy/AC’s Level
8, a unique dining
concept with eight different venues offering everything from cocktails and a
raw bar to Japanese and South American food.
Posted by: Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Posted on: 31/07/2024