Your Neighborhood Guide to Los Angeles’ Financial District

You’ve probably heard people refer to Downtown Los Angeles’s Financial District – but maybe you’re not familiar with it. That’s why we’re here today with your friendly neighborhood guide to the Financial District!

Think of it as the Los Angeles version of Wall Street – but with way better restaurants and loads more culture! For example, head over to Drago Centro for some of the best Italian food in town! This is Italian food done right – as Chef Drago takes the freshest, highest-quality ingredients and turns them into something so delicious it defies explanation! (Although, clearly, the explanation is that he’s a darn fine Chef!!).

If you prefer Asian, head over to Chaya Downtown. Chaya fuses Japanese and French cuisine and have been doing so since the original Chaya was opened, back in Kamakura, Japan – IN THE EARLY 1600s!!!! Now THAT is some serious history! You’ll also find a summer beer garden here. It’s highly recommended.

Continuing your neighborhood guide to the Financial District we arrive at a sky-high restaurants with views to die for (especially if you get too close to the edge). 71 Above is a superior restaurant that is literally built into the top of the US Bank Tower and the views are amazing! In fact, from the restaurant you can see all the way from the Inland Empire to the Pacific Ocean – a view that extended for literally miles and miles! Be aware; it’s not cheap!

What else is there in your neighborhood guide to LA’s Financial District? Simply head over to Macy’s Plaza for some great shopping; or stop by the Flower District for a stunning array of bouquets to beautify your apartment!

There’s so much to do, see and taste in the Financial District you’ll quickly discover it’s not just about stocks, banks and bankers. We hope this mini neighborhood guide to the Financial District is helpful and that we see you out and about there!

Your Neighborhood Guide to South Park

When you think South Park you think of foul-mouthed but hysterical cartoon kids – but here in Downtown Los Angeles, South Park is a very real area! South Park can be found tucked away in between the 110 and the 10. But let’s get into the nitty gritty in our latest blog, your neighborhood guide to South Park.

South Park – our South Park – is smack dab in the middle of a very desirable area. You’ve go the  Pico-Union on the west, West Adams by the southwest, the South Los Angeles district over on the southeast, and the Financial District up on the northeast.

The district’s proximity to the University of Southern California, as well as the Blue Line light railline, give South Park a distinctly youthful and up-and-coming feel. And it’s here you’ll find everything from famous restaurants, great shopping, and top notch entertainment, as well as art and culture, and architecture. Let’s start with the restaurants, shall we?

In no particular order, you need to check out Arashi Sushi, Rosa Mexicano, the Rock’n Fish, Smashburger, Ford’s Filling Station, the Hygge Bakery, Kaffebaren, La Guera, and the Nixon Bar Lounge. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

And as for shopping, South Park gives up so much choice you might run out of time before you run out of money. There’s over 72 outlets in South Park ranging from Architect’s Corner to Melody Truckload, from Bowen House to the Nike Vault, from Citron Clothing to Step Sportswear.

Ready for something to eat? Your neighborhood guide to South Park continues with some more food tips. Head over to Bottle Rock for a bottle of wine. Or Birdies – a coffee shop with donuts and fried chicken!  You can also check out Chicas, a gorgeous taco stop. Or are you looking for a rooftop bar with stunning views? Then head over to the Perch. There’s also a Whole Foods, as well as many food trucks, and more.

We hope this brief neighborhood guide is enough to whet your appetite and get you of the door and over to South Park! Respect mah authoritah!

Your Neighborhood Guide to City West

City West – AKA Central City West – can be found on the eastern side of the Pico-Union neighborhood here in Los Angeles. Full of high rises, City West often resembles the surrounded Downtown Financial District and has even been called “the New Jersey of Downtown LA.” So we’ve decided to put together a blog for you; your neighborhood guide to City West.

Looking to shoot your next YouTube classic? Well smack dab in the middle of of City West is Los Angeles Center Studios. This is a high-capacity studio for any manner of TV, features or adverts and sits on a sprawling 20 acres. LA Center Studios is equipped with six different 18,000 square feet sound stages so you can obtain the look of any of the majors at this indie studio.

Continuing your neighborhood guide to City West is 333Live. This place is one of the largest mega-club/concert hall/lounge/restaurants in town and hosts exclusive private events like you’ve never seen before! This is the place the A-Listers rent out when they want an A-List experience! They’re fully stocked with superior sound and lighting but have many add-ons like smoke machines, confetti blasters, laser lights, four dancing cages and MORE! You’ll likely have a blast if attending an event at 333.

Also in City West is none other than the Downtown Magnets High School. They focus on three pillars – or magnets – here: business, fashion and electronic information. Speaking of education, just a couple of blocks away is the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center which you can find by the gorgeous Vista Hermosa Park. And here’s a little history for you; Vista Hermosa Park is the first new public park to be opened in Downtown since…1895! How’s about that, fact fans?

Continuing your neighborhood guide to City West we found ourselves at the Good Samaritan Hospital. The Hospital, which is linked to UCLA and USC Schools of medicine, contains (deep breath): the Heart & Vascular Center, Comprehensive Orthopaedic Center, Tertiary Retinal Surgery, Pancreatico-Biliary Program, Transfusion-Free Medicine & Surgery Center, and the Davajan-Cabal Center for Perinatal Medicine.

Feeling hungry? Then check out Rene Café a fantastic Thai restaurant on the border of City West over on 1123 7th St in the America’s Best Value Inn. They also come with many healthy vegetarian options so be sure to check those out too!

And that’s your neighborhood guide to City West! We hope you enjoy it!

Your Neighborhood Guide to Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown Los Angeles is filled – nay, PACKED – with culture, art, great food and… well you just name it and you can find it. From a wholesale flower market to a fashion district to historic landmarks to gallery sponsored art walks; this is a city that doesn’t ever bother with sleep. Our aim today is to pick out a few areas of interest so you can go exploring; there’s so much to sample and so little time so without further ado, here’s your neighborhood guide to Downtown LA!

Kicking off our neighborhood guide to Downtown LA is the Downtown LA Art Walk which takes place on the second Thursday of every month. The Art Walk wends its way through (deep breath): Little Tokyo, the Fashion District, LA Live & Crypto.com Arena, Chinatown, the Jewelry District, Financial District and more so you can imagine the sights. And the art to see (and buy) is phenomenal!

If you can’t wait for the next second Thursday, here’s a handful of neighborhoods in Downtown LA and what to expect in them. Let’s start with the Arts District. Beginning decades ago as an industrial space, the artists took over when business declined so now you have a community filled with galleries, media companies and photography studios. You’ll also find the Southern California Institute of Architecture here.

Our next stop on your neighborhood guide to Downtown LA is the Fashion District. And this is where it ALL happens in the fashion industry outside of New York. Here you’ll find (deep breath): shoppers, designers, stylists, students, retailers, wholesale buyers, and, of course, normal residents.

Moving forward with your neighborhood guide to Downtown LA is the Flower District which is home to pretty much any flower you can think of! Located on Wall St between 7th and 8th, this is the place to go from everything for simple bouquets to massive event-styled presentations.

Wrapping up your neighborhood guide to Downtown LA is Little Tokyo. This cultural melting pot is home to the Japanese American National Museum, East West Players as well as the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

There’s so much more but we’ll devote other blogs to them. For now, here’s your primer to your neighborhood right here in Downtown LA!