Living in or staying in Downtown, Los Angeles

Scores

Safety and quiet come from researched sources about the whole neighborhood; walkability, transport and nightlife from the address reports here.

About Downtown

Dense central city core with skyscrapers, historic buildings, museums, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Busy sidewalks in the main districts, with a mix of office workers, tourists, residents, and event crowds.

Good for

• business travelers
• first-time visitors
• foodies
• culture lovers
• public transport users

Less suited to

• quiet seekers
• families
• retirees
• drivers
• beach lovers

Watch out for

• Very large area with sharp block-to-block differences; choose a specific district rather than DTLA in general.
• Street life and safety vary by subarea; the core around Bunker Hill, the Financial District, Little Tokyo, and South Park is typically the easiest visitor base.
• Some parts near railyards, industrial blocks, and Skid Row are much less comfortable for visitors, especially after dark.
• Traffic, events, and late-night activity can make some blocks noisy at night.

Sources

• DowntownLA.com
• What to See, Do, and Eat in Downtown Los Angeles
• The Guide to Downtown Los Angeles
• A guide to downtown Los Angeles
• Downtown LA - LA Neighborhood Guide
• Downtown Los Angeles

Local picks

Food & drink

• Guisados

  Mexican · It serves well-known tacos and is easy to reach in DTLA.

• Rossoblu

  Italian · It is a highly regarded Italian restaurant in downtown.

• KazuNori

  Japanese · It is a popular hand roll spot near the core of downtown.

• Bottega Louie

  American · It offers a lively downtown setting with broad appeal.

• Philippe The Original

  Local · It is a historic Los Angeles classic known for its French dip.

• Ramen Hood

  Japanese · It is a casual vegan ramen option in Grand Central Market.

• Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen

  It is a popular place for coffee and a casual break in downtown.

• Verve Coffee Roasters

  It is a reliable coffee stop with a polished downtown location.

• Blue Bottle Coffee

  It is a convenient specialty coffee stop near major downtown sights.

• G&B Coffee

  It is a standout coffee counter inside Grand Central Market.

Sights & things to do

• The Broad

  It is a top modern art museum with a major free collection.

• Walt Disney Concert Hall

  Its architecture is one of downtown’s most recognizable sights.

• Bradbury Building

  It is a landmark historic building with a striking interior.

• Grand Central Market

  It is a classic downtown destination for food and local atmosphere.

• Angels Flight Railway

  It is a short heritage ride that adds a fun downtown experience.

• Last Bookstore

  It is a well-known destination for browsing books and artful displays.

• Pershing Square

  It is a central place for a quick outdoor break in downtown.