Los Angeles
From the CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.
Los Angeles is a city in California in the United States of America.
Contents |
Getting Here
Many airline companies fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). A taxi to Downtown L.A. can cost $45 and take 30 minutes in good traffic, but can be far slower (and more expensive) in heavy traffic. The FlyAway bus is a good alternative way to get Downtown. For $3.00 (cash only), it can make the trip to Union train staion in less than 45 minutes. The FlyAway bus runs 24 hours a day (every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.; every hour from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.). Just look for the green signs indicating "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans" and wait for the bus going to Union Station (the FlyAway to Van Nuys will take you to the San Fernando Valley). These buses feature cushioned seats, luggage bays, and wheelchair lifts.
Orientation
Finding A Couch
Los Angeles is fairly large and quite spread out, with numerous districts and neighborhoods, causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitor. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. There are many hosts throughout Los Angeles and you should contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or post an emergency couch request on the Los Angeles Couchsearch board. As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own. Currently our emergency information page is still being developed.
Getting Around
Public transportation in Los Angeles is a bit hard to figure out since each district has its own bus system. Metro is the main system for downtown Los Angeles but reaches out into the surrounding neighborhoods. On the Metro website, you can search for bus routes by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. A Day Pass costs $5. If you do not want to use public transportation, car rentals are recommended since taxis can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.
Tips
If you plan on staying in L.A. for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.
Events
Couchsurfing
Check the Los Angeles County Group on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Usually, there is a monthly event called 'Third Sunday Potluck', sometimes including a hike at a state park. At the end of the summer, the L.A. Couchsurfing community has a big bonfire and party.
Monthly Events
- ArtWalk - second Thursday each month
Festivals and Holidays
April - Thai New Year
May - Cinco de Mayo
June - LA Pride
July - Independence Day
Listings
- LA Weekly - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
- Yelp LA
- Gridskipper LA
Things to do
Sightseeing
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:
- The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd
- Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica
- Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills - famous upscale shopping district
- Thai Town
- Hollywood Forever - cemetery of celebrities, including Mel Blanc who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
- Watts Towers
Hiking
There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, Topanga State Park (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock. Will Rogers State Park and Temescal Canyon are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, Runyon Canyon is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Another place of interest is Catalina Island, which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.
Museums
There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the La Brea Tar Pits. The Getty Centre is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. The Getty Villa in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities cost $8.
Theme Parks
Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.
Volunteering
- Food Not Bombs - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
- Food On Foot - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
- Tree People
- Habitat Work - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.
Getting Away
Transportation
Flights to San Francisco or San Diego can easily be purchased online from SouthWest Airlines. Coaches, such as Megabus and Greyhound buses are also options. You can also check the Craigslist Rideshare page or post a request on the L.A. County board.
Destinations Near Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. Palm Springs, Coachella Valley and Joshua Tree National Park are east of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the northwest, Santa Barbara and Solvang can be reached via Pacific Coastal Highway 1. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through The Big Sur. In the southeast, Temecula is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive south for two hours via Highway 5. Tijuana, a small city on the border of Mexico, is also popular with tourists.
