Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (2024)

For other places with the same name, see no (disambiguation).
For other places with the same name, see LA (disambiguation).

Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is a city of sharp contrasts, home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.

California's most populous city and the second most populous city in the United States (after New York City), Los Angeles is spread across a broad basin in Southern California surrounded by vast forested mountain ranges, valleys and the Pacific Ocean, and nearby desert. Los Angeles sits at the heart of a metropolitan area of over 18 million people that spreads across Los Angeles County, Orange County (California) | Orange County, Ventura County, and the Inland Empire region of San Bernardino County and Riverside County.

Contents

  • 1 Districts
    • 1.1 Central Los Angeles
    • 1.2 Los Angeles County regions
    • 1.3 Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Los Angeles
  • 2 How to get around in Los Angeles
    • 2.1 Public transit or car?
    • 2.2 How to take public transportation in Los Angeles
      • 2.2.1 By rail
      • 2.2.2 Travel on a Bus in Los Angeles
      • 2.2.3 Public transit payment
    • 2.3 By car
      • 2.3.1 Navigation
      • 2.3.2 Dealing with traffic
      • 2.3.3 Driving on surface streets
      • 2.3.4 Freeways
    • 2.4 Best way to travel in Los Angeles by a Taxi
    • 2.5 By motorcycle
    • 2.6 By bike
  • 3 What to see in Los Angeles
    • 3.1 Show business
    • 3.2 Historical
    • 3.3 Museums
    • 3.4 Parks and scenery
  • 4 Top Muslim Travel Tips for Los Angeles
    • 4.1 Beaches
    • 4.2 Sports
    • 4.3 Music
    • 4.4 Theater
    • 4.5 Events
  • 5 Study as a Muslim in Los Angeles
  • 6 Muslim Friendly Shopping in Los Angeles
  • 7 Halal Restaurants in Los Angeles
  • 8 eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Los Angeles
  • 9 Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Los Angeles
  • 10 Muslim Friendly hotels in Los Angeles
  • 11 Telecommunications in Los Angeles
    • 11.1 Internet Cafe's in Los Angeles
  • 12 Stay safe as a Muslim in Los Angeles
  • 13 Medical Issues in Los Angeles
  • 14 Cope in Los Angeles
    • 14.1 Newspapers
    • 14.2 Gyms
    • 14.3 Consulates in Los Angeles
  • 16 Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Los Angeles

Districts

For travel purposes, this guide covers the entirety of Los Angeles County, a region of nearly 5,000 square miles in Southern California (roughly the same size as Rhode Island). There are 88 cities (municipalities) in the county; the largest and the city of Los Angeles, spreads throughout the county from the Port of Los Angeles to the San Fernando Valley.

Central Los Angeles

The neighborhoods of Central Los Angeles

Los Angeles/Downtown
The central business neighborhood and historic center of Los Angeles, which has seen a revival with new museums, performing arts venues, trendy hotels, bars, shops, and restaurants.
Los Angeles/Eastside
In the hills east of the downtown area is the Hispanic center of Los Angeles. This area is mostly residential in character, with a few scattered attractions.
Hollywood
The historic and spiritual heart of the entertainment industry, with many tourist attractions paying tribute to the film and television stars of the past and where many movies still have their public premieres.
Los Angeles/Northwest
A funkier area in the heights north of Downtown and east of Hollywood that includes some rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods and the expansive Griffith Park, with its zoo, museums, and famous observatory.
Los Angeles/South Central
Though it has long had a reputation for gang violence and is the infamous site of the Rodney King riots, this area has mellowed significantly in the years since. While it remains off most people's radar and there are some highlights including the Watts Towers and the science museums of Exposition Park.
Los Angeles/Wilshire
Home to the Miracle Mile District of Wilshire Boulevard, with its historic architecture and museums near the La Brea Tar Pits. Nearby are the studios, shops, and entertainment of the Fairfax District.

Los Angeles County regions

File:LA neighborhoods map.png

The regions of Los Angeles County

Antelope Valley
The arid northern region of the county beyond the San Gabriel Mountains; high desert and more rural in feel, but with a growing population amidst the rugged terrain.
Gateway Cities (Los Angeles County)
The mostly suburban and industrial southern region of the county, bordering Orange County. The largest city here is the harbor city of Long Beach, where you will find some highlights like the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary.
San Fernando Valley
"The Valley" is a sprawling suburban section of Los Angeles on the backside of the Hollywood Hills, home to a lot of the major motion picture studios and the popular Universal City
San Gabriel Valley
Encompassing the suburban valley communities east of Downtown Los Angeles, as well as the forested San Gabriel Mountains to the north of the valley. Sitting at the foot of the mountains is Pasadena, site of the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
Santa Clarita Valley
Far to the north of Los Angeles proper, this valley holds rugged canyon scenery, many ranches in the hills above the valley, and the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park.
South Bay (Los Angeles County)
The beachfront and harbor communities of the county south of LAX, with popular surfing beaches and the picturesque coastline of Palos Verdes, and the launching point for ferries to Catalina Island.
Westside (Los Angeles County)
The affluent area of Los Angeles made famous by television and movies, where the elite of the entertainment industry reside. Home to the upscale communities of Los Angeles/West
  • Hoang Express - bus stop at Metro Gold Line Chinatown Station, 1231 North Spring Street Northwest corner of Spring and College ☎ +1-714-839-3500 +1-888-834-9336 $60-65 to Bay Area; $80 to Sacramento Travels between SoCal (San Diego, El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster (California)
  • LuxBus - on request for hotel pick up/drop off +1-877-610-7870 Operates to/from Las Vegas, Anaheim, and San Diego.
  • Megabus - bus stop at Bus Bay 8 in Union Station's Patsaouras Plaza opposite side of the tracks from Union Station; a pedestrian tunnel under the tracks links Pastsaouras Plaza with Union Station itself - Goes up to Oakland (via San Jose and San Francisco) and to Las Vegas on two separate routes. Buses going to/from the Bay area also make another stop at Bay #9 at the Burbank Metrolink Station.
  • Los Paisanos - depot at 612 Wall Street E 6th Street & Wall St, east of Downtown in Skid Row ☎ +1-213-228-9988, +1 626 444-5300 +1-866-771-7575 - Travels along I-10 between Los Angeles and El Paso via El Monte, Ontario, Fontana. Some of their buses go up along I-15 to Las Vegas from Ontario. They have additional depots at 11635 Valley Blvd in El Monte and 1603 Valley Blvd. Suite C in Fontana. Crosses into Mexico via El Paso/Cd Juarez.
  • Rapid Connections LLC - bus stop at Greyhound Terminal, 1716 E 7th Street and in East LA at Marianna & Olympic Blvd ☎ +1 559 442-3000 - Buses goes up to Sacramento via San Fernando, Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton (California) | Stockton and several other places along SR-99; and down to Tijuana via Santa Ana and San Ysidro.
  • Santa Barbara Airbus - ☎ +1 805 964-7759 +1-800-423-1618 - Connects Los Angeles International Airport|LAX to Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta.
  • TAP Royal - (Bus depot) 767 Maple Avenue Maple Ave & 8th ☎ +1-213-533-8700 - They also have another terminal at 2474 E Florence Ave, Huntington Park CA 90255. They offer bus service between California, Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson and Nogales); and Las Vegas NV in the U.S. and along the Highway 15 corridor to Guadalajara through Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco in Mexico. Crosses the border in Nogales and in San Ysidro/Tijuana. Travels the I-5/Hwy 99 corridor between Tijuana, Huntington Beach, Bakersfield, Fresno and Modesto.
  • Rapid Connections LLC - bus stop at Greyhound Terminal, 1716 E 7th Street and in East LA at Marianna & Olympic Blvd ☎ +1 559 442-3000 - Buses goes up to Sacramento via San Fernando, Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton (California) | Stockton and several other places along SR-99; and down to Tijuana via Santa Ana and San Ysidro.
  • Tres Estrellas de Oro (TEO) - depot at 2414 E Florence Ave, Huntington CA 90255 Southeast corner of Florence & Santa Fe Ave ☎ +1-323-588-9188 Connects Los Angles to Sacramento, El Paso and Tijuana (via San Ysidro) on multiple routes
  • Tufesa - 611 Maple AveAlong Maple Ave between 6th & 7th Street ☎ +1 213 489-8079 - Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via multiple cities in San Joaquin Valley), Oakland, Salt Lake City (via Ontario, Fontana, Las Vegas, Street George); Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales) and Tijuana (via Anaheim, San Ysidro) on multiple routes. They also have an additional station at 5201 E Olympic Blvd in E L.A. and a stop in a parking lot at E 3rd Street & E Ford Blvd.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Los Angeles

  • Long Beach has a Carnival Cruise Lines terminal. 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, +1 562 901-3232.
  • San Pedro has a cruise ship terminal that all of the major cruise ship lines (except Carnival) sail from. Berth 90-93, San Pedro, +1-310-514-4049. Fax: +1-310-514-4057.

How to get around in Los Angeles

Metro Picture - The LA Metro's four modes of public transportation: light rail, bus, subway, and bus rapid transit

Public transit or car?

Los Angeles has a well-deserved reputation as a very car-dependent city, with an extensive network of freeways and a historically underdeveloped public transit system. Nevertheless, while far from perfect and the public transit network in L.A. is being expanded and has come a long way. With a rapidly expanding rail system as well as an extensive and growing network of frequent "Rapid" bus lines (with less frequent stops than the so-called "Local" bus lines), transit might be an excellent option depending on where you are traveling and what you'd like to see.

Given L.A.'s sheer size and general dependence on the automobile, travel by transit can be a challenge. A good rule of thumb is that if you're in the L.A. basin transit service is generally pretty extensive and frequent, but if you're going to areas to the north (such as the San Fernando Valley) or east (such as East L.A. or the San Gabriel Valley), service gets a lot more sparse and infrequent. There isn't a bus line to reach every nook and cranny, and as such it's not uncommon to find yourself walking up to a mile or more to your destination after you've gotten off at the nearest bus stop—and you may find yourself walking even further to catch a better Rapid bus since their stops are much further apart! Consider checking a trip planner like Google Maps first to see if transit is right for your needs.

Also, some bus routes end service in the early evening, so you should plan your trip to make sure you're not stranded while on an outing and have an expensive taxi ride back to your hotel—which, depending on how far away you are, may end up costing roughly the same amount as if you had rented a vehicle for the day in the first place. On the flip side, Metro extended their service hours to as late as 3AM on Fridays and Saturdays on some routes, but check Google Maps or Metro's website to see what's available for your trip.

In addition to the Rapid bus lines, Los Angeles also has a moderately extensive (but continuously expanding) rail system to help speed up journeys around the city. If you plan to stay near a Metro Rail station, this may suffice as the train network can take you to some of the major tourist areas such as Hollywood, Universal Studios, Downtown L.A., Culver City, Santa Monica, and Long Beach. However, those who plan to stay in the area for multiple days or stay in or visit outlying areas are strongly advised to rent a vehicle if the budget allows, since you would otherwise have to take multiple long bus trips during your visit. An alternative option is to stay at different locations during your trip, for example Downtown or Hollywood for subway access, Santa Monica or Venice for the beaches, and Anaheim for Disneyland.

If you want to get a compromise between cost and practicality, a good idea is to combine public transit with taxi or e-hailing services such as Uber or Lyft. For multi-segment journeys, a simple rule of thumb is to take public transit for rapid bus, subway and light rail, and replace local bus segments by taxi or e-hailing. While this will be obviously more expensive than using only public transit, it will sometimes be more time- and cost- effective than renting a vehicle when you consider traffic, parking time and expenses.

If you choose to rent a car, you'll get a look at L.A.'s infamously large freeway system and a taste of the notorious traffic jams. However, this will likely still be more convenient than bus travel for long or multi-destination trips.

How to take public transportation in Los Angeles

By rail

Los Angeles County Metro Rail and Metro Liner map.svg|Metro Rail and Busway map

The Los Angeles area's Metro Rail subway/light rail system opened its first line in the 1990s and has been expanding since. Many prominent neighborhoods and sightseeing destinations can be visited using Metro Rail, including Downtown L.A., Koreatown, Hollywood, Universal Studios, Chinatown, Pasadena, Exposition Park, Culver City, Santa Monica, and Long Beach. For these areas public transportation can be preferable to the gridlock that often occurs on freeways and streets.

The Metro Rail system consists of two subway lines, four light rail lines, and two bus rapid transit lines, with operating hours and frequencies varying from one line to another.

  • Subway service is provided by the Station losangeles|red and Station losangeles|purple Lines, with the Red running from Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown to Hollywood and then to Universal City and North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley, while the Purple connects Downtown to Los Angeles/Wilshire|Koreatown. In Downtown and these lines overlap with a terminus at Union Station; check the train's destination signs to make sure you are on the right train. Purple Line trains outside of rush hour are only two cars in length and will not fill the length of the station; signs on the platform will help guide you to where the train will stop.
  • The Station losangeles|blue Line light rail service runs between Downtown and Long Beach through Los Angeles/South Central|South Central Los Angeles, with a stop convenient to the Watts Tower. The Station losangeles|Expo Line light rail service runs from Downtown through South Central Los Angeles to the University of Southern California and the museums of Exposition Park before turning west to Culver City and Santa Monica. In Downtown and these two lines overlap with a terminus at 7th St/Metro Center Station, where you can transfer to the Red or Purple Lines.
  • The Station losangeles|Gold Line is a horseshoe-shaped light rail line that runs between East LA and the San Gabriel Valley through the eastern side of Downtown, with stops in Chinatown and at Union Station.
  • The Station losangeles|Green Line is the only light rail line that doesn't serve Downtown, running east-west along Interstate 105 on the southern side of L.A. between El Segundo and Norwalk (California) | Norwalk, with a transfer point to the Blue Line in South Central L.A.
  • There are also two bus rapid transit lines which use bus-only roadways. The Station losangeles|Orange Line runs across the San Fernando Valley between Chatsworth and the terminus of the Red Line in North Hollywood. The Station losangeles|Silver Line runs between El Monte (in the San Gabriel Valley) and San Pedro through Downtown, and requires an extra extra charge in addition to the standard Metro fare.

There is no direct rail connection between Downtown Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but a free shuttle to the airport terminals is available from the Aviation/LAX Station on the Green Line. However, a much more convenient option is the direct LAX FlyAway shuttle service; see the LAX page for details.

Distinct from Metro is the Metrolink commuter rail system, which radiates out from Union Station to many surrounding suburbs and counties. Metrolink does not accept Metro passes, but Metrolink tickets are honored as a day pass on Metro Rail and buses for the date stamped on the ticket, and are compatible with the #Public transit payment|TAP system. More detailed info on Metrolink can be found in the Los Angeles#By train|By train section above.

Travel on a Bus in Los Angeles

The main bus system in Los Angeles is operated by Metro (+1-800-COMMUTE, or +1-800-266-6883). Many Angelenos without a vehicle use the bus as their primary mode of transportation. There is a preponderance of frequent bus service along major north-south and east-west corridors radiating to the south and west from Downtown Los Angeles.

Service frequencies are fairly high along major streets in the L.A. basin; in general you won't wait more than 15-20 minutes for a bus. "Rapid" buses run more frequently than local ones and should be used when feasible, given that L.A. is so huge that you'll much prefer riding buses which only stop at major intersections to ones that stop nearly every block. Check the schedules in advance as many routes change and have reduced frequency in the late hours. Express buses are blue, Rapid buses are painted red and local buses are painted orange. The red Rapid buses run the same routes as some of the orange local buses, except the stops for the Rapid buses are further part while the local buses would stop more frequently in between the Rapid bus stops.

An oddity of L.A. public transit is that there are numerous bus transit agencies, which almost always require paying an additional fare if you transfer between agencies. LADOT's DASH shuttles circulate around Downtown L.A., Hollywood and various Los Angeles neighborhoods. Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus system provides service in that city as well as linking Santa Monica with Westside L.A. neighborhoods (such as Brentwood, Westwood, and Venice Beach), Downtown L.A., and LAX. The Culver CityBus operates buses in and around Culver City and UCLA. Areas of the San Gabriel Valley east of El Monte are served by Foothill Transit. Montebello Bus Lines operates service in Montebello, Pico Rivera, Whittier, East LA, and surrounding communities. Long Beach Transit provides service in and around Long Beach while the city of Torrance have their own set of buses with Torrance Transit.

For service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the LAX FlyAway bus is the most convenient bus service to Downtown L.A., Hollywood, Van Nuys, UCLA in Westwood, and Long Beach; see the LAX page for details.

Public transit payment

TAP Farebox-COLLAGE - The four ways to TAP

Anyone looking to use public transit in L.A. would benefit from getting a TAP card, an electronic reusable fare card which can be loaded with transit passes or cash value. A TAP card is required for entry into the Metro Rail system. TAP cards can be purchased from vending machines in Metro Rail stations, certain vendors, online from the TAP website, or at Metro Client Centers (the main one being at Union Station). TAP cards can also be purchased from a Metro bus driver (exact change required), but only with a day pass loaded on the card. New TAP cards incur an extra fee of $1 if bought from a vending machine or a Metro bus driver, and $2 from any other source.

Metro fare payment works on a proof-of-payment system. When entering a bus, tap your card on the blue TAP sensor at the front door. At Metro Rail stations and there will be card sensors as you approach the platform. If transferring to another Metro Rail train, you will also have to tap at the station where you change trains, at the sensors marked "Must Tap to Transfer." Remember to tap once for every vehicle you enter, as Metro police randomly check cards for valid fare on vehicles or station platforms, and they are noted for being rather aggressive in their fare enforcement; the penalty for not being able to show valid fare is $250 and up to 48 hours of community service.

A single-trip fare on Metro costs $1.75 and includes a two-hour transfer to other Metro rail and bus lines. On Metro buses, you can also pay with cash (exact change only), but you won't get the two hour transfer that you would using a TAP card. Alternatively, TAP cards can be loaded with a day pass (valid until 3AM the next day) for $7, a 7-day pass for $25, or a 30-day pass for $100. Passes allow unlimited access on Metro bus and rail lines, with the exception of a few express bus routes.

TAP cards are also good on all of the other bus transit agencies in the county; stored cash value on your card is good for fares on any participating agency. If transferring from Metro to another bus agency, be sure to get a "Metro-to-Muni transfer" which costs an extra $0.50, lasts for two hours, and is good on many non-Metro bus systems. These transfers can be purchased at TAP vending machines or with exact change from a bus driver.

By car

Los Angeles - Echangeur autoroute 110 105 - A four-level interchange in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is notorious for its traffic conditions, and its freeway system can get extremely clogged, even during the weekends. Still, automobile travel is the easiest way to see most parts of the region, and the only way to reach many of the natural areas surrounding the metropolitan area.

Navigation

If you are going to drive, make sure you have access to extensive street and freeway maps (if feasible, use a passenger as your navigator) or a GPS navigation system. A valuable tool for L.A. drivers is a Thomas Guide, which is a spiraled book of detailed street maps. If you don't want to purchase a full Thomas Guide (about $20-$30 at bookstores), you can purchase Rand McNally maps which cover a given geographical area and cost about $4-$6 at most gas stations, supermarkets, and convenience stores (Costco and Walmart usually have the best prices). Use of an online mapping tool is also recommended, but as a general rule, time estimates given by online mapping tools should be at least doubled during rush hours.

Each freeway is identified by a number, and usually one or two names. When giving directions, most local residents refer to a freeway by its number and the definite article, e.g. "the 405 freeway" or just "the 405." It's recommended that you familiarize yourself with your chosen route before setting out on your trip and pay close attention to traffic and road signs. One particularly annoying aspect of L.A. freeways is finding an onramp; onramps are marked with small green signs marked "Freeway Entrance" but these can be frustratingly difficult to find.

Although L.A.'s traffic jams are legendary and the freeway grid provides for an effective movement of traffic and a variety of alternatives. Be sure to have an alternative route planned out in advance; many freeways run parallel to one another and serve as viable alternatives, especially in long-distance trips. You can check sites like Go511, [https://+Los+Angeles SigAlert, or TrafficReport for current traffic information before your trip.

Dealing with traffic

On average, residents of Los Angeles County spend an estimated four days a year stuck in traffic. However, since there is often no effective alternative for getting around, dealing with traffic is an inescapable part of the Los Angeles lifestyle and something many visitors will not be able to avoid.

Listening to a radio station is helpful for any long trip through L.A. since most stations regularly disseminate traffic information during the daylight hours. KNX 1070 AM, Los Angeles' 24-hour news station, has traffic reports "on the fives" (:05,:15,:25,:35,:45, and:55 of each hour) when they aren't running the simulcast of 60 Minutes (7PM on Sunday) or "Weekly Roundup". KFI 640 AM and KABC 790 AM run traffic reports four times an hour, usually during commercial breaks of their talk shows. The radio station web sites often have links to graphics showing traffic speeds and the accident logs of the highway patrol. Traffic reports will often use the verbal name for a freeway (e.g., "westbound Santa Monica Freeway") instead of the number of the freeway.

Despite the infamy of Los Angeles' traffic and the only real issues are the sheer length of the rush hour and the volume of traffic. The assertions of driving difficulty and danger will most likely seem unfounded to residents of other large cities, especially comparatively frantic East Coast cities, who often see Los Angeles traffic as relatively easy-going. When traveling on a Los Angeles freeway, remember that slower traffic keeps to the right. Many Angelenos do well over 20 mph of the posted speed limit and cutting them off or remaining in the fast lane at a slow pace will frustrate native drivers.

It's actually extremely simple to drive around Los Angeles in the late night/early morning hours (from around 11PM to 5AM), when driving times can easily be less than a third of what they are during peak hours. However, late hours are when partiers are most likely to be returning from clubs, so be vigilant for drunk drivers. In addition, a lot of construction is scheduled during these off-peak times, so be ready to plan alternative routes. Anyone planning on visiting by vehicle may wish to seriously consider scheduling the trip so as to arrive or depart in the early morning, as this can prevent a great deal of frustration. This is also an excellent time of day to find your way around, memorize your routes, and explore.

In his parody traffic reports, Tonight Show host Johnny Carson used to refer to the "Slauson Cutoff". While driving around L.A. you often have the option of taking freeways or surface streets, and some local residents rely on surface streets to avoid rush hour traffic on the freeways. However and the effectiveness of this strategy is debatable and it may be difficult for inexperienced drivers to accurately guess which way will be faster. Outside of rush hour and the freeways will almost always be faster for longer trips around L.A.

Driving on surface streets

Most cities in Greater Los Angeles have well-maintained streets, but streets within the city of Los Angeles itself tend to have a lot of cracks and potholes. Wilshire Boulevard is particularly notorious for extremely bumpy conditions. The city government has installed sensor loops on most major streets and publishes real-time traffic speed maps online].

Unlike most other American cities, most major Los Angeles intersections do not have dedicated left-turn traffic lights, allowing for so-called "protected" left turns. Instead and they operate under the rule where you must yield to opposing traffic and turn only when it is safe to do so. But some Los Angeles streets are so congested that it is imfeasible to turn until the traffic light reaches the yellow (caution) phase. Therefore, it is customary in Los Angeles for as many as two or three vehicles to creep into the middle of such intersections in order to turn against opposing traffic on a yellow light. If you are a first-time visitor, you may find yourself being honked at by other drivers until you become accustomed to this.

Driving around Downtown L.A. can be frustrating. Even when few vehicles are present, drivers still tend to go slower in this area because of the numerous turns and exits. Additionally, parking in Downtown is very expensive. Many hotels in Downtown and other high-density areas (such as LAX, Hollywood, and Century City) have parking garages but will charge you exorbitant daily parking fees. Even worse and they may have only valet parking, meaning you will also be expected to tip the valet. If you plan to drive around Los Angeles, consider looking for hotels that have free parking or at least reasonable fees for self-parking garages.

Many Los Angeles intersections have red light enforcement cameras, linked to sensor loops which are energized about a third of a second after the traffic light turns red. You will know the camera activated when it flashes its strobe light at you to obtain a clear view of your face (which is required along with a picture of the license plate to issue a ticket under California law). These intersections are sometimes marked in advance by signs and should be approached carefully to avoid a fine.

Freeways

LA Santa Monica Freeway 08 2010 303 - The San Diego Freeway

In a general way, freeway names usually identify where the freeway goes from Central Los Angeles. This can be confusing to out-of-towners, as names may change when there is a better-known and closer target; for example and the portion of the 110 north of Downtown is the Pasadena Freeway, while the portion south of Downtown is the Harbor Freeway. Another thing to be aware of is that a number can shift freeway names; for example and the 101 jumps from the Hollywood Freeway to the Ventura Freeway as it passes through Studio City.

Many freeways have carpool lanes, which may be entered if you have two or more occupants in a vehicle, or if you're riding a motorcycle. Only enter carpool lanes at designated areas; don't cross double yellow lines into the carpool lane. Portions of the 10 and 110 freeways have toll lanes called / Metro ExpressLanes which require a FastTrak transponder in your vehicle to enter (motorcycles require these as well); see the website for details.

Here are some of the more notable freeways in Los Angeles:

  • 1 - Pacific Coast Highway (or more commonly PCH): Not actually a freeway, but worth noting as it's convenient for the beach towns since it sticks close to the coast through the county and is a scenic way to tour the L.A. coastline. However, it's usually slower than the 405, as it is riddled with traffic signals. Begins in south Orange County, and runs near on along the beaches in Los Angeles County, and then passes through Malibu.
  • 2 - Glendale Freeway: Begins near Echo Park and Dodger Stadium (a few miles Northwest of downtown) via Glendale Blvd. and goes north to the Glendale (California) | City of Glendale before merging into the Foothill Freeway.
  • 5 - Interstate 5|Golden State/Santa Ana Freeway: The main north/south freeway through central L.A., passing through Downtown L.A. and along the east side of the San Fernando Valley. Although this is one of the busiest and most direct freeways in the region, it is also one of the oldest, and is occasionally only three lanes in either direction, though it is being upgraded to four (watch for construction). Known as the Santa Ana Freeway south of downtown, and as the Golden State Freeway north of downtown, but the all the northbound signs read "I-5 North - Sacramento."
  • 10 - Santa Monica/San Bernadino Freeway: The main east/west freeway through central L.A., passing by Downtown L.A. This is the main route between central L.A. and Santa Monica, and is a primary route between central L.A. and the Inland Empire to the east.
  • 60 - Pomona/Moreno Valley Freeway: Runs east from Downtown L.A. a few miles south of I-10 to the Inland Empire and Moreno Valley. Merges with the I-10 in the mountains west of Palm Springs.
  • 91 - Gardena/Artesia/Riverside Freeway: Begins in south Los Angeles, and runs east to Riverside via Orange County. An oddity of this freeway is that it starts at exit #6, since the far western section to the Pacific Coast Highway was never built. However, Artesia Blvd. continues westbound to the PCH after the freeway ends. Known as the Gardena Freeway west of the I-710, as the Artesia Freeway between the I-710 to I-5, and as the Riverside Freeway east of I-5.
  • 101 - Hollywood/Ventura Freeway: Runs northwest from Downtown L.A. past Hollywood, and into the San Fernando Valley, where it turns abruptly west and becomes the Ventura Freeway, continuing to the Central Coast, so don't be confused by the fact that signs will indicate 101 North/South or 101 East/West depending on the stretch of freeway. The Hollywood Freeway continues for a few more miles north as State Route 170 before merging with I-5.
  • 105 - Century Freeway or Glenn Anderson Freeway: An east/west route that crosses across south L.A. and serves as a fairly direct link to the LAX airport, which sits at the western end of the 105. At its eastern end, you can only use the Studebaker Rd. entrance/exit if there are two or more people in your vehicle. Otherwise, use the Imperial Highway or merge to/from the I-605 freeway. The 105 doesn't quite connect with the I-5 Santa Anna freeway. You have to go about a mile and a half (2.4 kilometers) on the Imperial Hwy. Use exit #122 when transferring from the I-5 in either direction. Eastbound on the 105, you cannot easily access the Imperial Highway (unless carpooling to Studebaker Rd.), but the 605 north connects with I-5 in both directions at exit #11 in a couple miles.
  • 134 - Ventura Freeway (eastern section) Connects the Foothill Freeway with the Hollywood/Ventura Freeway while running East/West through Pasadena, Glendale, and the San Fernando Valley. Continues into Ventura as the 101 (above), without having to exit.
  • 110 - Pasadena/Harbor Freeway: Runs between Pasadena (next to L.A.) in the north and the harbor area in the south, past Downtown L.A. The 110 is unusual in that the southern part of the 110 (the Harbor Freeway) is an interstate while the northern part (the Pasadena Freeway) is a state highway, given that the Pasadena Freeway is an older freeway that can't pass code as an interstate. This portion, commonly called the "Arroyo Parkway," was designed in the 1930s and was one of the nation's first limited access roadways. However, it was also designed when it was assumed that cars would be travelling at 35 mph (60 km/h) at most, so the Pasadena Freeway is noted for its extremely short off-ramps, while its on-ramps give you just a few vehicle lengths to accelerate from a complete stop before merging with oncoming traffic.
  • 210 - Foothill Freeway: In Pasadena, this freeway turns at a right angle and goes northwest into the San Fernando Valley, much of which is still part of the City of Los Angeles. In the other direction and the freeway goes east to San Bernardino, running parallel with the I-10, but a few miles north of it.
  • 405 - San Diego Freeway: The main north/south freeway through West L.A., passing close to LAX airport. North of West L.A. and the 405 cuts through the Santa Monica Mountains into the San Fernando Valley. South of LAX, it turns east towards Long Beach and Orange County. The 405 is infamous for its congestion and should be avoided during rush hour.
  • 605 - San Gabriel Freeway: This north/south freeway doesn't actually enter the city itself, but runs along the eastern edge of Los Angeles County. May be useful when other north/south freeways are congested, or to avoid the busiest freeways when traveling from Disneyland to Magic Mountain, for example.
  • 710 - Long Beach Freeway: A north/south artery from East L.A. to Long Beach. This freeway is almost always full of trucks heading in and out of the harbor, so take care when driving near them. Going northbound and the freeway ends abruptly just beyond I-10 at the far eastern edge of the City of Los Angeles and south of Pasadena. The connection to the Pasadena and Foothill Freeways was never built.

Best way to travel in Los Angeles by a Taxi

Taxis can be expensive. Save for a very small number of locations, you cannot flag one down on the street, but have to call one of the taxi companies to send a cab to pick you up. Depending on where you are, you may have to wait awhile for a taxi to get to you, given that this city experiences a lot of traffic and is very spread out. As such, cabs are expensive and the overwhelming majority of citizens rely on their own vehicles. Uber and Lyft operate throughout the city, including at LAX, and offer a cheaper alternative to a taxi.

By motorcycle

An often overlooked alternative which deals well with Los Angeles' lackluster public transportation and frustrating traffic conditions is to travel by motorcycle. Rentals range from around $70 for a basic bike up to $300 a day for high-performance sport bikes, with plenty of range and options between. This option garners a higher per-day rental price than a car, with obviously diminished cargo space. However, a motorcycle's significant increase in fuel economy combined with the city's high gas prices, and ease of parking in a notoriously difficult-to-park-in city may be appealing to the adventurous rider. A quick web search will reveal numerous rental agencies. California riders must have a class M1 license. A DOT helmet is required in California.

Of course, riding a motorcycle should be done by those who are experienced as it is not for the faint of heart. But it may afford the rider a small advantage in terms of travel duration. In most states in America, it is illegal to "split lanes" — riding between two adjacent lanes through slow or stopped traffic to get ahead of other vehicles — as a motorcycle rider is still required to follow all rules and guidelines as if it were a car. Although lane splitting is illegal in most states, it is allowed in California if done responsibly, only when traffic flow is below 30 mph (48 km/h) and your motorcycle is going less than 10 mph (16 km/h) faster than other traffic. Inexperienced riders and those new to California should not attempt to lane split. Mopeds, motor driven cycles (under 149cc) and motorized bicycles are not allowed on freeways. Foreign travelers not familiar with the United States may notice motorcycles tend to be comparatively large, heavy, and fast and extreme caution should be exercised.

The canyon roads of Malibu, Topanga, and the San Gabriel mountains are frequented by motorsports enthusiasts year-round due to their extreme "twistiness" and contain celebrated hangouts such as Neptune's Net (on the Pacific Coast Highway) and the Rock Store (on Mulholland in Malibu Canyon), and others. Bikers visiting on the weekend will find good company, cold and excellent riding there.

By bike

Metro introduced a bike share program in 2016. Thus far it only covers Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, and San Pedro, but there are plans to expand into other communities in the near future, with Venice (California) | Venice Beach in the works. The /stations/ map shows stations as well as the number of available bikes/free spaces to dock a bike in real time. There are monthly ($20, free first half hour, $1.75 for every begone half hour after that) and yearly ($40; $1.75 per begone half hour) passes, but you can also pay as you go ($3.50 for every begone half hour) and Metro TAP cards can be registered with the system and used for payment. Separate bike share systems are also available in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Long Beach.

What to see in Los Angeles

Grauman's Chinese Theatre2 - Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood

Show business

Entertainment is what has earned L.A. its fame, so it's no surprise that many come for the sights of Hollywood, where you will find such monuments to film as Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame or gaze up at the Hollywood Sign perched on the hill.

However, while the entertainment industry is still headquartered in Hollywood, most of the major studios have moved elsewhere, particularly San Fernando Valley; Universal City is home to Universal Studios and its associated theme park, CBS has set up shop in Studio City, while nearby Burbank is home to the Warner Brothers Studios and the Walt Disney Studios, among others. On the Westside, Sony Pictures occupies the historic MGM Studios in Culver City and the headquarters of 20th Century Fox sit in Los Angeles/West|Century City, and many television shows are still taped in CBS Television City in Los Angeles/Wilshire|Fairfax. Paramount Pictures is the last movie studio left in Hollywood, with its famed double-arched gate facing Melrose Avenue. Many studios offer tours, and at some you might even be lucky enough to attend a television show taping; check the individual pages for details.

Besides the studios and there are many sights that attract movie buffs and are worth checking out for those interested in the history of film. Hollywood has plenty of museums and classic cinemas related to the Golden Age of Hollywood, while Hollywood, Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown, Los Angeles/Northwest|Northwest L.A., Los Angeles/Wilshire|Wilshire, and Beverly Hills are chock-full of iconic filming locations in a city that's full of them. There are also a few cemeteries noted for being the final resting places of many celebrities and influential writers and directors, particularly the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood and the Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles/West|Westwood, and the massive Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale (California) | Glendale, where you're guaranteed to run into the famous of yesteryear.

Of course, many also come in the hopes of seeing living celebrities. While your chances of running into one in Hollywood are rather low, you may get lucky in the glamorous neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Malibu, which are home to many celebrity mansions and whose fancy restaurants are sometimes frequented by movie stars. Awards season brings a lot of celebrity-spotting as well, with most of the famous awards shows hosted in Los Angeles: the Academy Awards take place in Hollywood, typically in late February; the Grammy Awards have settled into the Staples Center in Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown each February; the Golden Globes take place in Beverly Hills each January; and the late summer Primetime Emmys have spent the last several years at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown.

Historical

Los Angeles Plaza Park-1 - Old Los Angeles Plaza, El Pueblo de Los Angeles

Los Angeles, as a general rule, hasn't been too careful about retaining its historical artifacts, and that's ignoring the fact that much of the city was only built in the last half-century or so. However and there are some historical attractions for those interested in learning about L.A.'s past:

El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown is the site of the original Spanish settlement where Los Angeles was founded in the 1780s. Today it's preserved as a historic neighborhood with some of the city's oldest buildings as well as a number of Mexican restaurants and retail outlets along tourist Olvera Street. Two other important sites from Los Angeles' Spanish perioid are located along the El Camino Real in Los Angeles County: the Mission San Gabriel, which predates the Pueblo de Los Angeles, and the Mission San Fernando in the North Valley|northern portion of the San Fernando Valley.

Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown's Historic Core still has many splendid examples of late 19th and early 20th century architecture, including many old movie palaces and the interesting Victorian-style Bradbury Building along Broadway. Just north of the Historic Core is the grand 1920s City Hall building, while just a little further on, across from the El Pueblo area, is the 1930s Mission Revival-style Union Station and the main railway hub for the city. Los Angeles/Eastside|East L.A. has the Heritage Plaza living history museum, showcasing life in L.A. around the turn of the 20th century.

Heading west from Downtown and the Miracle Mile neighborhood along Los Angeles/Wilshire|Wilshire has a lot of mid-20th century commercial architecture, including some superb examples of Art Deco and Streamline architecture. Another great Art Deco structure is the Griffith Observatory atop Los Angeles/Northwest#Griffith Park|Griffith Park, famed for its many appearances in film and its sweeping view of the city. And of course, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Culver City have numerous theaters, studios, and other examples of architecture dating from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Museums

Getty Museum (2344713792) - The Getty Center

Of Los Angeles' museums and the Getty Center in Los Angeles/West|West L.A. is the most renowned, regularly hailed as one of the finest art museums in the nation. Located above the city on the Santa Monica mountains, it has a spectacular view of the L.A. basin and the Pacific Ocean, with an extensive European art collection inside. The old museum and the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, is also worth a visit for its collection of artifacts from ancient Greece and Rome. Admission to both is free (although the Villa requires tickets to be reserved in advance) and you can visit both in the same day (Wednesday through Sunday only) and pay the parking fee only once, but don't expect to have any time left over for other activities.

Another splendid institution is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), which has its main building on Grand Avenue in Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown with branches in Little Tokyo and West Hollywood. Across the street from the MOCA is The Broad, a contemporary art museum housed in a striking building. The massive campus of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Los Angeles/Wilshire|Wilshire features a particularly varied collection of works from around the world, with strong collections of Asian, Latin American, and American art, as well as a new contemporary art museum on its campus.

Los Angeles/South Central|Exposition Park holds two of LA's best science museums and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Science Center, both of which have an extensive range of exhibits. The Natural History Museum is the largest of its kind on the West Coast, while the Science Center is reputed for its aircraft collection, which includes the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Another excellent museum is the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles/Wilshire|Wilshire, which preserves the famous tar pits and showcases numerous fossils that have been excavated from the tar. Long Beach has the spectacular Aquarium of the Pacific, one of the largest aquariums in the nation, right across the harbor from the historic Queen Mary ocean liner. On the other side of the port from Long Beach is San Pedro, which holds several maritime museums.

Los Angeles also has many excellent historical and cultural museums. The Autry Museum in Los Angeles/Northwest|Griffith Park has numerous exhibits on the history of the American West, with plenty of cowboy artifacts and memorabilia from Hollywood westerns. Los Angeles/South Central|Exposition Park is home to the California African-American Museum while Los Angeles/Downtown|Little Tokyo holds the Japanese American National Museum. In Los Angeles/West|West L.A. you'll find the Museum of Tolerance, which has a strong focus on the history of the Holocaust, and the Skirball Cultural Center in the hills near the Getty Center, with exhibits devoted to Yahudi history and culture. Culver City has the Wende Museum, with a collection of Cold War artifacts from Soviet-era Eastern Europe. Culver City is also home to the quirky Museum of Jurassic Technology, an artistic blending of fact and fiction that tends to defy proper explanation but still delights visitors.

Parks and scenery

Downtown LA from GP Obs - Looking over the city from Griffith Park

Griffith Park in Los Angeles/Northwest|Northwest LA is an absolutely massive park (indeed, it is five times larger than New York's Central Park) that sprawls across the hills near the Hollywood Sign and is a great place for hikes or picnics, with excellent views of the city. Amidst the rugged terrain of the park are numerous hiking trails and tucked-away sights, as well as major draws like the Los Angeles Zoo and the Autry Museum of the American West and the iconic and historic Griffith Observatory, and plenty of recreational activities. Also in Northwest LA are Echo Park and MacArthur Park, both of which are popular neighborhood parks with picturesque lakes and excellent views of the downtown skyline, and Barnsdall Art Park, which sits atop a hill overlooking East Hollywood and holds a community art complex centered around a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house. Exposition Park in Los Angeles/South Central|South Central LA is a pleasant green space, with a beautiful rose garden and several cultural institutions including the Natural History Museum and the California Science Center, and several venues from the 1984 Olympics including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles/Wilshire|Wilshire is another popular neighborhood park.

Above Hollywood and Los Angeles/West|West LA is winding Mulholland Drive, a famous road that hugs the ridgeline of the Hollywood Hills and has been the setting for countless movies and first kisses, with spectacular views over the city and the Hollywood Sign, not to mention all the celebrity mansions that line the road. Another excellent hilltop view can be found at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook above Culver City in the middle of the Westside, which offers marvelous views over the basin and the Pacific Ocean.

If coastal scenery is what you seek, Malibu is a must-see for its fantastic ocean views and mansions perched atop the ocean cliffs, hugging the coastline beneath the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area|Santa Monica Mountains, which itself makes for a pleasant retreat from the city with its miles of scenic roadways and hiking trails. Further south, Palos Verdes is an oasis of ocean cliffs, Eucalyptus trees, and walking trails at the very southwestern corner of the basin, with a historic lighthouse with views of distant Catalina Island|Santa Catalina Island, a popular destination for tourists and local residents seeking to escape the city.

Further afield and the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys hold a few lovely botanical gardens open to visitors, most notably the large and extensive Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia (California) | Arcadia and the private Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge and the Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, and the botanical gardens of the stately Huntington Library in San Marino (California) | San Marino. Above the valley and the Angeles National Forest covers the steep and rugged San Gabriel Mountains, with its many scenic roads and recreational opportunities.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Los Angeles

Santa monica state beach - Santa Monica Beach

Beaches

The Westside (Los Angeles County) | Westside is home to the most famous beaches of LA: Venice (California) | Venice Beach, with its colorful Boardwalk and Muscle Beach, and the adjacent town of Santa Monica, with its popular pier and amusem*nt park. Both communities share an expansive stretch of sandy beach which gets very crowded in the summer and which have plenty of amusem*nts and facilities available, as well as a very festive scene in Venice that's fantastic for people watching.Just south of Venice is the less-crowded Dockweiler State Beach in the aptly-named town of Playa del Rey (Spanish for beach of the king). Further north, where the coastline meets the Santa Monica Mountains, are scenic beaches in Pacific Palisades and Malibu; Pacific Palisades' Will Rogers State Beach is expansive and quite popular, while Malibu's narrower Surfrider Beach is famed for its surf breaks.

South Bay (Los Angeles County) | South Bay is home to a number of beaches that are also very popular, in particular the Beach Cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, with piers and expansive stretches of sand lined with expensive houses. Hermosa is famed for its festive atmosphere, regularly holding volleyball tournaments and surfing competitions, and all three are popular with families and beach-goers. Also good but less crowded is Torrance Beach further south, which is noted for great surfing, and the very scenic stretch of coastline in Palos Verdes, which holds many rocky coves and tidepools that make for fun exploration.

Off the coast and vastly popular for people taking a day trip out of L.A. are the picturesque beaches of Catalina Island. Additionally and the Beach Cities of nearby Orange County (California) | Orange County are very popular with local residents. For those who are more into boats than sand, Marina del Rey is located just south of Venice and is the world's largest man-made small-craft harbor, offering plenty of mooring as well as motorized and non-motorized rentals.

Sports

Staples Center2 - The Staples Center

Los Angeles has great opportunities for seeing live pro sports. The Baseball in the United States|Major League Baseball

Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the most famous teams in baseball and a game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles/Northwest|Elysian Park, in the hills north of downtown, is an absolute treat for baseball fans. However, LA's most successful sports franchise has been and remains the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA, undoubtedly one of the greatest basketball teams in history. They play in the Staples Center in Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown along with the less-famous Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA, who have risen from perennial losers to a competitive force. Also playing in the Staples Center are the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. The city has two Major League Soccer teams—the LA Galaxy, which plays at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, and Los Angeles FC, which started play in 2018 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles/South Central|Exposition Park.

The American football|National Football League now has two teams in the L.A. area, both having returned to the area after having spent decades elsewhere. The Los Angeles Rams, which called L.A. home from 1946 to 1994 before moving to St. Louis, returned to L.A. in 2016. They are playing in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park until their new stadium in Inglewood opens in 2020. The Los Angeles Chargers, which started their life in the old American Football League in 1960, moved to San Diego the next year and didn't return until 2017. The Chargers are playing at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson before sharing the new Inglewood stadium with the Rams when it opens. For the second-largest city in the nation, Los Angeles long showed an inexplicable inability to hold down a NFL franchise; during the Rams' stint in St. Louis, Los Angeles football fans made do with the local college teams: the USC Trojans football team plays in the Coliseum, while the UCLA Bruins play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, which also hosts the annual famous college bowl game the stadium is named after.

In addition, Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels and the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks play in nearby Anaheim in Orange County (California) | Orange County.

Major college sports in L.A. aren't limited to USC and UCLA, although those schools have by far the highest profiles since they're the only two NCAA Division I schools in the area that play football. The immediate L.A. area boasts seven other Division I programs. The city of Los Angeles boasts the Cal State Northridge Matadors in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of North Valley|Northridge and the Loyola Marymount Lions in Westchester (California) | Westchester, while Los Angeles County also boasts the Pepperdine Waves in Malibu and the Long Beach State 49ers. Orange County is home to the Cal State Fullerton

Titans and UC Irvine Anteaters, while the Inland Empire city of Riverside is home to the UC Riverside Highlanders and the California Baptist Lancers and the latter of which joined Division I in 2018.

Music

Walt Disney Concert Hall - Walt Disney Concert Hall

No matter what music you're into, Los Angeles will feature artists to your taste, be it rock music|rock venues on Sunset Blvd, jazz|jazz clubs in Hollywood, or Western classical music|classic music in Downtown, just to scratch the surface. From the ambiance of the famous Hollywood Bowl to the spectacle of seeing a concert with 90,000 of your closest friends in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, L.A. has many venues that are worth exploring.

Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown Los Angeles holds several major entertainment venues. The 7,100 seat Microsoft Theater has become L.A.'s premiere venue for rock concerts and awards shows, while the nearby Staples Center, though primarily a sports venue, also hosts a large number of big-name concerts with its 19,000 seat capacity. Near the Civic Center and the Los Angeles Music Center consists of four music halls, most notably the Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, home to the Los Angeles Opera.

Los Angeles/Northwest|Griffith Park holds the Greek Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater modeled after a Greek temple that hosts many concerts. Nearby Hollywood has two major concert venues in the Hollywood Palladium and the Fonda Theatre and the latter of which is reputed for its indie band scene and both of which regularly host big-name acts. A little further south, Los Angeles/Wilshire|Wilshire has a couple of classic rock concert venues at the El Rey Theatre and The Wiltern. West Hollywood is home to some legendary rock late night restaurants along the Sunset Strip, like Troubadour, Whisky a Go Go, and The Viper Room. Next to the USC campus and near Exposition Park in Los Angeles/South Central|South Central L.A. is the Shrine Auditorium, a large enclosed amphitheater that holds over 6,000 people and regularly hosts large concerts and stage shows. In Inglewood, The Forum regularly hosts concerts as well as the occasional sports event.

Los Angeles also has an abundance of records stores scattered around the city, and though vinyl has disappeared from the shelves of most regular record stores and there are still plenty of stores that sell new and used vinyl. Amoeba Music in Hollywood is without a doubt the best in the city. An exploration of underground music would be advised to perhaps begin at The Smell in Downtown or listen to KXLU 88.9 FM Monday-Friday for details on numerous shows.

Theater

Pantages HDR - Inside the Pantages Theatre

Los Angeles is a major center for stand-up and improvisational comedy, rivaling New York City given its proximity to the Hollywood industry and innovative scene; L.A. has become the undisputed center for comedy podcasts. There are many excellent comedy venues in town, but a few consistently rise to the top. The Comedy Store is a legendary venue in West Hollywood on the Sunset Strip that gave rise to many of the biggest names in the 70s and still hosts the occasional nationally recognized comic. Also on the Sunset Strip is the Laugh Factory, which consistently features plenty of big-name comics. Elsewhere in West Hollywood you'll find the Largo at the Coronet, a very popular venue that emphasizes the intersection between comedy and live music and regularly hosts podcast shows. Another renowned spot is the Upright Citizens Brigade in Hollywood, which has cultivated some of the best comics in the industry today and dominates L.A.'s improv and experimental comedy scene. Another pair of great improv venues are the Improv and The Groundlings, two popular clubs on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles/Wilshire|Fairfax.

Venues for stage productions abound in L.A., with the largest concentration being in Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown. Along Broadway within Downtown's Historic Core and the Theater District is full of old movie palaces that have been converted to performance spaces and concert halls. In Civic Center and the Ahmanson Theatre of the Los Angeles Music Center is the city's main venue for plays, while the Music Center's Mark Taper Forum is a prominent venue for experimental theater. The historic Pantages Theatre in Hollywood is the place to see Broadway musicals in town. Near the Hollywood Bowl is the Ford Theatre, a historic outdoor amphitheater that puts on community theater productions. Out in Los Angeles/West|Westwood and the UCLA-affiliated Geffen Playhouse is noted for their original productions.

Events

Hollywoodbowlfireworks - 4th of July at the Hollywood Bowl

Befitting its size, Los Angeles plays host to many major events throughout the year, from large conventions and spectacular holiday celebrations to more low-key neighborhood festivals. Whenever you come, you can be assured that something will be happening. What follows is just a sampling of the biggest annual events that take place in L.A.

Every January 1st and the New Year is rung in with the Tournament of Roses Parade, a massively popular parade in Pasadena with dozens of marching bands and elaborate floats before the famed Rose Bowl football game. Chinese New Year celebrations are held throughout the city in early February, with the biggest taking place in Los Angeles/Downtown|Chinatown with a dragon parade, live music, food, and firecrackers. March brings the L.A. Marathon, a massive event in which thousands of runners make their way from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica. The popular Fiesta Broadway event takes place in Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown on the last Sunday of April and is billed as the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world, with lots of Mexican food, music, and pinatas.

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer, and is marked by a tribute at the Battleship USS Iowa in San Pedro. Summer brings many of the city's biggest cultural festivals, such as Film Independent's Los Angeles Film Festival in June, West Hollywood's massive celebration of culture during Pride Week, and Los Angeles/Downtown|Little Tokyo's Nisei Week Japanese Festival in mid-August. Summer also sees many major conventions and expositions, including the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in June and Anime Expo in July, both of which are held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Downtown. The Fourth of July is celebrated with lots of events across the city, most notably a spectacular fireworks show set to live music at the Hollywood Bowl.

In the fall and the Los Angeles County Fair takes place every September with concerts, carnival rides and agricultural exhibits in Pomona out in the San Gabriel Valley. Halloween brings lots of horror-themed events across the city, most notably the wildly popular West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. After Thanksgiving and the holiday season kicks off with the Hollywood Christmas Parade, with plenty of elaborate floats, classic cars, and celebrity appearances. Other popular events during the holiday season include the Marina del Rey

Holiday Boat Parade and a popular Christmas Eve music show in Downtown at the L.A. County Holiday Celebration.

Study as a Muslim in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, like most major U.S. cities, has its fair share of colleges and universities. Of these and the largest are the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Southern California; California State University, Los Angeles; and California State University, Northridge. Within the wider L.A. region are some of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the U.S., including the Claremont Colleges — home to / Pomona College and the premier liberal arts college on the West Coast, and several other highly selective schools — and the prestigious California Institute of Technology and the West Coast rival to MIT.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Los Angeles

Rodeo Drive & Via Rodeo, Beverly Hills, LA, CA, jjron 21.03.2012 - The shopping neighborhood of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills


Los Angeles has a well-known diversity of unique shopping destinations. Shopping malls will dominate your shopping experience in L.A. and even non-shopping visitors are likely to encounter them; for example and the Hollywood and Highland mall is a popular meeting point in Hollywood for those gazing at the Walk of Fame and Mann's Chinese Theater, The Grove is a major tourist destination in Los Angeles/Wilshire|Fairfax next to the historic Farmer's Market, and West Hollywood's Beverly Center is a massive eight-story shopping complex with a nice view of the city from its food court patio.

Lacking any significant public square, Los Angeles funnels its civic life onto its streets. Among the most popular shopping streets is Larchmont Blvd, which caters to the wealthy elite of Los Angeles/Wilshire|Hanco*ck Park with one-of-a-kind boutiques. Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood one-ups Larchmont Blvd with celebrity presence. And then there's the fabled Rodeo Drive of Beverly Hills (uses the Spanish pronunciation: Roh-DAY-oh), famed for its high-end fashion stores.

In Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown and the chaos of Broadway is a far cry from the comforts of manicured shopping centers, with merchandise geared towards the region's Latino population. Here, beneath the street's opulent early-20th century movie palaces, you can find a lot of brand name merchandise at discounted prices; forty dollars will probably get you a brand new wardrobe. Nearby is the gritty flea market of Santee Alley, chock full of knock-off designer labels and pirated DVD's and CD's. For a similar experience, try Alvarado Blvd between Wilshire and 6th in Los Angeles/Northwest|Westlake, where you can gain an insight into how most of working-class Los Angeles shops. Big deals can be found on a wide range of counterfeit goods, but don't stay too long after dark when the neighborhood gets sketchy. Make sure to check out the Art Deco buildings that exist in between the makeshift warehouses as well as the Alvarado Terrace Park, surrounded by early-20th century mansions.

Downtown is also a destination for some specialized retail destinations. Want flowers? Why there's a Flower District in Downtown! Jewelry? Fashion? Seafood? Toys? Yep and there are entire neighborhoods in Downtown dedicated to these particular products. You can buy art in Gallery Row up and down Main Street or see artists at work in the Arts District. All of these are located south and east of the towering Financial District, existing alongside the notorious Skid Row.

Halal Restaurants in Los Angeles

In-N-Out Burger cheeseburger and fries - The classic L.A. fast food: burgers and fries from In-N-Out


The Los Angeles area is one of the best places in the nation for food - you can find just about anything you can imagine somewhere within its loose borders. From traditional American diner culture (try Mel's Drive-In in West Hollywood) to the new wave of organic cafes, to affordable taco trucks, and swanky eateries with breath-taking food and there are no shortage of options.

Los Angeles abounds with affordable, authentic food that represents the culinary traditions of L.A.'s many immigrant communities. You have to be willing to do a little legwork, go to neighborhoods you might not otherwise go to and often deal with charmless fluorescent-lit storefronts in strip malls, but your reward is hype-free, authentic cuisine from around the world served up at bargain prices. The late and dearly missed food critic Jonathan Gold found and reviewed these gems starting in the 1980s, mostly for the free LA Weekly before he moved to the food section of the LA Times, and most of his reviews are still relevant today.

The newest arrival on the L.A. food scene is the gourmet food truck. These are not your average taco trucks and construction-site catering operations (although those exist too), but purveyors of creative and surprisingly high-quality food. Food trucks, particularly taco trucks, can be found in most parts of the city. A few interesting food trucks are "Grill Em All," run by 2 metalheads doing outstanding gourmet hamburgers, "Nom Nom," doing Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, "Kogi," doing Korean-inspired tacos and burritos, and "Manila Machine," doing Filipino food. Many trucks also have their own websites and post their daily schedules and locations on Twitter.

On the opposite spectrum from food trucks, those seeking high-end dining have some of the nation's finest restaurants to choose from. While the Michelin guide stopped reviewing Los Angeles in 2010, Beverly Hills had several eateries that were rated by Michelin, including Wolfgang Puck's first restaurant, Spago. While there are numerous destinations for an upscale meal throughout the LA area, Santa Monica is notable as the only city besides Beverly Hills that can lay claim to multiple Michelin starred restaurants.

Coverage of regional food from other parts of the U.S. is spotty. Migration into the city has been disproportionately from Texas and Oklahoma and the South, Midwest and greater New York City and food representing these areas is easy enough to find. Food representing New England and other parts of the East Coast and the Pacific Northwest, and the Intermountain-Rocky Mountain regions can be elusive, along with many ethnic cuisines with central- and east-European origins. However L.A. is birthplace of the drive-thru and numerous fast food chains clog the roadsides. The In-N-Out Burger chain is far above average for hamburgers, french fries and milkshakes.Another famous Los Angeles establishment is Original Tommy's, which specializes in chili burgers.

The cultural diversity of Los Angeles is an evident influence on the local vegetarian food restaurant industry. You can find strictly vegan and vegetarian dining, be it American, Mexican, Chinese, Ethiopian, and Thai among others. Other dietary restrictions are catered to as well. For example Genghis Cohen in West Hollywood serves Yahudi Chinese food and kosher Mexican or Italian is not hard to find along predominantly Yahudi parts of Pico Boulevard.

There are several different supermarket chains of varying quality - for something different (and affordable) try Trader Joe's, a reputable grocery store with multiple locations (the original is in Pasadena), selling many organic products with no preservatives. They normally give out great samples to the public and sell their acclaimed Charles Shaw wine, commonly called "Two Buck Chuck." Whole Foods is another market with multiple locations and a favorite among the health conscious -- but also a little pricey. Their salad bar is fully stocked and they have huge fresh burritos, sushi, hot dishes ready to go, and a comprehensive selections of pre-made, delicious salads.

LA visitors and local residents alike have the opportunity to indulge in a selection of specially priced three-course menus from a wide variety of LA's best restaurants during dineLA Restaurant Week.

Hotel bars are considered by Angelenos to be the nicest places to have drinks. Some of the more popular upscale ones include Chateau Marmont, Skybar at The Mondrian, and Tower Bar at the Sunset Tower on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, and The Rooftop Bar at The Standard in Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown LA. Hollywood and the Sunset Strip are considered the nightlife centers of LA, though neighborhoods such as Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Echo Park in Los Angeles/Northwest|Northwest LA are home to the dive bistros and cafes favored by trendy hipsters. Downtown has recaptured some of its former glory with a selection of popular nightlife destinations such as The Golden Gopher, The Edison and the bars/clubs at LA Live. Hollywood's Cahuenga Corridor (Cahuenga between Selma and Hollywood Boulevard) boasts several popular bars in a row, making bar-hopping a possibility in a city where it's not the norm.

Bars close at 2AM with most last calls at 1:30 or 1:45. It is worth noting that some cafes and almost all clubs charge cover and some may have VIP lists that are relatively easy to get on. Look up promoters and ask them to add you to their list. This is the easiest way to get into many of the popular Hollywood clubs.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Los Angeles

Los Angeles - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Los Angeles, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Los Angeles. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Los Angeles and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Los Angeles. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Los Angeles. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLos Angeles: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Los Angeles.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Los Angeles: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Los Angeles, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Los Angeles.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Los Angeles, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Los Angeles, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Los Angeles and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Los Angeles, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Los Angeles, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Los Angeles without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Los Angeles is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Los Angeles.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Los Angeles is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Los Angeles, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Los Angeles Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Los Angeles

eHalal Group Los Angeles is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Los Angeles. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Los Angeles.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Los Angeles ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Los Angeles. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Los Angeles, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Los Angeles are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@halal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Los Angeles

It's hard to summarize the plethora of hotel options in L.A. From some of the most opulent (and expensive) hotels in the world to budget hostels to apartment-hotel crash pads and there's something for everyone. Deciding where to stay will have a lot to do with what areas you plan on visiting, and how you're going to get there. As usual in Southern California, a vehicle opens up a world of options, but be sure to check the parking arrangement at your accommodations before you arrive.

Hollywood and the West Hollywood|Sunset Strip are probably the most popular options for those wanting to sight-see and chase their image of that world. Los Angeles/Downtown|Downtown has long been popular with the business crowd but is rapidly receiving a makeover with newer hotels drawing a hipper crowd. Beverly Hills has some of the nicest hotels in the city, and one should expect the prices to reflect its reputation. Sunday and sand seekers can head to Santa Monica or Venice (California) | Venice, while those just in town for a day or two might consider staying in one of the suburbs near Los Angeles International Airport|LAX. To the northeast of Downtown L.A., Pasadena is a peaceful and leafy city and a good alternative that's still proximate to many major attractions, while Burbank has many places convenient to the Valley. Long Beach offers plenty of cheaper accommodations on the south side of the city.

Telecommunications in Los Angeles

Internet Cafe's in Los Angeles

Internet cafes are spread around town and most easily found in heavily touristed spots such as Hollywood Blvd and Melrose Ave. For most travelers, stopping by a local coffee shop such as Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) or The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf should suffice. Most will either have free service for clients or require a nominal fee for usage. Many less expensive hotels and motels also offer complimentary internet access, often usable in the lobby before you check in.

There is also a growing trend for local fast food establishments and some Halal restaurants to provide complimentary Wi-Fi.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Los Angeles

For emergencies in Los Angeles County, dial 911 toll-free from any phone including payphones. Dialing 911 from a cellphone will place you in contact with the California Highway Patrol.

Most tourist destinations within Los Angeles area tend to be fairly safe, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Westwood, and West L.A. However, walking at night in some areas of the city (and some suburban cities as well) should be conducted with caution; and depending on the area, in groups. If traveling by vehicle there is little threat of being harassed day or night, provided you avoid driving around neighborhoods with blatant signs of gang activity as mentioned below.

Certain areas in or near downtown, such as Skid Row (which is where the Greyhound station is located), Pico-Union, Westlake, Boyle Heights, Los Angeles/South Central|South Central, Compton, Inglewood, Harbor Gateway, and Wilmington can be dangerous regardless of the time of day and should be avoided altogether when walking if feasible. If traveling in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles and the neighborhoods of Pacoima, Panorama City, Van Nuys, North Hills, and Canoga Park are also best avoided on foot.

Though cities such as Detroit, St. Louis, and Atlanta have higher reported crime rates per capita than Los Angeles and these numbers can be deceiving. L.A. statistics are skewed because safe neighborhoods such as Bel Air, Pacific Palisades and Westwood help balance the numbers from the very dangerous neighborhoods. If the South Central area of Los Angeles were counted as its own city, it would have the highest crime and murder rate of any city in America. Neighboring Compton, which is an independent city, ranks as the fourth most dangerous city in America. Luckily for Los Angeles, Compton's statistics are not counted as part of L.A.'s crime data, but the cities border each other. As a general rule, you should exercise great caution if walking in the area roughly bounded by Interstate 10 on the north, Interstate 710 on the east, Artesia Blvd/Highway 91 on the south, and La Cienega Boulevard on the west. East LA also has a higher crime rate than other areas and has gang problems as well.

Los Angeles (City and County) is considered to be the gang capital of America. Gangs generally confine themselves to certain areas and should be of little concern to the typical traveler, who is unlikely to venture into such areas. Gangs will usually identify their territory with graffiti markings. While most visitors to L.A. will not visit neighborhoods where gang violence is a concern, common-sense precautions apply should you become lost and end up in a bad neighborhood: remain on high-visibility roads or freeways, avoid confrontations with groups of young men, and should a confrontation arise flee immediately. If a person who appears to be a gang member asks you where you are from, prepare to flee or to defend yourself, as that is a common gang challenge. Use common sense on freeways to avoid incidents of road rage, which accounts for ten or so deaths per year.

Most homeless individuals are harmless; they will likely only ask you for money and if you refuse, will simply go on to the next person. They are most heavily concentrated in Hollywood, Skid Row, and Venice Beach.Avoid walking along Skid Row near Downtown at any time of day or night.

Minor earthquakes happen occasionally but they're almost always harmless. In the unlikely event of a major earthquake: If you're outside, try to find an open space clear of anything that might fall on you, such as trees, power lines, street lights or buildings. If you're inside, try to shield yourself under a table or desk from falling debris; your biggest threat comes from breaking windows and falling objects such as ceiling tiles and bookshelves, so try to reduce your exposure to these threats. If you can't find a table or similar protection, at the very least cover your head and neck with your arms. You are more likely to be injured if you try to run or stand during a quake, so drop to your hands and knees and crawl if you need to move. If you're driving, stop your vehicle and move out of traffic, and stay in your vehicle in a place clear of trees, power lines, street lights, and over- or underpasses. Since the 1950s, buildings have become progressively stronger with stricter building code regulations and research, and most buildings built after 1978 are in no danger of collapsing in the unlikely event of a major earthquake during your visit.

Medical Issues in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a notorious reputation for air pollution problems. However, air quality in the city has improved dramatically, and Los Angeles has even fallen from its Number One position on lists of the worst air in the United States due to aggressive cleanup efforts on behalf of the state and regional air quality authorities. Generally, smog is worst during summer months and is worse further inland where it is away from the ocean breezes and gets trapped by the surrounding mountains. "Smog Alert" days are at an all-time low, but air pollution can still become a problem if a wildfire is burning in surrounding hills. For more information, visit the AQMD (Air Quality Management District) website for air quality information in the region.

Cope in Los Angeles

Newspapers

Los Angeles' primary newspaper is the Los Angeles Times, and another daily newspaper is the Los Angeles Daily News. The free LA Weekly comes out on Thursdays and is a good source for concerts, movies, and other local information. A few local areas may have their own free neighborhood papers as well.

Gyms

  • Hour Fitness and LA Fitness (which includes Ballys) have many locations throughout the area and are big here. If you have a regular membership with either of them from back home your membership is good here. Some memberships are only good for one location and will cost extra to use a gym/club other than your home location. Ask before leaving home. Day passes range from $10-20. Bring a lock and towel.

Consulates in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to many people of different nationalities and language backgrounds. Therefore, many countries have established full service consulates (Consulates Generals) in Los Angeles to provide consular services for their nationals living in (southern) California and in the adjacent states in the southwestern part of the U.S. (or the entire west coast) as well as visa services for others seeking to visit their respective countries (if required). The Honorary Consulates are there for commercial and business purposes and offer limited or no consular services except in emergency situations. Most of the consulates are located along Wilshire Blvd in/around the Los Angeles/Wilshire|Wilshire neighborhood and Los Angeles/West|West Los Angeles, between Los Angeles/Downtown|downtown and Santa Monica. They can also be in other parts of town too:


Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (2) Argentina - 5055 Wilshire Blvd Ste 210 ☎ +1-323-954-9155 +1-323-934-9076{{flag|Armenia

  • Armenia - 346 North Central Ave, Glendale ☎ +1-818-265-5900 +1-818-265-3800
  • Australia - 2029 Century Park E, Century Plaza Towers 31F ☎ +1-310-229-2300 +1-310-229-2380

{{flag|Austria

  • Austria - los-angeles-@ 11859 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 501 ☎ +1-310-444-9310 +1-310-229-2380

{{flag|Bangladesh

  • Bangladesh - 4201 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 605 ☎ +1-323-932-0100 +1-323-932-9703

{{flag|Belgium

  • Belgium - Los@ 6100 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1200 ☎ +1-323-857-1244 +1-323-936-2564

{{flag|Bolivia

  • Bolivia - 3701 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1065 ☎ +1-213-388-0475 +1-213-384-6274

Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (3)

  • Brazil - @onsulate.org 8484 Wilshire Blvd Ste 711/730, Beverly Hills ☎ +1-323-651-2664 +1-323-651-1274

{{flag|Cambodia

  • Cambodia (Honorary) - 3448 E Anaheim St, Long Beach ☎ +1 562 494-3000 +1 562 494-3007 Opening Hours: Monday - f 10:00-17:00

{{flag|Canada

  • Canada - 550 South Hope Street 9F ☎ +1-213-346-2700 +1-213-620-8827

{{flag|Chile

  • Chile - 6100 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1240 ☎ +1-323-933-3697 +1-323-933-3842

Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (4) China - 443 Shatto Pl ☎ +1-213-807-8088 +1-213-807-8091{{flag|Colombia

  • Colombia - 8383 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 420, Beverly Hills ☎ +1-323-653-4299 +1-323-653-2964

{{flag|Costa Rica

  • Costa Rica - 1605 West Olympic Blvd ☎ +1-213-380-7915 +1-213-380-5639

{{flag|Denmark

  • Denmark (Honorary) - 5849 Uplander Way, Culver City ☎ +1-310-645-0540 +1-310-645-0560

{{flag|Dominican Republic

  • Dominican Republic - 500 North Brand Blvd, Glendale ☎ +1-818-504-6605 +1-818-504-6617

{{flag|Ecuador

  • Ecuador - 8484 Wilshire Blvd Ste 540, Beverly Hills ☎ +1-323-658-6020 +1-323-658-1198

{{flag|El Salvador

  • El Salvador - 3450 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 250 ☎ +1-213-234-9200

{{flag|Finland

  • Finland - Web: an=2&culture=en-US 1801 Century Park East, Suite 2100 ☎ +1-310-203 9903 +1-310-203 9186 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30AM Monday - 5PM, Friday 8:30AM Monday - 2PM
  • France - 10390 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste 115 & 410 ☎ +1-310-235-3200 +1-310-479-4813
  • Germany - 6222 Wilshire Blvd Ste 500 ☎ +1-323-930-2703 +1-323-930-2805* Greece - Web: alConsulateLosAngeles/en-US/ 12424 Wilshire Blvd Ste 800 ☎ +1-310-826-5555 +1-310-826-8670

{{flag|Guatemala

  • Guatemala - 1975 Riverside Dr ☎ +1-213-365-9251, +1-213-365-9252 +1-844-805-1101 +1-213-365-9245 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-15:00, Saturday 08:00-11:45 Guatemala maintains additional consulates in San Francisco, San Bernardino and Tijuana.

{{flag|Honduras

  • Honduras - 3550 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 320 ☎ +1-213-995-6409 +1-213-995-6407

Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (5) Indonesia - @la.net 3457 Wilshire Blvd, 4th floor ☎ +1-213-383-5126 +1-213-487-3971{{flag|Ireland

  • Ireland (Honorary) 751 Seadrift Dr, Huntington Park 40 mi South of L.A. off I-405 ☎ +1-714-658-9832 +1-714-374-8972

{{flag|Iraq

  • Iraq - 4500 Wilshire Blvd ☎ +1-213-797-6060 +1-213-797-6100 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30-15:30

Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (6)

  • Palestine - 11766 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1600 ☎ +1-323-852-5500 +1-323-852-5566 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-12:00, By appointment only

{{flag|Italy

  • Italy - 12400 Wilshire Blvd Ste 300 ☎ +1-310-820-0622 +1-310-820-0727* Japan - @japan.org 350 South Grand Ave Ste 1700 ☎ +1-213-617-6700 +1-213-617-6727

{{flag|South Korea

  • Korea, Republic of - 3423 Wilshire Blvd ☎ +1-213-385-9300, +1-213-700-1147 (emergencies) +1-213-385-1849 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:30 (Civil Services close at 16:00)

{{flag|Kenya

  • Kenya - 4801 Wilshire Blvd, Park Mile Plaza, Mezzanine Floor ☎ +1-323-939-2408 +1-323-939-2412

{{flag|Mexico

  • Mexico | 2401 West 6th Street ☎ +1-213-351-6800 +1-213-389-9186 - Mexico maintains additional consulates in Calexico, Fresno, Las Vegas, Oxnard, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Ana.

{{flag|the Netherlands

  • Netherlands (Honorary) |

{{flag|New Zealand

  • New Zealand | 2425 Olympic Blvd, Suite 600E, Santa Monica ☎ +1-310-566-6555 +1-310-566-6556

{{flag|Norway

  • Norway (Honorary) - H. Michael Soroy | California 11766 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 270 ☎ +1-310-444-7750

Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (7)

  • Pakistan - 10700 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 211 ☎ +1-310-441-5114, +1-323-470-2000 (emergencies) Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00| price=

{{flag|Panama

  • Panama - 111 West Ocean Blvd, Suite #1570, Long Beach ☎ +1 562 612-4677, +1 562 612-4678 | fax Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:30-15:00 The URL is linked to the Panamanian Embassy in Washington DC as the local consulate does NOT have a website of its own.

{{flag|the Philippines

  • Philippines - 3600 Wilshire Blvd Ste 500 ☎ +1-213-639-0980 +1-213-639-0990

{{flag|Portugal

  • Portugal (Honorary) - 1801 Avenue of the Stars Ste 400 ☎ +1-310-277-1491

{{flag|Qatar

  • Qatar - 150 South Rodeo Dr, Suite #250, Beverly Hills ☎ +1-310-246-0005 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00

Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (8)

  • Saudi Arabia | 2045 Sawtelle Blvd ☎ +1-310-479-6000

Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (9)

  • South Africa - 6300 Wilshire Blvd Ste 600 ☎ +1-323-651-0902 +1-323-651-5969
  • Spain - 5055 Wilshire Blvd Ste 860 ☎ +1-323-938-0158, +1-323-938-0166 +1-323-938-2502

{{flag|Sweden

  • Sweden - Consularinfo@ 10940 Wilshire Blvd Suite 700 ☎ +1-310-445-4008 +1-310-473-2229

{{flag|Switzerland

  • Switzerland - 11766 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1400 ☎ +1-310-575-1145 +1-310-575-1982

{{flag|Taiwan

  • Taiwan (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) - 3731 Wilshire Blvd Suite 700 ☎ +1-213-389-1215, +1-213-923-3591 (emergencies 急難救助) Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-16:30

{{flag|United Arab Emirates

  • United Arab Emirates | 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1250 ☎ +1-310-551-6534 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00, visits by appointment only

{{flag|the United Kingdom

  • United Kingdom - 11766 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1200, Century City ☎ +1-310-481-0031 +1-310-481-2960


Some of the countries maintain a consulate in both San Francisco#Consulates|San Francisco and Los Angeles while others have a consulate in one city or the other.

News & References Los Angeles

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Los Angeles

  • Orange County (California) | Orange County — many upscale communities, some along the ocean, southeast of Los Angeles. Home to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm among other attractions.
  • Palm Springs — Desert playground of the rich and famous.
  • Joshua Tree National Park — Two different deserts meet in this park, which is filled with a vast array of rock formations and desert plant life, especially in the spring or after rainfall when the desert flowers are in bloom.
  • Santa Barbara — A quiet seaside resort city a 1 1/2 hour drive north of Los Angeles.
  • San Diego — A sunny oceanfront city with many attractions such as Sea World and the San Diego Zoo and the museums of Balboa Park, roughly a 2-hour drive south of Los Angeles (depending on traffic).
  • Las Vegas — a major metropolitan area in the Mojave Desert, roughly a 4 1/2 hour drive northeast of Los Angeles. It is known for its entertainment, casinos, shopping, and restaurants. The I-15 North freeway in adjoining Riverside and San Bernardino Counties goes directly to Vegas.
  • Baja California — whether it's to experience the high energy of Tijuana and the beach town of Playas de Rosarito|Rosarito, or the fabulous local wine in the port city of Ensenada and the joys of Mexico are only a 2 1/2 hour drive away.


Copyright 2015 - 2023. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.

Los Angeles Halal Explorer Los Angeles Halal Restaurants (2024)

FAQs

Is halal meat healthier than regular meat? ›

The meat is also drained of all blood, which reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. Additionally, halal meat is free from harmful additives, preservatives, and chemicals, making it a healthier option compared to other types of meat.

Does Gordon Ramsay serve halal food? ›

I was glad to hear they had some halal steaks which was great and their chicken being halal. It was very quiet which was nice.

Is chicken in China halal? ›

In China, halal food is prepared under strict observation of the Islamic dietary rules. Due to this, chicken, mutton, and lamb are the main ingredients. And despite the many cultures in China, halal food in China has managed to retain its characteristics and style. In Chinese, halal food is called Qingzhen Cai (清真菜).

What's the difference between kosher and halal? ›

One differentiation between Halal and Kosher is that before slaughter, Halal requires the praying to Allah. Kosher does not require a prayer to God before slaughtering.

Is halal meat drained of blood? ›

Most Halal animals are slaughtered by cutting the major blood vessels, i.e., carotid arteries and jugular veins along with the esophagus and trachea at the neck below the larynx to ensure rapid and complete blood loss.

Why can't Muslims eat pork? ›

From a spiritual perspective, obeying divine commands is central to Islamic faith, and abstaining from pork serves as a testament to one's submission to Allah's will. Additionally, consuming pork is considered spiritually harmful, as it defiles the body and soul, hindering spiritual growth and purity.

Does Five Guys serve halal meat? ›

Five Guys does not serve Halal or Kosher meat in any of our UK locations. This includes the beef patties and the all beef hot dogs. Why does Five Guys not have a vegan burger? Five Guys is a family run company that was born as a single burger joint in Virginia back in 1986.

What is the religion of Ramsay? ›

Ramsey is an evangelical Christian who describes himself as conservative, both fiscally and culturally. He has blamed politics for what he considers Americans' economic dependence, and has said presidents should do "as little as possible" about the economy.

Who owns halal meals? ›

So, when Mohammad and his sister Ajmina Sheikh started a prepared-meal delivery company in Scarborough, they made sure all their practices were halal to feed Muslim customers. And they put it all in the name: HalalMeals.

Does KFC sell pork in China? ›

At Alltech's Annual Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, Joaquin Pelaez, senior vice president for product excellence at Yum! Brands, told the audience how Kentucky Fried Chicken has become the most recognisable brand in China – also with regard to pork.

Can Muslims use bone china? ›

The bones used as raw material can be classified as permissible (ḥalāl); if it is derived from halal animal which has been slaughtered in accordance with Sharī'ah. Meanwhile, if it is originated from forbidden sources such as carrion and pork, it is considered as non-permissible (ḥarām).

Can Muslims eat Chinese food? ›

Halal food is widely available in Chinese restaurants across the world, making it easy for Muslim diners to enjoy their favorite Chinese meals.

Can Muslims have dogs? ›

Nevertheless, Islamic scholars have tended to regard dogs' saliva as impure; practically, this means anything licked by a dog necessitates washing. Many Islamic jurists allowed owning dogs for herding, farming, hunting, or protection, but prohibited ownership for reasons they regarded as "frivolous".

Can Muslims eat lobster? ›

Is eating lobster halal? Yes, Muslims are permitted to eat lobster because it is halal and it's not harmful and in fact, contains numerous health benefits. And as a matter of fact, it has been backed up by the Holy Quran that any creature of the sea can be used as a provision for food.

Is it OK for Muslims to eat kosher? ›

Summing up, Muslim buyers can consume kosher products. Jewish buyers cannot do likewise with halal. For many Muslim buyers, non-alcoholic kosher food products are considered halal.

Why do Muslims prefer halal meat? ›

Muslims believe in what they see as the ethical treatment of animals. Halal practices align with this philosophy by promoting kindness, compassion, and humane treatment throughout the entire lifecycle of the animal. The emphasis on swift and painless slaughter respects the animal's dignity and minimizes suffering.

Does halal meat have less bacteria? ›

In general, the microbial analysis showed that halal slaughtering methods resulted in lowering the various microbial loads of poultry meat. Halal food is pure and wholesome and free of haram (forbidden) components.

What's the difference between halal meat and normal meat? ›

Halal meat is prepared following specific Islamic dietary laws, including a humane slaughter method. It ensures that cows, sheep, and other permissible animals are fed, raised, slaughtered, and prepared for consumption. The taste of meat can be down to personal preference.

Is halal guy meat healthy? ›

Halal meat is healthier because animals raised the Halal way are grown with much care versus animals raised on factory farms. Animals are free to graze, and are grass-fed with no antibiotics and hormones treatment. Any ordinary meat can't be certified as Halal unless it fulfills all guidelines set forth by Islam.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 6392

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.