Orientation to California and the Greater Los Angeles Area
California has always ranked high on the list of places people around the world want to visit and it is easy to understand why.
Many visitors are attracted by California’s outdoor way of life. The warm, dry climate permits outdoor recreation almost the whole year round. The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range rises near the eastern border with Nevada. The shores of the Pacific Ocean
offer both sandy beaches and dramatic, rocky cliffs running all the way from Mexico to the Oregon border. The northwest coastal area is filled with thick redwood forests. And between California and both Arizona and Nevada are dramatic deserts that stretch across the southeast portion of the state. The difference in elevation and topography make it possible to be skiing in the mountains near Lake Tahoe and after a two hour drive later enjoying 80 degree weather along the coast.
California is the third largest state in land size after Alaska and Texas. The discovery of gold and the immigration in 1849 of thousands of “forty-niners” in search of the precious metal helped California’s admission into the Union in 1850 as the 31st state. Today, California has the highest population of any state in the nation and is America’s principal agricultural state. California’s capital, Sacramento, is located in the north central part of the state about 90 miles northeast of San Francisco.
Map 2: Airport Locations
Some attendees might find it advantageous to fly into Bob Hope Burbank Airport (BUR) located north of the downtown area. The same is true for Long Beach International Airport (LGB) which is home to Jet Blue Airlines which offers attractive non stop flights and great fares to east Coast Cities such New York, Boston and Washington. For the few who might be able to catch a ride in a private plane, expect to land at Van Nuys Airport one of the nation’s busiest.
The are two more airports which serve the greater LA area. Ontario International Airport (ONT) located about one and a half hours (more with traffic) east of the Downtown area. John Wayne Airport (SNA) is located about the same distance south of the City in Orange County. Most travel agents would offer the opinion that both of these airports are too far away to make them a viable option for those staying in downtown LA.
Details about Los Angeles
LAX: Los Angeles is served by three primary airports, the largest of which is Los Angeles International or LAX. It is located in the Santa Monica Bay on Highway 405 which runs north and south.
Marina Del Rey. Proceeding north of the airport, visitors will pass by Marina Del Ray, a man-made harbor with thousands of boats lying at anchor. Both sail and power boats are available for charter. This picturesque area offers it share of trendy restaurants and shopping. The Ritz Carlton Hotel is the anchor property in this area.
Venice Beach. Further to the north is Venice Beach although it has little resemblance to its namesake in Italy. Known for its boardwalk, legions of in-line skaters, Muscle Beach, and volley ball competitions, it is one of the best venues for people watching in California.
Santa Monica: Santa Monica lies further north at the confluence of the 405 and US 10 which runs east and west (otherwise known as the Santa Monica Freeway). The mood is decidedly upscale. The City offers great views of the ocean, a park-like setting, tremendous shopping and high class restaurants. Driving west on US 10 will bring visitors directly into the downtown area. See more in the detailed map including the location of the Los Angeles Convention Center and the headquarters hotels being used for the NAHC Annual meeting.
Malibu: The stars of the show are the sun and the ocean. At Santa Monica, many visitors access scenic Highway 1 which takes them along the ocean to Malibu, perhaps the most famous beach in all of the world. Multi-million dollar homes hang out over the cliffs overlooking the ocean, restaurants and parks dot the landscape but the star of the show is the sun and the water.
Brentwood/Westwood. Returning to Highway 405 and proceeding north, visitors will pass the areas of Brentwood and Westwood, which is famous as the location of UCLA.
Bel Air/Beverly Hills: The high rent areas of Bel Air and Beverly Hills are located north on the 405 and east of it towards Hollywood. This is the area famous for Rodeo Drive and movie stars homes.
Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, Westlake Village and Ventura. Where the 405 intersects with Highway 101, the Ventura Freeway, visitors will encounter Sherman Oaks and proceeding west will pass by Encino, Woodland Hills, Westlake Village and eventually arriving at Ventura on the Pacific Ocean.
Studio City, Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena: Proceeding east on Highway 101 past Studio City, Universal Studios Hollywood, Glendale, Burbank (home of the Bob Hope Airport and NBC Studios), visitors will eventually arrive in Pasadena famous for its Rose Bowl parade every New Year’s Day. Driving south on Highway 110, the Pasadena Freeway, will bring travelers past Dodger Stadium back to the downtown area anchored by the Convention Centers, the Staples Center, the Nokia Theater and the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.
USC, Palos Verdes and Long Beach: Continuing south on the 110 Freeway will take visitors past the USC campus with its famous Coliseum which has housed the l932 and 1984 Olympics and is home to the Number l ranked college Football Team, the USC Trojans. The freeway ends in San Pedro one of the largest ports in the world in terms of cargo shipped and received. Just to the West of this is Palos Verdes Estates, the location of many beautiful homes and the Trump National Golf Course. Located towards the west of San Pedro is the twin port of Long Beach. Long Beach Airport is located just off the 405.
Highlights of the Downtown Area
Downtown is defined on the west by ll0, the Harbor Freeway, on the east by San Pedro Street, on the South by US 10, the Santa Monica Freeway and on the north by 101, the Hollywood Freeway.
The Convention Center. The Convention Center is located in the extreme southwest corner of the rectangle described in the paragraph above. The Staples Center, the home to the LA Lakers is just to the north. Adjacent to this is LA Live, a combination of restaurants and public space. Just to the north of this at the corner of Olympic and Figueroa is the Nokia Theater, a brand new 7,000 seat, state of the art facility which opened in October of 2007. Further to the east of Olympic Boulevard at Los Angeles Street is the Fashion District. Four blocks north of this on Hill Street between 6th and 7th Streets is the Jewelry District, the largest collection of wholesale jewelry outside of New York and Hong Kong.
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel is located on 4th and 5th Streets in between South Figueroa and Flower Streets. Other hotels including the Sheraton and the Holiday Inn are nearby. They are all within walking distance to the Convention Center, but as a courtesy to attendees shuttle buses will be available to take them from the hotels to the Convention Center and back.
Spectacular Concert Venues: There are several fabulous concert venues located in the downtown area The newest venue is the Nokia Theater. Others include the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall with its daring design, the Ahmanson Theater and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles: There are many churches located in the downtown area. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles with its ultramodern design has been much celebrated.
Los Angeles City Hall. The building located on First and Spring Streets is famous as the backdrop for dozens of movies.
Little Tokyo: This district still boasts one of the highest concentrations of persons of Japanese ancestry. There is much to do and see here; great food and great shopping.
The Toy District and Gallery Row: Located off Broadway between 4th and 5th Streets is the Toy District which specializes in wholesale toy sales. As its name suggest, Gallery Row is home to a flurry of art galleries. |
