Hollywood tends to steal the spotlight, but when it comes to Los Angeles allure, the downtown area is a destination in its own right. Colloquially known as DTLA, the district has now emerged as one of the city’s hippest neighbourhoods. Not only is it a hotspot for locals, but it’s also home to a handful of premier LA sites and attractions, including the Grammy Museum and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Over the past decade Downtown LA has enjoyed a cultural revival and is now so much more than simply the CBD. Luxury residential developments have revitalised its urban population, with chic restaurants, trendy galleries, artisan cafes and public parks popping up to meet the needs of its new residents.
LA isn’t popular for its public transport system, which means most visitors arrive by car or taxi. That said, the downtown area is well-serviced by the city's Metrolink rail transit system, which features six commuter lines.
Downtown Los Angeles is the city’s historic core, with the iconic El Pueblo de Los Angeles district marking the arrival point of the first settlers who arrived in 1781. For a more modern glimpse at the city’s roots, Grand Avenue is renowned as LA’s cultural corridor and is home to some of the state’s most illustrious arts institutions.