The Guide to Downtown Los Angeles
Mention historic Downtown Los Angeles and the words “renaissance” or “revitalized” are seldom far behind. Since the turn of the millennium, DTLA has become a diverse, vibrant six square miles studded with world class hotels and myriad entertainment, cultural, dining and retail attractions beneath its distinctive glittering skyline. Furthermore, as the hub for the city’s urban rail system, Downtown makes a great base for adventures further afield.
At the heart of DTLA is L.A. LIVE and the adjacent Los Angeles Convention Center. With its Arts District, Fashion District, Gallery Row, Jewelry District, and even Toy and Flower Districts, not to mention colorful Little Tokyo and Chinatown, Downtown LA rewards visitors with endless attractions in an amazingly compact space.
TAP into Downtown. There’s no need to rent a car in DTLA, with so much of the area walkable and served by convenient Metro stations, some of which are tourist attractions in themselves. And Metro’s fare-capping structure means you’ll never need to pay more than $5 a day or $18 a week when using a TAP card (available online, from station vending machines and at many retail partners). Base fares remain at just $1.75 with transfers free for two hours.
There are dozens of Metro Bike Share Stations with hundreds of bikes available day or night, including the Civic Center, Arts District, Chinatown and Little Tokyo.
And if you want to ride on the cutting edge, Waymo offers autonomous car service throughout Downtown LA.
CityPass offers up to 48% off tickets to LA's best theme parks and attractions, including DTLA destinations like the GRAMMY Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Whether you're looking for concert tickets, pro sports games, arts & theatre or family-friendly events, Ticketmaster has you covered.
Take a culinary vacation with the Japanese Breakfast, featuring a choice of fish or vegan tofu and seasonal veggies.
A West Coast take on the classic American diner inside The Hoxton hotel that serves up unpretentious “come as you are” hospitality and locally sourced ingredients.
French-inspired rooftop brunch offered on Saturdays and Sundays, with a la carte dishes and prix fixe options for 3, 4 and 5 courses; along with Mimosas, Bellinis and cocktails.
Authentic French bakery and bistro open at 8am daily, with everything on its menu of baked specialties, soups, salads, sandwiches and drinks handmade daily.
If you’re making a slow start after a late flight or long journey, brunch on California-inspired comfort food at this aptly named eatery nestled in the fragrant Flower District.
Award-winning Modern American eatery located in the rectory building of cathedral-turned-event-venue Vibiana, with an extensive weekend brunch menu (including cocktails!).
Open Thursday-Saturday, the slick rooftop restaurant of The Wayfarer hotel is a brunch oasis with unforgettable city views from its 12th-story perch.
Grand Central Market is LA's largest and oldest public market (since 1917). The 30,000-square-foot arcade is teeming with eateries and retail outlets, all augmented with dynamic public programming.
LA's oldest public house, Cole’s opened in 1908 and serves classic cocktails to pair with the French Dips it claims to have invented.
A favorite of Dodger fans on game days, Philippe's was also established in 1908 and likewise says it invented the French Dip.
A Michelin-starred French bistro in the Arts District, Camphor serves classic French cuisine with South and Southeast Asian influences, Le Burger and French-inspired cocktails.
Tucked inside ROW DTLA, the two Michelin-starred Hayato offers an authentic kaiseki experience in an intimate, seven-seat setting.
One of LA's best food halls, Mercado La Paloma is home to Gilberto Cetina's Michelin-starred Holbox, featuring seafood from coastal Mexico that showcases SoCal and Baja California ingredients.
The epitome of contemporary LA cuisine, Josef Centeno's Michelin-starred Orsa & Winston features a five-course Italian-Japanese tasting menu for $150 that changes daily.
Savor the Conrad hotel’s Spanish-Californian San Laurel restaurant from José Andrés before or after enjoying a performance at The Music Center across the street on Grand Avenue.
Adjacent to Crypto.com Arena, L.A. LIVE is home to the Peacock Theater, The Novo, the GRAMMY Museum, 19 eateries, Lucky Strike Lanes and Regal Cinemas.
Unique multidimensional hub of culinary exploration and extravagant entertainment comprising multiple cosmopolitan concepts on the eighth floor of the adjoining Moxy and AC Hotels.
At Bavel, the husband-wife team behind Bestia showcases Middle Eastern feasts meant to be shared, inspired by family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey and Egypt.
This showcase for chef Sujan Sarkar's New Indian cuisine offers group options from booths along Flower; to banquettes and a communal table in the bar/lounge; and a private event space.
In 2018, Top Chef alum Antonia Lofaso opened DAMA, a pan-Latin indoor-outdoor restaurant at City Market South. Large plates like whole snapper and crispy pork shank are ideal for groups.
Located on the edge of Chinatown, David Chang's Majordomo offers groups large format dishes like Whole Plate Short Rib, private dining and full buyout.
Named a 2023 Michelin Bib Gourmand, Rossoblu is a Northern Italy inspired gem located in City Market South that can host an intimate wine dinner or a gala for 3,000.
Take a culinary journey down the Pan American highway, from the Argentine-inspired Leña steakhouse to the coastal cuisines of Mexico, Central and South America at Corteza.
Just $1 for a one-way ride (50 cents with a TAP card), "the world's shortest railway" carries passengers between Grand Avenue and Hill Street and has featured in 100+ films.
A must for history and architecture enthusiasts, this 1893 Romanesque Revival, with its five-story skylit atrium, cage elevators and ornate ironwork, has appeared in multiple movies.
The family-owned Fugetsu-Do has specialized in mochi for over 120 years. Along with traditional mochi, creative offerings include Peanut Butter Mochi, Korey's Chocolate Mochi and Rainbow Dango.
A century-old standout cinema in the Historic Broadway District, which boasts 12 beautifully restored movie theatres that host screenings, concerts, comedy and more.
“The last of the great train stations,” Union Station is the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western U.S. that serves travelers with Metro Rail, Metrolink and Amtrak.
America’s largest membership-based historic preservation organization, the LA Conservancy connects locals and visitors with the city's history through walking tours and special events.
Enjoy free general admission to this world-renowned collection of contemporary art, including two incredible, immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms by Yayoi Kusama.
Founded in 1872, Exposition Park is the home of the California African American Museum, California Science Center and the Natural History Museum.
The original GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE is a wonderfully interactive experience including videos, touchscreens, recording booths, and a collection of GRAMMY Award-related artifacts.
A 22,000 square-foot readers’ wonderland comprising Cali’s largest new/used bookstore plus comics, records, five art studios, a yarn store – and a famed, Instagram-friendly book tunnel.
Devoted exclusively to art across all media produced since 1940, MOCA is LA's only artist-founded museum with a permanent collection of nearly 8,000 works.
Stroll the Arts District for contemporary art at Hauser & Wirth; art and architecture books at Hennessey + Ingalls; and red-hot restaurants like Camélia and Cha Cha Chá.
A cultural mecca for foodies at OG restaurants like Hop Woo and modernist Majodomo; numerous shops; the iconic Bruce Lee statue; and events at LA State Historic Park.
Spanning The Music Center to City Hall, the 12-acre Gloria Molina Grand Park hosts year-round public events, from DJs at Sunday Sessions to LA's largest free NYE party.
Learn about the founding of Los Angeles with interactive exhibits that explore Mexican and Mexican-American identity in a 2.2-acre campus surrounded by 30,000 square feet of public gardens.
With roots dating to the 1880s, this major cultural and civic center for Japanese Americans is one of only three official Japantowns in the U.S.
Home to the Ahmanson Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall; and the LA Phil, LA Opera, Center Theatre Group and Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Opened in 1930, Olvera Street is home to dozens of shops, restaurants and landmarks like LA’s oldest standing residence, the Ávila Adobe; and David Alfaro Siqueiros' América Tropical mural.
A vibrant, open-air urban center offering a diverse coming-together of curated shops, artisans and premier retailers – and all just a few convenient steps from 7th Street Metro Center Station.
Santee Alley is one of LA’s premier outdoor shopping destinations and a highlight of the 100-block Fashion District with 2,000+ apparel, footwear and fabric shops.
Curated collection of shopping, dining and fitness destinations including the Taste Food Hall with Oleego by Parks BBQ, Indus, New Moon Café and Twist & Grill.
A 30-acre city-within-a-city offering 100+ retail outlets, Smorgasburg on Sundays, and dinner options including Michelin-starred Japanese and Taiwanese; artisanal pizza and an oyster bar.
Opened in 2018, with easy access from the Metro E Line, this 22,000-capacity home of Los Angeles Football Club and Angel City FC also hosts concerts, special events, and festivals.
Home of the NBA Lakers, NHL Kings and WNBA Sparks, Crpyto.com Arena also hosts some of the biggest concerts, awards shows and family events unmatched by any arena.
Overlooking DTLA, this uniquely picturesque hillside home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and host for big-name concerts also offers behind-the-scenes stadium tours year-round.
Storied “Greatest Stadium in the World,” home to the USC football team for 100+ years, the only stadium that has hosted two Olympiads, and a historic venue for superstar concerts.
Brewpub on bustling Traction Avenue with 30 rotating taps, an expansive patio and Skee-Ball.
This hidden gem beneath the streets of the Arts District is renowned for craft cocktails served in a posh two-room setting.
Women-owned bar with a nautical theme, tropical cocktails and a popular Happy Hour in a Little Tokyo strip mall.
Overlooking the bustling 7th Street Corridor, Seven Grand is an acclaimed whisk(e)y bar with an extraordinary collection of bottles from around the world.
Modern beer hall with communal tables offers Belgian and German beers on draft; and sausages that range from classic brats to exotics like rattlesnake and rabbit.
Take a dip in the infinity pool with picturesque views, sip craft cocktails and nosh on elevated bar bites. Relax on a lounger or in your own private cabana.
Cocktails, wine and shared plates from James Beard Award winners Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne.
Carnival-inspired poolside carousel bar at Level 8 with DJs, capoeira dancers and tropical drinks.
Follow the neon green lime to this rooftop hidden gem in the Arts District. Like the Mexico City original, the Mid-Century design draws influences from Acapulco to Palm Springs.
Spire 73 is the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere and boasts 360-degree city views from the 73rd floor of the InterContinental Hotel Los Angeles Downtown.
Dating back to 1926, a $12-million restoration brings The Belasco’s carefully curated dance nights and live shows firmly into the here-and-now with state-of-the-art sound and lighting.
From the team behind Teragram Ballroom, this 1,500-capacity venue books an eclectic calendar of live music, along with the VIP Looking Glass Lounge and Hi-Fi Pizza Pi.
Indoor/outdoor 21st-floor nightclub with astonishing city views, a sleek contemporary vibe, and adjacent to the Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant.
Housed in the former LA Stock Exchange, this 25,000-square-foot venue is a see-and-be-seen nightclub, event space, and host to glamorous award shows and premiere parties.
The stunning 1927 Mayan straddles “then” and “now” with diverse dance nights and concerts enhanced by stadium-quality audio gear, intelligent lighting, and panoramic LED displays.
"Confess your sins" for entry into this Gothic cathedral themed nightclub at Level 8, featuring stained glass and live luchadore wrestling.