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Los Angeles, California City Guide

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Los Angeles Meeting Planning

Los Angeles City

The city of Los Angeles is known as many things: the leading supplier of entertainment to the world; a hub for international trade and commerce; and a cultural icon for arts, fashion and literature. The city also has an established history with hosting events, including both the 1932 Summer Olympics and the 1984 Summer Olympics. With top-notch accommodations and facilities, a year-round mild climate and fun-loving people who know how to entertain, Los Angeles welcomes roughly 25 million visitors each year.

By car, train or plane, guests have no trouble arriving to this West Coast hotspot. Fewer than five hours by car from big cities such as San DiegoSan Diego
San Diego Skyline, Fresno and Las Vegas, the city is easily reached from farther distances through the Los Angeles International AirportLos Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport. Serving 69 international destinations and 87 domestic destinations, LAX welcomes nearly 62 million people each year. The city's accessibility is further heightened by several additional airports, all of which are fewer than 45 minutes from downtown.

Transportation around Los Angeles is just as easy. The county's Metro system of 200 bus lines and four rail lines connects visitors to any point in the area, while the quick, affordable DASH Downtown buses offer service to points of interest such as Chinatown and Union StationUnion Station
Union Station. Thanks to LA's well-maintained elaborate system of freeways, traveling by car is one of the most viable options for traversing the city. Under a new program that has expanded pick up services, visitors can easily flag down one of the over 2,300 taxis operating in the downtown area.

Entering downtown, planners can enjoy a wealth of meeting facilities suited for groups of all types and sizes. The stunning glass and steel Los Angeles Convention Center is within walking distance of 14,000 hotel rooms. Inside, the center boasts 720,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, 64 meeting rooms and a 299-seat theater. Amenities at the convention center are equally impressive, from the three food courts to on-site parking for over 5,500 vehicles.

Nokia Plaza

Also making a statement on LA's meetings and events scene is the 5.6-million-square-foot entertainment campus L.A. Live. This 27-acre mixed-use development boasts over six blocks of entertainment venues, restaurants, cinemas, bowling lanes, music clubs and museums. From the 7,100-seat Nokia Theatre to the 15,000-square-foot pan-Latin Conga Room, L.A. Live has venues to accommodate presentations, receptions, team-building activities and more.

Versatility is the name of the game for venues spread throughout the city of Los Angeles. Need something cutting edge? The stainless steel Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry, can seat over 2,000 people. What about a taste of Old Hollywood? Host to countless premieres and three Academy Award Ceremonies, Grauman's Chinese TheatreGrauman's Chinese Theatre
Grauman's Chinese Theatre is one of the most sought-after venues for private events and screenings.

Soak up the California sun by hosting an event among the 18,000 plants at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Or, wait until the sun goes down to make the most of LA's vibrant nightlife. Restaurants and clubs such as Koi, SpagoSpago
Spago and Geisha House offer fine food and trendy music to liven up events of all sizes.

No matter the venue, events and meetings in Los Angeles benefit from the city's many eco-friendly initiatives. LA was the first city to require city-owned buildings to be built according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications. Plus, nearly 10 percent of the city's power is generated from renewable resources. Hybrid vehicles are available from rental car agencies such as Advantage and Midway, while public transportation features several clean-burning, natural gas buses. Hotels, restaurants and unique venues are quickly adopting green policies as well.

University of California

International trade, entertainment, aerospace, technology, petroleum, fashion and tourism dominate LA's economy. The contiguous ports of LA and Long Beach also comprise the 5th busiest port in the world. Six major Fortune 500 companies are located in the city, including Northrop Grumman, Occidental Petroleum and Health Net. Los Angeles is home to 200 colleges and universities, including the University of Southern California, UCLA and Pepperdine University.

Key Statistics

About Los Angeles / Additional Info

Hollywood

Now the 2nd largest city in the nation, Los Angeles began in 1781 as a small pueblo of about 44 settlers. The settlement remained a small ranch town for decades, and it was not until the arrival of railroads and the discovery of oil in the late 19th century that the city began to skyrocket in population. By 1900, over 100,000 people called Los Angeles home. The 1920s brought the motion picture and aviation industries to the city, which then surpassed one million residents by 1932.

Today, the "City of Angels" is home to about 3.8 million people, making it the largest city in the state of California. LA's people create a diverse cultural mosaic, representing 140 countries and speaking 86 different languages. In fact, the city is one of only two in the nation to lack a majority population. About 47 percent of its residents are Hispanic or Latino, 29 percent are white, 13 percent are Asian/Pacific Islander, 9 percent are African American and 0.3 percent are American Indian.

Exploring this melting pot of cultures is easy to do thanks to a number of ethnic enclaves spread among the city's 498 square miles. Stroll Historic Filipinotown's colorful crosswalks, decorated with traditional Filipino basket weaving patterns. Enjoy a night out at one of the over 1,000 bars, clubs, karaoke studios, dance halls or pool parlors at Koreatown in Mid-Wilshire. Savor dim sum at Chinatown favorites such as Ocean Seafood Restaurant. Los Angeles also has the largest Thai population outside of Thailand, a fact visible in the restaurants, markets and shops lining the streets of Thai Town.

South Bay California Coastline

In addition to touring its colorful neighborhoods, LA's pleasant Mediterranean climate was made for enjoying a variety of recreational activities. With 75 miles of coastline, the city is home to several popular beach areas, including the eclectic Venice Beach and the casual Hermosa Beach. Also on the coast, the much-loved
 Santa Monica PierSanta Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier welcomes over four million guests a year with its novelty shops, oceanside restaurants and admission-free Pacific Park. Back inland, hiking, biking, walking and golfing are among the many activities enjoyed at spots such as Griffith Park, one of the largest parks in North America.

Los Angeles' indoor attractions certainly match the excitement of its outdoors. View over 5,000 masterpieces at one of the three facilities of the Museum of Contemporary Art in LA, the only museum in the city dedicated to contemporary art. Experience an earthquake at the California Science Center in Exposition Park. Or, get lost in the night sky at the viewing telescopes at the
 Griffith ObservatoryGriffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory, home of one of the largest public solar telescopes in the United States.

The observatory isn't the only place in Los Angeles where guests can star-gaze. Known as the entertainment capital of the world, the city is the site of countless television and movie sets and celebrity residences. No trip to LA would be complete with walking among the industry's biggest stars at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Guests can also see memorabilia from their favorite films, including Rocky's boxing gloves and Indiana Jones' whip, at the Hollywood Museum. Or, get into the action on the Warner Bros. Studio VIP Tour, which travels backlot streets, sound stages, sets and more of the working studio.

Los Angeles Skyline

LA's nightlife shines just as brightly as its stars. Dance the night away at LAX or Level 3. Sip one of over 50 creative cocktails at Lola's in West Hollywood. Sample rare beer finds from across the globe such as Chimay White Cap Tripel and Samual Smiths Oatmeal Stout at Library Bar. In addition to drinks, guests find entertainment of virtually every genre, from jazz to rock 'n roll to gospel to alternative, at venues such as the NOKIA Theatre, House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, and Key Club.

For a more low-key night out, hop aboard a dinner cruise offered by Hornblower Cruises & Events or Spirit Cruises & Yacht Parties. Or, stay on shore and set up an after-dark barbecue at one of the public grills on LA's beaches. Guests can also cap off the night with a sweet treat from Pinkberry, whose South Korean-style frozen yogurt has tempted the taste buds of actors such as Leonardo di Caprio and Kate Hudson. From dancing the night away at trendy clubs to a stroll on the starlit beach, the nightlife options in Los Angeles are just as eclectic as this larger-than-life city itself.