What is Downtown LA REALLY like in 2024?

Downtown LA is the urban center of the city, with better walkability, transit, and a little more energy compared to the rest of the car-centric county. I spent the day exploring DTLA to see what it's like today, from its parks, landmarks, safety, and cultural hotspots. Welcome to the city life, away from the Pacific!

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#losangeles #california #dtlaevents

tags: DTLA, downtown LA, los angeles, what is los angeles like, los angeles 2024, moving to Los Angeles

00:00 driving to DTLA
1:48 welcome to DTLA
2:35 pershing square (or district 12?)
4:18 walkability & safety
5:31 angel’s flight & walt disney concert hall
7:06 grand park (where is everyone?)
8:19 grand central market/last bookstore
9:15 little tokyo
10:23 arts district/homelessness
11:39 sunset hour/final thoughts on DTLA

[leeszikiat]

DTLA is unfairly thrusted a reputation that city officials forced it to have. If the city never instituted a “containment zone” for the poor and the desperate, it would not have the reputation it has among the general public. You can clearly see it’s trying to reinvent itself, and we should all root for a better downtown that continually develops into an urban neighborhood that it should be.

[inthegreatwide]

I am so, SO glad that you ended the day not hating on downtown. I lived there for the first 5 years I was in LA (going on 13 now) and I LOVED it. It still holds a special place in my heart and it is so widely misunderstood.

[LABoyko]

DTLA was a complete ghost town 35 years ago. The positive change was facilitated by the conversion of office buildings to residential housing. As the residential population grew, businesses serving those residents revitalized the microeconomy, bringing with it cleaner, safer streets, fun energy.

[mlabmb]

Why is it so empty? It's not like other major cities downtowns where there's people all over the place.

[seyi]

I feel like Fairfax/Melrose/Beverly Grove are that happy medium that you're looking for. Very, VERY walkable, lots of bars, restaurants, shops around, and that "West Coast" vibe of low-rise living.

[danlilly]

I usually visit LA 1X/year. Arriving on Amtrak at 0600 in the morning, I've learned DTLA is a pretty sleepy place. It feels like it kinda grinds itself to start the day instead of NYC which is just BAM! hit the ground running. They've definitely spent a lot of $$$ improving it over the last 20-30 years, and it shows. To see the vitality of LAUPT (Union Station) is heartening. LOTS of art everywhere which always leaves an impression on visitors. I like it as a neighborhood.

[chilicrisprichie]

Thanks for being open and positive about downtown. there is a LOT of work that needs to be done here, but there's also a lot to explore, experience, enjoy, taste, drink, etc. and it's fantastic in terms of walkability (as you mentioned), access to public transit, and living car-free.

[Wichamp]

Dtla might not be as great as downtown SF or downtown SD but it’s definitely the most improved part of LA. I hope it continues to trend in the right direction

[daves]

Lived in downtown for 8 years now. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else in LA. Almost everything I need is a quick walk from my place - groceries, bank, gym, restaurants, shopping. The parks I use often but not for lying around in the grass. Those parks host a lot of fun events like concerts, parties and music festivals throughout the year. Also, I didn't see much from the Historic Core on your video... it's where Grand Central Market is located and where a good part of downtown residents live and hang out. My loft is in a converted historical building from 1912 with restored original architecture and the halls are covered in marble. The gritty urban feel here brings in a certain type of person that makes it feel like you're hanging out with like minded people who have a similar vibe to you. So I'm all about Downtown Los Angeles. Btw, don't think many people living here call it DTLA.

[stevenstanley]

Great video, but you kind of missed my favorite part of DTLA which is the Historic Downtown. I love the old buildings, height limit and all, and imagining what this part of LA was like in the 1930s to 1950s/60s when movie palaces and department stores and then elegant hotels made it a busy urban hub where people actually went to shop, for entertainment, etc. (You missed the Bradbury Building, for one.) Still, a great walking tour that didn't require my walking anywhere!

[MarkPineOpinion]

It looks better than I thought it would look. That was an excellent tour.

[dbowe]

So I live in DTLA and will say that while the amount of crime is probably accurate, the types of crimes that typically happen are not the worst. It's mostly cars getting broken into, homeless folks fighting each other, or someone stealing from a store. A quick look at Crime Mapping will show the majority of crimes are not as heinous as one may think. But after living in multiple parts of NYC before LA, I can say that I was VERY prepared to live in DTLA and love it down here lol. The walkability in the neighborhood is just excellent compared to much of the city and there are so many really solid restaurants and bars. The nightlife scene is legit as well, definitely not pretentious for the most part. That said, I agree the park scene isn't as robust downtown as many would like.

[glamdawling]

I used to LOVE hanging with my friends in DTLA before the pandemic going to restaurants, pool bars, the movie theater, etc. I visited briefly after and nothing was the same.

[eeeveee]

moving back to CA in May. after living in texas for 2 years & i cant wait 😁

[johnshollenberger]

I like to go to Olvera Street, Chinatown and Little Tokyo.. I'm old school. I can take Metro Link from SB Station, then hang out. If I want to, I hop on the Red Line, go to Hollywood, hang out at Hollywood and Highland, come back get a IPA at Union Station then home. Nice video.

[steamymemes]

I went to little tokyo at around 11pmish and even tho everything was already closed, there were still a pretty decent amount of people walking around in the village. Can’t wait to go back to LA once Metro finishes their LAX project

[redredredredful]

Another great video. loving the review of a different area of LA…hope you do more areas

[Teisteafeitader]

Every time I go to L.A. Grand Central Market is a must go
Best donuts and also Tacos, as well as Pupusas there and yes ! Feels like being in a market back in Spain
Glad to see that DTLA is getting better

[alexanderschwarm]

Michael posts and the for a few minutes I feel like I'm listening to a friend share his day 🙉

[rexx]

DTLA is the only part of LA that feels like it has a soul. I no longer live in LA moved a decade ago, but I first "discovered" DTLA back around 2009 when it was on the upswing.