Outdoor Activities & Sporting Events
LA is abounds with exciting outdoor activities. The beaches in SoCal are renowned for their festive piers, surfing, beach volleyball, campfires, and biking trails. There are also many spots for biking and hiking, namely Griffith Park, Mount San Antonio, and Runyon Canyon. Also, the Joshua Tree National Park is only a 2 hour drive from the city. Only an hour outside the city, you can find snowy mountains for skiing, rock climbing, and picturesque views of waterfalls, flowery hills, and more. LA is also home to many popular (championship caliber!) sports teams including the Lakers, Dodgers, Clippers, Rams, and Kings. For more ideas of outdoorsy things to do in LA, visit www.timeout.com.
Cultural Activities
LA is a global hub making cultural activities easily accessible to city residents. The city is home to a bustling Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Little Armenia, Little Bangladesh, Historic Filipinotown, Thai Town, Little Ethiopia, and more. These neighborhoods offer various activities and sightseeing that celebrate their respective cultures. There is also an abundance of museums in LA, including the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Getty Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Broad Museum, the Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens, the Hammer Museum and others. Hollywood features the Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theater, and the Pantages. For the music lover, the LA Philharmonic performs world-class shows and venues like the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Hollywood Bowl host talent year-round. For more cultural activities and events, visit www.discoverlosangeles.com.
Restaurants, Food, & nightlife
LA’s food scene is home to hundreds of world-class dining spots and countless more food trucks. There is a wide variety of ethnic food options, giving locals the opportunity to sample cuisines from all over the world. There are also farmer’s markets available year-round in many LA neighborhoods. Check out www.la.eater.com for the best food recommendations in the city.
Nightlife in LA is abundant with many neighborhoods filled with various entertainment experiences. Nearby, Little Tokyo and Arts District are filled with restaurants and adjacent areas including Old Town Pasadena, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills offer various shopping experiences.
Places to Live
Los Feliz/Silverlake/Echo Park: These three neighbors are situated in central/eastern portion of LA, 10-15 minutes away from the hospital and are a popular place for residents to live. Most of the apartments are in small buildings or double units. The price range is quite variable, though most are considered mid-range expensive. The neighborhoods are considered "hipster" by many Angelinos and are home to trendy bohemian restaurants and bars. There are many parks and reservoirs for outdoor activities which are very pet friendly.
The Westside: Santa Monica/Venice/Westwood/Beverly Hills/West Hollywood: Many of our residents enjoy the beach and live on the westside of Los Angeles closer to the water. This area is considered more expensive than neighborhoods on the eastside but deals can still be found. The commute to the hospital is 30 minutes without traffic but can be longer during rush hour. That being said, many fellows enjoy living in a beachside community and say the commute is manageable. There are a wide variety of restaurants and cultural activities that residents enjoy, including a large surfing community, the Boardwalk and Abbott Kinney St. in Venice, Main St. and the 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica, and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
Pasadena: Many residents also live in Pasadena, which is situated at the end of the historic 110 freeway about 20 minutes from the hospital. This city is home to many great school districts and fellows with families tend to choose Pasadena for their home. That being said, it is a larger city with many restaurants and bars in Old Town Pasadena. Most apartments are mid-range expensive and are usually in very nice buildings. Many of the streets are quite beautiful and are perfect for running or walking.
Highland Park/Monterey Hills: This is a popular spot for medical students, residents, and fellows alike. It is 10 minutes away from the hospital and is considered an inexpensive option. Monterey Hills is a community situated on the top of a large beautiful hill. The streets are lined with trees and flowers. Many people walk around with their pets and children every night to savor the beauty. Most of the apartments buildings are large and the units within are very large as well. Highland park is at the bottom of the hill and is considered an up and coming trendy neighborhood with many new restaurants.
Alhambra: Alhambra is considered by many Angelinos to have the finest Asian cuisine in the city. It too is a less expensive option and is 20 minutes from the hospital. Many residents enjoy living here and state that it has a small town feel next to a big city. Residents frequently go here for meals together to sample amazing dim sum and ramen cuisine.
Downtown: The vibrant downtown area of Los Angeles, located just three miles and minutes away from the Los Angeles General Medical Center and the Keck USC Hospital, is home to several diverse, ethnic and cultural communities. The ongoing renovation and innovation of downtown Los Angeles has resulted in a flood of residential development. The Arts District, Bunker Hill, and the Wilshire Center (located near the heart of Downtown) offer a truly urban mix of retail, dining, entertainment, as well as plenty of residential opportunities.