| Sunday, July 16, 2006 |
| MEGALOPOLIS |
As we pen blogs about our life and times in LA, we want everyone to be on the same page. So, for those unfamiliar with the LA area, here is a basic map breakdown so that when I reference an area you will know what kind of vitals* I'm talking about. (*These are just my personal impressions.)
DOWNTOWN - Just like any major metropolitan downtown; busy and tall. Most people don't live downtown. Lots of non-entertainment industry offices here.
HOLLYWOOD - Has the sign, the Kodak & Chinese Theaters, the walk of fame, lots of bars & nightclubs, and has the Sunset Strip cutting right through the middle. There are a lot of people who live in the greater Hollywood area (including MANY big shots in the hills). This area is crazy any day/night of the week.
BEVERLY HILLS - Nothing extra special, except it is VERY well manicured and the homes are VERY nice. It's right next to Hollywood, so the transition into this mainly residential area is abrupt. Lots of expensive small shops/shopping centers here (including Rodeo Dr.).
WEST HOLLYWOOD - On the other side of Hollywood. Also known as "boy town." A very safe, well kept up area. Not as crazy busy as Hollywood, but close. You don't have to be gay to live here, but it's encouraged.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - This is a very large area just north of Hollywood (on the other side of the mountains). The valley contains:
-- BURBANK - A very "normal" area with a good combination of large shopping centers and small boutiques. At times, Burbank may even evoke a small town feel. Most studios have headquarters in Burbank. (Walt Disney Studios, Disney Channel, ABC studios, NBC Studios, Warner Bros., and Universal Studios are all in Burbank.) A lot of the population works at the studios.
-- PASADENA - NOT in the valley, but just to the northeast. Home of the Rose Bowl/Parade. A pretty upscale hood.
-- GLENDALE - Another "Burbank-esque" area. Very nice. Pretty quiet. Normal but busy.
-- NORTH HOLLWOOD - Just west of Burbank. Has it's share of both good and bad parts.
-- VAN NUYS/ ENCINO/ SHERMAN OAKS/ THE REST OF THE VALLEY - Haven't really been in these areas. Probably more of the same, not as crazy as the "city" but crazy enough.
THE OC (Orange County) - This is a very large area that I am generally categorizing as South LA (south of Downtown). The OC includes Anaheim, Irvine, and Huntington Beach. (Many more, but those are the big three.) I don't know much about this area except that Disneyland is in Anaheim and Irvine is one of the safest cities in America.
There are MANY, MANY more cities & towns in the greater Los Angeles area, but these are the key areas we will touch on (for now).
Click on the map for better visual reference.
--CJW |
posted by CJW @ 7/16/2006 07:28:00 PM   |
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