LAist: What ELSE Travel Writers are Saying About Us

Elise Thompson

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:09:58 -0800

I see your point, Futureperfect, but these are huge areas that are not all barrios and could be aforded just a tad bit more respect. Hollywood is one of the scummiest neighborhoods in LA and I never see warnings to be careful. A traveler should be careful everywhere in LA. There are pockets of criminal activity everywhere. Compare the above entry to Yahoo Travel's entry: South Central and Compton: Although the South Central neighborhood of Crenshaw gained worldwide publicity as the center of the infamous 1992 riots, this area remains one of the city's best-kept secrets. Home to a great number of African-Americans, South Central communities such as Crenshaw and Leimert Park offer wonderful shopping, dining, recreation and live music clubs. It has also long been a place of culture and diversity, as evidenced by the African American Cultural Center and the Museum In Black.

futureperfect

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 15:16:28 -0800

being that Frommers is a tourist website, this really isn't out of line. i really doubt that the out-of-towners would appreciate being recommended to visit boyle heights. it's one thing if you live in la and are generally familiar with the area, but i know when i'm on vacation anywhere, i don't really want to be sent to the crappiest part of town. and yes, boyle heights is the crappiest part of town, no matter how you slice it. actually, make that macarthur park, minus langers.

Elise Thompson

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:23:40 -0800

Today is Sunday. At 4pm they start the drum circle in Leimert Park. Please, please, please go there. It is a professional drum circle and the music is beautiful. Please go. Just once. Say hello to people. Eat at Phillip's. Try a bean pie. Let the neighborhood surprise you. Smile.

mercurydc

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:17:38 -0800

I think its pretty spot on. These are ugly,boring, brutish,dirty neighborhoods that most real angelenos avoid. Most of LA is a barrio except for a few areas that are nice but very expensive.

Elise Thompson

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:58:39 -0800

I actually just drove by Florence and Normandie two weeks ago to visit a friend. Last week I was in MacArthur Park eating tamales, then Redondo Beach for dinner, then in Echo Park watching bands. This week I was on the Sunset strip watching more bands, then Hollywood and Los Feliz. Oh, and I was just on the cover of the Watts Times marching for the Jena 6. I spend a lot of time in a lot of parts of this town. Check out my blogs. That's why I know that South LA and East LA neighborhoods are not all poor barrios. These neighborhoods have much more to offer than just being remembered as the site of a hate crime. If you click on the word "Frommers" in the post and read the article, it is not a guide to tourist traps from the Chinese Theater to the Santa Monica Pier. It is a summary of neighborhoods in Los Angeles. I think it is insulting to lump together East LA and South LA under the banner of "This is where NOT to go. These places have nothing to offer, and if you go there you will end up like Reginald Denny because there are angry people there who want to hurt you." For example, this summary is true of both neighborhoods. See the difference: (Silverlake) Leimert Park has arty areas with unique cafes, theaters, graffiti, and art galleries -- all in equally plentiful proportions. The local music scene has been burgeoning of late. I think they deserve better. That is my point.

cutephase

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:55:02 -0800

btw, i ask that question in a general sense, not at the writer of this story.. i havent been on that corner either

cutephase

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:15:25 -0800

besides the strip of most tourists visit from downtown to santa monica.. most of Los Angeles IS a barrio..i dont see your point and when is the last time you were standing on the corner of florence / normandie... no? didnt think so