Los Angeles/South Central

South Central is a large region of Los Angeles made up of the neighborhoods south of Downtown L.A. This is a relatively impoverished area of the city, infamous for gang violence and for being the epicenter of major race riots in the 1960s and 1990s. However, despite its negative reputation, it would be a mistake to overlook South Central; the crime rate has improved considerably and the area offers some wonderful cultural attractions for visitors. This is where you will find the campus of the University of Southern California, the museums and stadiums of Exposition Park, the famous Watts Towers, and significant centers of African-American culture.

Get in
South Central L.A. is characterized by a grid system of streets spread across a vast area. The major streets are wide enough to prevent too much traffic congestion, although they can make walking a challenge.

Metro operates public transit in L.A., and the bus system in South Central is well-developed, with frequent service on most major streets. Three rail lines also serve South Central: The Line, which runs north-south parallel to the 110 Freeway, operates between Downtown and Long Beach and offers easy metro access to the Watts Towers. The Line also connects the area to Downtown, serving Exposition Park and the USC campus before heading west along Exposition Blvd to Culver City and Santa Monica. The Line cuts east-west through the southernmost part of the area, running down the median of the 105 Freeway and connecting with the Blue Line at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station. Additionally, the Line express bus line operates on a busway along the 110 Freeway, running through the area between Downtown and San Pedro; note that the Silver Line requires an extra fare in addition to the standard Metro fare.

Exposition Park
Just south of the University of Southern California campus, in a square formed by Exposition Boulevard, Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Vermont Avenue, and Figueroa Street, is this complex of stadiums, museums, and gardens (including a massive rose garden) that make up one of the primary attractions in the area.



Do

 * University of Southern California hosts many musical and theatrical performances throughout the year that are free or cheap. USC football games are one option. Tickets can be purchased on campus at the Ticket Office next to Tommy Trojan, but can sometimes be hard to come by.
 * Go to a Baptist (or AME) African-American Church for a peek into local spiritual culture.
 * Go to a Leimert Park coffee shop at night for some spoken word or freestyle rap.
 * Go to a Baptist (or AME) African-American Church for a peek into local spiritual culture.
 * Go to a Leimert Park coffee shop at night for some spoken word or freestyle rap.

Drink
Lots of cheap bars abound. For a peek into Greek university student life head to the 2-9 a few blocks west of Figueroa (just north of USC) or the 9-0 right on Figueroa (USC students' favorite dive).

Stay safe
South Central has long had a reputation for violence. It was the scene of the 1992 L.A. riots and is known for producing the Bloods, Crips, and other notorious gangs. Although its reputation has preceded itself over the past couple of decades, it's no longer quite as dangerous or violent as some might suggest &mdash; though it's still not really a destination for the average tourist. While muggings still occur, most happen at night on smaller streets. Stay in groups of at least three if you must be on foot.

Go next
The cities and neighborhoods that border South Central include the following:


 * Downtown LA - Located northeast of South Central, downtown Los Angeles has been revitalized, and is now home to the impressive architecture of Disney Concert Hall, sporting and concert events at Staples Center, and a variety of dining and lodging options.
 * Wilshire District - Located to the north of South Central, the Wilshire district is home to Koreatown, as well as attractions that include the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Peterson Auto Museum, and the world-famous La Brae Tar Pits.
 * Culver City - South Central's western neighbor is a city that features an ever-increasing array of impressive dining options and is home to Sony Pictures Studios.
 * Inglewood - Located southwest of South Central, Inglewood is a tough neighborhood but attracts some visitors to sites such as the landmark Randy's Donuts.
 * Hawthorne - Bordering South Central to the southwest, Hawthorne is home to several aerospace companies including SpaceX, and is an option for those needing lodging near Los Angeles International Airport.
 * Gardena - Gardena is a residential community that borders South Central to the southwest.
 * Carson - South Central's southern neighbor is the home to the LA Galaxy soccer team, which plays at Dignity Health Sports Park. The NFL's Los Angeles Chargers are also playing at that stadium until they move into the Rams' new Inglewood stadium in 2020.
 * Compton - A rough neighborhood located to the south of South Central, Compton has been the home of numerous hip-hop and rap musicians, as well as tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.
 * Lynwood - The city of Lynwood is South Central's southeastern neighbor.
 * Gateway Cities - The Gateway Cities of South Gate and Huntington Park border South Central to the east.