Unsafe Areas, Los Angeles

Well pretty much... los angeles aint that bad... just some parts like East L.A.. some parts of south central...im from East L.A... i'm 18 been to juvenile hall...juvenile camps... and county jail...im not bad... its just what i had to do to survive...ive robbed and did all that stuff...so yea stay outta East L.A

Regarding the crime rates you may hear in L.A, you have to consider the size the city is. The larger the city, the higher the crime rate and it's just simply because of it being more populated. But if you were to compare city-size to crime rate ratios, you should notice that it's not that much different really than any other city. Yes, there are crimes that are gang-related and also yes, you should stay clear from certain neighborhoods such as areas in south central, but mostly because as a tourist you are unfamiliar with the area and there isn't anything as far as entertainment going on there anyways. Also consider that California, especially Los Angeles, is a melting pot for many different kinds of people, so if you're concerned about sticking out, I would not worry at all. There is non-stop tourism in L.A. A day doesn't go by without seeing someone who doesn't fit it (and trust me when I say the non-fitters are almost always locals). So I way enjoy yourself and take any regular precautions you would normally take if you were going out in your own city. Just use regular common sense.

In the whole LA area I personally feel, and have experience from living here, that it is as safe as anywhere while in a car. People talk about all these neighborhoods being dangerous, and I am not saying they are not, but as long as you are in a vehicle on MAJOR roadways I would not worry at all.

I have personally been through all these areas during the day, and never felt in danger at all. People will get into to trouble when you decide, hey lets turn off MLK and start going through some neighborhoods in South Central LA, not a good idea in LA, or any city to cruise through 1 or 2 lane streets in gang infested neighborhoods.

I would feel a little unsafe walking around these neighborhoods, that people are mentioning, during the day on major roadways (Downtown is fine during the day). I mean you can get mugged anywhere, but its not nearly as likely on a 6 lane road with many people out. Walking around side streets and into not so reputable neighborhoods is never a good idea, I do not care what city you are in. Walking around bad neighborhoods at night, major roadways or not, I would definitely not recommend.

In reality none of these dangerous places are places a tourist would have any desire to go to so it does not really matter anyways. If in a car I would not worry at all on any major roadway in LA, if walking around I would listen to others peoples suggestions and use common sense, i.e. not walking alone down alleys in Hollywood at night.

I would feel safe in just about all of Orange County along the coast, day or night. There is not much reason to be anywhere else in Orange County except to go to an Angel's or Duck's game or Disneyland and those areas are safe, and heavily patrolled with police during events.

For people who have never been to California it is not really a pleasant state to not have a car in because of how spread out everything is (maybe SF you can get by without one, no where else really). I definitely recommend renting a car if you do not bring your own. Personally I would not want to visit CA without one as our public transportation is not nearly what it is in other states/countries. You will definitely run into more danger (and shady people, not to mention bums) trying to use it than driving around on your own, and driving is also a lot more convenient here.

On the off chance you are thinking about staying in a hostel, as it is a viable option in some countries, DO NOT in CA or America. I did not even know we had them here until about a year ago when I randomly saw one in South LA. I would not stay at one under any circumstance.

Alright, people here are a little misinformed of what is and is not a safe part of the greater Los Angeles region. LA is not that bad of a city. Yes it does have crime, but most of it is gang-related. Rarely does a tourist get caught up in that kind of violence (unless your in the wrong place at the wrong time kind of deal). LA is a very spread-out city with a diverse population and it seems like every ethnic group has its own town (e.g. koreatown, little tokyo, chinatown, little armenia, little ethiopia, thaitown, filliapinotown, even a little bangladesh, all of these are little districts designated by the city) I have been living in LA for most of my life (nearly 25 years) and here is my two-cents:

Good/Ok Parts:

Hollywood: West of the 101 and Los Feliz area/Griffith park (daytime only, unless there is some event at the Greek Theatre, then there is a lot of police)
Downtown: Only between 6am-8pm, when all the buisness people are at work, after 8pm, unless there is a Laker game or other event at LA Live. Also since people have started to rent apartments in downtown during the last 7-8 years, Broadway has started to get a little lively at night as well.
Long Beach: Downtown/harbor area
Santa Monica, Malibu, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Century City, Westwood, Hancock Park, Mid-City West (West of La Brea, North of Olympic): for the most part good/very good areas
K-town (koreatown/mid-wilshire): Ok, lots of bars/clubs/24hrs places
South Bay: Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes, some parts of Torrance, Westchester (near the beach/LMU side + LAX)
Culver City: some parts are good (downtown area is pretty lively)
South Central: Only 'good' parts I can think of is Baldwin Hills (the 'so called' Black Beverly Hills), Ladera Heights
Eastside (East LA): cant think of any
San Fernando Valley: Pretty good
Northern LA: (Eagle Rock, Glendale) ok

Not So good parts:

Hollywood: East Hollywood, most things east of the 101
Downtown: Skid Row (aka Central city east) is the capital city of homeless people in the US. Between 3rd and 7th Sts. around Alameda - anyway just stay out of that area, its kind of shady, just old businesses and homeless down there.
Long Beach: East and North Long Beach, stay away, its just an extension of South Central LA.
South Central : Stay away from this area (For the most part anything south of the I-10, west of the 710/5, east of the 405, north of San Pedro) unless you are seeing the watts towers or look at the old buildings of West Adams/USC.
Westlake/MacArthur Park: Stay away, unless you are going to visit Langers Deli, which ironically closes at 4pm because this neighborhood is on the not so good list. It looks like a different world in this part of town (like a third-world country almost).
Mid-City: pretty ghetto
East LA: stay away (anything east of the I-5)
Northern LA: stay away from Highland Park, Lincoln Heights

Probably one of the most infamous areas of south LA is the area and within 216th Street, which is essentially located in Torrance, just west of the Harbor/110 Freeway. In the 70s it wasn't so bad but this place is known for murders. A ton of racial tension so don't think it'll be cool to just cruise this area at night. Don't even consider it.

As long as you aren't a dumbass or dressed like a complete slutty whore (as sexy as you may think it is), just have your wits about you, no matter what city you are in. But if you're young and drive a badass car, you will always be frowned up by certain people (of all races!).

Just north of Torrance is Gardena, where the Hustler casino is located. I didn't feel too unsafe i the parking lot but the surrounding areas seem pretttty shady. Not somewhere I would want to be walking around at night.

First off - Los Angeles has NEVER been the murder capital of the USA! Compton may have been, but very few tourists are going to go to Compton.

Whittier included in a list of unsafe areas of LA? Please! Certain areas of Whittier should be avoided - but as above - those areas will have not interest for a tourist. Anyone venturing out there is likely interested in President Nixon, the Pio Pico Manison, the college, or wants to hike in the Puente Hills. These areas are perfectly safe to be in.

The areas to avoid in LA simply are not of general interest to the average tourist. Use a guidebook or ask at your hotel and they will direct you to the tourist spots. You won't find yourself unattentionally in a sketchy area unless u simply are not paying attention. Downtown is great to walk around in daytime. Use commonsense, don't flash money, and avoid the area directly west of the 110 freeway,or east of Main Street. Stay out of the 3rd Street tunnel if you are on foot, unless you wish to be mugged! At night be sure you are driving if you must be out(going to the Music Center, restaurant, or attending a Dodger game for example.)

I wouldn't put a blanket stay out label on South central, Inglewood, or East LA. On the other hand know where you are specifically going in those areas and don't drive around aimlessly. Hollywood Park is located in Inglewood - thousands of horse race fans enjoy a day at the races here each year. A specific reason to go to Watts is to see the Watts Towers - if you wish to do so - know that they have limited hours so be sure to call before making the drive. The problem with all the scaremongering is that it causes visitors to ACT scared if they find themselves in an area known for lack of affluency, crime, gangs, whatever. If you go to these places, relax, act confidently, and be on your guard - you should be fine!

Los Angeles is a beautiful city with much to see and do - does it have some "unsafe" area where more caution is required then others? Yes. Is it unsafe? With the exception of the LAPD(they are often thought of as another gang!) - No.

STAY OUT OF SOUTH CENTRAL Ive been there To visit family there and the police was around almost everyday. I also been hearing that someone got shot. A block away there was a shooting. And kids also rob other kids, theres also a lot of tagging everywhere you go. People are also robbing gold chains people are wearing lately.

When driving down Florence and Normandie, be wary of a man in a green suit and purple bow tie, sitting on what looks like an old leather trumpet case. He usually sits at the SE corner. When you pull up with your windows down he will come up to your car, pull his pants down, put his butt in your car through your side window, and take a dump in your car.

I take the same street to work every day for the last seven years. I've seen this guy, who i call "El Dumpo Fiasco", do it about four times a year. I once saw him take a dump in this lady's escalade. He had to step on the side steps of the SUV. It was a monster dump. I could see it from behind the escalade, it came out looking like a burned sausage. The lady got so pissed she jumped out of her escalade and attacked the guy. The guy ran off yelling something like "Stay up Cain!!!". It was crazy.

Weird thing is, he always targets white cars. Just make sure to put your windows up if you see the guy in a green suit and purple bow tie.