Downtown Los Angeles

When I first moved to Los Angeles, Downtown was another country. Some folks thought you needed a passport to go there. Because there was no there there.

But not anymore—Downtown LA is experiencing a renaissance. This once unexplored urban terrain is now called DTLA, and is booming with great restorations and cutting edge architecture.

The food scene is one to watch and can be best epitomized in the revitalized Grand Central Market, which features family-owned food from around the world side-by-side with gourmet food-trucks-turned-food-stalls. One of the newer developments of DTLA is the Arts District, one of the hipper regions which features trendy farm-to-table restaurants, premium espresso spots, microbreweries, and artsy lofts.

DTLA is even set to get its own streetcar system in 2020. Let’s not forget, DTLA is walking distance (in a city where no one walks) to Staples Center, LA Live, and the LA Convention Center.

For more information about unexpected destinations to visit, check out:

• Six Offbeat Alternatives to Crowded Destinations
• Escape the City With Affordable Road Trips
• The Best Places to Visit Using Your Tax Refund

By Peter Greenberg for PeterGreenberg.com