Outdoor Activities & Sporting Events
We have beautiful beaches, mountains and hiking trails! It’s easy to be active in LA: from biking The Strand to surfing at Dockweiler, hiking the Angeles National Forest to camping in the Santa Monica Mountains. Big Bear, Mountain High, Joshua Tree, Idyllwild, Santa Barbara, Carlsbad and Ojai are short drives from the city. LA is also home to many popular sports teams, including the Lakers, Dodgers, Angels, Rams, Clippers, Chargers, Kings and Ducks. Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knotts Berry Farm are less than 1 hour away from LA General.
Cultural Activities
LA is a global hub with tons of cultural activities. The city is home to a bustling Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Little Armenia, Little Bangladesh, Historic Filipinotown, Thai Town, Little Ethiopia, and more. These neighborhoods offer various activities and sightseeing that celebrate their respective cultures. There is also an abundance of museums, including the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), Getty Museum, Natural History Museum, Broad, Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens, Hammer Museum and others. Hollywood features the Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theater, and the Pantages Theater. For music lovers, the LA Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall and Hollywood Bowl host talent year-round. For more cultural activities and events, visit www.discoverlosangeles.com.
Restaurants & Food
LA’s food scene is home to hundreds of world-class dining spots and endless food trucks. Little Tokyo and Chinatown are 5 minutes from LA General; Grand Central Market and Downtown Los Angeles are 10 minutes; Koreatown is 15 minutes; the San Gabriel Valley is 15 minutes; Filipinotown is 15-20 minutes. There are farmer’s markets available year-round, and make sure to check out 626 Night Market, Smorgasburg, and EATS Con. It seems like every neighborhood in Los Angeles has a Farmer’s Market. Check out www.la.eater.com for the best food recommendations in the city.
Places to Live
Los Feliz/Silverlake/Echo Park: These three neighbors are situated in east LA 10-15 minutes away from the hospital and are a popular place for residents to live. Most of the apartments are in small buildings or double units. The price range is quite variable, though most are considered mid range expensive. The neighborhoods are considered "hipster" by many Angelinos and are home to trendy bohemian restaurants and bars. There are many parks and reservoirs for outdoor activities which are very pet friendly.
Westside: Santa Monica/Venice/Westwood: Many of our residents enjoy the beach and live on the westside of Los Angeles closer to the water. This area is considered more expensive than neighborhoods on the eastside but deals can still be found. The commute to the hospital is 30 minutes without traffic but can be longer during rush hour. That being said, many housestaff enjoy living in a beachside community and say the commute is manageable. There are a wide variety of restaurants and cultural activities that residents enjoy, including a large surfing community, the Boardwalk and Abbott Kinney Street in Venice and Main St and the Promenade in Santa Monica.
Pasadena: Many residents also live in Pasadena, which is situated at the end of the historic 110 freeway about 20 minutes from the hospital. This city is home to many great school districts and residents with families tend to choose Pasadena for their home. That being said, it is a larger city with many restaurants and bars in Old town Pasadena. Most apartments are mid range expensive and are usually in very nice buildings. Many of the streets are quite beautiful and are perfect for running or walking.
Highland Park/Monterey Hills: This is a popular spot for medical students and residents alike. It is 10 minutes away from the hospital and is considered an in-expensive option. Monterey hills is a community situated on the top of a large beautiful hill. The streets are lined with trees and flowers. Many people walk around with their pets and children every night to savor the beauty. Most of the apartments buildings are large and the units within are very large as well. Highland park is at the bottom of the hill and is considered an up and coming trendy neighborhood with many new restaurants.
Alhambra: Alhambra is considered by many Angelinos to have the finest Asian cuisine in the city. It too is a less expensive option and is 20 minutes from the hospital. Many residents enjoy living here and state that it has a small town feel next to a big city. Residents frequently go here for meals together to sample amazing dim sum and ramen cuisine.
Downtown: The vibrant downtown area of Los Angeles, located just three miles away from the Keck School of Medicine and the LAC+USC Medical Center, is home to several diverse, ethnic and cultural communities. The ongoing renovation and innovation of downtown Los Angeles has resulted in a flood of residential development. Bunker Hill and the Wilshire Center (located near the heart of Downtown) offers a truly urban mix of retail, dining and entertainment, as well as plenty of residential opportunities.