Travel Information

About Los Angeles
Airline Travel
Transportation and Services

About Los Angeles

The City of Los Angeles holds many distinctions. LA is the entertainment capital of the world, a cultural mecca boasting more than 300 museums, and a paradise of good weather. From tourist attractions like the Walk of Fame’s collection of stars (numbering 2,342, and growing by one or two a month) to career opportunities like those presented in the expanding biotech industry, Los Angeles is the place to be. It is the only city in North America to have hosted the Summer Olympics twice. Downtown LA is the largest government center outside of Washington, D.C. Los Angeles has the only remaining wooden lighthouse in the state (located in San Pedro’s Fermin Park) and the largest historical theater district on the National Register of Historic Places (located Downtown on Broadway).

Sept. 4, 1781, is the city’s official birth date, when 44 vecinos pobladores—village settlers from the Mexican provinces of Sonora and Sinaloa — made their home in what is now Downtown Los Angeles. Two of the 44 settlers were Spaniards, while the others were Indians, Blacks and Mestizos (of mixed ancestry). Here to greet the pobladores was a tribe of American Indians called Tongva. The Spanish named the new settlement El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles, or The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels. After the territory changed hands from Spain to Mexico, the town was officially declared a city in 1835. In August 1846, American soldiers entered Los Angeles, and the stars and stripes have flown over the city since January 1847.

Please visit the Los Angeles Conventions and Visitors Bureau website for more information at http://discoverlosangeles.com.

Weather

Southern California’s climate has often been described as “perfect” and with good reason. Most days are sunny and warm, with gentle ocean breezes in the summer. The humidity is low with little rain. In fact, there are no unpleasant seasons in Los Angeles.

• Annual precipitation: 14.89 inches
• Average sunny/partly sunny days: 325 days
• Average high temperature: 74º F
• Average low temperature: 56º F

View up-to-date weather information in Los Angeles

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Airline Travel

OFC/NFOEC Management has arranged discounted air travel with the American Airlines.  You may visit the American Airlines website at www.aa.com to search for available flights.  You will need the official OFC/NFOEC authorization code to receive your discount.  This code will be posted here in September, 2010.  You may also call the American Airlines Meeting Services Desk directly at +1 800.433.1790 for assistance with reservations and ticket purchases.    Please check back for the OFC/NFOEC discount code in September, 2010.

Los Angeles Airport Options

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Ontario International Airport (ONT)                 
• Bob Hope Airport - Burbank (BUR)
• Long Beach Airport (LGB)

For specific information on these airports, visit http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/getting-around/air/

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Transportation and Services

Convention Center Information
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90015

Phone: (213)741-1151
Parking: $12.00 (No In/Out or Over-night parking)
Parking and Traffic Information: Radio Station 1630 AM
The Los Angeles Convention Center is conveniently located at the intersection of the Santa Monica Freeway (10) and the Harbor Freeway (110).
For more specific information about the LA Convention Center, visit http://www.lacclink.com/

Convention Center West Hall Parking Directions and Metrorail Service
Metro Rail Blue Line: The Metro Rail Blue Line connects with all Metro Rail and Metro Link lines at Union Station and stops on Flower at Pico (PICO STATION), directly across from the Los Angeles Convention Center. Metro Rail fares average $1.70 each way. To plan your trip, call 1-800-COMMUTE or visit http://www.mta.net/riding_metro/

Driving Directions from Downtown Los Angeles to the Los Angeles Convention Center’s Parking Garages:

From the South
From 110 NORTH, transition to the 10 WEST, and exit immediately from the LEFT lane to PICO Blvd. The PICO off-ramp becomes CHERRY St. Turn RIGHT into the West Hall parking garage.

Alternate from the South
From 110 NORTH, exit at 9th St. RIGHT on FLOWER St. RIGHT on 11th. LEFT on CHERRY St. LEFT into the West Hall parking garage.

From the North
From 110 SOUTH, exit at OLYMPIC Blvd. LEFT at bottom of ramp onto BLAINE. LEFT on 11th St. Immediate RIGHT on CHERRY St, and LEFT into the West Hall garage.

From the East
From 10 WEST, transition to the 110 NORTH (Downtown). EXIT at PICO Blvd. The PICO off-ramp becomes CHERRY St. Turn RIGHT into the West Hall parking garage.

From the West
From 10 EAST, exit at GRAND Ave. Turn LEFT on OLIVE St., and LEFT on PICO Blvd. Turn RIGHT on CHERRY St. and RIGHT into the West Hall parking garage.

Alternate from the West
From 10 EAST, transition to the 110 NORTH, exit at 9th St. RIGHT on FLOWER St. RIGHT on 11TH St. LEFT on CHERRY St. LEFT into the West Hall parking garage.

From the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Take the Century Boulevard exit to the Century Freeway (105) East. Take the Harbor Freeway (110) North to the Santa Monica Freeway (10) West. Exit at Pico Boulevard and proceed northward.

South Hall Parking: Turn right on Pico Boulevard, turn right on Figueroa Boulevard, turn right on Venice Boulevard, turn right on Convention Center Drive and proceed to the parking entrance.

West Hall Parking: Cross Pico Boulevard and make a right turn at the intersection of Cherry and 12th Street into the parking garage entrance.

From the Burbank Airport
Exit the airport via Empire Avenue. Turn left on Hollywood Way (note direction sign to the Golden State Freeway (5) South at Empire and Hollywood Way Intersection), take the Golden State Freeway (5) South to the Harbor Freeway (110) South. Exit at Olympic Boulevard. Turn left at the bottom of the off-ramp onto Blaine St. Turn left on 11th Street.

South Hall Parking: Turn right on Figueroa. Turn right on Venice. Turn right on Convention Center Drive and proceed to the parking garage entrance.

West Hall Parking: Turn right at Cherry Street. Turn left at the intersection of Cherry St. and 12th Street and into the parking garage entrance.

From the Long Beach Airport
Exit the airport via E. Donald Douglas Drive. Turn right on N. Lakewood Blvd. Take ramp onto (405) Freeway North toward Santa Monica. Take the Harbor Freeway exit onto (110) Freeway going north toward Los Angeles. Take the Santa Monica(10) Freeway and exit toward Pico Blvd. Continue on Cherry Street. Turn right on West Pico Blvd. Turn left on South Figueroa Street. Arrive at 1201 South Figueroa Street on the left.

From the Ontario Airport
Exit the airport via E. Turn left towards Archibald Ave. Turn left to merge into I-10 W toward Los Angeles. Take exit 31A to merge into I-605 S. Take exit 19 to merge onto CA-60 W/Pomona Fwy toward Los Angeles. Take exit 1A for I-10 W/Santa Monica. Merge onto I-10W. Take exit 13 for CA-110 N toward Downtown. Follow signs for Pico Blvd/Convention Center. Turn right at Bond Street. Turn right at Convention Center Drive.

From Union Station
By Metrolink Rail: Take the Metro Red Line. Exit at 7th Street then transfer to the Metro Blue Line (Long Beach). Exit at Pico Boulevard Station. Then walk one block west to Figueroa Street.

Commuter Express from Downtown Los Angeles
Take route 413 - From Temple/Hill (Civic Center) to 11th /Figueroa Street (LACC).

Los Angeles Transportation Authority

Distance Commuters
Shuttle Services
Taxi Information
Rental Car
Useful LA Convention Center Parking Garage Information

Distance Commuters

Trains:  Amtrak Routes

For travelers visiting Los Angeles, and for weekend and day-trip jaunts to LA's surrounding attractions, Amtrak offers a convenient, scenic and cost-effective mode of transportation. Modernized and refurbished rail cars, new and improved services and newly enhanced amenities add to the fun. Taking Amtrak is also a "green" way to go, because traveling by rail contributes less per passenger mile to greenhouse gas emissions than cars and airplanes.
Visitors coming into LA from San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo can take the Pacific Surfliner trains, with 12 daily roundtrips between San Diego and LA, five from Santa Barbara and two from San Luis Obispo.

From Northern California or the San Joaquin Valley, the San Joaquin route offers six departures daily by train to Bakersfield and a direct motor coach connection to LA. 

The Coast Starlight service is also an exciting option for travelers from as far away as Washington State, Oregon and Northern California. With service from Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Oakland and Santa Barbara, LA-bound travelers can enjoy the stunning vistas, dense forests and Pacific Coast shorelines on their way to LA.
The Southwest Chief runs daily between Chicago and Los Angeles, crossing through Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas and Missouri.

From the Big Easy (New Orleans) to LA, the Sunset Limited travels along Amtrak’s southern-most route on a trip leaving you marveling at the diversity of its regional cultures and natural beauty.

For more info, call 800.USA.RAIL (872.7245) or visit Amtrak.com.

Union Station

The iconic rail annex first opened in May 1939. Since then, this historic station has become known as the “Last of the Great Railway Stations.”

In addition to long-distance Amtrak routes, Union Station serves two Metro subway lines (the Red and Purple Lines) and one light rail line (the Gold Line). Metrolink passenger trains also pass through this transportation hub and service five regional lines: Ventura County, Antelope Valley, San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange County.

Union Station
800 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Union Station FlyAway

What is it?
Union Station FlyAway is a fast, affordable ride between Downtown and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Tickets can be purchased from the FlyAway kiosk in the Patsaouras terminal. Remote baggage check-in and boarding passes are available.

When can you use it?
Buses depart every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., and each hour from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.   FlyAway buses run 24 hours a day.

Where can you board?
Union Station FlyAway buses leave from Bay 9 of the Patsaouras Transit Plaza adjacent to Union Station via the East Portal.

Cost: $6 each way
For more information, visit www.lawa.org/flyaway

Conference Shuttle Services

If you are staying at one of OFC/NFOEC’s official conference hotels,  complimentary shuttle services will be available to you as a guest of the hotel block between your hotel and the convention center.

City Shuttle Services

Below is shuttle information to assist planning your commute to other destinations within the city:

Metropolitan Express 1-800-266-6883 (1-800-COMMUTE) http://www.metropolitanshuttle.com/los-angeles-charter-bus.php

Primetime Shuttle 1-800-733-8267 (From LAX to the Convention Center – Approx. $14.00/person* ) http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/

Super Shuttle 1-310-782-6600 (From LAX to the Convention Center –Approx. $14.00 one way/person with discount* ) www.supershuttle.com
Super Shuttle is pleased to offer a 15% discount to participants attending OFC/NFOEC. Please refer to the Discount # FY4VN. Discounted reservations may be made on the Super Shuttle website or by phone. View the flyer (pdf).

LADOT/Dash/Commuter Express (213, 310, 323 or 818) 808-2273
* Prices subject to change

Taxi Information

The cab rate from LAX to the LA Convention Center would cost an estimated $45 to $55 not including tip. It is about 16.4 miles.

Rental Cars
Nearly 40 car rental companies serve Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ontario International Airport (ONT). At LAX, the major car rental companies have shuttles that pick up and drop off their customers. Arriving visitors can find these outside of baggage claim. Many car rental companies also provide phones inside or near the baggage claim areas, so travelers can request a free courtesy shuttle pick-up to reach the car rental sites. Before you arrive, ask your specific car rental company the best way to get to their location from the airport. At ONT, eight car rental companies are located on-site.

Avis Rent-a-Car is pleased to offer low rates with unlimited mileage to participants attending OFC/NFOEC. For reservations call +1 800.331.1600 and refer to Avis Worldwide Discount # D004076. Reservations may also be made on the Avis website.

Hertz Car Rental 1-800-654-3131
7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon - Fri
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sat - Sun

Budget Rent A Car 1-800-527-0700
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mon - Fri
8:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. Sat - Sun

You must be 25 years old and possess a valid U.S. or international drivers license to rent a vehicle. Speed limits and traffic rules are strictly enforced. If there are no posted signs, the maximum speed is 25 miles per hour on city streets and 65 miles per hour on freeways. California state law requires the use of seat belts for all passengers in all private vehicles. A right turn on red after stopping is permitted unless indicated otherwise. Always follow posted signs.

Useful Los Angeles Parking Garage Information

PARKING INFORMATION

View printable parking map

Los Angeles Convention Center  - Purple Areas on map
The convention center operates five parking garages.  These garages are noted as purple areas on the map.  Directions from each location to parking garage are listed in the directions area above.

LA Live / Staples Center Parking Garages  - Yellow Area on Map
There are 3,300 parking spaces at STAPLES Center with more than 16,000 parking spaces available within a seven to ten minute walk to the district.

East Garage (Lot E): Timed parking rates: $5 for the first 4 hours, with cinema validation (ticket purchase necessary); $5 for the first 2 hours without cinema validation; $5 for each additional ½ hour (or fraction thereof, $25 maximum);  30 minute grace period;
Flat rate: $10 for cars entering after 9:00pm, except Valet Level P2;
Valet Service:  Valet service is available on Level P2 from 4pm - 2am daily. Service charge is $5, in addition to regular timed rates.

West Garage (Lot W, Gates E and F): For L.A. LIVE visits of 2 hours or less, we also recommend using West Garage (Lot W, Enter on Georgia Street, turn on Access Rd.). Some establishments validate parking; please confirm prior to arrival.
Timed parking rates: $5 for first 4 hours, with cinema validation (ticket purchase necessary); $5 for first 2 hours without cinema validation; $5 for each additional ½ hour (or fraction thereof, $25 maximum);  30 minute grace period;
Flat rate: $10= Cars entering after 9:00pm;
Parking LOT W (West Garage) and LOT E (East Garage) are open 6am to 2am Daily.
Parking LOT 1 and LOT C open in reference to Staple Center events. No overnight parking or in and out privileges are permitted.

Private Parking Garages  - Green Area on Map
More than 16,000 parking spaces are available within a seven to ten minute walk to the Convention Center. These lots are privately owned and operated. Parking at these lots provides an affordable option to guests. Rates and hours of operation in these lots vary and are controlled by private management of the individual lots. 

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