Some help for a story set in Los Angeles

[PennLady]

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could help me out. I have a few questions, and will likely have more, for a story I intend to set in Los Angeles. I was there once when I was 14, which was *cough* years ago. I've picked up a few things here and there, and can check internet maps and all, but have some other questions, not so easily googled.

I'll try to check back here, but it's probably faster to get me via my profile.

Thanks,
PennLady

 

[fuckwaffle]

i visited once, but i did stay in a holiday inn express last night so i might be able to help you.

 

[3113]

Plenty of Angelenos here. What is it you want to know? Remember, unlike most cities L.A. is spread out and out and out. And whatever area you're in you mostly stay in as it's a drive to get to others (a long drive at peak traffic hours). Which part of L.A. are you interested in?

Two movies if you want to re-aquaint yourself with L.A. (amazingly, neither is that dated though both are going on 20 years old): L.A. Story with Steve Martin and Pulp Fiction.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

3 is right. L.A. is alive with AH pervs. There're her, Stella, me, mynameisben and several more. We pretty much cover the Basin. Whaddya wanna know?

 

[mynameisben]

Two movies if you want to re-aquaint yourself with L.A. (amazingly, neither is that dated though both are going on 20 years old): L.A. Story with Steve Martin and Pulp Fiction.

If your story is set on the West Side, as most of them are, then I highly recommend L.A. Story as well. Steve Martin hits the nail on the head with that movie, and the L.A. mindset has changed very little in the 20 years since.

I think I'll go add it right now to my Netflix queue.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Depending on the genre, China Town is recommended as are any of the Raymond Chandler flicks. Of course, that was a while ago but there is still a lot of his 'action' going on.

 

[TxRad]

Thankfully, I got out of LA back in the very early 70's. The only thing I miss is surfing in the morning and snow skiing in the afternoon.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I'm not leaving the Hollywood Bowl!

 

[Stella_Omega]

if you want the East side, that's my stomping grounds. We got... Cheech and Chong. Lords of Dogtown.

 

[PennLady]

Wow, thanks

Well, let's see. The story will be one of my hockey stories. The main female character will be a local LA news reporter (print for now, I'm such a traditionalist , and she will first meet the main guy at LAX. I've barely started it. What I have so far is that she was attending an LA Council meeting at LA City Hall, and then she has to go to the airport. I checked a map, and a friend tells her to take I-105 instead of I-110.

So, first -- is either of those what you'd take to get to LAX? Do you really refer to the roads as "the 110" or "the 105" as I've heard? Is there a back way or short cut that a local Angeleno might use to get there?

Where might a young reporter live? I'm guessing she'd have to have roommates/housemates to make ends meet? I'm usually pretty vague on these things in my stories anyway, but I don't want to get it utterly wrong.

I am aware of LA's traffic issues (hey, I lived in DC for 15 years and they had them too), and plan to work that in somehow.

Thanks,
PennLady

 

[Stella_Omega]

Well, let's see. The story will be one of my hockey stories. The main female character will be a local LA news reporter (print for now, I'm such a traditionalist , and she will first meet the main guy at LAX. I've barely started it. What I have so far is that she was attending an LA Council meeting at LA City Hall, and then she has to go to the airport. I checked a map, and a friend tells her to take I-105 instead of I-110.

So, first -- is either of those what you'd take to get to LAX? Do you really refer to the roads as "the 110" or "the 105" as I've heard? Is there a back way or short cut that a local Angeleno might use to get there?

Where might a young reporter live? I'm guessing she'd have to have roommates/housemates to make ends meet? I'm usually pretty vague on these things in my stories anyway, but I don't want to get it utterly wrong.

I am aware of LA's traffic issues (hey, I lived in DC for 15 years and they had them too), and plan to work that in somehow.

Thanks,
PennLady

From City Hall, you would take the 110 to the 105. Traffic is slow, and possibly stop-and-go but hardly ever immobilised. The 105 is always faster, and it's elevated in many places so that you look down at the houses, and strings of palm trees. The mountains are almost always visible to the north, unless there is a haze filling the basin.

If you're using the Diamond lane-- with a passenger-- the interchange swoops up over three levels of freeway, and swings in a right angle before it brings you down. It' like a rollercoaster's highest peak. I'm always half-wondering if an earthquake will hit just now...

 

[mynameisben]

Well, let's see. The story will be one of my hockey stories. The main female character will be a local LA news reporter (print for now, I'm such a traditionalist , and she will first meet the main guy at LAX. I've barely started it. What I have so far is that she was attending an LA Council meeting at LA City Hall, and then she has to go to the airport. I checked a map, and a friend tells her to take I-105 instead of I-110.

So, first -- is either of those what you'd take to get to LAX? Do you really refer to the roads as "the 110" or "the 105" as I've heard? Is there a back way or short cut that a local Angeleno might use to get there?

Thanks,
PennLady

It seems to be an even split. Half the time the freeways are referred to by number, half the time by proper name. A general rule of thumb is that if the freeway is in your routine travel path, it's called by name. If not, then it's more likely to be called by number. There are exceptions. The Harbor freeway, the Santa Monica freeway, and the Santa Ana freeway are rarely referred to by number. The 105 freeway has a strong following who still refer to it as the Century freeway because of a long-standing joke that it took 100 years to bust through the red tape to finally get it built. Plus it runs parallel to Century Blvd on its way to LAX.

Definitely, Harbor Fwy to the 105 to LAX from city hall. Nothing else makes sense, unless there is a Sig alert.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

The use of the article 'the' in front of the freeway number is one of those things that sets apart the SoCal dialect from basic West Coast. Those of us who are natives say it that way. However, as ben pointed out, we are also likely to use the name of the freeway, especially if it's one of the older ones. If your reporter is a newbie, she might not be aware of the tradition. However, if she's been here a while it will be part of her vocabulary.

 

[3113]

It all depends on where your lady lives or is leaving from (work? home?). There is, for example, Sapulvada (a street) which you can take from LAX to Lincoln--that'll get you up through to Marina Del Rey, Venice and Santa Monica (backwards if you're going from Santa Monica or Venice or Marina Del Rey) to LAX rather than taking the 405 (and yes, you want to say "the"--we refer to freeways the way other places refer to rivers).

Other parts of LA would have you take the 10 Freeway to the 405.

Where you start from is what matters. To advise you on where your lady starts from we need to know what her income is, interests, background. Is she living downtown? Or is she in more hip areas? Or more upscale?

If this is a Hockey Story, then you're undoubtedly going for the Kings. The big action will happen at Staples center. If your lady is lucky (or if invited by someone special) she will watch the game from one of the boxes. These boxes have glass fronts that jut out. Behind the glass are like three or so rows of tiered seats where the box visitors can watch the game. I don't recall for sure, but there's about 12 seats or so. Right behind those seats is a living room area with couches and chairs, a wet bar, flat screens to showing the game.

Food and dessert carts come around to the boxes, or you can head out and down by elevator to the food area and bring back what you want with you.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Those of us who consider ourselves 'working class' stiffs are sure that all reporters live in Westwood, drink white wine and eat brie. This is probably slander. If she's single she might dream of living in a rent controlled apartment in Santa Monica but more likely she lives much more modestly. BTW, those box seats at Staples Center are pah-rye-see! Either she's a guest of the team because she's interviewing the hockey star or her paper got tickets as a business expense. Must be nice . . .

 

[3113]

Those of us who consider ourselves 'working class' stiffs are sure that all reporters live in Westwood, drink white wine and eat brie. This is probably slander. If she's single she might dream of living in a rent controlled apartment in Santa Monica but more likely she lives much more modestly. BTW, those box seats at Staples Center are pah-rye-see! Either she's a guest of the team because she's interviewing the hockey star or her paper got tickets as a business expense. Must be nice . . .

Rent controlled apartments exist in Santa Monica--if you've been living in them for like 20 years. But when someone moves out, the price goes up pretty much to the usual market value ($1500-$2000 for one bedroom/two bedroom). There is no chance of her moving into a rent controlled apartment for a mere $600 as it was years ago.

Yes, the boxes are pricey. BUT many companies have a box--or share the cost of one between several companies--and allow certain employees access to them. So if you know someone who works for such a company, say, a sporting goods company, you might well get an invite to said box.

 

[PennLady]

Wow. Thanks.

My reporter is in her mid-20s or so, and of course will fall for the hockey player. I imagine her salary isn't great (no idea what LA reporters make), and hence I was thinking she'd have room- or housemates.

Yes, the team will be the Kings. She'll meet a player who's recently been signed/traded to the team at the airport and eventually she'll fall for him, of course. She is at the airport to meet her sister, though.

So I guess some basic things I need are:
-- where might a person like her live? Near UCLA? In the city center in an apt w/roommate?
-- would she drive to work? use public transit?
-- is there anywhere around Staples Center to hang out (like Verizon Center in DC?) or is it more outside the city (like the Philadelphia stadium)?
-- and of course, there's the whole getting to the airport thing

For the last, I currently have someone advising her to take the 105 all the way around to the airport, citing an accident on the 110. If this isn't right, I'll change it, as it's not a big deal, just trying to put in a little atmosphere.

PL

 

[3113]

So I guess some basic things I need are:
-- where might a person like her live? Near UCLA? In the city center in an apt w/roommate?

The area around UCLA is too expensive unless she's a student as there is student housing.

Let's try this. What sort of neighborhood would you have fun writing about her being in? Do you want her in a neighborhood that's a bit dangerous, but has hole-in-the wall restaurants, independently run clothing and such stores (as compared to the usual chain stores)? Or do you want her near a big shopping mall with the big stores and bustle? Do you want her to be near theaters, concerts? Downtown is a pretty exciting place and near the Staples center. Or are you interested in Hollywood with it's Walk of Fame, tour buses, etc? Is your lady a native or a transplant?

-- would she drive to work? use public transit?

She HAS to have a car or she's never going to get to the Airport. It's nightmarish to try and get there with public transport--and to get back with her sister and her sisters luggage? BUT she can minimize driving if she's close to work. Some parts of L.A. have great buses.

-- is there anywhere around Staples Center to hang out (like Verizon Center in DC?) or is it more outside the city (like the Philadelphia stadium)?

The center is an indoor stadium and across the street from a complex with movie theaters and restaurants.

 

[PennLady]

Let's try this. What sort of neighborhood would you have fun writing about her being in? Do you want her in a neighborhood that's a bit dangerous, but has hole-in-the wall restaurants,

I think I'd like her in a fairly colorful neighborhood, one that has its drawbacks but has things like the local restaurants to make up for it. I don't usually say much about a person's neighborhood (I usually keep such details very vague and leave it up to the reader; hell, I often don't specify where anything is taking place).

She HAS to have a car or she's never going to get to the Airport. It's nightmarish to try and get there with public transport--and to get back with her sister and her sisters luggage? BUT she can minimize driving if she's close to work. Some parts of L.A. have great buses.

Ok, a car it is. I think I meant more like, would she use a car to get to work, or would she rely on public transit. Obviously it would depend on where she lives, but I was curious. When the story opens, it doesn't matter, as she knows she'll have to go to the airport and hence has her car.

The center is an indoor stadium and across the street from a complex with movie theaters and restaurants.

Thanks. I will look up Staples Center but this is good to know.

 

[CharleyH]

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could help me out. I have a few questions, and will likely have more, for a story I intend to set in Los Angeles. I was there once when I was 14, which was *cough* years ago. I've picked up a few things here and there, and can check internet maps and all, but have some other questions, not so easily googled.

I'll try to check back here, but it's probably faster to get me via my profile.

Thanks,
PennLady

What year? Edit to add: Sorry, too little to late maybe.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I think I'd like her in a fairly colorful neighborhood, one that has its drawbacks but has things like the local restaurants to make up for it. I don't usually say much about a person's neighborhood (I usually keep such details very vague and leave it up to the reader; hell, I often don't specify where anything is taking place).



Ok, a car it is. I think I meant more like, would she use a car to get to work, or would she rely on public transit. Obviously it would depend on where she lives, but I was curious. When the story opens, it doesn't matter, as she knows she'll have to go to the airport and hence has her car.



Thanks. I will look up Staples Center but this is good to know.

Reporters aren't badly paid. She could probably afford a studio in the Fairfax area which is chock full of those things you're looking for. Or if she has a roommate, then a two bedroom isn't out of the question.

 

[3113]

I think I'd like her in a fairly colorful neighborhood, one that has its drawbacks but has things like the local restaurants to make up for it. I don't usually say much about a person's neighborhood (I usually keep such details very vague and leave it up to the reader; hell, I often don't specify where anything is taking place).

It's useful not to specify if location doesn't matter. But if you're putting her in L.A., it seems a shame to be vague. Why not Any-city with an imaginary hockey team if you'd rather not detail her surroundings and ambiance?

For a colorful neighborhood, you want Stella's neck of the woods (essentially Silverlake). There are areas where rent would be affordable with or without roommates--but homes/apartments might be old, run down, have bars on windows and such. This is, nevertheless, a good place for a person who wants inspiration for newspaper articles (what kind of articles?). She'll be among the young and hip--people who are artistic, have informed opinions, and are doing new and interesting things--and not a chain store/restaurant in sight. It's an exciting part of town.

If she is in Silverlake, then she most definitely will be driving, probably even to work. Stella can correct me here if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall that mass transit isn't so good in that area of town.

On the other hand, you can get some of the best (if most expensive) coffee in the whole of L.A. there from this place: Intelligencia

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Silverlake has the added advantage of interesting geography. The place is very hilly with houses jutting out from the slopes like stairsteps and canyons full of local vegetation where even the most inventive architect couldn't manage to put a building. The streets wind back, forth and around and are always in need of re-surfacing. 3's right. It's definitely a cool location, especially for "swingles".

 

[mynameisben]

A news reporter in L.A. without a car? That's as ridiculous as Batman taking the metro bus to chase down villains in the streets of Salt Lake City.

 

[PennLady]

Silverlake sounds excellent. I'll use that. Just out of curiosity, what's the public transit situation out there?

3113 -- I definitely want to add some local color, and I don't want to make up a hockey team. I'm writing this for a friend who lives in the LA area, so that's why I wanted some details.

I believe CharleyH asked about the year, and if it makes a difference, it's just present day. I pretty much set all my stories in the present.