Because of this you will see street signs through LA printed in both Spanish and English. Be sure to visit Olvera Street where you can catch a sight of the historic monument to El Pueblo de Los Angeles. This old Mexican market place is the oldest part of downtown LA.
It is not just the Mexicans who have made Los Angeles part of their culture. It was the architect Frank Lloyd Wright who said: "If you tip the world over on its side everything loose will land in Los Angeles."
This could just as well have been a reference to the thousands of migrants who have come to LA. They include Armenians, Chinese, Cambodians, Filipinos, Guatemalans, Iranians, Israelis, Indians, Japanese, Koreans, Pakistanis, Salvadorans, Samoans, Thais and Vietnamese. These people have made a home away from home for themselves in LA setting up Chinatown, Filipino Town, Little Tokyo, Little Ethiopia Little Persia, Little India, Little Gaza, Little Armenia, Korea Town, and Thai Town. In each community you may find that signs are printed in both the native language and English. One example of how prominent foreign cultures are in LA is Grauman's Chinese Theatre. This impressive-looking indoor movie theatre is done in Chinese style and located off the historic Walk of Fame where you can see street stars for each movie star.
But while LA is incredibly mixed, it is also very segregated. The historically tense areas such as South Central are still hot spots of tension infused with gang violence.
As if addressing the issue one of the main tourist spots is now the Museum of Tolerance on West Pico Boulevard which holds many exhibitions on tolerance and racial integration.
No matter where you come from in Los Angeles, having a car is essential. It is the only real way to get to and from LAX international airport, and to the areas of natural beauty which surround the city suburbs such as the Pacific Ocean. Griffith Park, one of the largest city parks in America is also worth visiting by car. Make sure you have a good map or a tom tom system before setting out. The local radio stations will also give you valuable travel advice about which accidents to avoid. If you do get stuck in a jam there is a freeway grid which allows some freedom of movement so having a plan b or alternative route in mind is always a good idea. Despite being a world class city LA has some sub standard roads in areas such as Wiltshire Boulevard so watch out for these. And as long as you look out for the dedicated left-turn traffic lights at major intersections you should be fine.
