Trustroots Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:CouchSurfing "conversion" issues

2013-02-27T13:54:04Z

Headtrip: Add discussion about incorporation

This reads like a heavily biased diatribe and may not be the most constructive way to encourage people to make the switch to BeWelcome.

* A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benefit_corporation benefit corporation] and a b-corp are the same thing.
* CouchSurfing is [http://www.bcorporation.net/community/directory/couchsurfing still listed] on B-Labs website. Doling out allegations of falsifying applications to B-Labs with no proof discredits the author of this document. Aside from that B-Labs has no authority, they merely provide a consulting service to help corporations meet state guidelines.

[[User:Gardner Bickford|Gardner Bickford]] ([[User talk:Gardner Bickford|talk]]) 21:52, 22 December 2012 (CET)

:A Benefit corporation is defined structure by US law in several states (which clearly have authority), a B corporation is merely a label given out by a private third party organization called B-Lab (which you claim has no authority). As far as I understood a Benefit corporation can not at the same time be a C corporation. Whereas CouchSurfing is a legally C corporation given a B corporation label. So how can B corp and Benefit corp be the same thing? They might be close but in the United States a C corporation "is legally bound to the singular purpose of profit-maximization for its shareholders". So I struggle to see how these are the same thing.
:I understand that false allegations are not the best way to show anything. But looking at this from a bigger perspective we see that couchsurfing has a history of bending the truth, or at least not doing much to rectify any false claims, especially when they have been made in the advantage of couchsurfing. See for example [http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Non-Profit_Corporation this page] claiming that "it is impossible for couchsurfing to make a profit" and that "it cannot be sold". I know I have written those words myself, but that was because was given the impression that this was truly so. Moreover this page has not been changed since January 2008. I'd say the burden is with couchsurfing whenever there is any form of doubt.
[[User:Guaka|guaka]] ([[User talk:Guaka|talk]]) 10:56, 23 December 2012 (CET)

* Re: the ''falsified'' B-Labs certification. As I understand it, the author wanted to point out the fact that no matter ''how'' CouchSurfing got the B-Labs certification, that certification was issued roughly at the same time as the for-profit conversion (August 2011). That means that whatever the B-Labs looked at, was still from the no-profit company. How on Earth can they certificate the behaviour of something that has not yet started to exist remains unexplained.
[[User:Trave|Trave]] ([[User talk:Trave|talk]]) 16:54, 24 December 2012 (CET)

==Corporation==
The page is incorrect from the very beginning when it says CouchSurfing was created as a non-profit entity. I didn't make any changes yet because it has been translated into many other languages as well, but let me clarify from what I know.

Casey Felton the founder of CS and did incorporate the company in New Hampshire. The reason for incorporation primarily for a small business is primarily to limit the liability of the owners in case of something bad happening. If someone gets hurt and blames Couchsurfing, you can blame the company, but the owners are considered separate from the company and it protects their personal money and property. This means CouchSurfing HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CORPORATION!

Now Casey had submitted a request for non-profit 501(c)(3) status meaning that the corporation is considered a public benefit and different tax rules would apply. That pretty much is all 501(c)(3) means because it can still make a profit even through it is not allowed to pay dividends and distribute said profits. But the IRS decided that Couchsurfing did not fit any existing category for a non-profit and the application was denied. Again, COUCHSURFING WAS A CORPORATION AND NEVER A NON-PROFIT.
[[User:Headtrip|Headtrip]] ([[User talk:Headtrip|talk]]) 14:54, 27 February 2013 (CET)

User talk:Headtrip

2013-02-08T21:02:09Z

Headtrip: talk

(Be)Welcome at Couchwiki and thanks for your contributions. [[User:Midsch|Midsch]] ([[User talk:Midsch|talk]]) 19:44, 8 February 2013 (CET)
:First of all: sorry for hacking into Orange County with the header while you're at it, I didn't check the timestamp of your edit. And don't worry, not much politics here. Only strict thing is the open licence which is kind of politics. Some people learnt their lessons at CS, some at HC, some at Wikitravel, doesn't matter - we're here to collect free, open and hopefully useful information about hospitality exchange (and related stuff). Some networks may don't like it, some actively support and use it, we'll see [[User:Midsch|Midsch]] ([[User talk:Midsch|talk]]) 21:35, 8 February 2013 (CET)

::I used to do edits to Wikipedia for a few years after launch, then have been busy with other projects in the middle. Have to remember all the tricks of the trade, but its coming back already. [[User:Headtrip|Headtrip]] ([[User talk:Headtrip|talk]]) 22:02, 8 February 2013 (CET)

Orange County

2013-02-08T20:57:00Z

Headtrip: /* Events */ rewrite

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

This section needs to be updated.

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be reviewed and expanded as there are many more places to visit and activities to do.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===Orange County In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Orange County, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Downtown Disney, Disneyland and California Adventure
*Newport Beach and Balboa Island

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Orange County. The [http://www.bowers.org Bowers Museum] is has a fantastic collection of Asian art. [http://www.discoverycube.org/ Discovery Science Center] is another popular attraction in Santa Ana. The Center is open every day and admission various depending on the exhibits. Most museums do offer free admission, but you must plan in advance to find dates with free admission.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''Anahiem:'''

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g29092-d2267354-Reviews-Thuyen_Vien_Restaurant-Anaheim_California.html Thuyen Vien] (vegetarian and vegan) - 1740 S Euclid St Anaheim, CA

'''Tustin:'''

*[http://nativefoods.com Native Foods Cafe] (vegan) - 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

===Resturant Reviews===

*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA&ns=1 Yelp OC]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Orange County (and Los Angeles) is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties. Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com twizi.com] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ lahostels.org/] They have hostels including Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/usa hostels.com] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa hostelbookers.com] 

[http://www.usahostels.com usahostels.com] 

Many hostels listed with an agency may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

Orange County

2013-02-08T20:54:53Z

Headtrip: /* Ground Transportation */ stub

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

This section needs to be updated.

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===Orange County In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Orange County, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Downtown Disney, Disneyland and California Adventure
*Newport Beach and Balboa Island

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Orange County. The [http://www.bowers.org Bowers Museum] is has a fantastic collection of Asian art. [http://www.discoverycube.org/ Discovery Science Center] is another popular attraction in Santa Ana. The Center is open every day and admission various depending on the exhibits. Most museums do offer free admission, but you must plan in advance to find dates with free admission.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''Anahiem:'''

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g29092-d2267354-Reviews-Thuyen_Vien_Restaurant-Anaheim_California.html Thuyen Vien] (vegetarian and vegan) - 1740 S Euclid St Anaheim, CA

'''Tustin:'''

*[http://nativefoods.com Native Foods Cafe] (vegan) - 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

===Resturant Reviews===

*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA&ns=1 Yelp OC]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Orange County (and Los Angeles) is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties. Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com twizi.com] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ lahostels.org/] They have hostels including Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/usa hostels.com] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa hostelbookers.com] 

[http://www.usahostels.com usahostels.com] 

Many hostels listed with an agency may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

Orange County

2013-02-08T20:03:35Z

Headtrip: remove cat

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===Orange County In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Orange County, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Downtown Disney, Disneyland and California Adventure
*Newport Beach and Balboa Island

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Orange County. The [http://www.bowers.org Bowers Museum] is has a fantastic collection of Asian art. [http://www.discoverycube.org/ Discovery Science Center] is another popular attraction in Santa Ana. The Center is open every day and admission various depending on the exhibits. Most museums do offer free admission, but you must plan in advance to find dates with free admission.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''Anahiem:'''

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g29092-d2267354-Reviews-Thuyen_Vien_Restaurant-Anaheim_California.html Thuyen Vien] (vegetarian and vegan) - 1740 S Euclid St Anaheim, CA

'''Tustin:'''

*[http://nativefoods.com Native Foods Cafe] (vegan) - 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

===Resturant Reviews===

*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA&ns=1 Yelp OC]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Orange County (and Los Angeles) is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties. Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com twizi.com] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ lahostels.org/] They have hostels including Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/usa hostels.com] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa hostelbookers.com] 

[http://www.usahostels.com usahostels.com] 

Many hostels listed with an agency may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

Los Angeles

2013-02-08T20:01:30Z

Headtrip: /* Destinations Near Los Angeles */ wiki fix

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Los Angeles
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Los Angeles
|hitchwiki = Los Angeles
|wikitravel = Los Angeles
|image = LA_main_-_night.jpg
|imagetext = Los Angeles at night
}}
{{TOCright}}

[[Los Angeles]], California is the second largest city in the [[United States]] and is the largest city on the west coast and west of the Mississipi River. Los Angeles is also very spread out, with an area of 469 square miles (1,215 km) and it is recognized as a very ethnically diverse urban area. It was founded by the Spanish in 1781, became a part of Mexico in 1821, and was part of the purchase made by the USA in 1848, and it was incorporate as a municipality in the State of California, the same year that it achieved statehood in 1850.

It is the home to the entertainment industry, with numerous film, television and stage productions being created or produced here, but also video game and music entertainment. Los Angeles also has a significant tourism industry presence, with a large number of tourist attractions in the area or nearby, such as the City of Beverly Hills, the Wall Disney Concert Hall, the beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice, the Getty Center, the Capital Records building, Hollywood Walk of Fame/Hollywood Boulevard, Graumann's Chinese Theater, the Bradbury Building, Watts Tower, Angels Flight, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Los Angeles also has a significant athletic presence, with major professional baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and teams in the area, and a significant number of college level teams playing at high levels in American Football and a number of Olympic sports, in landmark buildings such as the Rose Bowl (used multiple times for the 1994 World Cup) and the Los Angeles Coliseum (used for both the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games). Additionally, it is the home of other major athletic facilities, some of which are frequently used to host other events, including concerts, such as Dodgers Stadium, the Forum, Staples Center, Weingart Stadium and the Home Depot Center.

==Getting Here==

Many airline companies fly into [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.burbankairport.com/airlinesflights/airlines.html Bob Hope/Burbank] airport has five airline carriers, including two of the largest discount airlines, operating from this airport and it serves the east side of the San Fernando Valley and is in the City of Burbank near some of the entertainment studios, and Universal Studios.

The other significant airport is in the South Bay, in the city of Long Beach: the [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

All of these airports are served by ground transportation, including public transit from Burbank which leads to the Metro Red Line subway, connecting with both Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles, and numerous other bus systems, including the Burbank and Glendale public transit systems, as well as the MTA (Metro). They are also served by other ground transit, as is LAX, information which is available on the website of each airport.

A taxi from from any airport to Downtown Los Angeles can cost upwards of $40 and take 30 minutes or longer in good traffic, but can be far slower (and more expensive) in heavy traffic. There are several [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] for ground transportation, including public transit, from LAX, depending on where you need to go, as well as rental car agencies, and shared ride vans (which can cost about half of what a taxi wil cost you), and all of these [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] can be found and are discussed in more detail at the airport website.

The [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292 FlyAway] bus is a good alternative way to get Downtown. For $7.00 (which can be purchased in advance, on line, or is payable - cash only - only arrival at the Kiosk at Union Station), it can make the trip to Union Station in an hour or less, depending on time of day and traffic.

The FlyAway bus run on variable schedules, depending on destination. It is best to check the schedule on line, and/or to confirm the schedule via the toll-free number available on their website. To board from the airport, just look for the green signs indicating "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans" and wait for the next bus. They are clearly marked and in a blue color bus. Confirm with the driver your desired part of Los Angeles prior to boarding.

In addition to Downtown Los Angeles, Union Station, there are two other destinations offered with this service: also costing $7, the FlyAway to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Nuys,_Los_Angeles,_California Van Nuys] will take you to the San Fernando Valley (this cost can also be paid on line). The FlyAway also has a Westwood route which services the areas of Westwood (UCLA), which is close to Santa Monica, and in the West Los Angeles area. No reservations are required for any of this destination.

All of these buses will also accept payment at departure, but only with Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit or debit cards. feature cushioned seats, luggage bays, and wheelchair lifts.

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Los Angeles is fairly large and quite spread out, with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_districts_and_neighborhoods_of_Los_Angeles numerous districts and neighborhoods], causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitor. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. There are many hosts throughout Los Angeles and '''you should contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' on the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=11809 Los Angeles Last Minute/Emergency Couchsearch board].
As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Los Angeles is a bit hard to figure out since each district has its own bus system. [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/default.htm Metro] is the main system for downtown Los Angeles but reaches out into the surrounding neighborhoods. On the Metro website, you can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There is a limited subway and light rail system as part of the [http://www.urbanrail.net/am/lsan/los-angeles-map.gif mass transit options], but most of the Los Angeles area is served by bus service.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/riders_guide/paying_fare.htm exact cash fare] when you board. A '''Day Pass''' costs $6.
If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Los Angeles with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Ventura County. A central hub is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Los_Angeles) Union Station] and major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport and the Irvine-John Wayne Airport

====Union Station====

Union Station is an architecturally significant building that was place of the national historic registrar in 1980, and is featured in a number of films, music videos and television productions, and even the video game, Grand Theft Auto.

In addition to MetroLink, Union Station is also a central hub for the Metro subway system, and a number of Metro and regional connector bus systems, as well as [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&code=LAX Amtrak] for passenger train service to other parts of the USA. Amtrak has service up the west coast to Seattle, and east, to the upper mid-west, Chicago, and the south-east, New Orleans.

The [http://us.megabus.com/ MegaBus] express bus passenger network also currently boards and drop off passengers at the Patsaouras Plaza Bus Bay locations (at street level) with service from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento in California, as well as to and from Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in L.A. for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* City of Burbank public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4c5tsz]
* City of Glendale public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/7zfmzqx]
* City of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b9dkmwx]
* City of Santa Monica public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4ah6fc]
* County of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/cqplh7e]

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Los Angeles County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. [[Orange County]] is next to Los Angeles and home of Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and some of the most expensive real estate and coastline in the world. Other places to visit within 200 mile / 350 km is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Los Angeles

2013-02-08T19:55:55Z

Headtrip: /* Destinations Near Los Angeles */ proof

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Los Angeles
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Los Angeles
|hitchwiki = Los Angeles
|wikitravel = Los Angeles
|image = LA_main_-_night.jpg
|imagetext = Los Angeles at night
}}
{{TOCright}}

[[Los Angeles]], California is the second largest city in the [[United States]] and is the largest city on the west coast and west of the Mississipi River. Los Angeles is also very spread out, with an area of 469 square miles (1,215 km) and it is recognized as a very ethnically diverse urban area. It was founded by the Spanish in 1781, became a part of Mexico in 1821, and was part of the purchase made by the USA in 1848, and it was incorporate as a municipality in the State of California, the same year that it achieved statehood in 1850.

It is the home to the entertainment industry, with numerous film, television and stage productions being created or produced here, but also video game and music entertainment. Los Angeles also has a significant tourism industry presence, with a large number of tourist attractions in the area or nearby, such as the City of Beverly Hills, the Wall Disney Concert Hall, the beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice, the Getty Center, the Capital Records building, Hollywood Walk of Fame/Hollywood Boulevard, Graumann's Chinese Theater, the Bradbury Building, Watts Tower, Angels Flight, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Los Angeles also has a significant athletic presence, with major professional baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and teams in the area, and a significant number of college level teams playing at high levels in American Football and a number of Olympic sports, in landmark buildings such as the Rose Bowl (used multiple times for the 1994 World Cup) and the Los Angeles Coliseum (used for both the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games). Additionally, it is the home of other major athletic facilities, some of which are frequently used to host other events, including concerts, such as Dodgers Stadium, the Forum, Staples Center, Weingart Stadium and the Home Depot Center.

==Getting Here==

Many airline companies fly into [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.burbankairport.com/airlinesflights/airlines.html Bob Hope/Burbank] airport has five airline carriers, including two of the largest discount airlines, operating from this airport and it serves the east side of the San Fernando Valley and is in the City of Burbank near some of the entertainment studios, and Universal Studios.

The other significant airport is in the South Bay, in the city of Long Beach: the [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

All of these airports are served by ground transportation, including public transit from Burbank which leads to the Metro Red Line subway, connecting with both Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles, and numerous other bus systems, including the Burbank and Glendale public transit systems, as well as the MTA (Metro). They are also served by other ground transit, as is LAX, information which is available on the website of each airport.

A taxi from from any airport to Downtown Los Angeles can cost upwards of $40 and take 30 minutes or longer in good traffic, but can be far slower (and more expensive) in heavy traffic. There are several [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] for ground transportation, including public transit, from LAX, depending on where you need to go, as well as rental car agencies, and shared ride vans (which can cost about half of what a taxi wil cost you), and all of these [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] can be found and are discussed in more detail at the airport website.

The [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292 FlyAway] bus is a good alternative way to get Downtown. For $7.00 (which can be purchased in advance, on line, or is payable - cash only - only arrival at the Kiosk at Union Station), it can make the trip to Union Station in an hour or less, depending on time of day and traffic.

The FlyAway bus run on variable schedules, depending on destination. It is best to check the schedule on line, and/or to confirm the schedule via the toll-free number available on their website. To board from the airport, just look for the green signs indicating "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans" and wait for the next bus. They are clearly marked and in a blue color bus. Confirm with the driver your desired part of Los Angeles prior to boarding.

In addition to Downtown Los Angeles, Union Station, there are two other destinations offered with this service: also costing $7, the FlyAway to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Nuys,_Los_Angeles,_California Van Nuys] will take you to the San Fernando Valley (this cost can also be paid on line). The FlyAway also has a Westwood route which services the areas of Westwood (UCLA), which is close to Santa Monica, and in the West Los Angeles area. No reservations are required for any of this destination.

All of these buses will also accept payment at departure, but only with Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit or debit cards. feature cushioned seats, luggage bays, and wheelchair lifts.

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Los Angeles is fairly large and quite spread out, with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_districts_and_neighborhoods_of_Los_Angeles numerous districts and neighborhoods], causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitor. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. There are many hosts throughout Los Angeles and '''you should contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' on the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=11809 Los Angeles Last Minute/Emergency Couchsearch board].
As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Los Angeles is a bit hard to figure out since each district has its own bus system. [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/default.htm Metro] is the main system for downtown Los Angeles but reaches out into the surrounding neighborhoods. On the Metro website, you can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There is a limited subway and light rail system as part of the [http://www.urbanrail.net/am/lsan/los-angeles-map.gif mass transit options], but most of the Los Angeles area is served by bus service.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/riders_guide/paying_fare.htm exact cash fare] when you board. A '''Day Pass''' costs $6.
If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Los Angeles with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Ventura County. A central hub is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Los_Angeles) Union Station] and major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport and the Irvine-John Wayne Airport

====Union Station====

Union Station is an architecturally significant building that was place of the national historic registrar in 1980, and is featured in a number of films, music videos and television productions, and even the video game, Grand Theft Auto.

In addition to MetroLink, Union Station is also a central hub for the Metro subway system, and a number of Metro and regional connector bus systems, as well as [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&code=LAX Amtrak] for passenger train service to other parts of the USA. Amtrak has service up the west coast to Seattle, and east, to the upper mid-west, Chicago, and the south-east, New Orleans.

The [http://us.megabus.com/ MegaBus] express bus passenger network also currently boards and drop off passengers at the Patsaouras Plaza Bus Bay locations (at street level) with service from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento in California, as well as to and from Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in L.A. for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* City of Burbank public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4c5tsz]
* City of Glendale public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/7zfmzqx]
* City of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b9dkmwx]
* City of Santa Monica public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4ah6fc]
* County of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/cqplh7e]

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Los Angeles County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. [Orange County] is next to Los Angeles and home of Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and some of the most expensive real estate and coastline in the world. Other places to visit within 200 mile / 350 km is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Los Angeles

2013-02-08T19:55:23Z

Headtrip: /* Destinations Near Los Angeles */ add OC and edit

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Los Angeles
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Los Angeles
|hitchwiki = Los Angeles
|wikitravel = Los Angeles
|image = LA_main_-_night.jpg
|imagetext = Los Angeles at night
}}
{{TOCright}}

[[Los Angeles]], California is the second largest city in the [[United States]] and is the largest city on the west coast and west of the Mississipi River. Los Angeles is also very spread out, with an area of 469 square miles (1,215 km) and it is recognized as a very ethnically diverse urban area. It was founded by the Spanish in 1781, became a part of Mexico in 1821, and was part of the purchase made by the USA in 1848, and it was incorporate as a municipality in the State of California, the same year that it achieved statehood in 1850.

It is the home to the entertainment industry, with numerous film, television and stage productions being created or produced here, but also video game and music entertainment. Los Angeles also has a significant tourism industry presence, with a large number of tourist attractions in the area or nearby, such as the City of Beverly Hills, the Wall Disney Concert Hall, the beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice, the Getty Center, the Capital Records building, Hollywood Walk of Fame/Hollywood Boulevard, Graumann's Chinese Theater, the Bradbury Building, Watts Tower, Angels Flight, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Los Angeles also has a significant athletic presence, with major professional baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and teams in the area, and a significant number of college level teams playing at high levels in American Football and a number of Olympic sports, in landmark buildings such as the Rose Bowl (used multiple times for the 1994 World Cup) and the Los Angeles Coliseum (used for both the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games). Additionally, it is the home of other major athletic facilities, some of which are frequently used to host other events, including concerts, such as Dodgers Stadium, the Forum, Staples Center, Weingart Stadium and the Home Depot Center.

==Getting Here==

Many airline companies fly into [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.burbankairport.com/airlinesflights/airlines.html Bob Hope/Burbank] airport has five airline carriers, including two of the largest discount airlines, operating from this airport and it serves the east side of the San Fernando Valley and is in the City of Burbank near some of the entertainment studios, and Universal Studios.

The other significant airport is in the South Bay, in the city of Long Beach: the [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

All of these airports are served by ground transportation, including public transit from Burbank which leads to the Metro Red Line subway, connecting with both Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles, and numerous other bus systems, including the Burbank and Glendale public transit systems, as well as the MTA (Metro). They are also served by other ground transit, as is LAX, information which is available on the website of each airport.

A taxi from from any airport to Downtown Los Angeles can cost upwards of $40 and take 30 minutes or longer in good traffic, but can be far slower (and more expensive) in heavy traffic. There are several [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] for ground transportation, including public transit, from LAX, depending on where you need to go, as well as rental car agencies, and shared ride vans (which can cost about half of what a taxi wil cost you), and all of these [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] can be found and are discussed in more detail at the airport website.

The [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292 FlyAway] bus is a good alternative way to get Downtown. For $7.00 (which can be purchased in advance, on line, or is payable - cash only - only arrival at the Kiosk at Union Station), it can make the trip to Union Station in an hour or less, depending on time of day and traffic.

The FlyAway bus run on variable schedules, depending on destination. It is best to check the schedule on line, and/or to confirm the schedule via the toll-free number available on their website. To board from the airport, just look for the green signs indicating "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans" and wait for the next bus. They are clearly marked and in a blue color bus. Confirm with the driver your desired part of Los Angeles prior to boarding.

In addition to Downtown Los Angeles, Union Station, there are two other destinations offered with this service: also costing $7, the FlyAway to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Nuys,_Los_Angeles,_California Van Nuys] will take you to the San Fernando Valley (this cost can also be paid on line). The FlyAway also has a Westwood route which services the areas of Westwood (UCLA), which is close to Santa Monica, and in the West Los Angeles area. No reservations are required for any of this destination.

All of these buses will also accept payment at departure, but only with Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit or debit cards. feature cushioned seats, luggage bays, and wheelchair lifts.

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Los Angeles is fairly large and quite spread out, with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_districts_and_neighborhoods_of_Los_Angeles numerous districts and neighborhoods], causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitor. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. There are many hosts throughout Los Angeles and '''you should contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' on the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=11809 Los Angeles Last Minute/Emergency Couchsearch board].
As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Los Angeles is a bit hard to figure out since each district has its own bus system. [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/default.htm Metro] is the main system for downtown Los Angeles but reaches out into the surrounding neighborhoods. On the Metro website, you can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There is a limited subway and light rail system as part of the [http://www.urbanrail.net/am/lsan/los-angeles-map.gif mass transit options], but most of the Los Angeles area is served by bus service.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/riders_guide/paying_fare.htm exact cash fare] when you board. A '''Day Pass''' costs $6.
If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Los Angeles with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Ventura County. A central hub is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Los_Angeles) Union Station] and major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport and the Irvine-John Wayne Airport

====Union Station====

Union Station is an architecturally significant building that was place of the national historic registrar in 1980, and is featured in a number of films, music videos and television productions, and even the video game, Grand Theft Auto.

In addition to MetroLink, Union Station is also a central hub for the Metro subway system, and a number of Metro and regional connector bus systems, as well as [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&code=LAX Amtrak] for passenger train service to other parts of the USA. Amtrak has service up the west coast to Seattle, and east, to the upper mid-west, Chicago, and the south-east, New Orleans.

The [http://us.megabus.com/ MegaBus] express bus passenger network also currently boards and drop off passengers at the Patsaouras Plaza Bus Bay locations (at street level) with service from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento in California, as well as to and from Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in L.A. for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* City of Burbank public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4c5tsz]
* City of Glendale public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/7zfmzqx]
* City of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b9dkmwx]
* City of Santa Monica public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4ah6fc]
* County of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/cqplh7e]

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Los Angeles County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. [Orange_County Orange County] is next to Los Angeles and home of Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and some of the most expensive real estate and coastline in the world. Other places to visit within 200 mile / 350 km is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Los Angeles

2013-02-08T19:50:21Z

Headtrip: /* Getting Here */ remove link

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Los Angeles
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Los Angeles
|hitchwiki = Los Angeles
|wikitravel = Los Angeles
|image = LA_main_-_night.jpg
|imagetext = Los Angeles at night
}}
{{TOCright}}

[[Los Angeles]], California is the second largest city in the [[United States]] and is the largest city on the west coast and west of the Mississipi River. Los Angeles is also very spread out, with an area of 469 square miles (1,215 km) and it is recognized as a very ethnically diverse urban area. It was founded by the Spanish in 1781, became a part of Mexico in 1821, and was part of the purchase made by the USA in 1848, and it was incorporate as a municipality in the State of California, the same year that it achieved statehood in 1850.

It is the home to the entertainment industry, with numerous film, television and stage productions being created or produced here, but also video game and music entertainment. Los Angeles also has a significant tourism industry presence, with a large number of tourist attractions in the area or nearby, such as the City of Beverly Hills, the Wall Disney Concert Hall, the beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice, the Getty Center, the Capital Records building, Hollywood Walk of Fame/Hollywood Boulevard, Graumann's Chinese Theater, the Bradbury Building, Watts Tower, Angels Flight, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Los Angeles also has a significant athletic presence, with major professional baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and teams in the area, and a significant number of college level teams playing at high levels in American Football and a number of Olympic sports, in landmark buildings such as the Rose Bowl (used multiple times for the 1994 World Cup) and the Los Angeles Coliseum (used for both the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games). Additionally, it is the home of other major athletic facilities, some of which are frequently used to host other events, including concerts, such as Dodgers Stadium, the Forum, Staples Center, Weingart Stadium and the Home Depot Center.

==Getting Here==

Many airline companies fly into [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.burbankairport.com/airlinesflights/airlines.html Bob Hope/Burbank] airport has five airline carriers, including two of the largest discount airlines, operating from this airport and it serves the east side of the San Fernando Valley and is in the City of Burbank near some of the entertainment studios, and Universal Studios.

The other significant airport is in the South Bay, in the city of Long Beach: the [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

All of these airports are served by ground transportation, including public transit from Burbank which leads to the Metro Red Line subway, connecting with both Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles, and numerous other bus systems, including the Burbank and Glendale public transit systems, as well as the MTA (Metro). They are also served by other ground transit, as is LAX, information which is available on the website of each airport.

A taxi from from any airport to Downtown Los Angeles can cost upwards of $40 and take 30 minutes or longer in good traffic, but can be far slower (and more expensive) in heavy traffic. There are several [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] for ground transportation, including public transit, from LAX, depending on where you need to go, as well as rental car agencies, and shared ride vans (which can cost about half of what a taxi wil cost you), and all of these [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] can be found and are discussed in more detail at the airport website.

The [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292 FlyAway] bus is a good alternative way to get Downtown. For $7.00 (which can be purchased in advance, on line, or is payable - cash only - only arrival at the Kiosk at Union Station), it can make the trip to Union Station in an hour or less, depending on time of day and traffic.

The FlyAway bus run on variable schedules, depending on destination. It is best to check the schedule on line, and/or to confirm the schedule via the toll-free number available on their website. To board from the airport, just look for the green signs indicating "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans" and wait for the next bus. They are clearly marked and in a blue color bus. Confirm with the driver your desired part of Los Angeles prior to boarding.

In addition to Downtown Los Angeles, Union Station, there are two other destinations offered with this service: also costing $7, the FlyAway to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Nuys,_Los_Angeles,_California Van Nuys] will take you to the San Fernando Valley (this cost can also be paid on line). The FlyAway also has a Westwood route which services the areas of Westwood (UCLA), which is close to Santa Monica, and in the West Los Angeles area. No reservations are required for any of this destination.

All of these buses will also accept payment at departure, but only with Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit or debit cards. feature cushioned seats, luggage bays, and wheelchair lifts.

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Los Angeles is fairly large and quite spread out, with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_districts_and_neighborhoods_of_Los_Angeles numerous districts and neighborhoods], causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitor. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. There are many hosts throughout Los Angeles and '''you should contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' on the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=11809 Los Angeles Last Minute/Emergency Couchsearch board].
As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Los Angeles is a bit hard to figure out since each district has its own bus system. [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/default.htm Metro] is the main system for downtown Los Angeles but reaches out into the surrounding neighborhoods. On the Metro website, you can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There is a limited subway and light rail system as part of the [http://www.urbanrail.net/am/lsan/los-angeles-map.gif mass transit options], but most of the Los Angeles area is served by bus service.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/riders_guide/paying_fare.htm exact cash fare] when you board. A '''Day Pass''' costs $6.
If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Los Angeles with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Ventura County. A central hub is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Los_Angeles) Union Station] and major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport and the Irvine-John Wayne Airport

====Union Station====

Union Station is an architecturally significant building that was place of the national historic registrar in 1980, and is featured in a number of films, music videos and television productions, and even the video game, Grand Theft Auto.

In addition to MetroLink, Union Station is also a central hub for the Metro subway system, and a number of Metro and regional connector bus systems, as well as [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&code=LAX Amtrak] for passenger train service to other parts of the USA. Amtrak has service up the west coast to Seattle, and east, to the upper mid-west, Chicago, and the south-east, New Orleans.

The [http://us.megabus.com/ MegaBus] express bus passenger network also currently boards and drop off passengers at the Patsaouras Plaza Bus Bay locations (at street level) with service from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento in California, as well as to and from Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in L.A. for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* City of Burbank public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4c5tsz]
* City of Glendale public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/7zfmzqx]
* City of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b9dkmwx]
* City of Santa Monica public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4ah6fc]
* County of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/cqplh7e]

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Los Angeles County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T19:44:08Z

Headtrip: /* Last-minute Accommodation */ update for OC

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks = [[:Category:Orange County|Orange County Category]]
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===Orange County In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Orange County, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Downtown Disney, Disneyland and California Adventure
*Newport Beach and Balboa Island

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Orange County. The [http://www.bowers.org Bowers Museum] is has a fantastic collection of Asian art. [http://www.discoverycube.org/ Discovery Science Center] is another popular attraction in Santa Ana. The Center is open every day and admission various depending on the exhibits. Most museums do offer free admission, but you must plan in advance to find dates with free admission.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''Anahiem:'''

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g29092-d2267354-Reviews-Thuyen_Vien_Restaurant-Anaheim_California.html Thuyen Vien] (vegetarian and vegan) - 1740 S Euclid St Anaheim, CA

'''Tustin:'''

*[http://nativefoods.com Native Foods Cafe] (vegan) - 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

===Resturant Reviews===

*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA&ns=1 Yelp OC]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Orange County (and Los Angeles) is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties. Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com twizi.com] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ lahostels.org/] They have hostels including Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/usa hostels.com] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa hostelbookers.com] 

[http://www.usahostels.com usahostels.com] 

Many hostels listed with an agency may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

Orange County

2013-02-08T19:38:41Z

Headtrip: /* Places to Eat */ error

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks = [[:Category:Orange County|Orange County Category]]
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===Orange County In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Orange County, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Downtown Disney, Disneyland and California Adventure
*Newport Beach and Balboa Island

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Orange County. The [http://www.bowers.org Bowers Museum] is has a fantastic collection of Asian art. [http://www.discoverycube.org/ Discovery Science Center] is another popular attraction in Santa Ana. The Center is open every day and admission various depending on the exhibits. Most museums do offer free admission, but you must plan in advance to find dates with free admission.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''Anahiem:'''

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g29092-d2267354-Reviews-Thuyen_Vien_Restaurant-Anaheim_California.html Thuyen Vien] (vegetarian and vegan) - 1740 S Euclid St Anaheim, CA

'''Tustin:'''

*[http://nativefoods.com Native Foods Cafe] (vegan) - 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

===Resturant Reviews===

*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA&ns=1 Yelp OC]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T19:38:02Z

Headtrip: /* Museums */ revise for OC

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks = [[:Category:Orange County|Orange County Category]]
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===Orange County In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Orange County, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Downtown Disney, Disneyland and California Adventure
*Newport Beach and Balboa Island

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Orange County. The [http://www.bowers.org Bowers Museum] is has a fantastic collection of Asian art. [http://www.discoverycube.org/ Discovery Science Center] is another popular attraction in Santa Ana. The Center is open every day and admission various depending on the exhibits. Most museums do offer free admission, but you must plan in advance to find dates with free admission.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''Anahiem:'''

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g29092-d2267354-Reviews-Thuyen_Vien_Restaurant-Anaheim_California.html Thuyen Vien] (vegetarian and vegan) - 1740 S Euclid St Anaheim, CA

'''Tustin:'''

*[http://nativefoods.com Native Foods Cafe] (vegan) - 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

===Resturant Reviews===

*[www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA&ns=1 Yelp OC]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T19:29:57Z

Headtrip: /* OC In 24 Hours */ Revise for OC

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks = [[:Category:Orange County|Orange County Category]]
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===Orange County In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Orange County, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Downtown Disney, Disneyland and California Adventure
*Newport Beach and Balboa Island

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''Anahiem:'''

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g29092-d2267354-Reviews-Thuyen_Vien_Restaurant-Anaheim_California.html Thuyen Vien] (vegetarian and vegan) - 1740 S Euclid St Anaheim, CA

'''Tustin:'''

*[http://nativefoods.com Native Foods Cafe] (vegan) - 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

===Resturant Reviews===

*[www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA&ns=1 Yelp OC]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

User talk:Midsch

2013-02-08T19:14:52Z

Headtrip: /* Welcome center */ new section

Welcome Midsch, it's great to see you editing here! I just made you sysop and bureaucrat :) [[User:Guaka|guaka]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
:Wow. That's the fastest career in a wiki I didn't set up myself! For today I just said "hallo" and need to sleep, but I'll be back soon;) [[User:Midsch|Midsch]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

wiki.couchsurfing.org is still up...
:probably the same old cs-lazyness ...

BTW, I disabled dnsbl again as it seemed to block a bit too much (even my own IP). I'm afraid spammers will be back. I also checked the captcha, but it's too easy right now. I'll take a look at the hitchwiki captcha set up later. (And also put it on trashwiki.) [[User:Guaka|guaka]] ([[User talk:Guaka|talk]]) 14:58, 24 December 2012 (CET)

== Welcome center ==

Thanks for the welcome. I try to stay away from the politics as much as possible. I'm glad I can contribute. ~Headtrip

Orange County

2013-02-08T19:10:26Z

Headtrip: /* Places to Eat */ revise for oc

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks = [[:Category:Orange County|Orange County Category]]
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''Anahiem:'''

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g29092-d2267354-Reviews-Thuyen_Vien_Restaurant-Anaheim_California.html Thuyen Vien] (vegetarian and vegan) - 1740 S Euclid St Anaheim, CA

'''Tustin:'''

*[http://nativefoods.com Native Foods Cafe] (vegan) - 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

===Resturant Reviews===

*[www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA&ns=1 Yelp OC]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T19:08:32Z

Headtrip: /* Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants */ revise for OC

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks = [[:Category:Orange County|Orange County Category]]
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''Anahiem:'''

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g29092-d2267354-Reviews-Thuyen_Vien_Restaurant-Anaheim_California.html Thuyen Vien] (vegetarian and vegan) - 1740 S Euclid St Anaheim, CA

'''Tustin:'''

*[http://nativefoods.com Native Foods Cafe] (vegan) - 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T18:59:09Z

Headtrip: /* Hiking */ revise for OC

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks = [[:Category:Orange County|Orange County Category]]
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Orange County with both Beach Walks in areas like the Newport Back Bay and Bolsa Chica Wetlands and mountain trail in the Cleveland National Forest or various regional parks.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T18:57:06Z

Headtrip: /* Sightseeing */ revise for OC

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks = [[:Category:Orange County|Orange County Category]]
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
Tourism remains a vital aspect of Orange County's economy. Anaheim is the main tourist hub, with the Disneyland Resort's Disneyland being the second most visited theme park in the world. Also Knotts Berry Farm which gets about 7 million visitors annually located in the city of Buena Park. The Anaheim Convention Center receives many major conventions throughout the year. Resorts within the Beach Cities receive visitors throughout the year due to their close proximity to the beach, biking paths, mountain hiking trails, golf courses, shopping and dining.

The area's warm Mediterranean climate and 42 miles (68 km) of year-round beaches attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a hot spot for sunbathing and surfing; nicknamed "Surf City, U.S.A.", it is home to many surfing competitions. "The Wedge", at the tip of The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, is one of the most famous body surfing spots in the world. Southern California surf culture is prominent in Orange County's beach cities.

The old town area in the City of Orange (the traffic circle at the middle of Chapman Ave. at Glassell) still maintains its 1950s image, and appeared in the That Thing You Do! movie. Little Saigon is another tourist destination, being home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. There are also sizable Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean communities, particularly in western Orange County. This is evident in several Asian-influenced shopping centers in Asian American hubs like the city of Irvine.

Historical points of interest include Mission San Juan Capistrano, the renowned destination of migrating swallows. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is in Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Birthplace home, located on the grounds of the Library, is a National Historic Landmark. John Wayne's yacht, the Wild Goose or USS YMS-328, is in Newport Beach. Other notable structures include the home of Madame Helena Modjeska, located in Modjeska Canyon on Santiago Creek; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, the largest building in the county; the historic Balboa Pavilion[24] in Newport Beach; and the Huntington Beach Pier. The county has nationally known centers of worship, such as Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, the largest house of worship in California; Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest churches in the United States; and the Calvary Chapel.

Since the premiere in fall 2003 of the hit Fox series The O.C., and the 2007 Bravo series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" tourism has increased with travelers from across the globe hoping to see the sights seen in the show.

Orange County has some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., many along the Orange Coast, and some in north Orange County.

*[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland Disneyland]
*[http://www.knotts.com Knotts Berry Farm]
*[http://www.thebalboafunzone.com Balboa Fun Zone]
*[http://www.nixonlibrary.gov Nixon Presidential Library & Museum]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T18:44:40Z

Headtrip: /* Listings */ revise for oc

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Orange County
|country = United States
|areas = [[Anaheim]] • [[Fullerton]] • [[Huntington Beach]] • [[Irvine]] • [[Laguna Niguel]] • [[Newport Beach]] • [[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] • [[Seal Beach]]
|toplinks = [[:Category:Orange County|Orange County Category]]
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.ocweekly.com/ OC Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Orange County.
*[http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Orange+County%2C+CA Yelp OC]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T18:37:10Z

Headtrip: /* Destinations near Orange County */ wiki?

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city =
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
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{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T18:32:49Z

Headtrip: /* Destinations Near Los Angeles */ revise for OC

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city =
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations near Orange County===

[[Los_Angeles Los Angeles]] is the largest city in the region and about 1 hour north of Orange County by car. Within 200miles / 350 km you can reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' and can be reached via Interstate 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Interstate 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T17:23:41Z

Headtrip: /* Events */ request update

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city =
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

Need to update section to show Orange County Events and Locations. These listed need to be moved to removed as they are all in Los Angeles County.

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T17:21:48Z

Headtrip: /* Couchsurfing */ clean up

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city =
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3920 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T17:20:17Z

Headtrip: /* Finding A Couch */ clean up

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city =
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact a city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14715 Orange County Last Minute/Emergency Couchsurfing group].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T17:17:25Z

Headtrip: /* Cities */ no pages, so removed wiki links

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city =
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*Buena Park - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*Fullerton- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*Huntington Beach - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*Irvine - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*Laguna Niguel - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*Newport Beach - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*Seal Beach - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' on the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=11809 Los Angeles Last Minute/Emergency Couchsearch board].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Orange County

2013-02-08T17:15:08Z

Headtrip: first post

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city =
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Orange_County,_California
|hitchwiki =
|wikitravel = Orange_County_(California)
|image =
|imagetext =
}}
{{TOCright}}

Orange County, California is a county in Southern California. A patchwork of 34 independent municipalities, Orange County's population is one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Orange County's terrific and irrefutable reputation as a tourist destination recently got it its own TV series, The O.C. The county's main tourist draws are its beaches and of course its two theme parks, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

==Cities==

There are many cities large and small in Orange County – here are a few of the major ones.



*[[Anaheim]] - Home of [[Disneyland]], the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League) and Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball), second most populous
*[[Buena Park]] - The city known as the home of [[Knott's Berry Farm]], lots of used car lots, gateway to [[Los Angeles]].
*[[Fullerton]]- Home to Cal State Fullerton
*[[Huntington Beach]] - "Surf City". Huntington Beach has a long surfing tradition and famous beaches.
*[[Irvine]] - One of youngest and the largest city in terms of land size. A somewhat gentrified community with a significant Asian-American heritage.
*[[Laguna Niguel]] - one of the larger and more wealthy/exclusive communities in south Orange County, the city has most parks per square mile in the county and home to the Chet Holifield Federal Building.
*[[Newport Beach]] - one of the richest communities in the nation, and the setting of ''The O.C.''
*[[Santa Ana (California)|Santa Ana]] - one of the oldest and largest cities in Orange County, with a tremendous Mexican-American population and cultural influences.
*[[Seal Beach]] - A small beach town with a host of cute shops, awesome local restaurants, and a handful of Irish pubs mostly situated on Main Street.

==Getting Here==

The major airport for the region is [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.ocair.com John Wayne] airport has several airline carriers operating from this airport and it serves Orange County as a regional airport. It is in the City of Costa Mesa.

The other nearby airport is in the city of Long Beach. The [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Orange County is smaller than Los Angeles, but still quite spread out and densely developed causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitors. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. Hosts in Orange County get less requests than in Los Angeles, but '''you should still contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' on the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=11809 Los Angeles Last Minute/Emergency Couchsearch board].

As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Orange County is much worse than in Los Angeles is limited to only major streets and all service is normally stopped by 11 pm. [http://www.octa.net OC Transit] is the main system for Orange County. You can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There are a few other bus companies that provide service to Orange County and they will show up if you use the search website.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the exact cash fare when you board. If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Orange County with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Los Angeles and Ventura County. Major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, Downtown Los Angeles and the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in California for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* Public libraries

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Orange County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Los Angeles

2013-02-07T18:53:49Z

Headtrip: /* Couchsurfing */ no couch requests in main group.

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Los Angeles
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Los Angeles
|hitchwiki = Los Angeles
|wikitravel = Los Angeles
|image = LA_main_-_night.jpg
|imagetext = Los Angeles at night
}}
{{TOCright}}

[[Los Angeles]], California is the second largest city in the [[United States]] and is the largest city on the west coast and west of the Mississipi River. Los Angeles is also very spread out, with an area of 469 square miles (1,215 km) and it is recognized as a very ethnically diverse urban area. It was founded by the Spanish in 1781, became a part of Mexico in 1821, and was part of the purchase made by the USA in 1848, and it was incorporate as a municipality in the State of California, the same year that it achieved statehood in 1850.

It is the home to the entertainment industry, with numerous film, television and stage productions being created or produced here, but also video game and music entertainment. Los Angeles also has a significant tourism industry presence, with a large number of tourist attractions in the area or nearby, such as the City of Beverly Hills, the Wall Disney Concert Hall, the beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice, the Getty Center, the Capital Records building, Hollywood Walk of Fame/Hollywood Boulevard, Graumann's Chinese Theater, the Bradbury Building, Watts Tower, Angels Flight, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Los Angeles also has a significant athletic presence, with major professional baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and teams in the area, and a significant number of college level teams playing at high levels in American Football and a number of Olympic sports, in landmark buildings such as the Rose Bowl (used multiple times for the 1994 World Cup) and the Los Angeles Coliseum (used for both the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games). Additionally, it is the home of other major athletic facilities, some of which are frequently used to host other events, including concerts, such as Dodgers Stadium, the Forum, Staples Center, Weingart Stadium and the Home Depot Center.

==Getting Here==

Many airline companies fly into [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.burbankairport.com/airlinesflights/airlines.html Bob Hope/Burbank] airport has five airline carriers, including two of the largest discount airlines, operating from this airport and it serves the east side of the San Fernando Valley [[File:http://hotelguides.com/maps/california/map-burbank-ca-hotels.jpg]], is in the City of Burbank near some of the entertainment studios, and Universal Studios.

The other significant airport is in the South Bay, in the city of Long Beach: the [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

All of these airports are served by ground transportation, including public transit from Burbank which leads to the Metro Red Line subway, connecting with both Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles, and numerous other bus systems, including the Burbank and Glendale public transit systems, as well as the MTA (Metro). They are also served by other ground transit, as is LAX, information which is available on the website of each airport.

A taxi from from any airport to Downtown Los Angeles can cost upwards of $40 and take 30 minutes or longer in good traffic, but can be far slower (and more expensive) in heavy traffic. There are several [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] for ground transportation, including public transit, from LAX, depending on where you need to go, as well as rental car agencies, and shared ride vans (which can cost about half of what a taxi wil cost you), and all of these [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] can be found and are discussed in more detail at the airport website.

The [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292 FlyAway] bus is a good alternative way to get Downtown. For $7.00 (which can be purchased in advance, on line, or is payable - cash only - only arrival at the Kiosk at Union Station), it can make the trip to Union Station in an hour or less, depending on time of day and traffic.

The FlyAway bus run on variable schedules, depending on destination. It is best to check the schedule on line, and/or to confirm the schedule via the toll-free number available on their website. To board from the airport, just look for the green signs indicating "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans" and wait for the next bus. They are clearly marked and in a blue color bus. Confirm with the driver your desired part of Los Angeles prior to boarding.

In addition to Downtown Los Angeles, Union Station, there are two other destinations offered with this service: also costing $7, the FlyAway to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Nuys,_Los_Angeles,_California Van Nuys] will take you to the San Fernando Valley (this cost can also be paid on line). The FlyAway also has a Westwood route which services the areas of Westwood (UCLA), which is close to Santa Monica, and in the West Los Angeles area. No reservations are required for any of this destination.

All of these buses will also accept payment at departure, but only with Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit or debit cards. feature cushioned seats, luggage bays, and wheelchair lifts.

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Los Angeles is fairly large and quite spread out, with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_districts_and_neighborhoods_of_Los_Angeles numerous districts and neighborhoods], causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitor. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. There are many hosts throughout Los Angeles and '''you should contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' on the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=11809 Los Angeles Last Minute/Emergency Couchsearch board].
As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Los Angeles is a bit hard to figure out since each district has its own bus system. [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/default.htm Metro] is the main system for downtown Los Angeles but reaches out into the surrounding neighborhoods. On the Metro website, you can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There is a limited subway and light rail system as part of the [http://www.urbanrail.net/am/lsan/los-angeles-map.gif mass transit options], but most of the Los Angeles area is served by bus service.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/riders_guide/paying_fare.htm exact cash fare] when you board. A '''Day Pass''' costs $6.
If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Los Angeles with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Ventura County. A central hub is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Los_Angeles) Union Station] and major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport and the Irvine-John Wayne Airport

====Union Station====

Union Station is an architecturally significant building that was place of the national historic registrar in 1980, and is featured in a number of films, music videos and television productions, and even the video game, Grand Theft Auto.

In addition to MetroLink, Union Station is also a central hub for the Metro subway system, and a number of Metro and regional connector bus systems, as well as [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&code=LAX Amtrak] for passenger train service to other parts of the USA. Amtrak has service up the west coast to Seattle, and east, to the upper mid-west, Chicago, and the south-east, New Orleans.

The [http://us.megabus.com/ MegaBus] express bus passenger network also currently boards and drop off passengers at the Patsaouras Plaza Bus Bay locations (at street level) with service from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento in California, as well as to and from Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in L.A. for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* City of Burbank public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4c5tsz]
* City of Glendale public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/7zfmzqx]
* City of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b9dkmwx]
* City of Santa Monica public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4ah6fc]
* County of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/cqplh7e]

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Los Angeles County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Do not post couch requests in this group.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

Los Angeles

2013-02-07T18:48:54Z

Headtrip: /* Finding A Couch */ correct group name

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = Los Angeles
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 836
|csgroup = 564
|wikipedia = Los Angeles
|hitchwiki = Los Angeles
|wikitravel = Los Angeles
|image = LA_main_-_night.jpg
|imagetext = Los Angeles at night
}}
{{TOCright}}

[[Los Angeles]], California is the second largest city in the [[United States]] and is the largest city on the west coast and west of the Mississipi River. Los Angeles is also very spread out, with an area of 469 square miles (1,215 km) and it is recognized as a very ethnically diverse urban area. It was founded by the Spanish in 1781, became a part of Mexico in 1821, and was part of the purchase made by the USA in 1848, and it was incorporate as a municipality in the State of California, the same year that it achieved statehood in 1850.

It is the home to the entertainment industry, with numerous film, television and stage productions being created or produced here, but also video game and music entertainment. Los Angeles also has a significant tourism industry presence, with a large number of tourist attractions in the area or nearby, such as the City of Beverly Hills, the Wall Disney Concert Hall, the beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice, the Getty Center, the Capital Records building, Hollywood Walk of Fame/Hollywood Boulevard, Graumann's Chinese Theater, the Bradbury Building, Watts Tower, Angels Flight, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Los Angeles also has a significant athletic presence, with major professional baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and teams in the area, and a significant number of college level teams playing at high levels in American Football and a number of Olympic sports, in landmark buildings such as the Rose Bowl (used multiple times for the 1994 World Cup) and the Los Angeles Coliseum (used for both the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games). Additionally, it is the home of other major athletic facilities, some of which are frequently used to host other events, including concerts, such as Dodgers Stadium, the Forum, Staples Center, Weingart Stadium and the Home Depot Center.

==Getting Here==

Many airline companies fly into [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). If you do not have baggage, all ground transportation away from the airport is accessed via the lower level at LAX.

The [http://www.burbankairport.com/airlinesflights/airlines.html Bob Hope/Burbank] airport has five airline carriers, including two of the largest discount airlines, operating from this airport and it serves the east side of the San Fernando Valley [[File:http://hotelguides.com/maps/california/map-burbank-ca-hotels.jpg]], is in the City of Burbank near some of the entertainment studios, and Universal Studios.

The other significant airport is in the South Bay, in the city of Long Beach: the [http://www.lgb.org/ Long Beach Airport] is served by four carriers, the most significant of which is Jet Blue, mostly serving the west coast, and a few other cities in the south west, north east and Texas.

===Ground Transportation===

All of these airports are served by ground transportation, including public transit from Burbank which leads to the Metro Red Line subway, connecting with both Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles, and numerous other bus systems, including the Burbank and Glendale public transit systems, as well as the MTA (Metro). They are also served by other ground transit, as is LAX, information which is available on the website of each airport.

A taxi from from any airport to Downtown Los Angeles can cost upwards of $40 and take 30 minutes or longer in good traffic, but can be far slower (and more expensive) in heavy traffic. There are several [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] for ground transportation, including public transit, from LAX, depending on where you need to go, as well as rental car agencies, and shared ride vans (which can cost about half of what a taxi wil cost you), and all of these [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=132 options] can be found and are discussed in more detail at the airport website.

The [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292 FlyAway] bus is a good alternative way to get Downtown. For $7.00 (which can be purchased in advance, on line, or is payable - cash only - only arrival at the Kiosk at Union Station), it can make the trip to Union Station in an hour or less, depending on time of day and traffic.

The FlyAway bus run on variable schedules, depending on destination. It is best to check the schedule on line, and/or to confirm the schedule via the toll-free number available on their website. To board from the airport, just look for the green signs indicating "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans" and wait for the next bus. They are clearly marked and in a blue color bus. Confirm with the driver your desired part of Los Angeles prior to boarding.

In addition to Downtown Los Angeles, Union Station, there are two other destinations offered with this service: also costing $7, the FlyAway to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Nuys,_Los_Angeles,_California Van Nuys] will take you to the San Fernando Valley (this cost can also be paid on line). The FlyAway also has a Westwood route which services the areas of Westwood (UCLA), which is close to Santa Monica, and in the West Los Angeles area. No reservations are required for any of this destination.

All of these buses will also accept payment at departure, but only with Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit or debit cards. feature cushioned seats, luggage bays, and wheelchair lifts.

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Los Angeles is fairly large and quite spread out, with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_districts_and_neighborhoods_of_Los_Angeles numerous districts and neighborhoods], causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitor. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. There are many hosts throughout Los Angeles and '''you should contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' on the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=11809 Los Angeles Last Minute/Emergency Couchsearch board].
As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

====Public Transit (Bus/Subway System)====
Public transportation in Los Angeles is a bit hard to figure out since each district has its own bus system. [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/default.htm Metro] is the main system for downtown Los Angeles but reaches out into the surrounding neighborhoods. On the Metro website, you can [http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php search for public transit routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. There is a limited subway and light rail system as part of the [http://www.urbanrail.net/am/lsan/los-angeles-map.gif mass transit options], but most of the Los Angeles area is served by bus service.

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/riders_guide/paying_fare.htm exact cash fare] when you board. A '''Day Pass''' costs $6.
If you do not want to use any form of public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

====Regional Passenger Train====

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/ Metro Link] is the regional passenger connection system, a train system connecting Los Angeles with adjacent counties which goes as far south as San Diego County, as far east as San Bernadino and Riverside Counties and as far north as Ventura County. A central hub is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Los_Angeles) Union Station] and major destinations it would connect you to include Anaheim (Disneyland), San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente in Orange County, just north of the San Diego county line, the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport and the Irvine-John Wayne Airport

====Union Station====

Union Station is an architecturally significant building that was place of the national historic registrar in 1980, and is featured in a number of films, music videos and television productions, and even the video game, Grand Theft Auto.

In addition to MetroLink, Union Station is also a central hub for the Metro subway system, and a number of Metro and regional connector bus systems, as well as [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&code=LAX Amtrak] for passenger train service to other parts of the USA. Amtrak has service up the west coast to Seattle, and east, to the upper mid-west, Chicago, and the south-east, New Orleans.

The [http://us.megabus.com/ MegaBus] express bus passenger network also currently boards and drop off passengers at the Patsaouras Plaza Bus Bay locations (at street level) with service from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento in California, as well as to and from Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in L.A. for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===

These are all free options for internet and wifi access in the Los Angeles. Some are open 24 hours or access is available outside the buildings after hours.

* City of Burbank public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4c5tsz]
* City of Glendale public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/7zfmzqx]
* City of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b9dkmwx]
* City of Santa Monica public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/b4ah6fc]
* County of Los Angeles public libraries [http://tinyurl.com/cqplh7e]

* Most hotels and hostels, some larger malls/shopping centers

* Vons, Pavillions, Ralph supermarkets (certain locations) and Whole Foods supermarkets

* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (may require purchase), most McDonald's (with and without purchase), and nearly all stand-alone Starbucks

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Los Angeles County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

February - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year Chinese New Year]

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo Cinco de Mayo]

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.usembassy.gov/ the Department of State's] website for full listings of all embassies and consulates in the United States. A commercial website offers information on Consulates and Embassies for Los Angeles [http://www.allembassies.com/embassies_in_usa_los_angeles.php here] but there is no way of knowing how complete or accurate this information may be.

==Last-minute Accommodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.