Editing Los Angeles (section)

== 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.htm 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; exact fare payments will not get you the free transfers, however. Like many other large transit systems in the USA, Metro has now instituted a plastic "TAP" card requirement, they cost a dollar and can easily be purchased at any subway stop, the airport and a few other places [https://www.taptogo.net/TAPLocator2 including vendors] A day pass currently [https://www.metro.net/riding/fares/ costs] $7, a seven day pass is $25 and if you are staying long enough, monthly passes run $100. Discounts are available for students, etc.

==== 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 For Travelers ===

----

'''Mobile/Cell Phone Information''' 

There are two main GSM providers in the US: AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon and Sprint do not use SIM cards, so you cannot use your GSM phone with those providers. However, there are also MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that buy AT&T and T-Mobile service wholesale and sell it retail on a prepaid basis.

NOTE: '''not all GSM phones are compatible with US GSM service providers''', but if your phone is "tri-band" or "quad-band", it should be compatible for voice and SMS services. Check with your provider to make sure. '''Also make sure that your phone is "unlocked"''' so that it can operate with SIM cards that do not belong to your provider. If your phone is locked to your carrier, it may be possible to have it unlocked.

If you plan to use data on your smart phone here in the US, 3G data services in the US are often incompatible with phones not made specifically for the US. '''Your phone must be compatible with both frequencies of a provider to be compatible with 3G data.''' If it is not, you can still get data service, just at a slower speed (2G, also known as Edge).

* AT&T uses both the 800 MHz and the 1900 MHz frequency bands for their 3G data network. They use the 700 MHz frequency for their LTE (4G) service.

* T-Mobile uses both the 1700 MHz and the 2100 MHz frequency bands for their 3G data network, which in some cities is as fast as the 4G networks -- with the right phone.

You can input your phone model in [http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3 this website] to find out its specifications and if it supports the frequencies above, or you can input the IMEI of your phone in [http://www.imei.info/ this website] to find out the model and the frequencies. The IMEI is usually located under the battery of most [https://www.wishhow.com/mobiles/ mobile phones] . 

Here is a listing of GSM prepaid plans. Note that many of these plans include international minutes and/or SMS text messaging. '''Also note that in the US, the owner of the mobile phone pays for both incoming and outgoing minutes and SMS/text messages,''' but people do not pay more to call you on your phone or send you an SMS/text message. 

* AT&T (2nd largest cell phone service provider in the US): http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/pyg-cell-phone-plans.jsp

* T-Mobile (4th largest cell phone service provider in the US): http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

If you walk into a T-Mobile or AT&T store and ask for a prepaid SIM and activate it in the store, they will probably charge you $5 or $6 for the SIM. 

MVNOs:

Carriers with storefronts aren't the only options. You can also find great deals with MVNOs, Mobile Virtual Network Operators. MVNOs are services that resell other operators' spectrum, and prices go as low as $30 per month without a contract. 

TracFone is the largest, and owns StraightTalk, a Wal-Mart exclusive that resells AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Ting and Credo Mobile ride Sprint's network, as do Sprint's own prepaid Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile brands. PureTalk sells AT&T; Net 10 rides AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint; and Simple Mobile resells T-Mobile service.

You can get a SIM card from any of these providers on eBay or at their respective websites for $5 or less, plus shipping (often the seller offers free shipping to addresses in the US, and a small shipping fee outside the US). If you buy the SIM online, you can then have the seller ship it to your host or hostel and then activate it online. It is safe to purchase a SIM card on eBay, but just be careful not to purchase a used SIM (the listings clearly state when the SIM is used), and whether you buy from eBay or directly from the provider's website, purchase far enough in advance so that it is delivered before you arrive.

You can also buy an inexpensive Pay-As-You-Go phone once you arrive in the US with credit already on it (for example: GoPhone, Virgin Mobile, and Boost Mobile), and you can add to that credit if you need to. Plans differ by provider, so you have to ask what the plan is before you buy the phone. Stores where you can buy such phones:

* BestBuy (electronics chain)
* CVS (a drugstore chain)
* Rite Aid (also drugstore chain)
* Target (department store)
* Walgreens (yes, another drugstore chain)

=== 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 all stand-alone Starbucks

* Capital One Cafe in downtown LA and Westwood both offer high speed complimentary internet and will not require a purchase; additionally they have comfortable seating and plenty of electrical outlets

* Many restaurants and coffee shops now offer complimentary wifi, but you may have to check or make a purchase.