Downtown LA Organizations

There are many organizations that strive to make Downtown LA a better place.

Here are some organizations that you should know about.

Central City Association ccala.org Established in 1924, the Central City Association (CCA) is LA's premier business advocacy leader, shaping public policy on a broad range of issues, and is the leading architect of the Downtown Renaissance. This business membership organization represents over 450 businesses, trade associations and non-profits who employ over 300,000 people in LA County.

LA INC. discoverlosangeles.com LA INC., The LA Convention and Visitors Bureau, advances LA's visitor economy through sales and marketing to consumers, as well as domestic and international travel trade. LA INC. represents LA as a travel destination in the meetings and convention industry nationwide, the international travel trade and traveler, the cruise passenger and cruise lines, the domestic leisure traveler, and the worldwide travel media.

LA County Economic Development Corporation laedc.org The LAEDC's mission is to attract, retain and grow business and jobs in the regions of LA County, as well as to identify trends and affect positive change for the local economy. The LAEDC also offers free Business Assistance services for companies expanding or relocating in LA County.

LA Convention Center lacclink.com The Convention Center is one of the most efficiently designed and technologically advanced exhibition facilities in the world. Many special events are also held at this facility, which hosts groups throughout the year from around the world and the nation.

International Downtown Association ida-downtown.org The DCBID is proud to be a member of IDA, a world leader and champion for vital and livable urban centers.

Little Tokyo Service Center ltsc.org Founded in 1979, the Little Tokyo Service Center, a Community Development Corporation (LTSC CDC), has been an important resource for the residents of a diverse community. LTSC CDC is a nonprofit charitable organization serving Asian and Pacific Islanders throughout LA County who are in need, especially those facing language or cultural gaps, financial need, or physical disabilities.

Downtown LA Business Improvement Districts Although the Downtown Center Business Improvement District is the largest Business Improvement District in Downtown LA, there are many others working hard every day to make Downtown a better place to live, work, & play. Want to see where the BID boundaries are? Click here for a map of Downtown LA BIDs (PDF, 750kb).

Arts District artsdistrictla.com

Central City East Association centralcityeast.org The Central City East Association (CCEA) was formed in 1985 to provide a voice and advocacy for the issues and concerns of property owners located on the east side of Downtown LA. Early in 1998, CCEA formed two Business Improvement Districts: The LA Downtown Industrial District (LADID) and the Toy District. The BIDs work to create a safer, more secure and cleaner environment for area residents, employees and visitors.

Chinatown chinatownla.com The Business District of Chinatown consists of 24 blocks, bordered by Cesar Chavez and Bernard, Alameda and Yale. The mission of the LA Chinatown Business Council - the managing entity of the LA Chinatown BID (CBID) - is to creatively plan, manage and facilitate the rebirth of historic Chinatown as a multinational culturally defined, economically vibrant and socially engaging community.

Downtown Center Business Improvement District about the DCBID and downtownla.com The Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID) is a coalition of property owners united in their commitment to enhance the quality of life in Downtown LA. It aims to help the 65-block central business district - the Heart of the City - achieve its full potential as a great place to own a business, visit, work or live. To assure that the City center is safe and clean, the BID's team of maintenance, safety and customer service guides augment LA City services.

Fashion District fashiondistrict.org LA Fashion District property owners, a coalition of over 700, contribute over $3 million annually to support the LA Fashion District Business Improvement District (BID). The LA Fashion District BID is dedicated to making the community a clean, safe and friendly place to work, shop, do business and live through maintenance, security and marketing programs.

Figueroa Corridor figueroacorridor.org The Figueroa Corridor is best known for being home to the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Exposition Park, and the Shrine Auditorium. Some of the memories that echo through this community include the Olympic Games, the Academy Awards, a Nobel Laureate, and world-class museums.

Historic Downtown historicdowntownla.com The Historic Downtown LA Business Improvement District (HDBID) fosters a community that is a clean, safe, and exciting environment in which to live, work, shop, and play. The HDBID provides safe & clean services, community and visitor outreach, and marketing and economic development strategies that complement this historic and distinguished district, rich with architecture and tradition.

Little Tokyo visitlittletokyo.com The merchants, businesses and professional people who comprise the Little Tokyo Business Association are dedicated to maintaining a vibrant and vital community. The LTBA works in cooperation with the Community Redevelopment Agency, LA City Council and other local and statewide organizations to promote Little Tokyo and share its rich and multi-faceted culture.

South Park southpark.la You may know South Park for the dining and entertainment venues at L.A. LIVE – including the STAPLES Center, Nokia Theatre, Club Nokia, GRAMMY Museum, Conga Room, and more – but it's also home to a vibrant residential community and a mix of interesting bars and restaurants.

Downtown LA Tours & Visitor Information With so much to see in Downtown, it's no surprise that there are a number of tours servicing the area. Whether you're a visitor or even a long-time LA resident who has yet to see much of Downtown, check out some of the following tours!

Esotouric Bus Adventures esotouric.com We're not your ordinary tour bus company. Our routes veer off into fascinating, neglected neighborhoods. Our expert guides are passionate, brainy and hilarious. Our tour themes are provocative and complex, but never dry, mixing crime and social history, rock and roll and architecture, literature and film, fine art and urban studies into a simmering stew of original research and startling observations. When you climb aboard for an Esotouric bus adventure, you're guaranteed an intelligent, unpredictable ride into the secret heart of the city we love.

CityRace Urban Adventure Hunts (310) 360-6950 • racela.com CityRace Urban Adventure Hunts send teams of 2 to 4 players on a challenging 3-hour quest for clues through one of LA's many diverse neighborhoods. You'll use brainpower & teamwork to crack codes, solve tricky puzzles, research little-known facts and more in a fast-paced, fun-filled race against other teams to be the first to the finish with the most correct answers! Downtown Los Angeles tours include L.A. LIVE and Downtown뭩 urban center, Olvera Street, Chinatown and the LA Metro.

CRA/LA Self-Guided Public Art Tours 1200 W. 7th St. • (213) 977-1763 • crala.org/art Explore public art all across Downtown Los Angeles with FREE audio tours and walking tour maps, brought to you by the Community Redevelopment Agency of LA (CRA/LA), Downtown Region. Discover a new side of the Civic Center, Little Tokyo, the Historic Core, Bunker Hill, and more.

Downtown LA Housing Bus Tours downtownla.com If you've considered moving to Downtown LA, but you don't know where to begin, our Saturday Housing Bus Tour is for you! From Adaptive Reuse loft-style apartments in historic office buildings to luxury apartments, Downtown has unique real estate for those of you bored with suburban living. On this extensive, four-hour tour, you'll visit a sampling of six or seven residences - both for sale and for lease - among 75 existing residential properties, and many more under construction. We will also provide an introduction to Downtown's many neighborhoods, pointing out Downtown icons such as L.A. LIVE & the STAPLES Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels.

Great Urban Race greaturbanrace.com Held once a year throughout the U.S., the Great Urban Race consists of teams trying to solve 12 clues in a way that also lets them discover the city. In past events, participants navigated the streets of Downtown Los Angeles and West Hollywood. Along the way, they completed a murder mystery puzzle, scooted on butt scooters and jumped rope at Poinsettia Park, helped scoop dog food at PAWS LA, fed each other yummy cupcakes at Frosted Cupcakery, and completed many more fun challenges!

LA Central Library 630 W. 5th St. • (213) 228-7168 • lapl.org Come downtown and visit Los Angeles Public Library's state of the art Central Library. Enjoy the art and architecture of the wonderful Goodhue Building with its distinctive sphinxes and rooftop pyramid. Wander through the high-tech. Bradley Wing, designed by famed architect Norman Pfeiffer, and gaze at the 8-story atrium with its whimsical chandeliers. Learn about the library's comprehensive book, magazine, audio and videotape collections as well as its extensive network of informational databases. FREE docent tours daily, with a self-guided tour PDF available online and reserved tours available for groups of six or more.

LA Conservancy 523 W. 6th St. • (213) 623-2489 • laconservancy.org Discover or revisit the architectural gems of historic LA with a Conservancy Walking Tour! Regular walking tours include The Historic Core, Downtown's Evolving Skyline, Broadway Historic Theatre District, Art Deco, Historic Spring Street: Wall Street of the West, Union Station, and more. The LA Conservancy, the largest membership-based local historic preservation organization in the country, is dedicated to the recognition, preservation, and revitalization of the architectural and cultural heritage of greater LA.

LA Historic Theatre Foundation 1725 Wellington Road • (213) 999-5067 • lahtf.org This non-profit group seeks to protect and restore Southern California뭩 historic theaters, several of which are in Downtown L.A. in the Broadway Historic Theater District. The group offers behind-the-scenes tours of historic theaters on the third Saturday of the month.

LA Visitor Information Center 685 S. Figueroa St. &bull (213) 689-8822 • discoverlosangeles.com The Visitor Information Center is located adjacent to 7th & Metro station. The multilingual staff can answer travel questions, provide directions and public transportation information, assist with itineraries, and make recommendations on dining, sightseeing and cultural options. The center also sells tickets to attractions, and provide maps and travel guides. The center is operated by LA INC., The LA Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Olvera Street 622 N. Main St. • (213) 628-1274 • lasangelitas.org Las Angelitas del Pueblo is a wonderful group of volunteer docents who give free tours of El Pueblo de Los Angeles to the public. Free, 50-minute walking tours are given of the historic El Pueblo de Los Angeles, where LA was founded. Tours are every Tuesday through Saturday, at 10 a.m., 11 am, and noon. Other attractions include Olvera Street; Avila Adobe, the oldest building in Los Angeles; and La Placita, the oldest church in LA.

Panse USA - Elephant Tours elephanttour.com

Six Taste Food Tours (888) 313-0936 • sixtaste.com Six reasons to choose Six Taste: 1. See the sights while trying delicious food from up to 9 of the best restaurants in the area 2. Get a VIP experience and talk to restaurant owners and executive chefs 3. Take a closer look at LA뭩 distinctive neighborhoods and experience the culture by living it뾫ot just driving through it. 4. Learn more about food, history, and culture from our local tour guides 5. A unique, fun, and delicious way to spend an afternoon with your date, friends or family! 6. Affordable half-day tours � all food included!

StarLine Tours (800) 959-3131 • starlinetours.com Since 1935, StarLine Tours has provided exciting sightseeing tours in Hollywood and LA, including major attractions such as Universal Studios, Disneyland, J. Paul Getty Museum, and now Downtown LA! Pick ups are available at most hotels in the greater LA area and route connections are available.

Undiscovered Chinatown Tour (213) 680-0243 • chinatownla.com Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures – not to mention great bargains – to be found in Chinatown. Wear comfortable walking shoes for this 2.5-hour tour, and be prepared to wind your way through a myriad of alleyways, plaza stalls, and classical courtyards to discover the charm of L.A.'s Chinatown. Available on select Saturdays, 10:30am-1:00pm, $20 per person.

Urban Shopping Adventures 846 S. Broadway • (213) 683-9715 • urbanshoppingadventures.com Enjoy a shopping tour and a new way to see LA! Share some girl time, build mother-daughter bonds, reward employees, celebrate birthdays and graduations, or even shop for your wedding. Find fashions by LA.'s newest designers in Downtown's Fashion District, plus all your favorites at below-retail prices. Get insider access to 90 square blocks of retail-wholesale shops in the nation's largest fashion district. A fashion treasure hunt!

Walt Disney Concert Hall 135 N. Grand Ave. • (213) 972-4399 • musiccenter.org Touring the Music Center is a great way to explore Los Angeles' finest cultural center for FREE. There is a tour just right for you at the Music Center Campus. All tours begin in the Grand Lobby of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Both a guided tour and a self-guided audio tour are available, as well as a four-theatre tour of the entire Music Center.

Downtown LA News Sources There's a lot going on in Downtown, and it can be hard to keep up. These community news sources will help you stay in the know about everything Downtown LA.

Los Angeles Downtown News ladowntownnews.com Since 1972 Los Angeles Downtown News has been the voice of the Downtown community. Locally owned, Downtown News fills a unique and highly focused niche in the lives of the more than 150,000 readers. With dozens of journalism and industry awards under its belt, the paper and its websites are the premier sources of information about Downtown Los Angeles.

Blogdowntown: Life in Downtown Los Angeles blogdowntown.com Blogdowntown is the online community hub for Downtown Los Angeles, delivering the news and information that readers need to be the most informed and active members of their community. Blogdowntown believes that a vibrant community needs a vibrant news source, and has been providing that news online since 2005.

Bunker Hill: The Magazine for Downtown Los Angeles bunkerhillmagazine.com We're here to spread the word about the rebirth of Downtown LA. We'll have the rest of LA green with envy. Bunker Hill is committed to delivering the finest reviews on Downtown. Learn more about the newest Downtown businesses (plus some of your old favorites), read up on the movers and shakers of Downtown, discover the history of our famous buildings and landmarks, and keep up on your culture   including music, fashion, food and more!

LA Canvas lacanvas.com Covering everything from music and fashion to film and tech, each issue of LA CANVAS is dedicated to the discovery of the city's greatest new trends. Its pages are filled with in depth artist profiles, hot venue spotlights, vibrant photo spreads and comprehensive scoops for a crowd that inhales the glitz of a Hollywood bar as freely as it does the edginess of a downtown gallery opening. 20,000 copies of the magazine are circulated bimonthly to the artistic hubs of the city. Allow yourself to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Los Angeles through the eyes of LA CANVAS, revealing the city's hidden treasures in retail, dining, nightlife and the arts.

Downtown LA Charity & Volunteer Opportunities

Good Samaritan Hospital goodsam.org • (213) 977-2091 • 1225 Wilshire Blvd. (map) "Good Samaritan Hospital welcomes volunteers. They enable the hospital to provide a higher level of service and contribute to the comfort of our patients and visitors. Our volunteers play a very important role. They assist patients, visitors and staff in a variety of ways and have the opportunity to learn new skills."

Inner-City Arts inner-cityarts.org • volunteer@inner-cityarts.org • (213) 627-9621 • 720 Kohler St. (map) "Inner-City Arts volunteers provide an invaluable service to us and we know that we could not successfully accomplish our mission without their help. Whether you are working with one of our artists or administrators, you are making a difference in the lives of these children."

LA Philharmonic Association laphil.com • (323) 850-2000 • 111 S. Grand Ave. (map) "Volunteering at the Los Angeles Philharmonic is a meaningful and significant form of philanthropy. Giving your time and sharing your passion demonstrate an invaluable expression of support for the LA Phil. Your involvement allows you to make a profound impact on your community. By participating in any of the LA Phil's volunteer opportunities, you help the institution sustain the music and support the essential education and community programs that heighten the cultural vitality of our city."

Los Angeles Conservancy laconservancy.org • (213) 430-4219 • 523 W. Sixth St. (map) "The Conservancy relies heavily on the support of its volunteers, who are essential to the success of both educational programs and advocacy efforts. Many of our projects depend on the continued involvement of volunteers in a variety of different activities. Diverse options are available to anyone wishing to give his or her time and talent to the Conservancy."

Museum of Contemporary Art moca.org • volunteers@moca.org • (213) 626-6222 • 250 S. Grand Ave. (map) "The MOCA Volunteers are a dynamic group of people of diverse talents and backgrounds. Volunteers are a vital component of the museum's Visitor Services operations, with their assistance at the Information Desk. Volunteers also contribute valuable support behind the scenes, assisting on other projects when available."

The Midnight Mission midnightmission.org • (213) 624-9258 • 601 S. San Pedro St. (map) "The Midnight Mission's Volunteer program is a vital part of our service delivery system. Annually thousands of individuals, church groups, employee groups and others come down to the Mission or our Family Housing Program to serve our clients and guests. This life-changing experience is available 365 days a year. We are flexible and open to creative ways to serve those that rely upon our organization for their daily needs."

Playworks Los Angeles playworks.org • (310) 526-8794 • 453 S. Spring St. (map) "Playworks provides opportunities for dynamic individuals who are naturally motivated and possess clear and open communication skills to volunteer in elementary schools and developmental leagues throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area. As a Playworks Ambassador, you will mirror our core values of respect, inclusion, healthy play, and healthy community and have an opportunity to be a part of this important movement across the Nation."

Union Rescue Mission urm.org • (213) 347-6300 • 545 S. San Pedro St. (map) "We provide opportunities for those with a servant heart to serve in a capacity that provides hope, healing, and change. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available for individuals and groups."