Los Angeles, California Travel Guide
About Know the Neighborhoods Getting Around Attractions Hotels
Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals
Essentials & Practicals in Los Angeles
CVS Pharmacy in Westwood Village
LAYOUT
Los Angeles is a massive city but it is one of the most wheelchair accessible places in the worlds. Sidewalks have ramps at corners and intermittently along them (generally where there are driveways). Check out the Los Angeles Neighborhoods section, as all LA neighborhoods are written about except Westchester (nothing to note in this area) and Inglewood.
LANGUAGE
Generally English and Spanish but you’ll find tons of other language spoken depending on the area you’re in (e.g., Westwood has many East Asian languages because UCLA is there but most Asian students know English anyway in LA). Chinese in Chinatown, Vietnamese, Japanese in Little Tokyo areas in Downtown LA and Sawtelle Blvd, Korean in Korea Town, Armenian in Glendale, Persian in Westwood, etc.
ELECTRICITY
120V/60h
Bank of America branch in LA
MONEY
Banks and ATMs
Los Angeles has several big banks, including credit unions, and even more ATM locations. ATMs are everywhere, including convenience stores such as Citi Bank ATMs and third party ATMs. You can also use a debit card at a grocery store such as Ralph’s to get cash back. The biggest names are below:
- Bank of America (www.bankofamerica.com)
- Chase Bank (www.chase.com)
- Citi Bank (http://citi.com/)
- Wells Fargo (http://wellsfargo.com/)
- US Bank (www.usbank.com)
- Washington Mutual (now Chase)
Tipping
Tip between 15 to 20% at restaurants and cabs.
Rite Aid pharmacy in Westwood
CONVENIENCE & GROCERY STORES
There are convenience stores and liquor stores–both chains like 7 Elevens and mom and pop stores–every other building in LA. There are multiple pharmacies like Rite-Aid in Westwood (better prices than CVS Pharmacies) and Santa Monica on Pico Blvd near 26th street.
The biggest grocery stores are Ralph’s, Vons, Trader Joe’s (my favorite) and Whole Foods.
LAUNDRY
Similarly, there are laundry stores every other block in LA. The prices are actually fairly competitive ($1.50 to wash a dress shirt).
INTERNET CAFES
There are a smattering of internet cafes such as one on Sawtelle Blvd south of Pico Blvd but there aren’t many because the city is wired.
EMBASSIES
Here is a directory of Embassies and Consulate-Generals