South LA. Once known as South Central LA. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. Crime and poverty persist here, next door to one of the nation’s most high-status universities. Still home to a predominantly African-American and Latino population, this area has nevertheless felt downtown’s encroaching development, and the uneasiness of shifting demographics. Watch your back after dark, but give it up for the charities and activists working to make things more peaceful.

Landmarks

• California Science Center • 700 Exposition Park Dr
323-724-3623
Come for the exhibits and high-wire bicycle acts.

• LA Memorial Coliseum • 3939 S Figueroa St
213-747-7111
We’re still waiting for that LA football team . . .

• Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall •
665 W Jefferson Blvd
213-748-5116
The mosque design makes it one of the neighborhood’s most visible buildings.

Restaurants

• 29th Street Café • 2827 S Hoover St
213-746-2929 • $$
The spot in South Central for brunch.

• Chano’s Drive-In • 3000 S Figueroa St
213-747-3944 • $
Drive-in to dive into authentic Mexican food.

• Pasta Roma • 2827 S Figueroa St
213-742-0303 • $
University student hangout for cheap Italian.