I'm not a pure bred Angeleno- ok, I'm a part bred Angeleno and got to know the LA Freeway system…read morewhen the 105 construction was suspended. I often wondered when they would finish it, better, why was construction suspended? All my wondering has no matter to the subject or matter of the 105 Freeway; Just know the following Goes from LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) to the City of Norwalk. Worse possible planning (may homes in the Hawthorne area got condemned making room for the freeway But the real question leaves me wondering IF the 105 Freeway accomplished what the original planners thought it should do. IMHO, no it didn't. It caused hard to homeowners for condemnation, it caused harm to taxpayers as they paid for it and worst part? It created more traffic congestion that you can shake a stick at! Stay off the 105 if you can help it.

I don't know what's worse? The fact that I thought it would be a good idea to finish the job out at…read moreLMU today, or the fact that everything just happened to wrap up at 3:30 in the afternoon and now I'm sitting here on the 105 bordering a panic attack because the absolutely unbelievable amount of traffic that I'm stuck in right now! I keep making the most awkward ass eye with this dude next to me who I'm pretty sure has a perm. I feel like he wants me to roll down my window, but I won't! Just minding my business and trying get home at some point this week.

The 2016 Yelp 500 - Review #164:…read more The only way a freeway gets a bad rap from me is if the traffic is horrendous EVERY time I use it. Thus far I have been fortunate with most freeways being driven on outside of the obvious rush hour times and, for many instances, I am doing what I call the Reverse Commute ("RM"). This means I am going in the opposite direction of the main flow of traffic. This goes for all freeways so, it is understanding that there is nothing surprising about that. My greatest tip would be that if circumstance dictates that you can do an "RM"... Then by all means, do it. PERSONALLY: I use the 10 Freeway to get to Santa Monica and it's pier in the evenings. Sometimes it can be congested once the pier closes up (on my return, heading east) or at 0200 hours when the clubs and bars close. I also use it to get from the major north and south arteries to favorite haunts along Fairfax or La Brea. NOTE: (Off the 5) I completely avoid the 10 during rush hour and take Bandini & Washington Blvds. prior to the confluence of the 5 & the 10... until things are a bit more to my liking on the 10. I trust traffic apps to help me. I can only hope that others have the luck I have been blessed with.

What's not to love about the 10 freeway in Santa Monica? When it's free and clear you get the true…read moreCalifornia feel with the sunshine and clouds. But when it's packed boy oh boy is it packed. Here's are the times where you might want to have a great playlist because you are guaranteed to be sitting in heavy traffic: Eastbound 3pm-7:30/8pm Westbound 8-9am (only from the 405/10 intersection up until Cloverfield exit) Outside of those times the 10 freeway is usually smooth sailing and a breeze. The only bad thing about the 10 freeway is that there isn't any carpool lane until you're well past downtown. So from basically Santa Monica to almost the inland Empire If there's traffic there's nothing you can do except deal with it. **note** this review is for the 10 freeway from roughly West LA (405/Sepulveda Blvd) to Santa Monica. It is not for the 10 freeway anything east of La Cienega.

The one freeway that rarely ever has heavy traffic whenever I am on it, the 22, or the Garden Grove…read morefreeway begins on 7th St in Long Beach and stretches all the way until it's ending on the 55 freeway. Through this freeway, you'll zip through the heart of Orange County, navigating through such cities as Westminster, Garden Grove, Orange, Anaheim and such. It does have a carpool lane. Beware as it can get confusing when it connects with the 405 freeway. From where I live, I've found a somewhat easier route to Disneyland!

Sometimes this freeway is busy hoing to garden hrove or long beach…read more I love driving thos freeway easy access From 57 South. After 6 or 7 at night is better. Not too much traffic going 57 North to San Bernardino. I like when is not busy. Going back home makes the ride easy and peaceful. Not too much stress or hassle than other freeways or taking different inside roads. I always take it. Do not hesitate to try it.

Just the fact of this man, Reverend Howard Noboru Toriumi, helping to save Little Tokyo from being…read moredemolished deserves 5 Stars! Rev. Toriumi was a minister at the Union Church, not far from here. That Church is now a theatre, Union Center for the Arts. The location of this plaza is at 1st Street and Judge John Aiso St. It adds nearly an acre of public space. This plaza includes the plaque about Reverend Toriumi, a Relief Sculpture, lots of seating, a place to rent bikes, has a bus stop, and a staircase leading underground to the Aiso Street Parking Facility. The sculpture is a bronze relief sculpture depicting Japanese culture. There are 3 facets, each unique. The plaque tells about Rev. Toriumi. Inscribed on the plaque are these words, "He was a dedicated leader who galvanized the community and helped save Little Tokyo from the wrecking ball during the turbulent redevelopment years of the 1960s-70s. He established several community service organizations that expanded and flourished." "After WWII incarceration at Topaz Relocation Center in Utah, he graduated from Princeton Seminary and served as senior pastor of Union Church of Los Angeles from 1961-79." I love walking around Little Tokyo and appreciate the restaurants & shops and can't imagine this not existing! I'm glad there was a person who believed in the preservation of Little Tokyo! Thank you, Rev. Toriumi!

Being a tourist in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles…read more.. Alana and I had some time between appointments, so we wandered around since we had secured a good parking space! We found Toriumi Plaza (on the corner of Judge John Aiso Street and 1st Street), but it didn't have a business page... Yet... So, I urged Alana to go for it... And she did! I don't have much to add to her review and want to reiterate: From rafu.com: "After WWII incarceration at Topaz Relocation Center in Utah, he (Reverend Howard Toriumi) graduated from Princeton Seminary and served as senior pastor of Union Church of Los Angeles from 1961-79." He "saved Little Tokyo from the wrecking ball" - which takes courage and dedication... qualities of a great leader... worthy of having a Plaza in Los Angeles named after him! The Plaza is useful as it has a bus stop, bike rental area, and underground parking! There's also an interesting 3-sided bronze relief sculpture depicting the livelihood of Little Tokyo!

As a kid this place was so magical. I can remember the long lines of cars waiting to get to have…read moreSanta and his helpers handing out a candy cane for each person in the car. And all the amazing decorations that adorned each house. Everywhere you looked there was an awesome site to be seen. The island was always decked out with the city decorations. Sad to say now a days the city still holds up there part to an extent. They have the opening day parade which is still quite nice. But the home owners have somewhat let go over the years. I don't know if they just got old or if it's the new generation but for some reason it just seems that the Christmas spirit has kinda disappeared over the years. Makes me kinda sad. But none the less find opening day and see the parade and you will still enjoy. Guess it just part of life to grow up and see things change. Anyway happy holidays YELP.

This is such a fun time where the Wrigley community comes together to celebrate the holidays…read more Although we are not the most notable area of Long Beach, we are definitely noticed for this! This is a modest yet exciting parade that goes up and down Daisy aka Christmas Tree Lane. There are marching bands from locals high school, cheerleaders, and all sorts of local businesses and organizations. It is such a fun way to celebrate Christmas while also coming out to support the community. If you are planning on attending, make sure you remember how crazy parking will be! get there early, and be prepared to walk a few blocks. If you live close, WALK! We live about 3/4 blocks away, and all the parking on our street is taken during this time. But don't let this stop you from attending! Grab your family, some hot chocolate, and a warm coat, and enjoy this festive parade!

Historical landmark, the Ridge Route Tunnel is a surprisingly fun thing to see and ho through,…read moreespecially as the train is passing above on the tracks.

Now that the Expo Line is complete going from Downtown LA to Santa Monica, we're in business. LA…read moreis a big city, but the Metro Rail connects a lot of the major areas. The Expo light rail isn't that bad to get from DTLA to the westside. Commuting hours is terrible since I remember it getting crowded, but every other time it is fine. This stop is by USC and it's perfect if you're a student or live in the neighborhood. Fast Food Row is on Figueroa nearby for an assortment of, well, fast food. There's another stop by Exposition Park where all the museums are, but it's not that far of a walk.

If you live on the north end of USC's campus, or in the apartments/houses just north of campus,…read morefrom firsthand experience I can say this metro stop is very convenient and comes in handy when going to LA Live (5 minutes away) or Downtown LA (10 minutes away). Not only is it nice to be able to go downtown without a car, but even if you have a car, going downtown on the Expo Line still seems the favorable option as it's fast, cheap, and doesn't require scavenging around for parking! Unfortunately the Expo Rail Line doesn't go all the way to Santa Monica... yet. 4 stars on the Expo Line until it expands past it's current final stop of Culver City. When it does go to Santa Monica in the forthcoming years, I can only imagine how popular this rail line will be with SC students!

The iconic Beverly Hills sign -…read more Get there early, as you'll not be able to get clear shots with tour buses and other visitors from out of town who have the same notion to take selfies and group shots! Usually, there's heavy foot traffic, but certain times allow you to take your time to walk through the park. Note that sometimes the area gets landscaped, so certain parts are not accessible. There are metered street parking in the area. +the Beverly Hills sign +metered street parking available

I don't get what the fuss is about with the "Beverly Hills Sign". It's a freaking sign!read more