Life in LA

With temperatures greater than 60 degrees on average on most days, it’s no wonder that adjusting to life in the South Bay of Los Angeles is easy.  There’s a saying that goes, ‘If you can’t find it in the South Bay, then it doesn’t exist!”

The Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is located 15 minutes from the beach, 15 minutes from the Los Angeles International and Long Beach Airports, and 20 miles from the UCLA campus.  It’s proximity to Los Angeles’ well-known freeway system makes it accessible for residents to reach the Westside neighborhoods such as Santa Monica and Beverly Hills as made popular by the media in 20 minutes, Downtown LA for the historical architecture and unique ethnic neighborhoods in 20 minutes going north, and Long Beach for the new up-and-coming restaurant and entertainment scenes in 15 minutes going south. (Full disclosure: travel times without traffic).

The Beaches: Many trainees take advantage of the Medical Center’s proximity to the ocean by living in the beach communities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and  Long Beach. Surfing, beach volleyball, rollerblading and bicycling on the strand, and outdoor dining are readily available.

 

The Cultural Scene: Los Angeles offers many museums, theaters, and cultural activities. HUMC is located within 30 miles of the Los Angeles Music Center, the Hollywood Bowl, the Greek Theater, the LA Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Broadway in Hollywood at the Pantages Theatre, the Geffen Playhouse, the Getty Center, the Norton Simon Museum, the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, just to name a few. Moreover, there are numerous movie theaters (multiplexes and art film houses) scattered all over LA.

Athletics:  For the sports minded, Los Angeles sporting offers professional basketball, baseball, soccer, football, and hockey teams as well as excellent collegiate sporting events.

Family-oriented: Away from the hustle and bustle of the Westside and Downtown LA, the communities of the South Bay offer a calmer and family-friendly environment for residents with families. There are public parks and libraries scattered all over the area.  In addition, major amusement parks such as Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain along with smaller local ones and the Aquarium of the Pacific  offer memory-making opportunities that your family will look back fondly on for years to come. Other family and group fun can be found at numerous escape rooms, and entertainment venues.

Food and Dining: LA is a mecca for food enthusiasts and HUMC is bordered by a broad array of restaurants and eateries that will satisfy your hunger after an exciting shift.  No matter whether you’re craving Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Seafood, Indian, Italian, Californian, Gourmet Pizza, Steak, Vegetarian, Brazilian, or just plain burgers and fries (In-N-Out), you don’t have to drive too far. Food festivals are frequent and varied.

Shopping: Whether you’re a connoisseur of luxury goods who frequents the high-end shops on Rodeo Drive or a shopping enthusiast who loves a good sale at the mall, the South Bay has no shortage of retail stores.  You will find major malls all over the area where you can find your favorite designer brand and chic independent boutiques by the beach communities where you can find unique one-of-the kind apparel. Or, take a short drive to South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island in Orange County, or hit an Outlet Mall.

Beyond LA: Alternatively, if one desires to escape Los Angeles for a day, Santa Barbara, Orange, and Riverside Counties, Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, and the “slice of Denmark in SoCal” Solvang, are just a mere freeway drive away. Nearby mountains and deserts offer skiing in the winter, poolside fun in the summer, and rock climbing and mountain biking year-round. Who says it doesn’t snow in Los Angeles?  Just pack an overnight bag with all your outdoor gear for your weekend adventure.