Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [56]
Equator Books & Vinyl (Map; 310-399-5544; www.equatorbooks.com; 1103 Abbot Kinney Blvd) Famous for its first editions, out-of-print and rare books on bullfighting, circus freaks, surfing and art; also has eclectic vinyl.
Eso Won Books (Map; 323-290-1048; 4331 Degnan Blvd, Leimert Park Village) LA’s premier African-American bookstore now has videos and DVDs as well, and holds frequent readings and signings.
Skylight Books (Map; 323-660-1175; 1818 Vermont Ave, Los Feliz) This loftlike indie bookstore focuses on local, nontraditional and foreign authors. They also host several book groups and run meet-the-author events.
Traveler’s Bookcase (Map; 323-655-0575; 8375 W 3rd St, Mid-City) Just what it says.
Vroman’s (Map; 626-449-5320; 695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena) Southern California’s oldest bookstore (since 1894) and still a favorite with local literati for browsing and frequent author appearances.
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WIRELESS SURFING
Public hotspots are proliferating faster than rabbits on Viagra. Aside from the usual places – cafés, hostels, libraries – entire towns, or sections thereof, are getting into the game: Pershing Sq and Little Tokyo in Downtown LA (Map), downtown Culver City (Map), the pier and Third St Promenade in Santa Monica (Map), Hermosa Beach (Map), downtown Burbank (Map) and downtown Long Beach (Map). The websites www.wififreespot.com/ca.html and www.jiwire.com can help you keep up with the latest additions.
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Emergency
Emergency ( 911) For police, fire or ambulance service.
Police ( 877-275-5273) For nonemergencies within the city of LA.
Rape & Battering Hotline ( 800-656-4673; 24hr)
Internet Access
For general information about internet access, Click here. Internet cafés in LA seem to have the lifespan of a fruit fly, but these two have shown some staying power.
Cyber Java (Map; 323-466-5600; 7080 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood; per 15min/hr $1.75/6, wi-fi free; 7am-11:30pm)
Interactive Café (Map; 310-395-5009; 215 Broadway, Santa Monica; per 10min $1, wi-fi free; 6am-midnight Sun-Thu, 6am-2am Fri & Sat)
Internet Resources
www.at-la.com Web portal to all things LA.
www.blacknla.com Online directory for LA’s African-American community.
www.blogging.la Musings, gripes, observations and tips from about 20 writers.
www.dailycandy.com Little bites from the stylish LA scene.
www.experiencela.com Excellent cultural calendar packed with useful public-transportation maps and trips.
www.gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles Urban travel guide to the useful, offbeat, naughty and nice.
www.la.com Hip guide to shopping, dining, nightlife and events.
www.latinola.com Plugs you right into the Latino arts and entertainment scene.
www.losangelesalmanac.com All the facts and figures at your fingertips.
www.visitlosangeles.info Official tourist-office website.
Left Luggage
Since September 11, lockers and left-luggage storage at airports and train stations have pretty much disappeared due to the perceived security risk, although Greyhound in Downtown LA Click here still has coin-operated lockers ($2 per six hours, 24-hour maximum). Otherwise, your only other option is a storage service. You can expect to pay about $10 for the pickup and then $3 to $7 per piece per day. The pricing is usually set according to the size of the bag. All of the services available are conveniently near LAX.
AeroEx (off Map; 310-670-2834; 8639 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica)
MBI Enterprises (off Map; 310-646-7460; 5551 W Manchester Blvd)
Libraries
There are public libraries everywhere, but the ones we’ve listed here are the largest and best. All of them offer free internet and wi-fi access, carry international periodicals, have special reading rooms for kids and host readings and cultural events.
Beverly Hills Library (Map; 310-288-2244; www.bhpl.org; 444 N Rexford Dr, Beverly Hills; 10am-9pm Mon-Thu, 10am-6pm Fri & Sat, noon-5pm Sun; )
Hollywood Library (Map; 323-856-8260; www.lapl.org; 1623 Ivar Ave, Hollywood; 10am-8pm Mon-Thu, 10am-6pm Fri & Sat, 1-5pm Sun; )
Richard Riordan Central Library