Clustered with modern residential towers, South Park is an inner-city neighbourhood on the southern edge of Downtown Los Angeles. It’s dominated by the immense entertainment complex of L.A. Live, which comprises outdoor event spaces, broadcasting studios and a museum dedicated to the Grammy Awards.
Things to do in South Park
Centred around a mosaic-adorned clock tower is Grand Hope Park, which is located on the campus of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. It was designed by the American landscape architect Lawrence Halprin as a collection of “outdoor rooms” and features decorative paths, fountains and a children’s playground. Artwork by Gwynn Murrill and Lita Albuquerque are a highlight of the park.
Coincide your visit to South Park with a basketball game at the Crypto Arena, which is home to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Sparks. It hosts around 250 events each year, including musical performances by big-name artists and the Grammy Awards ceremony. Adjacent to the arena is Star Plaza where statues of famous athletes and broadcasters can be seen.
At the nearby Grammy Museum, you can get up close hand-written lyrics, costumes and instruments that have featured at past awards ceremonies. Its exhibits explore the creative process of artists and the technology behind recordings, with the opportunity to step inside sound-proof booths as producers explain their craft. Live music performances are regularly held at the museum’s Clive Davis Theater.
Getting around South Park
South Park is around five minutes’ drive from the centre of Los Angeles and 45 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Subway services stop at the 7th Street / Metro Center while buses travel through South Park. Renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the area.