LA Parking and Driving Tips, From Someone Who Knows
Expo/La Brea traffic on a Friday night // Image Credit: Linh Da Tran
A common newcomer challenge - DRIVING and PARKING! Thus, I want to help spread my knowledge by writing this handy post with insider tips that I wish someone had told me when I first moved here!!
I came from a more chill, less crowded Southern state where parking never had street cleaning and reading contradictory street signs. We had a simple interstate system and it was not hard to navigate at all!!
So when I was dropped into LA, I had to sink or swim since car culture is LA culture. Year one in LA one was not good in terms of car stories. I raked up over $1,000 in towing fees / parking tickets! Can you believe that? Yes, I was infamous for parking on the street when it was street cleaning day, mixing up what day/time it was (now I check my watch/phone meticulously)! I parked in the wrong zone and got ticketed and towed! Oh yes, and I was rear ended, and while all OK, my car was considered “totaled” because its value was less than the damages done to it - all of this happened the first two years in LA! Gosh I sure learned after that.
Thus read ahead for my key driving / parking tips for LA new comers!
Tip #1:
Beware if you’re the only one parking along a certain area
If you see an empty curb immediately in front of your destination - BEWARE! This may mean parking is prohibited and/or it’s a street cleaning day. Be aware of parking spots that are too good to be true.
Once, while trying to enjoy a night out in Hollywood, I was jumping for joy as I discovered parking on Ivar St on a busy Friday night. By the time I exited the club at 2a - my car had been towed! Low and behold, I had parked in a tow-away zone that started after 11pm! Save your self $300-$500 and don’t get towed and ticketed. Read the signs, even if you think you “know” you don’t know.
Tip No. 2:
Learn the traffic flow patterns
Biggest traffic flow arteries are: East/West 10, North/South on the 101, and North/South on the 110.
In the morning, traffic tends to flow from where people live to where they work. For example, many people work Westside/Santa Monica but live on the Eastside (towards Downtown). Thus at 9a you will find more congestion going West on the 10.
Then logically, in the evening commute, you will find more congestion going on East 10. For some reason, I find many people head to downtown when the day is over, mainly because people live East of Downtown (where is it more affordable) and/or there could be an event like a game at the Staples Center, a Dodger Game, etc .
Thus, where ever you want to go - do some recon and find out if you’re “with traffic” or against traffic!! That will mentally prepare you for that long haul :) and helps your figure out that level commitment if you are meeting your friend at that unfriendly rush hour time.
Tip No. 3:
The 101 is the worst and is congested no matter what
I think it’s because everyone loves Hollywood and uses it as a main thoroughfare to get in/out of Burbank/Glendale/North Hollywood area. But the 101 is forever congested, at any time of day. I’ve seen it move OK and other times creep forward. If my travel includes the 101, then I know it’s a wild card and mentally prepare myself to inch forward.
Tip No 4:
Not all lanes are created equal
I am what you call a driver-hacker. As in, I am looking at all lanes in front of my and trying to optimize for the lane that is moving the fastest. Thus, I learned to change lanes quickly, efficiently, and frequently - while maintaining safety. Do I sometimes cut people off? I mean, from my perspective NO but other people might disagree. I’m sorry, I’m not sorry! The point is, if you want to get from A to Z faster, you will need to stay engaged and change lanes frequently. The worst, is to be caught in the “slow lane” where a traffic incident has occurred. Don’t be afraid to change lanes if you want to optimize your driving time.
Downtown LA on a Friday evening // Image Credit: Linh Da Tran
Tip No 5:
Know thy meter rules
Feeding the meter is illegal. Feeding the meter is defined as not moving your car and just adding in more hours. For example, if the sign says 1 hour parking, technically you’re supposed to repark or move your car after that 1 hour. How do people know you’ve fed the meter? I’ve only heard rumors but they say they mark your tires with chalk. I’ve seen the chalk markings. You’ve been warned!
If the meter is broken, it is your responsibility to prove it was broken before parking in that spot. This means, put a trash bag/plastic bag over the meter and leave a note to the parking person that it is broken. If you see an Error message flashing take a photo and document the date/time. If the parking person comes back and your parking meter “works” then they will give you a ticket. If they do not see an obvious issue with the meter they will give you a ticket. The government puts the onus on you to notify them in a CLEAR / OBVIOUS way that it is broken. Even if you do that, you are still at risk for getting a ticket. Technically, you should not park in a broken meter spot. I know right!! Crazy.
West Hollywood intersection on a long holiday weekend
// Image Credit: Linh Da Tran
What to do if you cannot find your car (it’s either towed or stolen)
Call the non-emergency police line and tell them your license plate number; tell them you can’t find your car and want to confirm it’s been towed and not stolen. They keep track of all towed cars. They locate towed cars by your plate number so if you can’t remember your plate, figure it out prior to calling.
Non Emergency LAPD 1-877-ASK-LAPD or (1-877-275-5273)
If you call the ^ number and LAPD cannot find your plate # then you can then report your car as stolen with the police!
Hope the above tips helps! Feel free to drop me a line and send any questions / gripes you have about LA driving and parking - as I’m happy to respond as a now LA local! linhdy@hotmail.com