The Superintendent’s Guide to Downtown Los Angeles

A In this guide, we’ll include:

• The Basics (Page 2)

• Food and Drink (Page 7)

• Relaxing and Sightseeing (Page 13)

Traveling to Los Angeles often gets a bad rap. The traffic and sprawl can make for a frustrating week, but NCE this year isn’t in L.A.—it’s in downtown L.A. You’ll be in the middle of one of the most beautiful, energetic cities in America, exposed to the best foods and entertainment, all within walking distance of the convention center. There are plenty of travel guides about L.A., but for some reason, we couldn’t find any that were designed specifically to meet the needs of school administrators, so we decided to make one ourselves.

I flew to downtown L.A. with Greg Clark, who has been a superintendent for more than twelve years, and Apptegy’s Casey Mikula to scout out the best places for school administrators to visit during the conference. In this guide, you’ll find some great places to connect with old friends, grab a bite to eat, and build new relationships. We hope you enjoy it.

David Allan Head of Marketing and Media, Apptegy

Discounts: While we were scouting out the best spots to visit, we talked a few places into giving NCE conference attendees a discount. Just tell them that Apptegy sent you, and show them your conference badge.

20% 20% 20% 15% 10% Cow Cafe Aladdin’s Coffee Wynn Nail Spa Public School 213 First Draft

1 The Basics

How should I get from LAX to the Los Angeles Convention Center?

If you haven’t had a spare minute to figure out how you’re getting to the convention center, don’t fret. Here are the two best (and most common) ways to travel.

FlyAway Bus Uber or Lyft ($9.75 each way) ($35-55 each way)

The FlyAway bus is a cheap, regularly- If you’d prefer a quicker, more scheduled shuttle that runs to and from the straightforward option, ride-sharing airport from different destinations around services like Uber or Lyft are great the city. You’ll want to take the bus going to choices. The trip from LAX is estimated to Union Station. From there, you can either cost around $35-55 with tip, depending on take the metro or use a ride-sharing service the type of car you choose. like Uber or Lyft.

At LAX: Board buses on the Lower/Arrivals Level Requesting a Ride from LAX: Once you have your in front of each terminal under the green “FlyAway luggage and are ready to go, request a ride using the Buses and Long Distance Vans” sign. Each bus is app. We included details on using the ride-sharing marked with its service location. You’re looking for apps later on in the guide. “Union Station.” Once you’ve requested your ride: Metro Directions from Union Station: Take the Red • Walk up the escalators from baggage claim to or Purple Line to 7th Street/Metro Center Station, the departures level. and transfer to the Blue Line. Take the Blue Line to • Outside you will find signs that say “Ride App Pico Station, and you’ll be a block away from the Los Pickup” with letters on them. Angeles Convention Center and L.A. Live. The base • Look in the app to see where you will meet fare for the metro is $1.75 one-way, and a day pass is your driver. You might see, for example, “Ride $7. App Pickup G.” • Wait by the sign for your ride. Getting a FlyAway Ticket: You can purchase a FlyAway bus ticket at the bus using a credit or debit card, or on this website: LAXFlyAway.org. Be aware, they often don’t accept cash.

2 Don’t I need to rent a car in L.A.?

When you think of a city as large as Los Angeles, use ride-sharing apps. That way, you won’t have to you might think you need to rent a car to get navigate L.A.’s famous traffic or worry about finding around. However, if you’re planning on spending parking. We’ll show you the best ways to get around the majority of your time in downtown Los Angeles downtown in the “How do I get around downtown (around the Los Angeles Convention Center), then L.A.?” section of the guide. it’s usually cheaper and more convenient to walk or

What’s around the convention center?

The convention center is smack dab in the middle features artifacts like Jackson’s sequined gloves of downtown Los Angeles. Right outside most of or costumes from the Thriller music video. The the conference hotels is a massive entertainment museum costs $14 and is a must-stop for any music complex called L.A. Live, which has a bowling alley, lover. There are also plenty of restaurants inside the movie theatre, and the Grammy Museum. If you’re complex, including a . a fan of Michael Jackson, the Grammy Museum

3 The Staples Center is across the street from L.A. Live. The convention center itself is split into two main Lebron isn’t playing during the conference, but you buildings connected by a sky bridge. NCE will take can catch the Clippers on the 13th and 14th at 7:30 place in the West Hall, which is closest to the p.m. The Kings are playing on the 16th, also at 7:30 p.m. Staples Center. Most of the hotels are within a few blocks of L.A. Live, the Staples Center, and the convention center—some During the conference, you might need a quiet space are even located inside L.A. Live. If you’re coming from to take a phone call or answer a few emails. There’s the hotels, you can walk behind the Staples Center to a full business center between the West and South quickly access the convention center. If you’re staying Halls, and the South Hall has several additional quiet inside L.A. Live, it’s about a three-minute walk. nooks where you can get some work done.

4 Do I need to pack a jacket?

It’s projected to be between the 50s and 70s Forecast: during the conference, which feels amazing in the California sun. We wore a light jacket in the 50 79 morning, then ditched it in the afternoon.

What if I left something at home?

There’s a Ralphs (aka Kroger or King Soopers) two A little tip: blocks from L.A. Live where you can grab a granola There’s a surprisingly nice bar inside the Whole bar or some extra shampoo. There’s a pharmacy in Foods. It would be great place to stop for coffee or a there too. If you need any specialty foods, there’s a drink with a friend. Whole Foods across from the Ralphs.

How do I get around downtown L.A.?

Downtown L.A. itself is extremely walkable. Not from behind the city skyline. For areas that are a only is everything jammed into a relatively small little further away, we grabbed an Uber or Lyft, or area, but the weather is absolutely phenomenal. took a Lime rental scooter. You can usually see the mountains peeking out

M Uber & Lyft Lime Metro

Rideshare Electric Scooter Public Services Rentals Transportation

5 Uber and Lyft Lime Electric Scooter Rentals

We loved using Uber and Lyft for destinations more You may have heard about Lime scooters, or even than a mile or two away. They’re simple to use and seen some around your city or hometown. Bright more cost-efficient than taxis. green scooters, available for rental, are propped all over downtown L.A. These are fun to use to travel just a few miles or to speed up your commute. Their maximum range is 37 miles, but we’d recommend To Use: them for just a couple of miles at a time. If you’ve never used Uber or Lyft, you’ll need to download the app, then enter some basic information. Just type “Uber” or “Lyft” into the App or Play Store, or use these links to get registered: To use: Search “Lime” in either the App or Google Play stores, or visit their website li.me. The app will show uber.com lyft.com you available scooters in your area. Once you find a scooter, tap “ride” on the bottom of your phone screen. From there, either scan the QR code or Once you’re set up and ready to find a ride, type manually enter the scooter’s six-digit code. The in your desired destination. The app will show scooters cost $1 to unlock, then $0.15 for every you drivers closest to your current location, along minute you ride. with the estimated cost of the ride. You’ll be able to choose between different types and sizes of vehicle, which may affect pricing.

After you’ve chosen your ride, you’ll communicate Metro with the driver through the app to find each other. The app will give you the car’s license plate number. Your driver will have a sticker on the front Some people swear by the metro; others avoid it. and back of their car with “Uber” or “Lyft” branding. It just depends on your comfort level. We would When you arrive at your destination, you’ll be suggest taking another form of transportation unless charged for the ride through the app. It’s polite to you regularly use a metro or system. leave a tip for 15-20% of the total cost of your ride. If you plan to travel by metro, you can use this website to plan your trip: metro.net. The base fare is $1.75, and a day pass is $7.

Will I feel safe around downtown L.A.?

While it’s important to take caution in any city, we attractions, especially around the Los Angeles felt comfortable walking around downtown L.A. Convention Center, the area is much safer than it at night—especially around L.A. Live and the was 20 years ago. The further away you get from Staples Center, which have active security crews. L.A. Live, however, the more we would recommend Because of the development of several downtown traveling as a group.

6 Food and Drink

Breakfast If you’re an early riser, these are great places to get a quick bite before the conference—or even throughout the day.

Birdies Get: Birdies’ Breakfast Sandwich Website: birdiesla.com Transportation: Walk (15 Minutes) Price: $$

Birdies is four blocks from the convention center, and one of the best places I ate in L.A. They serve creative cake donuts every hour (like candied maple bacon or triple dark chocolate), and their fried chicken breakfast sandwiches are super indulgent, but just amazing. I recommend a cup of coffee with the Cinnamon Toast donut.

20% OFF Cow Cafe

Get: Avocado Toast (a millennial favorite) Website: cowdtla.com Transportation: Walk (10 Minutes) Price: $

Cow Cafe is one of the closest breakfast options and serves fresh, Mediterranean-inspired foods.

The Original Pantry Get: Pancakes Website: pantrycafe.com Transportation: Walk (10 Minutes) Price: $

A staple of Los Angeles, this old school eatery was built in 1923. Most of the food is pretty typical for a diner, but the pancakes were some of the best I’ve ever had: light, buttery, and fluffy. They don’t accept credit cards, so make sure to take cash with you.

7 Coffee You can find coffee inside the convention center, but we’ve added a few extra options in case you need a cup o’ Joe outside of the conference hours.

Illy Caffé Transportation: Walk (5 Minutes) Price: $

Illy is an Italian espresso shop in the lobby of the JW Marriott. Casey found it to be a little overpriced, but it’s one of the closest options for a great cup of coffee.

Blue Bottle Coffee Transportation: Uber/Lyft (5-10 Minutes), Lime Scooters Price: $$

The famous serves some of the best coffee in the world. From aeropress to cold brew to pour over, Blue Bottle has options for every coffee aficionado.

20% OFF Aladdin’s Coffee Shop

Transportation: Walk (5 Minutes) Price: $

Aladdin’s coffee shop is a hole-in-the-wall cafe just a five-minute walk from the convention center. If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, try their breakfast burrito with coffee.

Starbucks Transportation: Walk (5 - 10 Minutes) Price: $

If you’re wanting something familiar, there’s a Starbucks inside L.A. Live, then another on the corner of West 11th and South Grand Avenue, then another on Pico and South Grand Avenue.

8 Lunch For lunch, you’ll want to stay pretty close to the convention center. There’s a blend of restaurants in L.A. Live, as well as a few spots in the neighborhood that are easy to access from the convention center.

Inside L.A. Live

Smashburger is a burger chain that prepares its burgers by, you guessed it, smashing the patty into the grill for a caramelized finish.

Rock’N Fish has all types of seafood: crab cakes, calamari, swordfish, and poke.

Katsuya is a sushi destination with locations all over the world. While you’re on the coast, why not get fresh sushi?

Lawry’s Carvery serves a range of meats; we recommend the roast beef sandwich.

Live Basil Pizza offers fresh, artisanal pizzas and salads. Try one of their combinations, like Buffalo or Margarita, or create your own.

Guerilla Tacos Get: Baja Fried Cod Taco Transportation: Uber/Lyft (10-15 Minutes), Lime Scooters Price: $$

If you have some time to take a bit of a hike (or a quick Uber ride), don’t miss the famous Guerilla Tacos. They claim their dishes are “inspired by the tastes of the city” and they’re always on the news for their creative flavor combinations. Check out their Baja Fried Cod Taco—tempura- battered wild cod, chipotle crema, pico de gallo, chile Japones, and cilantro.

JT Cafe Get: Veggie Quesadilla Transportation: Walk (10 Minutes) Price: $

JT Cafe is a cute, low-key cafe that serves a hodgepodge of foods: quesadillas, BLTs, pasta, and tacos. The food is delicious, and staff is friendly.

9 Dinner Los Angeles is one of the food capitals of the world, and the downtown area offers some of the city’s best culinary experiences. We selected a few of the top restaurants in the area that are convenient to access from the convention center.

15% OFF Public School 213

Get: Queso Fundido, Popcorn Shrimp, Reuben Sandwich Website: psontap.com Transportation: Uber/Lyft (5 Minutes), Lime Scooters Price: $$

We found a public school-themed restaurant in downtown L.A., and we give it an A+. At Public School 213, menus are made of composition books, napkins look like loose-leaf paper, and they even have games like Connect Four and Monopoly to play at your table. During “recess” from 3 to 7 p.m., most beer/wine is $5 a glass, and popular plates are under $10.

Fleming’s Get: Dark-Aged Ribeye (or any steak), Sweet Chili Calamari Website: flemingssteakhouse.com Transportation: Walk (6 Minutes) Price: $$$

If you’re looking for prime meats, seafood, and a full (and extensive) wine bar, Fleming’s is the right pick. The steakhouse is nestled into L.A. Live, making it easy to access from the convention center. Their Prime Happy Hour is from 5 to 7 p.m.

El Cholo Get: Carmen Rocha’s Original Nachos, Margaritas Website: elcholo.com Transportation: Walk (5 Minutes) Price: $$

El Cholo is a homestyle Mexican diner that’s been around since 1923. They claim that one of their waitresses brought nachos to L.A. in 1959. We tried Carmen Rocha’s Original Nachos with a margarita, and they didn’t amaze, but they certainly didn’t disappoint. The restaurant is just down the street from L.A. Live.

10 Drinks One of the most important parts of the conference is the opportunity to connect with other superintendents—to see old friends, share ideas, and find community. If you’re looking for a place close by to do some networking, Tom’s Urban, Prank, and First Draft are within walking distance. (We also really liked the bar inside Whole Foods). There’s another fantastic group of bars on 6th and 7th Street, which is about a 20-minute walk or a five-minute Uber or Lyft ride.

Tom’s Urban Website: tomsurban.com Transportation: Walk (3 Minutes) Price: $$

We checked out Tom’s Urban, a sports bar right outside the Staples Center and inside the ESPN building. Greg and Casey were a little underwhelmed by this place. However, if there’s a game going on in the Staples Center, Tom’s Urban is an exciting place to be.

Prank Website: prankbar.com Transportation: Walk (7 Minutes) Price: $$

Prank is a walk-up bar with excellent cocktails within a few blocks of the convention center. If it’s a nice day, take advantage of their lovely outdoor area. Their “Happy Menu,” with tasty appetizers like Kobe Beef Sliders, is served from 2:40pm - 7:02 p.m.

10% OFF First Draft Taproom & Kitchen

Website: firstdraftdtla.com Transportation: Walk (10 Minutes) Price: $$

First Draft DTLA is a state-of-the-art, pour-your-own taproom and kitchen just a few blocks from the convention center. Enjoy 70 taps of craft beer, wine, and cider as well as delicious upscale bar bites in a spacious venue with an outside patio and communal seating. First Draft is great for groups and perfect for craft beer enthusiasts.

11 Seven Grand Website: sevengrandbars.com Transportation: Uber/Lyft (5 Minutes), Lime Scooters, Walk (20 Minutes) Price: $$

If you’re a whiskey lover, head to Seven Grand. They offer one of the largest selections of premium whiskey in the West. When we went, there was a live jazz band, making for a really energetic atmosphere.

Library Bar Website: librarybarla.com Transportation: Uber/Lyft (5 Minutes), Lime Scooters, Walk (20 Minutes) Price: $$

On 6th Street, you’ll find Library Bar, a cozy destination with books, rugs, and couches. Their cocktails are named after famous novels, like “Adventures of Blackberry Finn,” “Ready Player Rum,” or “Of Mice and Mezcal.” We would suggest starting your night here; it gets crowded later on in the evening.

Karl Strauss Website: karlstrauss.com Transportation: Uber/Lyft (5 Minutes), Lime Scooters, Walk (20 Minutes) Price: $$

If you enjoy craft beer, stop by Karl Strauss on Grand Street. The company is a pioneer in the independent brewing scene, and their downtown L.A. location has more than a dozen types of beer on tap.

12 Relaxing and Sightseeing

20% OFF Relaxing Wynn Nail Spa The superintendency is, as you know, a stressful position. While Website: wynnnailspa.com you’re in California, take the opportunity to treat yourself a little. Transportation: Walk (5 Minutes) Each of these places is within walking distance, so taking time Price: $$ for yourself won’t pull you away from the conference. By far, we recommend Wynn Nail Spa. It’s right across the street from the convention center, and they offer everything from facials to pedicures to hot lotion massages.

Footsage

Website: footsage.com Price: $$$

If you don’t want to leave your hotel room, Footsage is a massage delivery service that sends a five-star masseuse right to your hotel room, starting at around $99 per hour. You even have the option to choose your masseuse. You can schedule a time here.

Hope Beauty Center

Website: hopebeautycenter.com Transportation: Walk (5 Minutes) Price: $$

Hope Beauty Center, about two blocks away from the convention center, is a one-stop shop for nail and skin care.

13 Sightseeing

If you find yourself with a few extra hours outside of the conference, here are several spots that you don’t want to miss while you’re in Los Angeles.

Hollywood

Transportation: Uber/Lyft (30 Minutes), Metro (45 Minutes)

Hollywood is well, Hollywood. From the Walk of Fame to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Metro Directions: there are a ton of cultural cornerstones in a pretty confined area. Get on at Pico Station, or the Blue Line, near the convention center. Transfer to the Red Line at The tricky part is getting there. You’re looking 7th Street/Metro Center, then take the Red Line at around a half-hour drive from the convention towards North Hollywood. Get off at center, or an estimated $40-$65 Uber/Lyft ride Hollywood/Highland Station. depending on the type of car you choose. A cheaper option is to take the metro.

Exposition Park

Transportation: Uber/Lyft (5-10 Minutes), Lime Scooters

Exposition Park holds some of the most impressive attractions the city has to offer, like the Natural Must See: History Museum, the California African American Museum, even the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, • Natural History Museum of Los Angeles which is slated to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. • California African American Museum If you are traveling with your family, don’t miss the • Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum California Science Center. The center was chosen to house the Endeavor Space Shuttle, and IMAX • California Science Center movies play hourly. Bring a picnic to eat around the • City of Los Angeles Rose Garden City of Los Angeles Rose Garden, or take a walk • University of Southern California through the University of Southern California’s campus across the street.

14 Grand Park

Transportation: Uber/Lyft (5-10 Minutes), Lime Scooters

Grand Park is an oasis in the city two miles away Two blocks down is one of my favorite places, the from the convention center. If you have a few hours Grand Central Market. It’s a traditional covered to spare in the middle of the day, come here. There’s market, but with vendors like Berlin CurryWurst, amazing architecture all around the park, like the Horse Thief BBQ, Lucky Bird—a sample of the best Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels right across the foods from all over the world, like pupusas and falafel street. When I was there, I happened upon a choir and and coffee and boxes and pizza practicing. It was almost magical. and oysters and ice cream. For all the foodies out there, just look at their vendor list. Walk down the street to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where you can watch world-renowned classical If you have kids with you, there’s a fun little railway musicians or just check out its famous architecture. you can take down the hill to get to the market called They have shows on Friday the 15th and Saturday Angel’s Flight Railway. It’s not the most functional the 16th at 8 p.m., featuring the Fluxus art movement mode of transportation, but it costs about a dollar, of the ‘60s on Friday, and on Saturday, William Grant and it’s a cute way to get down the hill. Still & the Harlem Renaissance. The Broad and The Museum of Contemporary Art are just down the street.

15 See school marketing done the right way.

We've printed a custom marketing booklet for every district attending AASA NCE. Come to booth 208 or request one at apptegy.com/booklet

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