While most tourist hotspots in Los Angeles are pretty safe, venturing out alone at night in certain other areas is not a smart thing to do – exercise caution and always travel in big groups in those areas.
There is relatively little risk of getting attacked or harrasssed in areas such as Hollywood, Beverly Hills and West L.A. But certain places near Downtown such as Skid Row, East L.A. and South Central should be avoided altogether. South Central is know to have extremely high crime and murder rates. Don’t even walk there during the day! It is also advised to not travel by foot to Pacoima, Panorama City and Canoga Park which are located in the San Fernando Valley.
Los Angeles is also known as the gang capital of America, so try not to venture into areas occupied by gangs. Graffiti on walls and buildings should be a good indication that the area is frequented by hooligans. If you come across any gangs, just keep going ahead without staring at them.
Staying healthy during your stay is also as important as staying safe. It is essential to have proper medical insurance when traveling to the United States. Medical expenses can be high; however an emergency room in the United States is required to see a patient, even if they do not have medical insurance.
Don’t forget to carry your own supply of necessary medications and prescriptions. However if your supply runs out, you can always head to one of the numerous pharmacies located in and around L.A.
For dental emergencies:
A Dental Emergency Service
4332 Slauson Ave, Maywood CA 90270
Telephone: +1 323 773 6567
Beverly Hills Oral Surgery
465 N Roxbury Drive Suite 815, Beverly Hills CA 90210
telephone: +1 310 276 1155
A-AA Dental Care Emergency
211 Culver Blvd #T, Playa Del Rey CA 90293
Telephone: +1 310 394 8111
A-Able Dental Emergency
2825 Santa Monica Blvd #103, Santa Monica CA 90404
Telephone: +1 310 315 3676
For emergency medical service/paramedics call: 911