Staples Center Guide

Staples Center, the arena that revived Downtown Los Angeles, opened its doors in October of 1999 and has attracted more than 4 million visitors each year. It is the home to the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, Kings, D-Fenders and the Pac-10 men's basketball tournament. It has also played host to many special events, such as the 2000 Democratic National Convention and the memorial service of late pop singer Michael Jackson.

Getting There

Staples Center is located at 1111 S. Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles. The arena's location is accessible from many freeways.

From Los Angeles International Airport:
Take 105E to 110N
Exit Pico Blvd./10W and take the Pico Blvd. off ramp on the left
Continue on Cherry Street and turn right at Chick Hearn Ct.

From Santa Monica, West Los Angeles:
Take 10E (towards downtown Los Angeles)
Exit Hoover St. Make a left from off ramp.
Continue on Hoover and bear right at Alvarado St.
Turn right at Olympic Blvd.
Turn right at Georgia St.

From San Fernando Valley:
Take 101S to 110S
Exit Olympic Blvd. and turn right at end of ramp (Blaine St.)
Turn right on Olympic Blvd.
Continue on Olympic Blvd. and turn right at Francisco St.

From San Bernardino:
Take 10W (towards Los Angeles)
Take 110N and exit Pico Blvd.
Continue North past Pico Blvd. (on Cherry St.) to 11th St. and
Turn right

From Orange County, San Diego:
405N to 110N
Exit Pico Blvd./10W and take the Pico Blvd. off ramp on the left
Continue on Cherry Street and turn right at Chick Hearn Ct.

Parking

There are 3,300 parking spaces at Staples Center and over 16,000 spaces available within a seven to ten minute walk to the arena. Rates can vary depending on the event. Typically, Lakers games will cost the most, $25 close to the arena, but that price certainly could go higher.

TIP: Cheap/Free parking? Metered parking can be found on Blaine Street, and on Sunday's, park for free. Spaces are limited and you must get there early. (Heading East on Olympic from Alvarado, make a left on Blaine.)

Public Transportation
This is by far the easiest way to get to Staples Center. Wherever you're coming from in Southern California, you can avoid the parking rates and take the Blue Line to the arena. From the Red Line get off at 7th/Metro and catch the Blue Line. It's the first stop and about a 5-minute walk to the arena.

Food Options

L.A. Live
Make it a night with a walk through L.A. Live and enjoy the many restaurants located within walking distance from the Staples Center.

For a list of places to eat in the area check out Eat L.A. Live

The Original Pantry Cafe:
Since 1924 they've never closed and never been without a customer, the cash only icon of Los Angeles serves up greasy meals and is owned by former mayor Richard Riordan.

For more info check out their site www.PantryCafe.com

Inside the Arena

Budweiser Lounge:
Seating is first come, first serve across from section 118. Great beer selections, Gold Rush Margarita- Cuervo Gold Tequila, Sweet & Sour and a Grand Marnier Float.

On the menu, you can't go wrong with the Bacon Wrapped Dog.

Figueroa Bar/Harbor Bar:
Near sections 101/110 serves up Cocktails, Bottled Beers, Frozen Cocktails, Premium Wines and Martini's.

Wetzel's Pretzels - Section 103
Budweiser Tap Room- Section 104
Budweiser Pub Whistle Stop: Section 108- Hand-carved Roast Beef, Hand-carved Roasted Turkey
California Pizza Kitchen- Section 109
Camacho's Cantina-Section 113, 117
McDonald's- Section 114
Nate N' Al- Section 115- deli rye sandwiches
Fresh Fix/Big Dawgs- Section 118- Salad Bar, Potato Bar, Hot Dogs
Corner Grill- Section 119 Cheesestakes, Potato Nuggets, Chicken Tenders etc

Suite Level

American Express Platinum Lounge:
Suite level "B", is exclusive to AMEX Platinum cardholders and up to 3 guests.
For more info visit American Express Platinum Lounge

San Manuel Club:
Luxury and platinum seat holders can enjoy this exclusive restaurant and bar with great visibility to the arena bowl.
For more info visit San Manuel Club. For reservations call 213-742-7450

Lexus Club
Membership only: Located on Suite Level A, serves as a retreat from the busy arena and gives a spectacular view of the nearby L.A. Live from the patio.
For more info visit Lexus Club. For membership questions call 213-742-7480.

Hyde Lounge:
Open before, during and LONG after events, the SBE and AEG, have developed a lounge with bottle service, 3 bars, a dance hall, and private "Great Room".
For more info visit Hyde Lounge. For table reservations email hydestaplestables@sbe.com

Team L.A.
The largest selection of officially licensed merchandise from the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Dodgers, Galaxy and Sparks can be found on the concourse at the Team LA store.

Proudly on display outside the doors of the arena are four statues of some famous Los Angeles sports icons: Wayne Gretzky, Magic Johnson, Oscar de la Hoya and Chick Hearn.

Seating

Like most modern arenas, it's hard to find a bad seat inside Staples Center. You can see the view from your tickets using their online seat viewer.

In game entertainment:

Laker Girls/Clippers Spirit
When the game action takes a break, that's when the dance teams go to work. Staples Center is where the world famous Laker Girls and Clippers Spirit perform.

Ice Girls
During Kings games, watch beautiful women skate across the ice cleaning the excess snow during play stoppages.