Compton - city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Compton is one of the Gateway Cities of Los Angeles, and is mainly known for being the birthplace of rappers Dr. Dre, Ahmad, Kendrick Lamar, NWA and The Game, as well as of professional athletes Serena and Venus Williams.

Get in

Compton is west of the north-south I-710 freeway, between CA-91 on the south and I-105 (Century Freeway) on the north. The Metro Rail Blue Line runs directly from Downtown L.A. to Compton via South Central L.A.

Get around

See

• Heritage House, 33.892911°, -118.224591°. The Heritage House, built in 1869, is a California Historic Landmark. It is the oldest house in Compton and was restored as a tribute to early settlers. 2016-03-03
• Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum, 961 W. Alondra Blvd (at the Compton Airport), 33.888843°, -118.240497°, +1 310 618-1155, info@tamuseum.org. M-F 8AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-8PM. Small air museum with a goal of exposing youth to the careers in aeronautics. Several aircraft are on display including a T-38 Talon, the plane that astronauts fly during their training. Free but donations are appreciated. 2016-03-03

Do

• Celebrity Helicopters, Inc, 961 West Alondra Blvd (at the Compton Airport), 33.888737°, -118.240876°, robin@celebheli.com. You can take a nice air flight on a helicopter here and see a big part of Los Angeles. $99-479 2016-03-03
• Crystal Casino, 123 E. Artesia Blvd., 33.875149°, -118.220559°, +1 310 661-4884. Table gaming with Baccarat, Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, and Spanish 21. 2017-08-02

Buy

• Gateway Towne Center, Towne Center Drive (off Alameda St. between Greenleaf Dr. and Artesia Blvd), 33.877550°, -118.220229°. Has numerous retail stores including Best Buy, Target, Home Depot, Staples, Marshalls and Party City. It is one of the best places to shop and the safest place in Compton. This shopping center alone has four on-duty patrolling police officers. 2016-03-03

Eat

• Dale's Donuts, 15904 S Atlantic Ave, 33.888556°, -118.192630°, +1 310 635-2667. Dale's Donuts is one of the places in the Los Angeles area which features the famous "Giant Donut". Good donuts and coffee. 2016-03-03
• Tacos El Unico (Atlantic Ave.), 12920 Atlantic Ave., 33.904433°, -118.193638°, +1 310 608-3677. Su-Th 8AM–midnight, F-Sa 8AM–2:30AM. Very authentic Mexican food in the Compton area. This place has some good tacos, tortas and burritos. Their burgers are also worth trying. 2016-03-03
• Tacos El Unico (Long Beach Blvd.), 1521 South Long Beach Blvd, 33.882325°, -118.205397°, +1 310 632-2510. Su-Th 8AM–midnight, F-Sa 8AM–2:30AM. Very authentic Mexican food in the Compton area. This place has some good tacos, tortas and burritos. Their burgers are also worth trying. 2016-03-03
• Winchell's Donut House, 1300 E Alondra Blvd., 33.888444°, -118.208701°, +1 310 762-9435. 2016-03-03

Gateway Center

• Ono Hawaiian Barbecue, 1641 S. Alameda St., Suite 103, 33.878841°, -118.218270°, +1 310 638-9888, info@OnoBBQ.com. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-9:30PM. 2016-03-03

Drink

Sleep

• LA Crystal Hotel, 123 East Artesia Blvd., 33.875149°, -118.220559°, +1 310 764-2008, info@lacrystalhotel.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. This hotel has a casino, in a safe area of Compton. Complimentary Breakfast, fitness center, and wi-fi. Outdoor pool and 2 Jacuzzis. No pets allowed. Rollaway beds and cribs are not available. 2016-03-03
• Royal Inn Compton, 1408 N. Long Beach Blvd., 33.905686°, -118.208274°, +1 310 635-2900, royalinncompton.com@gmail.com. $55-90 2016-03-03
• Willow Tree Inn, 1919 W Artesia Blvd., 33.874118°, -118.247146°, +1 310 537-6700. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Complimentary breakfast, free wi-fi, 2016-03-03
• Travel Plaza Inn, 1116 S. Long Beach Blvd., 33.885652°, -118.205972°, +1 310 763-9700. 2016-03-03

Stay safe

This city has many parts which are highly dangerous, as well as parts that are friendly. North Compton is dangerous, an area well known for high prostitution, gang and narcotic activities. South Compton is relatively better, with houses with no iron bars on the windows, and far fewer active gangs.

Go next

• Los Angeles
• Long Beach
• San Diego