Inside the Arena:

The Staples Center has a clean, aesthetic interior and is easy to navigate. Despite it's age (it opened in 1999) it has a modern day feel and great lighting. Getting in can be a wait, so try to use the other 2 entrances besides the main one right off Figueroa.

There's a sports art and collectibles gallery called Art of the Game located at the Figueroa Entrance. You'll find fine art and memorabilia from all sports and it's definitely worth checking out.

Food and Drink:

You'll have no problem finding standard arena fare like hot dogs, but there are a few other options as well. Outtakes near Seciton 104 has sushi plates, kosher items, and gluten-free foods. You'll find a few Wetzel's Pretzels around which we highly recommend for a unhealthy yet super tasty snack. The Budweiser Pub Whistlestop (sec 108) has some pretty good French Dip sandwiches and we also love Camacho's Cantina (also a favorite at Dodger Stadium) for some great nachos and burritos. They also serve Daquiris and Margaritas, although there are also a few portable margarita stands around as well.

For the largest selection of hot dogs check out Extreme Loaded Dogs (Sec 118) for things like a fork and knife chili dog. Corner Grill (Main Level) or City View Diner (Upper Level) also hase a chili dog as well as Italian Grinders, Chicken Sandwiches and Turkey Burgers worth trying in addition to vegetarian items.

There are 2 large bars on the main level: Figueroa Bar and Harbor Bar and those are your best bets for variety, although on the upper level there are several bars as well that serve up decent draft beers and cocktails and will generally have pretty short lines.

If you're on the Suite Level, the Spotlight Grill and Skyline Grill have a decent selection of items like grilled chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, turkey and veggie burgers, and kids' items. Buss Stop and Cooke's Corner have less standard fare like BBQ Brisket and Italian Grinders and several salads. You can also get service right at your seat as well which is always nice.

The Stadium and Neighborhood:

Downtown LA is our new favorite neighborhood in all of Southern California. In the last few years, a plethora of great bars, restaurants, galleries and more have popped up, and there is something for (almost) everyone. Yes, skid row is not too far away from anything downtown, and the homeless population roaming around is hard to ignore. Just don't venture too far east (southest really) and you'll be fine. Stay between Main and Figueroa, Pico and 1st Street if you're worried about this still up and coming urban neighborhood.

L.A. Live, a massive entertainment/food/shopping mega-plex is right next door and provides ample choices for pre or post game entertainment. The Marriot within is home to L.A. Market and The Mixing Room - 2 slightly upscale places we like to hit up pregame for food and/or drinks. Just be warned that any place at L.A. Live like ESPN Zone or Trader Vic's will be borderline nightmarish if you don't get there early enough. If you want to avoid an insane crowd, there are plenty of other places within walking distance - from sushi specials on game days at Yojie to great wings and late night happy hour at Big Wang's - there's no shortage of options, so check our "Before & After the Game" map for more details.

As for the Staples Center itself, it's one of the best. It's clean, it's easy to navigate, and the energy is always fantastic.

Getting There/ Parking:

The Staples Center is located right where the I-10 and 110 intersect, meaning it's technically easy to access. The freeways near downtown will become parking lots (not literally) on many game days, so GET THERE EARLY. A lot of games will require you to arrive right when rush hour is getting it's ugliest so be warned! As for parking, there are a lot of lots surrounding the stadium. If you want to save money, it's really easy to find cheaper lots than the any of the ones directly across the stadium on Figueroa St. The further you get, the less you'll pay and it will be worth it. Only the lazy pay over $25 to park when there are $10 lots aplenty just blocks away.

If you're going to a weekend game, street parking can definitely be found - check out meters on Olympic Blvd for example. Be careful when parking on the street on a weekday as many meters downtown have no parking between 4pm-7pm, so read the posted signs carefully.

Los Angeles' public transportation may not be the best, but it can come in handy when heading downtown. The subway's Blue Line has a stop at Pico/Chick Hearn not far away or the Red Line has a stop at 7th Street. The good news is the subway is rarely crowded. The bad news - if you're heading from anywhere on the Westside, you'll have to drive several miles to get to any Metro station to begin with.

If you show your valid Metro pass or Rail ticket at the box office you'll get 10% off all games.