The Koreatown parking shortage has been ranked the worst in Los Angeles, based on a citywide online poll run by a popular Instagram account. For many Angelenos, the result wasn’t surprising.
The poll was created by Americana at Brand Memes, a local meme page with more than 110,000 followers. The account launched a “Worst Parking in LA” tournament, modeled after March Madness, and invited the public to vote.
Koreatown beats Hollywood Bowl in final round
Koreatown edged out the Hollywood Bowl in the final round, winning 53% of the vote. Trader Joe’s Silver Lake store placed third.
In a post explaining the outcome, the account cited cramped lots, illegal parking in front of fire hydrants, and parking stress that keeps people from attending events.
High density, low parking: a daily struggle
The Koreatown parking shortage isn’t new. Residents routinely circle the block in the evening hoping for an open spot.
“I recently went out for dinner, but the restaurant lot was already full,” said Ji-Soo Na, 26, who lives nearby. “I spent more time looking for parking than eating. Now I try to only make plans within walking distance.”
Jae-Eun Lee, 28, visiting from Virginia, shared the frustration. “I’ve never had this much trouble parking anywhere else in the U.S.,” she said. “Even valet is too expensive.”
The area’s density is part of the problem. According to U.S. Census data, 112,491 people live in Koreatown’s 2.9 square miles—about 39,000 per square mile, the highest in LA.
Violations spike as spaces vanish
Though homes and businesses are packed into the neighborhood, public parking is scarce. Drivers often resort to double parking or overstaying time limits.
Between January 2023 and February 2024, Koreatown saw 93,832 parking tickets, according to data site Crosstown. That’s an average of 221 per day—third highest in the city, after Downtown and Westlake.
New rules shrink available parking
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation recently expanded no-parking zones to improve pedestrian safety. Meanwhile, a state law that took effect in January bans parking within 15 to 20 feet of crosswalks and intersections.
For residents, the Koreatown parking shortage shows no signs of easing.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
