Los Angeles locals are all too familiar with presidential visits to the city. When former President Barack Obama stopped by the city, traffic would get so bad that some residents started nicknaming his visits “Obamajam.” It seems that whenever a U.S. president comes to LA, the city goes into a frenzy of gridlock traffic. 

Recently, President Donald Trump made his first visit to Los Angeles since he was elected. As a result, many streets were temporarily closed, forcing drivers and pedestrians to either sit in hours of traffic or look for an alternate commute.

For security reasons, most people don’t have the slightest clue where a president will go during a visit to the city. However, there are a few regular spots that attract these high-profile figures, whether its attending an event or a conference. Here’s a list of neighborhoods to avoid altogether when you hear that the leader of the free world is in town. 

Downtown Los Angeles

This year, President Trump stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, located inside the brand-new Wilshire Grand. Residents and working professionals were surprised to see sudden closures at major intersections during their lunch break along Figueroa Street, Wilshire Blvd., and Seventh Street. 

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation even warned riders earlier during the day that trains and buses will skip several stops in Downtown as well, specifically at Union Street, Fifth Street, Grand Ave., and Olympic Blvd. Since DTLA’s financial district is known for its event spaces, oftentimes used for presidential fundraisers and conferences, you want to generally avoid this area every time the president visits.

Beverly Hills

Photo by Shutterstock

The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills is a luxurious and historic hotel that’s famous for hosting red carpet events, charity benefits, and entertainment industry events. According to USA Today, every president from John F. Kennedy to Donald Trump have checked in since it was first built by Conrad Hilton in 1955. The main intersection to avoid whenever the nation’s leader visits is Santa Monica Blvd. and Wilshire Blvd. It’s no surprise that Beverly Hills, also home to the star-studded Rodeo Drive, is listed among the city’s top areas to steer clear of. 

Hancock Park

Photo courtesy of Joseph Plotz

Hancock Park is one of the city’s most laid back but affluent residential neighborhoods. Despite the fact that it’s located in the middle of Los Angeles with constant traffic plaguing drivers on Melrose Ave., the population density in Hancock Park is very low compared to the rest of the city. 

According to LA Weekly, this district is where the beginnings of “Obamajam” started. During Obama’s visit to a fundraiser in Hancock Park in 2010, the Secret Service decided to shut down a main street during the entire event. This decision ultimately led to drivers feeling deeply infuriated while sitting in their cars — for hours — during their commute from work.

Bel-Air

When you’re the President, you become a common household name. Fame is nothing new to Los Angeles, especially for Hollywood’s elite living in Bel-Air, which is also a popular neighborhood to spot celebrities. This ritzy residential enclave is no stranger to presidents either — even after their time in the office. Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon have even lived in Bel-Air. The neighborhood grants its high-profile visitors privacy and security, especially at its gated residences and private country club. 

Santa Monica

Rather than flying into LAX Airport, which is the city’s largest and busiest airport, many presidents prefer their private planes to land at the more low-key Santa Monica Airport. This year, both protesters and supporters of President Trump waited along Centinela Ave. and Sunset Park Way to greet his motorcade. Although the president didn’t pass through this intersection, drivers still had to navigate through the crowds of people. 

Although traveling through the jammed streets of Santa Monica may be inevitable for many locals, especially for those who need to get to the freeway, avoiding this area might save you from a really big headache.

Century City

Although presidents aren’t known for visiting specific places in Century City, their motorcades usually drive through the neighborhood while traveling from LA’s Westside to Beverly Hills, Hancock Park, or DTLA. Santa Monica Blvd. is a main street that cuts through the area, so whenever a president heads towards an event at the opposite end of town, expect a closure on this major road.