Obamajam: President Snarls Southland Traffic

Presidential-caliber gridlock is expected Wednesday as Barack Obama returns to the Southland for his ninth visit since taking office

President Barack Obama landed at LAX shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday, bringing with him traffic woes for Westsiders and other commuters traveling through Beverly Hills.

Related: Live Traffic Maps | Follow @SeanNBCLA on Twitter | LAPD: Areas to Avoid

After shaking hands and signing some autographs for a crowd of bystanders, the president boarded Marine One.

Obama was headed to Holmby Hills for a fundraiser hosted by "The Bold and the Beautiful" co-creator and executive producer Bradley Bell and his wife Colleen. Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca, are also serving as co-hosts for the $38,500-a-person event.

An Occupy 90210 protest is planned for Will Rogers Memorial Park to "highlight the corrupting role that Big Money plays in politics," according to the event's Facebook page.

While an Obama visit to Los Angeles -- his ninth since taking office -- usually has fundraising implications, for most Angelenos, it means one thing: traffic.

The planned motorcade route -- which is not made public -- has a habit of shutting down streets, leading some to dub the event "Obamajam." The LAPD recommended avoiding the following areas, if possible: 

  • Pico Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunset and Beverly Glen boulevards, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

On Thursday, the department recommended avoiding Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica boulevards, from 7:30 a.m. to  9:30 a.m., and Pico Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  

"I park right outside here, and getting out of the street and parking spot is just a hassle, especially down Santa Monica. It's horrible. So it takes me like forever to get home. It's exciting but also it's hectic," said Elan Torbati, a Beverly Hills resident.

By noon, temporary no parking signs were already showing up around Beverly Hills.

Total Traffic LA has posted ball-park estimate of the route.

Local

Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.

Mountain High Resort reopens for its 100th anniversary season

Motorcyclist trapped under vehicle backs up traffic on 710 Freeway

On Thursday, the president is expected in Corona del Mar for another fundraiser.

Correction: An earlier version of this story erroneously reported that the president was expected at LAX around 3 p.m. The correct time is 4 p.m.

Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: Twitter: @NBCLA // Facebook: NBCLA

Contact Us