Obama's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' visit: President takes over L.A. streets

Obama’s ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ visit: President takes over L.A. streets

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President Obama talks with Jimmy Kimmel during a commercial break at ABC Studios. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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President Barak Obama waves before entering Air Force One and departing from LAX on Friday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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President Barak Obama waves before entering Air Force One and departing from LAX on Friday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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President Obama talks with Jimmy Kimmel during a commercial break in Kimmel’s show on March 12. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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President Barack Obama talks with Jimmy Kimmel during a commercial break. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Traffic jams an intersection in every direction on Sunset and La Brea as roads close for President Barack Obama’s visit to “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

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Pedestrians gather as roads close in Hollywood for President Obama’s visit to “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

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A crowd forms along Hollywood Blvd as President Obama visits “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

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Detractors and supporters lined up along Marguerita Avenue in Santa Monica as President Obama arrived at a Democratic fundraiser. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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President Obama arrives in Santa Monica for a Democratic fundraiser. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Secret Service agents and bomb-sniffing dogs scour a Santa Monica neighborhood in preparation for President Obama’s arrival at a Democratic fundraiser. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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President Obama arrives at Los Angeles International Airport with with Sen. Barbara Boxer. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Road blcoks are put in place on Highland Avenue for Obama’s visit to “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

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President Obama greets Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Traffic backs up on Highland Avenue as roads close for President Obama’s visit to “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

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President Obama arrives at Bob Hope Airport via helicopter from LAX, en route to ABC Studios for an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

By Joseph Serna

and Veronica Rocha

March 12, 2015 7:23 PM PT

President Obama is officially back in the City of Angels.

Air Force One landed at Los Angeles International Airport shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, according to airport officials.

As rush-hour traffic kicked into high gear, a series of street closures stemming from Obama’s visit were frustrating Southland drivers.

MORE: Tracking #ObamaJam

Los Angeles police started closing roads in and around Hollywood at 3 p.m. for the president’s first visit to the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” show since his first White House campaign in 2008.

Some drivers took to Twitter to express their grievance over the street closures while others thanked Obama for the visit because, for them, it meant they were avoiding traffic altogether.

“Just received the dreaded ‘Obama’s in town so you’ll be sleeping under your desks tonight’ email from HR. #obamajam #LosAngeles,” Joe Donatelli said on Twitter.

Nicole DiCicco tweeted a photograph of a swimming pool and said, “Thank you Obama for commanding that I don’t go anywhere today #obamajam #losangeles #heatwave.”

Starting at 4 p.m., drivers were asked to avoid Ocean Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard in Santa Monica. In Santa Monica, 19th and 20th streets between Marguerita and Carlyle avenues will be closed until 7:30 p.m.

Despite the warnings, some motorists encountered gridlock.

“Only one reason why it would take me 30 minutes to drive up two blocks,” wrote Nicole Olney on Twitter.

Some southbound lanes on Avenue of the Stars after Galaxy Way will also be closed.

As part of his visit on Thursday, Obama will attend a roundtable discussion hosted by ICM Partners co-founder Chris Silbermann and his wife, Julia Franz. Attendance costs $33,400 per couple.

Proceeds from the event will fund election operations for the Democratic National Committee.

In February, Obama was in San Francisco for a DNC fundraiser and played golf with friends in Palm Springs.

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna and @VeronicaRochaLA