LA rocks, ya just got to stay out of downtown or Hollywierd. Mountains, desert, beach, multi-cultural. All is good if ya don't mind all the traffic. I stay down In Redondo Beach at The Beach House becouse it's got a laid back so. cal. feel to it plus they have a nice little spa on the boardwalk ( www.wholelifeconsultants.com ).

I've been once - it was OK - not my favorite. There are so many places in the world to see that LA isn't even on the list anymore. When I do revisit California, I'm afraid I'll revisit SF (or even San Diego) before I go back to LA. Sorry.

I didn't want to like LA. In theory, it's everything I say that I don't like. In reality, I always enjoy my time there. I like the beaches, the old neighborhoods, the shopping, and especially the weather and the people. I'm going back in two weeks and am looking forward to it.

beany

My wife and I were there for a few days. I had to drag her away from Rodeo Drive. They know how to entertain the men as the women shop at some of those boutiques.

No, I honestly don't like LA. I go to a convention there every other summer at the LA County Fairgrounds.

The big thing that I dislike about LA is the smog. Even though I come from a big city, the smog just kills me. I usually am hacking and coughing within 2 days, and it takes me a week to get over it once I leave. It is a pity that southern CA, which was obviously once very beautiful, has such poor air quality.

I'm with Beany. I love my New York and think I only like big walking cities and LA certainly isn't that. But I love it. Why is that?

I have fun in LA. But then again, I have fun everywhere I go.

I wouldnt want to live there though.

I can't let ChristieP's post go unremarked. Poor Christie-- I'd hate the LA area too if my primary taste of it was Pomona! Those inland communities get the worst of the LA bad things-- sprawl, artlessness, and SMOG. That's why I'm so glad I live on the coast, where we almost never have problems with air pollution. And if you go an hour east to the Coachella Valley, the smog doesn't make it over the mountains and you'll find clean, very hot desert air.

Another reason to love living here: While settling in at my desk in my office this morning, I looked out my window and saw dolphins frolicking in the waves. And a dreary Wednesday got a whole lot brighter. And best of all, the sun's coming out, just in time for the world-famous Santa Monica Farmer's Market! Time to head down and buy the produce we get year-round (lettuce from Carson! Asparagus and artichokes from Lompoc! Artesanal olives trucked in from Santa Barbara!). Sorry, but it's just REALLY good here in southern CA.

Oh, and Pomona isn't all bad-- it's got some great colleges (Cal Poly Pomona, a Claremont College campus) and "affordable" housing....

I love lots of things about LA - it's diversity, its wide-raning landscapes, its weather, Santa Monica, and cool neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Leimert Park and Melrose.
I hate the sprawl and the lack of a true center, and the dearth of public transit. It's heaven and hell.

I LOVE LA!! I was lucky enought to have a job that required me to spend at least two weeks every month in LA and then a few days of San Diego. Talk about heaven.

I've always said LA is for playing and San Diego is for living. The only thing I disagree with is the person who said LA has the best weather in the country. Sorry, but those in the know weather wise give that honor to San Diego.

LA has something for everyone. It's got museums, beaches, theatre, sports, shopping, Hollywood etc. There are theme parks, great restaurants and outdoor hiking. You've got lakes and mountains nearby. You can see the beach and ski on one trip.

It seems that visitors just want to do Disney, Universal and Hollywood. That's great, but there is a whole world out there.

Yes, the downtown of LA isn't that exciting, but who cares? You've still got a million things to do. As a former "road warrior" I always had a great time in LA.

I think the people who dislike LA the most are those who go there on business or for conventions and get stuck downtown. That's not LA.

We like LA. We take the train to Olvera Street and look around, then eat some great Mexican food there. Usually walk up the hill to an LA Phil concert and take the train home.

Occasionally visit LACMA for one of their visiting exhibits. They have terrific exhibits pretty often.

Last trip we accidentally happened on the new Catholic Cathedral and wandered in. It is very impressive. We're looking forward to visiting the new Disney Concert Hall soon.

It's a great city.

I liked Santa Monica but not the traffic queues to get there. I thought Hollywood was sooooo cheesy but I did enjoy watching 'Enemy at the Gates' in that Chinese theatre place - excellent film and just an incredible theatre. I had to wonder in Hollywood who would buy a stars and stripes spandex bikini, white crotch length high heels and then have a piercing and a tattoo of an alien hanging by their neck with their eyes spilling out of their sockets. Does anybody know?

Doesn't Paris Hilton dress up like that when she's in town...?

Actually, every so often I see a woman dressed like that to shop in the Santa Monica Farmer's Market. Apparently she gets lost every so often and doesn't realize she's wandered far from the corner of Hollywood and Vine....

The major drawback of LA is how spreadout it is. We are planning to visit LA in January for a week. Which is the best place to stay- we want to to do the the usuaual touristy things in Beverley Hills, Universal Studios, Disney Land and the Beaches. We are thinking of spending a few days in Beverly Hills or Sunset Blvd and few days in Laguna Beach. Please recommend some kid friendly hotels or alternative locations to stay at.

I was born & raised in L.A. Went to school in Brentwood. Spent lost of time in that part of town. Must say, I really hate L.A. Sad, since it is where I am from, but true, one can never truely go home. What a dump!

LA certainly has its charm. I've lived here for years. You can't beat the weather.

Tommorrow I am going to interview applicants for a program at UCLA from all over the country. They will get to experience sunshine, a lovely Farmer's Market in Westwood, and friendly people.
People from out of state really do find LA special--most people, that is.

Yes we have traffic-whatever. We also have lovely museums, miles of coastline, mountains, amazing restaurants....

I'll tell you, although I have been a Westsider for over 15 years, I have been spending a lot of time in the Toluca Lake/Burbank area, which is lovely. Little restaurants, a bit quieter than the Westside. Not bad!

Note to RJW-it is hard to belive that Long Beach is changing so much. I remember when the Pine Street started revitalizing. I waitressed at "Perry's Pasta" when it opened in 1986! Don't know if it is still there. It really is a beutiful street now.

I was just there for 4 days, and even though we have dear friends there, and we did some very cool and fun things, and had some good food, I just don't like the place. It feels like it has no soul.

Well said, Marilyn! You hit the nail on the head. I've lived here for 20 years (my husband is a local boy) and I still don't like the place. Sure, it has its attributes, but, as you aptly stated, no soul.