Is L.A. a must-do destination?
 

Heard Sheryl Crow's "All I Wanna Do" on the radio yesterday, with its intro ".. this is L.A", and realized that I have never seriously considered visiting the City of Angels. I just don't know what there is to do there...have been to NYC, San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, Dallas, Orlando, Seattle, Houston, Tucson, Phoenix, Honolulu and more, know I need to see Miami some day, but L.A. makes my mind go blank. So--is L.A. a great American city I should plan to see, and if so, what should I do there, apart from studio tours? Enlighten me, please!

hi,<BR>i live here, (la), and it certainly wouldn't be high on my list of choices of places to go. Too big spread out, not any natural beauty to speak of and no culture. If you like to shop its a good place, other than that, I can't recommend it highly as a destination...<BR>aa

It's fun to visit once, just to see things in person that you've always heard about. But after you've done the studio tours, seen Beverly Hills and Sunset Boulevard and eaten in a few famous restaurants all you're left with is a group of some of the most shallow people on earth.

There's the opera, the philharmonic,the county Museum, the Getty, the Moca, the Petersen Auto museum, Museum of Radio and TV,( sister of NY branch) and more than I can list here. There are the Robinson Gardens,the Huntington gardens and museum and library ( nearby San Marino). There's the largest group of art deco buildings anywhere in downtown LA (book an LA Conservancy tour). The Lion King is at the Pantages and Flower Drum Song is at the Taper , plus there are tons of small theatres all over the city.Check the recent NY TIMES travel section on LA for an update on Hollywood.Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Little Armenia, Thai town, Korea town...West Adams Historical Association offers tours of grand turn-of -the- century homes.The beach, studio tours, Griffith Park hiking and/or riding trails... It is spread out; but when I lived in Manhattan it took me 30 to 45 minutes to get from Battery Park to mid-town on the train.<BR><BR>M.

Anyone who would bother to visit Phoenix, Houston and Dallas, but hasn't been to LA is missing out. If LA wasn't such a happening place, then why does it thrive on the tourism industry? Some of the best weather in the fall, winter and spring. Lots of shopping, dining, clubs, museums, theaters, beaches, mountains, etc. Go see for yourself.

Fair enough, xxx, although in self-defense I point out that I visited Phoenix, Dallas and Houston more or less by accident--they were not vacation destinations. Michelle, you've enticed me...

LA is not a city. It is a spread out smoggy concrete mall with plastic everything.<BR><BR>I'm sure you can do much better. As a native Californian, it is not something we are very proud of.<BR><BR>Native

In response to the "shallow people" line. I always find it hysterical when people dub Angelino's as "shallow".<BR>Interestingly, in our condo complex there are 210 Units, of those units, to the best of my knowledge 3 are owned by people actually born in California!<BR>The others, are from Armenia, Wisconsin, NYC, Dallas, Hamburg Germany, Russia, Columbia, Chicago, Florida etc etc. <BR>So I suppose you could consider all those people from your home town who stream into our city every day shallow..Hmmm are they shallow because they left, or because you stayed behind?<BR>Further, growing up in So. Cal, I recall that most of my friends were sons and daughters of Areospace industry engineers and scientists, with a high premium placed on education, and scholastic achievement. <BR>Folkes forget the post-war areospace industry which really got L.A booming!<BR>Don't get me wrong, if you go to an "actor's party in the Hollywood Hills" you will most likely run into people "working it" to get noticed...<BR>They came here just for that reason, don't forget. <BR>However, let's not forget the millions of Fireman, healthcare workers,teachers truck drivers, policemen, who are putting their lives on the line for our safety every single day, just the same as those people in NY, or Dallas.<BR>No not everyone is shallow in LA.

E. - I love that song. It always reminds me of these great trips I've had to LA. Originally, I was of the mindset that LA was a big wasteland but have come to find out that nothing could be further from the truth. <BR><BR>I was fortunate to be escorted around by a long time resident who was kind of tuned into cool stuff and that made a big difference. There's nothing like walking around Venice Beach. There are some very good resturants nearby ( I particularly remember a place call Hal's and a jamaican rest down the street from it). Rodeo Drive is weird. I also liked the Manhattan Beach area and the promenade in Santa Monica. <BR><BR>We never went to any thing cultural but we did have fun. My friend has since passed away and so that song reminds me of the great fun we had together.

Now I'm not a big fan of LA, but I have to say that anyone who wishes to experience all the major cities worth visiting in the USA simply MUST visit LA.<BR>See the beaches, visit the Getty, spend some time in Beverly Hills, drive up Sunset, stop down at Neport/South Coast Plaza, drive up to Santa Barbara...just a few worthwhile ventures.<BR>I would never want to live in LA, but to say it's not even worth seeing is like saying the Grand Canyon's just another national park.

LA is OK, but I would not say it's a "must see," there are dozens of other places I'd find more interesting.<BR><BR>Most of the allure of LA is being in the entertainment capital of the world; tourists are all looking for stars, or to be entertained in some way). I was there on business to do some work at a major studio and found it to be a let down. I thought it would be a bit more grand or majestic, but it all seemed so ordinary and banal. It's kind of like seeing the old man behind the curtain you thought was the great and powerful Oz - I was left with a "is that all there is?" feeling.<BR><BR>I liked LA enough to want to go back someday and stay at The Peninsula or some outrageously chi-chi place and just laze about their pool, but it's going to be after I've satisfied my wanderlust by going elsewhere.

Many people come to LA to be "transformed" and that doesn't happen very often. It is just another spread-out city with good weather, great and not so great people, great and not so great restaurants and museums. We have little enclaves and all the other things big cities have. It is what you make it. You can stand anywhere and wait to be entertained and get disappointed. Our Los Angeles is an area of California where a lot of diverse people live and work and play. <BR>Liam, what made you think it would be grand and majestic - the movies? Then it is your own expectations that let you down. <BR>I wouldn't live anywhere else.

I don't think it's someplace you'd want to visit all the time, but if you've never been there then you should definitely go. It's L.A.!!!!!!! Just experience it for what it is and isn't. Personally, Venice Beach is worth the trip. Go for it.

LA is a great city. It suffers from not being "the best" at anything. Great food and restaurants due to the cultural diversity, but San Francisco gets all the accolades in this category. Great beaches, but Florida has warmer water and Hawaii is more beautiful. Great weather year round, but has smog (not as bad as it used to be). Great theater/opera/music, but NYC gets credit for being number 1. Griffith Park and LA Zoo are great, but Central Park and SD Zoo are better. LA does have excellent museums, but until the Getty Center opened, none of them would be considered "world class" (see Smithsonian, Met, etc.). What we can boast about is the movie industry. And you can watch something being filmed every day. If you want to see stars, forget the maps of the stars homes. Get floor seats to a Laker game, dine at one of the "in" restaurants, hang out at regular places in Malibu (stores, theaters, etc.)

E., I've noticed San Diego missing on your list of visited destinations. It's Southern California, on the Mexican border - you can do Tijuana - and it's definetely city to visit! Instead of LA that is.

You should really visit our city simply because people feel very strongly about it - come see what it's all about for yourself. <BR> <BR>What I like best about my city is that every nation in the world is represented in Los Angeles, thus there are affordable and delicious restaurants of every kind here.

Think John has a very interesting perspective on L.A. I lived there for 6 years and really loved it. There's much more to the entertainment industry, but you've got to even love the wacky parts of L.A. We visit family down there at least once a year and still love the Getty, Sta. Monica Beach/Pier, even Venice Beach, but the place we lived and love the most is Pasadena. If you want to visit L.A. and see something truly unique--visit over New Year's and see the Rose Parade. No other city can claim anything like that!

Liam, next time let us Angelinos know you are coming, and we will put on a great show for you. We don't want you to think we are banal. We are hipsters!

Venice? You must be joking! It's nothing more than a run down bastian of left-over counterculture hippies!<BR><BR>And Jean, both Newport Beach and Santa Barbara are NOT considered L.A.!!

Notice that when anyone starts defending Los Angeles with things to do and places to see, they mention Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Manhatten Beach, Pasedena, etc. None of these are in the city of Los Angeles.<BR><BR>Native

I can't be sure, but with the exception of the Museum of radio and TV,the Robinson Gardens, and the Huntington, everything on my list is in LA proper.<BR>I could have mentioned the Museum of the Southwest, the Autry museum,the USC Rose Gardens or the UCLA sculpture garden and/or Japanese gardens ( appointment only), the LA public library downtown ( beautiful Mission architecture--a real feather in the cap of the conservancy),Olvera Street, and still been in town. I don't like it either when people recommend only Santa Monica or Malibu, but I think when it's stated that there is nothing really in LA it reflects a real lack of knowledge. I am not a native; I moved here from NYC, and I was amazed at what LA itself has to offer. Unlike other cities, you do have to seek it out. LA doesn't reveal itself easily; but it's all there and well worth the look.<BR><BR>Michele

I am not going to defend LA as I have in past posts, beyond saying that I have lived in SF, NY, and LA, and LA is my preference, and I think there is an endless variety of great things here. <BR><BR>The purpose of my post is to ask why LA receives such vicious, personal attacks. "No fun," the second post, is typical of posts whenever LA comes up. Why does No Fun have to say that LA people are shallow? How many people did No Fun meet on No Fun's visit to LA, where No Fun cruised the strip and went to a couple studios? We have thousands of teachers, doctors, artists, cooks, attorneys, hair dressers, mechanics, street cleaners, and librarians, the same as any other place. Does No Fun really belieive that our teachers, doctors, artists, cooks, etc. are more shallow than the teachers, doctors, cooks etc. in Chicago? <BR><BR>Why do these type of posters have to engage in this type of personal attack against the people who live here?<BR><BR>

To Native who said that LA things aren't in LA. First, Michele is right, there are tons of things in LA proper. More to the point, when SF people go on a binge about SF they always include Marin, Berkeley, Sonoma, Napa, and other areas that are much further from SF than Pasadena is from LA (15 minutes from my house). Ditto NY. WHile Manhattan (what people mean when they say NY)has lots, did you ever hear of the Bronx Zoo, The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Yankee Stadium. Even the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island are not "in" New York, since they are federal. (Jersey claims the statute of liberty.) All of the things mentioned in all of the pro-LA posts are part of living in LA and things that LA people (and smart tourists) take advantage of.<BR><BR><BR>The things

I believe Los Angeles is more prone to attack, because it is our free-wheeling, free-spirited reputation. I also think people attack us because they have a tinge of jealousy. We spend so much time outdoors and take our great weather for granted, while the rest of the country is fighting their weather and bunkered up in their basements, waiting for the thaw.

To Nan and xxxxx: I should have been more clear; what I meant to say was that I found the "behind the scenes" look at how the studio operates etc was so banal (I did not mean to leave the impression that I was describing Angelenos as such). Like I said, I liked LA enough to say I would go back, but only after I got to see a few more places on my "must see" list.

E:<BR>YES! Los Angeles is truly one of the world's great cities. I've been around the world countless times, and lived and studied in North America, Asia and Europe, and I still stand by my assertion that L.A. for me only becomes more and more captivating. I Appreciate it for the weather, glamor, entertainment, high culture/folk culture, shopping, dining, etc...but above all I have grown to appreciate and respect L.A. for its sheer size and stunning diversity. No where in the world do you find more cultures and groups living together under the same balmy California sun. <BR><BR>People may decry L.A. as "shallow" and "spread out", but I consider those statements to be born out of ignorance and envy. With over 17 million people of every color, creed and lifestyle greater L.A. has tonnes of stuff to offer everyone. <BR><BR>So, buy yourself an L.A. visitor's guide and pack your bags and be prepared to be suprised. Just don't go during January and Feb.--it can be rainy and cold then. <BR><BR>-Robbie

Try the Theaters. Big theaters are good, but I prefer the little theaters (under 99 seats). You just might get to see a future Oscar winner acting her heart out six feet from where you are sitting. Beats waiting in line to see a game show. More plays going on here than even a hard-core theater goer like me could ever see. Look in the free weekly newspapers for theater listings.

Gee, Robbie says he's been around the world "countless times".<BR>Are you an astronaut Robbie?<BR>Or a transoceanic pilot?<BR>Don't know many people who can't even count the number of times they've been around the world.

"Notice that when anyone starts defending Los Angeles with things to do and places to see, they mention Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Manhatten Beach, Pasedena, etc. None of these are in the city of Los Angeles"<BR><BR>True Native but those places are minutes away (with vehicle). Traveling Sunset Blvd, you can go through LA, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, to Pacific Palisades.<BR><BR>And I think Venice is technically part of Los Angeles.

And I also wanted to add I moved to LA from the east coast years ago and I haven't regretted it since.<BR>I'll take LA anyday, warts and all!<BR>

To say LA has no natural beauty is just completely untrue. In the winter and spring the downtown skyline is surrounded by snowcapped mountains on clear days, it is breathtaking. In May the jacaranda trees bloom and entire city blocks are lined with flowering purple trees. The Malibu Coast and Santa Monica Mountains contain some of the most beautiful scenery in S. California.

While L.A. is no New York, it has alot more to do and explore than some cities you listed (Dalls, Orlando, Seattle, Houston, Tucson, Phoenix). It is a place you should go. Check out Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica beach, the beautiful homes in the hills, and do a studio tour.

John - Thanks for bringing back the memories of jaclaranda trees. They are more fragrant and colorful than anything I've seen in the southeast.

Hi E,<BR><BR>Lived in Southern California for 20 years, until I became 'burned out' on freeway travel 15 years ago.<BR><BR>Is L.A. (Southern California) a must see? Yep. But it is best seen with a local person as a resource, friend, guide.<BR><BR>I didn't see the Magic Castle mentioned, but that in itself is worth seeing . . . if you can get in.<BR><BR>The biggest downside to L.A. (Southern California) is the sprawl. Coping with the travel is a challenge to visitors and locals (unless there is an Olympics going on then it is great).<BR><BR>If you have not been there and you are interested go - then you can make your own judgement.<BR><BR>By the way, L.A. vs Miami. L.A. hands down.

I've visited LA three times on business and have no desire to go back. However, maybe (maybe) it is worth one visit -- and it sure beats the heck out of Phoenix.<BR><BR>One story might illustrate why I, a Northeasterner, am not crazy about LA.<BR><BR>My last time there, I met up with a friend who lives there and suggested we tour Little Saigon. Sounded interesting to me. <BR><BR>Well, Little Saigon is nothing more than a traffic-snarled road lined with tacky strip malls, except of course most of the signs are in Vietnamese.<BR><BR>For anyone who's visited a Chinatown in most NE cities or San Fran, this sort of "culture" is way below what we've come to expect.<BR><BR>And another thing. The beaches in the LA area are ugly compared to what you'll see in many parts of the Northeast. I have to believe that the people who say LA beaches are beautiful are from the Midwest.<BR><BR>But, you know what? Go anyway, and see it (once).

I've lived in both. La Jolla at present. LA has so much to see but because of traffic you'll never see it all. The museums are nice but not the quality of Manhattan or Chicago (maybe the Getty is but it's a pain to get to). The beaches are way overcrowded and everbody is an "actor" or "artist". Stay in SD you'll have more fun.

Lala -- I would have to say that the beaches are EQUIVALENT to MOST of the ones on the East Coast: Brown, coarse sand and cold, unattractive, foamy water!! The BEST beaches are actually on the West Coast of Florida (IF you can stand the people)!!!

Come visit our great metropolis! Movies, TV, theatre, sports, beaches, mountains, outdoor concerts, museums, the most diverse restaurants in the US, great weather, friendly people.

E--The whole idea about "All I Wanna Do" is that LA is a great place to hang out. Go there, hang out, enjoy the weather, get a beer buzz in the morning and be happy you're on vacation.

As one wit put it once: &quot;New York is just a neurotic impression of a big city in Europe. LA is completely and utterly unique.&quot; And that is completely true. I am glad to hear that visiting Houston and Dallas were accidental (they're steaming piles of Texas concrete, cowboy hats and Big Hair), by the way.<BR><BR>I won't go through the list of things to do in LA. It's way too long. I'll just say that LA has indeed done a poor PR job in selling itself. There's more theatre here than in NY (mostly in the 99-seat, Equity-waiver venues, but there are some big productions too). The museums are, despite what others may think, world-class. There are great galleries all over the place. The LA Philharmonic is unquestionably a world-class orchestra. Just outside the city proper you find the country's best avant-garde opera company in, of all places, Long Beach (a city with another excellent orchestra and some cool museums, plus a great aquarium). There IS culture in this town.<BR><BR>I do note that people come here expecting the whole city to be designed like a huge, real-life Disneyland. Sorry, folks. Our neighborhoods tend to not be Destinations like SF's Chinatown (as someone found out, Little Saigon is just a lower middle-class section of Westminster).<BR><BR>You can find a lot of beauty here too-- take a drive up to Malibu, or down to Laguna Beach, you'll be overwhelmed.<BR><BR>LA is not just a great American city, it's all of the US (and a lot of the world outside the US) wrapped up in one geographic area. It's also unlike any other city in the country. Definitely worth the trip.