LA is worth a visit and many more visits. There IS a lot of crap mixed in with a lot of good stuff. You couldn't possibly discover all the good stuff in one trip. Especially if you have the attitude of "Doing it once." I would think that attitude means going to the famous tourist sights. Some of the best stuff is well known, but a lot of it is not. It takes an open mind, and adventerous exploration. Getting advice from locals is a good start. I would not want to live there, but I definitely enjoy my visits each time I go (several times/year). The "Fabric" that is LA is so complex, I can't even write about it here. Many locals know what I'm talking about.

LA is one of the few places where we welcome people that don't want to visit! I've always thought when people go somewhere and dislike it as strongly as people on this site have disliked LA that maybe they are just unhappy, period. I mean if nothing bad happened and you saw something new, tried some new food, met some new people, how could that be bad? You don't have to like everyone (sounds like the advice my mom gave me on the first day of kindergarten.) I was born here (LA), lived on the East Coast for 6 years and each time I came home, I'd breathe a sigh of contentment and relief. Just driving over the La Cienaga route from LAX on a winter's day, smelling eucalyptus trees mixed with the scent of oil, viewing Santa Monica mountains, framed by snowcapped Sierra Nevadas and planning an outdoor lunch with friends! I'm glad LA's not for everyone. There's enough of us here already!

Everybody has different tastes, this includes traveling. So as for LA being a great city, it depends on the person. As a native, it's easy for me to say it's a great city because I know what's worth seeing and where to go. It's hard to really experience LA as an outsider because it's so spread out. There's so much to do here, that's a real hit or miss. If you decide to visit, a good local publication for cultural events, nightclubs, bars and restaraunts would be LA Weekly. It's usually current with the happening spots. You just have to visit with an open mind and remember every city has something different to offer.

We have lived in Southern CA for many years and have lots of guests from other states and all love to see everything in the LA Area. They may not want to live here but certainly love seeing everything while on vacation. There are many things to see and do in the LA Area - don't miss it!

oh how i miss the smell of jasmine!

This is an interesting thread. We were in LA about 10 years ago, part of a S. CA trip, and planned two nights there. We stayed at the Loews in Santa Monica. After picking up our rental car, a convertible, we got a bit lost & stopped at a gas station for directions.
A very seedy, ominous looking character asked for the time & headed toward the car. Our luggage was in the back seat & I was positive he was going to grab something. It really scared me, so we went to Santa Monica & Santa Barbara, & never even saw LA. And I don't feel like I missed anything!