If one wanted to live in Southern California and go "carless" utilizing the public transit system and only occasionally renting a car, which city would be better to live, Los Angeles or San Diego? (public transit would be used for commutting to work, general getting around and some nightlife in the evenings...not staying out too late).......

Neither place is particularly conducive to using public transit, in general. However, there are some areas where transit is quite good. For instance, Santa Monica's bus system is excellent. SD's trolley system is popular with tourists going to Tijuana, but less so with locals. LA's rail system is still fairly small, but is continually adding more miles. Right now it connects North Hollywood with Downtown LA and Long Beach. Another line goes by the airport. Next year service will begin from Downtown LA to Pasadena.

I know a number of people who have given up their cars and moved to lofts in downtown LA. You can get around the downtown area on the DASH shuttle and over to Union Station to take the subway and Metrolink to other areas. The subway system gets you to areas such as Hollywood, Long Beach and Pasadena by next summer.

Personally I would choose to live in Pasadena and enjoy living there, since there are so many movie theaters, great restaurants and things to do right there in Pasadena.

Sounds like some parts of LA aren't too bad for public transit. What about you San Diegens? (or those who visit there alot). I have heard that the trolly is very quick and convenient for certain areas and that the bus system is very extensive and if you live in the "central San Diego area" you can get to the nearby communities fairly easily. What has been your experience with it??? Can you go "carless" in the central area (ex: downtown, mission valley, pacific, ocean and la jolla, and the "uptown areas" like hillcrest, northpark, etc).

Well, John, I live in San Diego, but in a northern suburb. IMO, without a car, you will not really *live* in San Diego, you'll just exist. The wonderful thing about living here is the huge variety of activities. Most of them are not readily served by any type of public transportation. It would be possible to do what you suggest, depending on what type of work you do, but very difficult.

going carless, those would be some of the last cities i would consider moving to. however, obviously it can be done. you can manage to get around san diego on buses but just don't expect to get anywhere too fast. also, your night life will be extremely limited. they do have very good trails for bikes though. my sister spent a week visiting and got everywhere she wanted to go by bike. the best part of living in san diego (for me) was being able to go to so many different places: down to mexico for dinner, off to palm springs for the day, driving up the coast, etc. so i wouldn't want to live there without a car.