Rank the Downtowns of Californian cities (Los Angeles, San Diego: live, centers, homeless)

[The Postman]

I've only been to LA and San Diego - well and Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Anaheim, Oceanside, San Diego if we're counting those, but I'm interested if anyone would want to rank the downtowns of cities in California by the usual measures of urban form, transit, liveliness, entertainment/nightlife, dining, amenities, culture, environment, architecture, parks.etc.

San Francisco would be the clear favourite:

Downtown LA would probably get there by default but I don't think it's a sure favourite.

Third, it's a tough call. You've got the cities within LA county and well within LA itself, Pasadena or Santa Monica are pretty nice, then cities like Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Sacramento.

[nmnita]

It is hard to judge downtowns, because even very small towns and cities do have a downtown district and most people think only about the major cities. Of the major cities I would definitely put San Francisso at the top of the list, followed maybe by Pasadena and Sacramento. I am not terrible impressed with downtown L.A. Maybe it is because, as a kid, growing up not far from downtown L.A. I never saw the area as having a real personality...

[Snort]

Where is the downtown of San Francisco?

[ccm123]

1/ San Francisco
2/ Long Beach
3/ Pasadena (Old Town)
4/ San Diego
5/ Santa Monica
6/ San Jose

[blue bird]

My girlfriend and I just made a trip to California's major cities. We were impressed with some cities and surprised that some cities disappoint.

Los Angeles: downtown is filthy in most spots with some nice areas like 7th Ave and Fig., immediate clusters of highrises by Bunker Hill and several blocks of Spring St. LA Live is also fine, but the rest of downtown is a dump

San Diego: downtown is fine about 1/2 of the area like Gaslamp, Waterfront, Little Italy and parts of East Village. C St and Broadway kind of dumpy

San Jose: We were surprised the most. Most of downtown is nice with San Pedro sq and Paseo De San Antonia were ideal walking spots. The lackluster area is around Santa Clara/Second st. with vacant buildings and some homeless people. Otherwise, it's decent.

San Francisco: Union Sq. and the South of Market areas are nice. The Financial district is ok. The red flags are Mid Market by Sixth and the Tenderloin.

Rankings of California Downtowns:

1. SF
2. San Jose tie with San Diego
3. Los Angeles
4. Sacramento

[rgb123]

I think I'd more interested in a ranking of small, medium and large downtowns. There are some very nice downtowns that are not major cities. (yet)

[NexgrillSucks]

For major cities, SF>SD>LA. Of the other mentioned city centers, I like Pasadena's the most.

[ccm123]

DT San Jose is really underrated, IMO.

[BeauCharles]

I can tell you the absolute worst. Fresno. Most sad and pathetic downtown of a city of a half million that I've ever seen. Half the buildings are empty and there hasn't been a new high rise built since the mid 1960s.

[ccm123]

Downtown San Luis Obispo is very nice, as is Downtown Montrose (La Crescenta).