Which city do you prefer; Los Angeles or San Francisco? (San Diego: schools, living in)

[GSR13]

If given a choice between being tied naked to an ant hill and covered with honey and being hogtied between two trucks moving in opposite directions, I'm not sure which choice I would make.

Same thing with choosing between LA and SF

[MtnSurfer]

It depends if you are simply asking the question as a tourist looking for stuff to do or looking at making a move some day. In addition, it depends what you like to do - more indoor stuff like museums vs. outdoor nature, etc...

I grew up in LA County, Hermosa Beach, and now live just south of the Bay Area. When given the choice, I definitely prefer just outside the Bay Area. There is much more open space and beauty than LA. Though downtown in both places suck in terms of traffic, crowds, etc... SF is more scenic overall than downtown LA which is pretty gross really - just a bunch of big building crammed together with nutty drivers and smog.

The problem with the question is that the 'city' of San Francisco is actually tiny compared to the'city' of LA. However most think of SF as the Bay Area in general like East Bay, South Bay, etc... That encompasses more options and tastes in terms of where one lives. Likewise LA encompasses more than downtown like the West Side, Hollywood, the South Bay.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I think you need to compare the entire SF Bay Area vs LA, instead of just the city of SF. SF proper is pretty small, and LA covers a huge area.

I grew up in the SF Bay Area, so I'm comfortable here. But, when you look at the entire area vs. LA, I think they're really pretty comparable. Just depends where you feel more comfortable. The lifestyle and culture is different. The traffic is comparable. Beaches and water would be warmer in LA - but you'll be expected to look better in your bikini :-)

[SoCal25]

LA, everyday and twice on Sunday.

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by malcorub16

Not to mention San Diego is safer than both LA and SF in terms of violent crime.

Indeed, one of the safest big cities in the country. But the homeless problem is equally bad in all three cities.

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

I think you need to compare the entire SF Bay Area vs LA, instead of just the city of SF. SF proper is pretty small, and LA covers a huge area.

I grew up in the SF Bay Area, so I'm comfortable here. But, when you look at the entire area vs. LA, I think they're really pretty comparable. Just depends where you feel more comfortable. The lifestyle and culture is different. The traffic is comparable. Beaches and water would be warmer in LA - but you'll be expected to look better in your bikini :-)

Note that "warmer" water temps means like 66f vs 58f or so. I wouldn't wear a speedo in either.

[426HemiCA]

LA by far. Better weather, great classic car culture, better beaches, more to do, prettier scenery and better surfing.

[ccm123]

I was born and raised in the Bay Area, but left home at age 18 to attend college in Southern California. After graduating, I remained in Southern California for more than 20 years. Both are great places, with their distinct advantages and disadvantages.
It seems that Southern California had a tougher time rebounding from the Great Recession. In terms of career opportunities, I moved back home. In terms of recreational opportunities and culture, both have distinct advantages.

[Kevroqs]

San Francisco is an amazing city and is very beautiful. But I prefer Los Angeles/Orange County because it offers more dates and SF is a sausagefest.

[Californiaguy2007]

I honestly like both cities,but if I had the choice of which city to live in it would be L.A because San Francisco is kinda chilly/foggy in my opinion to truly enjoy Summer Activities and I think people in SF are not as laid back as in L.A.