Overseas tourists who bypass LA altogether, what do you think of them? (rent, college)

[jonjj]

To each his or her own. Personally, I'd skip it too. There are way more nicer places to see in California.

[mrconfusion87]

What gives LA people the right to claim that foreign tourists who don't visit LA are ________?

[tijlover]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I think I'd go to San Diego before I would go to LA or San Fran. When I was a kid I always wanted to go to LA, but it has lost it's appeal to me lately.

Me, too, but I spend the biggest chunk of my time in San Diego's biggest, most exciting suburb: Tijuana.

Spending time clubbing in the Zona Norte district of Tijuana some Saturday night, and then spend a night in the Gas light district of San Diego and you'll be scratching your head: Where's the gas?

[Drover]

I personally don't understand why SF has so much broader international appeal than LA because here in the States LA completely overshadows SF as the coastal "big city."

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by Drover

I personally don't understand why SF has so much broader international appeal than LA because here in the States LA completely overshadows SF as the coastal "big city."

SF is just prettier than LA.

[Iconographer]

I would say that it's their money and their business...not mine.

[Chicago60614]

SF is just more compact, much easier to get around, and very beautiful.

I would probably say visit San Fran, Grand Canyon/Rockies, then New York and then throw in another based on that person's personal likes/dislikes.

LA is nice and all, but not really set up for tourists, especially those who are use to being able to go between sites easily, quickly and without having to deal with a car/traffic.

[thewitchisback]

I've never been to anywhere in California but LA and I rather enjoyed it. The fake Hollywoodness of it is interesting to me to observe

[Lifeshadower]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I have a friend with an American father who was born in Charleston, SC but moved here as a baby, and when they went to the US they flew straight to San Jose AP via Japan and didn't even see SF! . They drove straight to Minnesota where his family is from and I believe the only major cities they went to were Phoenix and Minneapolis.

Yeah, there are plenty of people who do that when they visit the United States. To be honest, I'd argue that seeing the United States OUTSIDE of the major cities is much better than seeing the cities. I mean, we have all this land just sitting here, waiting for adventurous people to explore.

However, maybe it's out of the purview of a city-based website, but I'm a pretty outdoorsy person which is why I hold that opinion.

It's not like SF is some podunk town out in the boonies though. I think it does a much better job at catering to tourists than LA does, but that has more to do with geography than anything else. I mean, you're from Australia...how would you react when people visit Melbourne but not Sydney? (I've heard Australians compare SF/LA to Melbourne/Sydney, especially when it comes to weather and cultural stuff)

And seriously..the vast majority of Angelenos aren't into the Hollywood stuff at all. They're just working people, trying to make ends meet.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by Drover

I personally don't understand why SF has so much broader international appeal than LA because here in the States LA completely overshadows SF as the coastal "big city."

I don't agree and I've lived in the US my entire life besides a few years living in Australia. San Francisco and Los Angeles are both recognized as the two major cities in California. Usually, young kids are attracted to Los Angeles, while adults are attracted to San Francisco. San Diego seems to have a good reputation among everyone.