NYC or LA... Which do you prefer? (attractions, road trip, beaches)

[AwesomeTravel]

I think as a city, I personally prefer NY. In terms of weather and quality of life, I'd go with LA.

[eureka1]

For what? For visiting? I've been to NYC twice and that was enough for me so I'll take LA.

[Cantabridgienne]

I'm a born-and-bred NYCer, it will always be home. I do like L.A.--the food, the natural beauty, especially--but I'm fine with just occasionally visiting.


They are apples and oranges though, very few similarities.

[BigCityDreamer]

New York is pretty much the world capital.

But some people may root for the underdog.

[hertfordshire]

I've never been a fan of California (other than San Diego). And I love Broadway, so it will always be NYC for me.

[bachslunch]

New York. NYC is not so sprawling and has much better public transit. Smog can be tough in NYC, but it's worse in LA. Traffic is bad in both. NYC is architecturally much more distinctive and interesting. Very good food in LA but better in NYC. And while LA has terrific museums, I prefer NYCs. LAs beaches are a plus and it doesn't snow there, but it's not enough to tip the balance.

[Douglas Dakota]

I am not a big city guy but I would prefer NYC. LA metro area is just too sprawled, congested, yet undeveloped by public transport and lacking efficient ways to get from A to B. Plus, it is too warm for me.

However I love the backcountry in California, so the option to go on a weekend trip to the coast or Big Bear Lake, CA or wherever else far away from LA would be a strong argument.

[Hefe]

Apples & oranges... but part of visiting LA is long travel times in a car. They both have their attractions but I would vote for NYC for the city experience & driving out of LA (PCH, Malibu, Joshua Tree) for a road trip.

[GoodHombre]

Weather is the only positive thing I can think of Los Angeles.

NYC in good weather is better.

[Chava61]

Public transportation with access to local attractions is easier for visitors to NYC but L.A. has better weather year round.