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I think because LA is a very difficult place to visit - unlike many major American cities, it has few iconic photospots, is virtually inaccessible by foot, and a wrong turn in your rental car can land you in a neighborhood that resembles a scene from "Training Day". It is the originator of urban sprawl, and really does not have a city center or "downtown" you can hang your hat on.
Midwestern tourists expecting dinner at the Olive Garden followed by a few Bud lights at a dueling piano bar filled with movie stars always leave dissapointed. The fact that their waiters are all incredibly attractive failed actors only adds to the weird impression. It is a tale as old as time.
I enjoyed living there, and I think SoCal in general is incredible. It is almost sinful how much their is to do there, YEAR round. Whenever visitors came my way, I would send them down to San Diego without exception - LA is very much an "insiders" city.
I think because LA is a very difficult place to visit - unlike many major American cities, it has few iconic photospots, is virtually inaccessible by foot, and a wrong turn in your rental car can land you in a neighborhood that resembles a scene from "Training Day". It is the originator of urban sprawl, and really does not have a city center or "downtown" you can hang your hat on.
Midwestern tourists expecting dinner at the Olive Garden followed by a few Bud lights at a dueling piano bar filled with movie stars always leave dissapointed. The fact that their waiters are all incredibly attractive failed actors only adds to the weird impression. It is a tale as old as time.
I enjoyed living there, and I think SoCal in general is incredible. It is almost sinful how much their is to do there, YEAR round. Whenever visitors came my way, I would send them down to San Diego without exception - LA is very much an "insiders" city.
Most people looking for that ideal " laid-back California lifestyle" would be best served somewhere else like Laguna Beach, Santa Barbara or San Diego.
Most people are especially surprised how dumpy Hollywood is, and how it looks nothing like what they see on those stupid television shows on MTV. LA can be good if you scratch the surface and I can see how a tourist would dislike Los Angeles if they didn't explore.
I think because LA is a very difficult place to visit - unlike many major American cities, it has few iconic photospots, is virtually inaccessible by foot, and a wrong turn in your rental car can land you in a neighborhood that resembles a scene from "Training Day". It is the originator of urban sprawl, and really does not have a city center or "downtown" you can hang your hat on.
Midwestern tourists expecting dinner at the Olive Garden followed by a few Bud lights at a dueling piano bar filled with movie stars always leave dissapointed. The fact that their waiters are all incredibly attractive failed actors only adds to the weird impression. It is a tale as old as time.
I enjoyed living there, and I think SoCal in general is incredible. It is almost sinful how much their is to do there, YEAR round. Whenever visitors came my way, I would send them down to San Diego without exception - LA is very much an "insiders" city.
Funny, I don't know anyone from the Midwest who has gone to LA to eat at the Olive Garden. Most of my friends have gone to San Francisco, though, not LA (and none have eaten at the Olive Garden in SF either).
I love LA, and especially love Hollywood (lived there for a couple of years). I agree that LA is a tough city to visit - people hit the tourist hot spots, expect the city to be all clean and polished and Disney-esque, and are shocked that the reality is a lot more complex.
People also have a mythical vision pushed by pop culture. Some people love the view of LA as a place filled with people driving to the beach, while others hate it.
When my family and friends visited LA I'd always bring them downtown, Hollywood (we lived there, so they saw the neighborhood and not just Hollywood and Highland), plus Griffith Park (among other things). We went by bus, train, and foot, too, as I don't drive. Also, I think that one of the best ways to get to know the non-touristy side of LA is to experience it via public transportation.
Funny, I don't know anyone from the Midwest who has gone to LA to eat at the Olive Garden. Most of my friends have gone to San Francisco, though, not LA (and none have eaten at the Olive Garden in SF either).
I walked through the Olive Garden in Times Square a few years ago to use the restroom and everyone seemed to have a Midwestern accent. A lot of them had on fanny-packs and wore terrible shoes. I bet they were from Chicago or Milwaukee.
Funny, I don't know anyone from the Midwest who has gone to LA to eat at the Olive Garden. Most of my friends have gone to San Francisco, though, not LA (and none have eaten at the Olive Garden in SF either).
Probably because there isn't an Olive Garden in the L.A. city limits and only 17 in the entire metropolitan area. Most of them are in the suburbs. I think his point was an 'Olive Garden' type generic place.
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