I do not like Los Angeles. That is my warning to you before you read this review. I have been to the Los Angeles area on many occasions, and I even lived in Los Angeles County from 1/01 - 12/03. I still own a house there, too. Los Angeles NEVER grew on me, and it never will.
The main reason I don’t like LA is because of all the traffic. No matter what time of day you’re on the freeway, you will be stuck in traffic. Let me tell you, there is no way the Speed bus wouldn’t have blown up. It’s awful! You can be going North, South, East, or West, and you will hit traffic. Be aware of that before driving anywhere.
People say that New Yorkers are rude. I stayed in the Radisson on Sepulveda, and I have never encountered such rude people before! Maybe it’s because I’m young, but the people in the hotel and restaurants I went to were completely unattentive and totally rude. Even the people in the airport-- regardless of me volunteering my seat and getting bumped onto another flight-- had bad attitudes.
Regardless of the traffic, there is a lot to do in LA-la Land. If you’re into amusement parks, you have a wide variety to choose from. There’s Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, and a bunch more. Knott’s Berry Farm has a lot more thrill rides, whereas Disney is geared more towards families. Of course, they’re both relatively expensive.
Or maybe you’re a sports fan? Any season you go, you can catch a game. Every time I go to LA, I make sure to catch a Dodger game. Dodger Stadium is so clean! And, tickets are really inexpensive. (I got field-level seats for $16 a piece.) Be sure to bring a sweater, though-- it gets chilly in the evening. There are also the Lakers (basketball), Anaheim Ducks and LA Kings (hockey), and plenty of minor league teams.
As for nightlife, there are a plethora of night clubs, movies, and restaurants. If you’re like me and enjoy a good show, you can find Broadway quality shows there. After all, it’s entertainment central! (There’s nothing like Broadway in NY, though.) For the more traditional people, you can find tons of movie theatres.
If you’re a beach person, definitely go down to Venice Beach! It’s like a huge flea market and carnival, with characters (though they’re real people) all over the place. Be careful, though-- There are lots and lots of pick pockets around. And, don’t go alone-- have at least one other person with you.
Something that is really cool is that you can get tickets to see virtually any show that is filmed with an audience that you want. There are a bunch of phone numbers in visitors guides that you can call to get tickets. I got tickets to see Donnie and Marie, which had my favorite soap star (Jensen Ackles) as a surprise guest!!! Tyson Beckford and Joy Beyhard were there, too.
I could do very well without Los Angeles. I don’t ever want to go back. I’m sure it will make for an interesting place for someone from a small town or a foreign country to visit, but I’m done. Finished. Finito.