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Hey everyone! I hope y’all had a great Halloween (I definitely ate way too much candy as always). I’m sending this out incredibly late this week as I’ve been on quite a bender between celebrating Halloween in Los Angeles, attending Game 5 of the World Series in Phoenix, and driving to Austin Texas for a few hours the past three days while still working my remote job and applying/interviewing for other roles (I’m on the market if anyone knows a position that needs filling).
So yeah…been busy. Nonetheless, instead of doing the selfish thing and living it up on 6th St. or Rainey St. for a Friday night in Austin, I’m in the lab grinding to get this blog out to you before the end of this week (honestly just too tired for human interaction). Enough delaying here, cause I’m already late sending this out, let’s dive into my review of LA.
Overview
Before we get into each topic, let’s consult Chat GPT for a quick look at Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., stands as a dynamic and vibrant metropolis, embodying the quintessence of the American dream. This sprawling city weaves together a unique tapestry of glamour, cultural diversity, and a quintessentially laid-back Californian vibe. Renowned as the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles is the heart of Hollywood, hosting an array of celebrities and major film studios, and drawing creative minds from every corner of the globe. The city's arts scene is rich and varied, with world-class museums like the Getty Center and an array of trendy galleries in the Arts District offering a feast for the senses.
Beyond its dazzling surface, Los Angeles proves to be a culinary paradise, presenting an impressive range of international cuisines that reflect its diverse population. From the eclectic food trucks dotted around Downtown L.A. to the upscale dining experiences in Beverly Hills, there is something to satisfy every palate. For those seeking outdoor adventures, the city boasts a plethora of hiking trails, and stunning beaches, and enjoys year-round sunny weather. With its unique charm and endless possibilities, Los Angeles continues to captivate the imagination, offering a vibrant lifestyle and a canvas for personal and artistic expression.
Activities: 9.5/10
Favorite Activity: Hollywood Sign, Chargers Game
Being the entertainment capital of the world, it should be no shock that there is a plentiful amount of things to do in Los Angeles. If you want to do something outdoorsy, there are some of the best beaches in the US as well as tons of different hikes. If you want to go watch a movie, well you’re in the best place in the US for that. If you want to attend a sporting event, you have 2 NFL teams, 2 MLB teams, 2 NBA teams, 1 NHL team, 2 MLS teams, and a collegiate football team whose stadium is called The Coliseum, which begs Gladiator to ask the question:
There is so much to do in LA, that I didn’t even come close to checking off everything on my list, which includes things such as visiting one of the two main amusement parks (Disneyland and Universal Studios), the Getty Museum, the Los Angeles Art Museum, and more. Although it can take a while to get to some of these attractions (more on that later), you’ll find it nearly impossible to be bored in the city.
Landmarks/Neighborhoods/Areas: 9/10
Most Iconic Landmarks: Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica Pier, Walk of Fame, The Coliseum
In terms of landmarks, Los Angeles is obviously one of the best-known in the US, with the main staple being the Hollywood sign, which I was able to sit remarkably close to (I did have a random intercom tell me to stay on the path at one point). On top of that, you have the Santa Monica Pier, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Muscle Beach, the Staples Center (I refuse to call it Crypto.com arena even though I work in the industry), and more. Also, maybe it was just me and my stupidity, but I honestly felt like I knew all of these landmarks and where they were due to GTA 5 (any other gamers here who would agree?).
It is hard to see them all, but Los Angeles has tons of cool areas to visit and hang out in, with the best ones (for people in their 20s at least) being Santa Monica, Venice, and West Hollywood in my opinion. Each of these places has its landmarks, food & bar scene, etc, but compared to cities like DC and NYC, they didn’t feel wildly different from one another (but different enough). Also, even though it’s mostly just houses, it’s worth exploring the Hollywood Hills and Palisades area. Personally, my favorite neighborhood was Beverly Hills (where I stayed) which is famous for its finance hubs, plastic surgery locations, and Rodeo Dr./Golden Triangle. I’ll say that Wheezer was spot on about living there.
Food: 8.5/10
Favorite Restaurants: In-N-Out Burger, Apple Pan, Jon & Vinny’s
Local Delicacy: Asian, Mexican
When you think of the top foodie cities in the US, Los Angeles is always included in that list (although a city in LA tops the list…aka New Orleans). I can confirm that LA indeed did not disappoint in the food category, having tried some of their known food specialties such as Asian (via Seoulmates) and Latino (via random taco trucks). Also, although it’s a very prevalent chain within the US, Los Angeles and California in general are known for the popular In-N-Out Burger, which I have never had before starting this traveling journey. I will give Cali some credit here because In-N-Out is one of the best (and really only) places in the US where you can still get a good burger, shake, and fries for ~$10.
However, on the flip side of that, one problem that LA does face in the food department is how expensive it can get. There were a few restaurants that I received recommendations for (particularly sushi places), where just a quick look at the menu blew me away with how expensive it was. Now, LA is such a big city that you can find cheaper places quite easily around town, but if you’re a foodie trying to get groovy cause you’re in the moody (one rhyme too far…), then be ready to pay up.
Nightlife/Social Scene: 9.5/10
Favorite Venues: Barney’s, Victorian, Jameson’s
Ok…so for the month I lived in LA, I had the privilege of knowing people who were able to get me into some great events. I start with this context to show I may be biased here, but LA is one of the most fun cities to spend a night out in the entire USA. The scenes can range from a live music sports bar in Jameson’s to a sit-down place with pool tables in Barney’s to a house party vibe in the Victorian (literally in a Victorian-style home. Honestly felt like I was back in college, but in a good way). Also, if you’re invited to an event in LA, definitely go; they’re very fun (biased, but still true).
I will note that there are a bunch of places that are much more clubby than my typical vibe which comes with some of the influencer crowd (more on that later), but honestly wasn’t too bad. I did laugh a couple of times out when I went to a fairly normal-looking bar and people were getting bottle service, which is still such a wild concept to me, but to each their own I guess.
One thing that LA does incredibly well (probably right up there with New Orleans) is Halloween, which is one of the biggest holidays in LA. I got super lucky, but on my last night in LA, I went to the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval which just restarted this year after being canceled since 2020 due to COVID. This carnival was the closest experience to Mardi Gras I’ve ever seen in my life and was incredibly fun seeing a few other people in Forrest Gump costumes walking around.
History & Culture: 8/10
Similar to my previous blog talking about SF, for being a West Coast city, LA has tons of history behind it (which is rare for most). Whether it be the oil boom that fueled growth in the late 19th & early 20th centuries (ironic now), the rise of the entertainment industry in Hollywood in the early 1900s, to hosting two Olympic games, there is plenty of that surrounds the city that you can still see today.
In terms of the city’s culture, you can clearly tell that LA is the cultural capital of the world by simply driving down any street and spotting more billboards promoting movies, TV shows, podcasts, etc. than you’ll see anywhere else in the world (didn’t even know podcasts bought billboards for promotion).
One cultural aspect of LA that I wasn’t a fan of (but thought it was funny as an outsider), was what I call the “influencer culture.” There were so many instances when I was walking around the Golden Triangle and Rodeo Drive, for example, where I saw people posing for photos, filming TikToks, etc. If you’re someone who’s been following my Insta and TikTok accounts (can find them below), you’d know I didn’t post much in LA, and it was honestly because I didn’t want to look like an influencer.
Natural Beauty and Outdoor Spaces: 9/10
Coming into LA, I had high expectations that it was going to be one of the prettiest cities I’ve seen all year in terms of its natural beauty, and the city did not disappoint. I was well aware of all the beaches from Malibu to Manhattan that anyone could go and visit even during late fall, but I was pleasantly shocked by the hilly terrain that offered incredible hikes with spectacular views. I did to the Hollywood sign that wasn’t much of a path, and I almost fell down the hill five times, but was a fun way to start a Saturday morning nonetheless.
One thing about working on the West Coast with a remote job that requires you to be online for certain hours was that it forced me to wake up before sunrise every day. However, while I enjoyed that it forced me to get back into the habit of waking up early, it also provided me with some pretty stunning views from my desk to kick off my day.
Lastly, arguably the best part about Los Angeles nature-wise is that the weather is quite literally perfect year-round: never getting too hot or too cold. According to Chat GPT,
Los Angeles's weather is considered perfect due to its geographical location, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the mountain ranges. This positioning gives it a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild, wet winters and warm to hot, dry summers. The ocean brings cool breezes that temper the heat, and the mountains act as a barrier to harsh weather patterns, contributing to the region’s overall mild and stable climate.
This aspect of Los Angeles alone helps me at least rationalize and begin to understand why the subscription fees (aka taxes) are so high to live there.
Transportation: 5/10
This section and homelessness were the two most common things that people told me to watch out for during my time in Los Angeles. After living there for an entire month, I can confirm that getting around the city takes a long…long time. Just to go from Beverly Hills to Santa Monica is typically a 25-minute + drive for bordering neighborhoods.
I will note that in my opinion, a large part of that is due to the city itself just being too fricking big, that it’s almost unavoidable. However, the rush hour traffic there gets insanely tough, and it feels like you’re never making any progress trying to get somewhere. On my last day there, it took me around 10-15 minutes during rush hour traffic just to go to a gas station about 1 mile away. Also, in stark contrast to San Francisco, it seems like the stoplights are never in sync with one another, further adding to the frustration. Don’t want to dwell on this topic, so let’s wrap it up with the people.
People: 7/10
From an outsider's view of LA, my stereotypical view of a person from LA would be someone that I wouldn’t get along with, but would also probably be much cooler than me. I quickly learned that there are indeed many people in LA who outmatch me in the coolness metric by a billion after going to the skate park in Venice Beach and seeing a 10-year-old girl absolutely shred on a skateboard and do things that would put me in a hospital bed. In terms of getting along with people, I had a more mixed opinion.
Going hand-in-hand with the influencer culture, there are tons of people who fit this mold and really give credence to what brands you’re wearing or how you look, which goes against one of my favorite quotes from MLK that people should:
“not be judged by the color of their Prada bag but by the content of their character"
Something like that I believe, lol. On a serious note though, I live by his quote and think more people need to remember that quote today.
Also, if there was one word I had to use to describe LA, it would be fake. On the one hand, LA is fake as it feels like the city came from a movie by how pretty it is and how the weather is perfect year-round. On the other hand, it is also fake as some of the people are figuratively fake (don’t act like themselves) and literally fake (plastic surgery). On that last point, one of my favorite quotes one of the good friends I met in LA (shoutout to Rory) told me was:
In LA, you’re not ugly, you just don’t have a good plastic surgeon
However, I will be fair to the people in LA as most of the folks I met were very pleasant and fun to be with, which is easy to find given how big the city is. Also, on this influencer note, I did meet quite a few people with multimillion-person followings on social and overall, they were simply normal people, which I was pleasantly shocked by.
Overall: 8.2/10
In conclusion, Los Angeles lives up to its reputation as a microcosm of dreams, diversity, and dynamism. From rubbing shoulders with the specters of Hollywood legends to basking in the artful embrace of its museums, every corner of L.A. teems with a story. It's a city where outdoor enthusiasts and beach aficionados find solace along its sun-kissed shores and rugged trails, while foodies revel in its gastronomic delights, albeit with the occasional wallet shock. The nightlife pulsates with eclectic fervor, showcasing a range of venues from laid-back to luxuriously loud. Despite the façade of glitz and the infamous 'LA fake,' the city's heart beats with genuine creativity and ambition – a duality that also mirrors its perfectly picturesque yet traffic-tangled existence. Los Angeles is a city of contrasts, where historic richness and modern spectacle dance a complex tango, and where nature's beauty holds its own against human-crafted splendor. Whether you're navigating through the star-studded streets or seeking tranquility in its serene landscapes, Los Angeles offers a slice of its vast, vibrant spirit to everyone who comes searching.
Thanks for reading! Honestly enjoyed my time in LA much more than I expected, and cannot wait to go back there soon (at the latest, for the 2028 Olympics). Next week will be a tough one for the blog as I am traveling to Lisbon, Portugal for a work conference. I will attempt to whip something up on the plane ride there, but no promises.
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