I used to spend my summers in LA. I grew up in Oakland, but had family in LA too, and you have nailed this exactly. I guess I was one of the few Northern Californians who liked LA.
I always think of a few jokes when it comes to LA:
1). During the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA, someone threw a javelin into the air, and it stuck!
2). To get ready for the Olympics in LA, runners from other countries ran behind diesel trucks and buses to get acclimated.
3). Johnny Carson used to joke that every time he took a walk in LA, he would get stopped by the police and ask what he was doing. He would answer "walking." And they would ask, "Why?"
I also recommend that anyone who does not get it watch L.A. Story (2011) with Steve Martin. It will help get you ready for LA if you plan to come.
In my 3/4 of a century I’ve lived all over SoCal, mostly in LA and Orange Counties. Currently I’m in Lake Forest in South OC.
In 1980, when my wife and I were married we lived in West LA near Santa Monica BL & Bundy. I hated it, too many people in too little space.
We moved to Torrance, then to Gardena, and finally to our forever home here in Lake Forest. Other than the apartment in W. LA I don’t think I’ve ever lived inside the LA City limits, and that was only for a year.
Rather than Malibu or Venice, head down to Manhattan, Hermosa or Redondo beaches. I spent a good part of my life living in the South Bay, especially Manhattan Beach, and it’s a completely different vibe from Venice. Beach access in Malibu has always been problematic.
Or head south to Orange County’s beaches. Huntington Breach is gorgeous, even if the current city council has been taken over by the MAGA crowd. Or, if you like cliffs and tide pools, check out Laguna Beach.
One of my favorite movies ever is L. A. Story with Steve Martin. It's a metaphysical romance-comedy. It was partly his interpretation of what the City was (making fun of cliches) and what it could be.
If you haven't seen it, please do! I'd love to hear your taker on it.
You had me at 70° all year round. That’s a great temperature. I live in the north of the UK and 70° here is a great day. But on the positive side everything is green all around where I live. X
Good stuff. Many/most of those recommendations are spot-on for London as well, especially "Center your activities in one area for the day..." We were given that advise before our trip a few months ago, and it was pure gold.
LA (or mostly, more accurately, the dreaded Valley) was home for over ten years in my late twenties and early 30’s. I finished training as a doc and had my babies there. Living a year at the beach was fun but who can afford that? Thank you for stirring up all those memories!
My mother was born on a kitchen table at the family farm at Echo Park and Sunset. I was born at Queen of the Angels hospital, which is a hospice now. That is over 100 years in LA, and I cannot disagree with this. Personally, I hate LA. You forgot the homeless plague. Maybe you should come on down to Laguna Beach if you want to bike around. Or Newport. But bring a sweater.
What wonderful article and great piece about your hometown area. I remember visiting LA a number of years ago and my friends were amazed at to how well I got around and didn't get lost. But it was all down to planning. I always tend tend to walk in all the cities I visit but LA was not walkable at all. I only ate at a couple of places one was Thaitown and the other was Sugarfish. Need to take all those suggestions for food for my next trip out there, They all sound so delicious.
I can definitely tell you if I wrote about my hometown area it would sound vaguely familiar. I am still discovering treasures here as well.
I lived in LA for about 3 years about 20 years ago--I don't miss the traffic or the potholes, but I do miss the museums, and the food. Sounds like from your description that it's pretty much as I remember. One day I'll get back there for a visit.
I used to spend my summers in LA. I grew up in Oakland, but had family in LA too, and you have nailed this exactly. I guess I was one of the few Northern Californians who liked LA.
I always think of a few jokes when it comes to LA:
1). During the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA, someone threw a javelin into the air, and it stuck!
2). To get ready for the Olympics in LA, runners from other countries ran behind diesel trucks and buses to get acclimated.
3). Johnny Carson used to joke that every time he took a walk in LA, he would get stopped by the police and ask what he was doing. He would answer "walking." And they would ask, "Why?"
I also recommend that anyone who does not get it watch L.A. Story (2011) with Steve Martin. It will help get you ready for LA if you plan to come.
I grew up out there. I miss lots about it. I don't miss the traffic or the quakes. Thanks for the memories.
In my 3/4 of a century I’ve lived all over SoCal, mostly in LA and Orange Counties. Currently I’m in Lake Forest in South OC.
In 1980, when my wife and I were married we lived in West LA near Santa Monica BL & Bundy. I hated it, too many people in too little space.
We moved to Torrance, then to Gardena, and finally to our forever home here in Lake Forest. Other than the apartment in W. LA I don’t think I’ve ever lived inside the LA City limits, and that was only for a year.
Rather than Malibu or Venice, head down to Manhattan, Hermosa or Redondo beaches. I spent a good part of my life living in the South Bay, especially Manhattan Beach, and it’s a completely different vibe from Venice. Beach access in Malibu has always been problematic.
Or head south to Orange County’s beaches. Huntington Breach is gorgeous, even if the current city council has been taken over by the MAGA crowd. Or, if you like cliffs and tide pools, check out Laguna Beach.
This is awesome information. Thank you so much!
One of my favorite movies ever is L. A. Story with Steve Martin. It's a metaphysical romance-comedy. It was partly his interpretation of what the City was (making fun of cliches) and what it could be.
If you haven't seen it, please do! I'd love to hear your taker on it.
Sorry, car-dependent cities are automatically stupid and bad
This should be given to anyone moving to LA to be an actor, filmmaker, musician, whatever. :)
I’ve been here on and off for almost 30 years. LA can’t get rid of me. :)
I've DJed here for loves and there are a LOT of amazing clubs. If you like clubs.
If you don't like clubs, nothing here will be good enough.
Also, there's a huge swath of the city unremarked upon here, and that's probably fine because it's not really tourist-y.
You had me at 70° all year round. That’s a great temperature. I live in the north of the UK and 70° here is a great day. But on the positive side everything is green all around where I live. X
Good stuff. Many/most of those recommendations are spot-on for London as well, especially "Center your activities in one area for the day..." We were given that advise before our trip a few months ago, and it was pure gold.
LA (or mostly, more accurately, the dreaded Valley) was home for over ten years in my late twenties and early 30’s. I finished training as a doc and had my babies there. Living a year at the beach was fun but who can afford that? Thank you for stirring up all those memories!
My mother was born on a kitchen table at the family farm at Echo Park and Sunset. I was born at Queen of the Angels hospital, which is a hospice now. That is over 100 years in LA, and I cannot disagree with this. Personally, I hate LA. You forgot the homeless plague. Maybe you should come on down to Laguna Beach if you want to bike around. Or Newport. But bring a sweater.
What wonderful article and great piece about your hometown area. I remember visiting LA a number of years ago and my friends were amazed at to how well I got around and didn't get lost. But it was all down to planning. I always tend tend to walk in all the cities I visit but LA was not walkable at all. I only ate at a couple of places one was Thaitown and the other was Sugarfish. Need to take all those suggestions for food for my next trip out there, They all sound so delicious.
I can definitely tell you if I wrote about my hometown area it would sound vaguely familiar. I am still discovering treasures here as well.
You are so talented in so many ways! You write well and are very interesting and enjoyable to read! Thanks for sharing 😊
I lived in LA for about 3 years about 20 years ago--I don't miss the traffic or the potholes, but I do miss the museums, and the food. Sounds like from your description that it's pretty much as I remember. One day I'll get back there for a visit.
I miss _A Change of Hobbit_ bookstore in Santa Monica.