LAX is not as bad as people make it seem.
Traffic is every bit as bad, and even worse, than many make it seem. However, if you have driven in and out of Detroit at peek times. It's comparable. Just double or triple commute times.
L.A. is dirty. Filth everywhere, as well as graffiti.
If you are white, prepare yourself to be a minority. Rodeo Dr.. you may see other whities, but they are going to be Albanians, Armenians, Russians, Italians, and so on. Basically foreigners. Also a ton of Japs. Only place you will find whitie is behind the counters.
A lot of mom and pops, and few chain stores. I found it crazy that there were not all the chains you see around most places I have visited. Target, Macys, McDonalds even. Olive Garden, I mean you name it! I found more of them when I headed out to Orange county and the burbs. But not a lot in L.A. other than Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.
The beaches are fucking insane. I went to Huntington, Laguna, Newpot, Venice. All are fucking packed as hell. As for nationalities. More whitie, but see the above description.
Speaking of Laguna, talk about wow. Those 75 degree angled roads climbing up and down the hills for the super houses, and fancy cars. That town was packed as well. Foot traffic, and tourists everywhere.
One Mexican owns all the shit shops. Whether downtown, or anywhere in town. They all had the same keychains, and 75% of the same trinkets as other Mex shops. Seen one, you've seen almost all of them.
Nothing about L.A., Beverly Hills, Bel Aire, Laguna, Hollywood is as glamorous as it seems on TV. So just a wake up call for those who thought some of these areas were 'dreamy' and would curl your toes.
I did not get north into Van Nuys, or Malibu. But we did cover greater L.A., including the supposedly nice areas, and part of Orange county down to Laguna.
All that said, the climate was lovely. Not a single sinus headache caused by 30 degree temperature shifts in a 8 hour period.
Lastly, for those just getting their traveling chops in gear a word of wisdom. Go with someone low key, and minimal bitching. When I am on vacation. I do not give a shit about the $500 car rental, the $5 gas, $25 a day valet, or $20 tuna salad sandwich.
I AM ON FUCKING VACATION.
Nothing worse then listening to a bitching accountant throughout your trip.
