What Is Los Angeles Really Like And How Do I Get There?

Since its founding over 200 years ago, Los Angeles has regularly reinvented itself. From one horse cowboy-ville, to Gold Rush magnet, to oil town and now entertainment powerhouse thanks to Hollywood and its film studios. Being a focal point for the movie industry has in large part been responsible for the kookiness that's normally associated with LA.

Pleasingly, despite the cosmopolitan outlook and left field charm of LA, the city retains more than a hint of its Hispanic heritage. What strikes most people is its sheer size, the heat and the people. It is very much a city of contrasts, on the one hand, fabulous wealth and on the other, ghettos and poverty. There are certain parts of the city that are worth avoiding. Looking like a lost tourist in some areas is inviting trouble, so be careful not to stray into the rougher parts of the city by mistake.

By air, flights will arrive at Los Angeles International Airport, which is 15 miles southwest of the city.
Amtrak, the American national rail company, operate out of Union Station on North Alameda Street, Downtown. Los Angeles is well served with west and south-bound services.

They say we never know which is worse in LA, the people or the weather. The reference here is to the perpetual smog that hangs over the city. The other reference is to the very pretentious people who live in LA. The only two topics people in LA can talk about are Madonna ( now-a-days it is Paris Hilton ) and their latest botox shot.

They say the immigrants first arrive in LA. When they get savvy they move to San Francisco. Tahts what I did. I lived in LA for 10 years. Then moved to Silicon Valley.