Posted: 11/29/18 | November 29th, 2018
Maybe it was the traffic. maybe it was the smog. maybe it was the evident vanity of everyone I met. Or the “woo woo” way of life (I’ve seen people pick meals by using crystals). I know it was absolutely in part the lack of public transportation.
While I could never really put my finger on it, there was just something about Los Angeles that just always rubbed me the wrong way.
I’d go to see pals or attend conferences and, while I enjoyed that fun, I hated the city itself.
Whenever I had to go visit, I’d just think to myself “Ugh, another trip to L.A.!”
I just never got the city or why people lived there. There were a million other places I’d rather be.
After each visit, I always felt that if I never returned, I wouldn’t be missing anything.
Heck, I even wrote a blog post about my disdain for LA!
And then, one day while I was visiting, I woke up and I just really liked — nay, loved — Los Angeles.
I don’t know when it happened.
I can’t pinpoint one precise moment or event.
After all, my routine in LA has always been the same: see a few attractions, eat and drink lots, catch up with friends, maybe head to the beach, do some work, and host a meet-up.
But, one day, I just woke up, looked around, and said, “Ya know, I really like it here. I think I’ll extend my stay.”
The a lot more I visited, the a lot more interesting places I discovered or was taken to, the a lot more offbeat sights I saw, and the a lot more I got to know the city. I learned its history. I learned how to get around, when to brave the traffic and when not to. I found markets and hole-in-the-wall taquerias and noodle shops. I had too lots of martinis at the historic Musso & Frank’s.
And then it hit me.
I realized I hated LA for the same reason I originally hated Bangkok.
And now love LA for the same reasons I fell in love with Bangkok.
Los Angeles isn’t built for tourists.
Yes, tourists go there. Yes, there are a lot of touristy things to do there.
But it’s not like Hong Kong, Paris, Buenos Aires, London, Sydney, or other places where you can go down a long list of attractions, drink in the culture, get around easily, and get a feel for the city in a short period of time.
No, the sprawling nature of Los Angeles, the traffic and cost of getting around, the lack of a city center, and the transient nature of its inhabitants make it a bad “tourist” city.
To get to know Los Angeles, you have to live there. just like Bangkok.
Like Bangkok, L.A. requires you to stay awhile. It’s an onion with layers you need to peel back over time.
L.A. is found in the restaurants, markets, ethnic enclaves, offbeat bars, and coffee shops. It is found on hiking trails and beaches. In art and music shows.
It’s found in the vibe and the people and day to day life.
I began to love Bangkok when I got to know it beyond the big temples and Khoa San road backpacker trail. When I found hidden markets and remarkable street stalls frequented only by locals, became pals with residents, and understood how it operated, I knew why people loved Bangkok so much.
Bangkok is not a city for tourists.
It’s for residents.
Just like Los Angeles.
When I realized that, I stopped looking at Los Angeles through the lens of a tourist. When I began to look at through the eyes of the people who lived there, unexpectedly the city becomes alive with things to do and places to explore.
It turns out L.A. is a wonderful, diverse, and eclectic city if you know where to look.
I just never knew where to look until now.
Book Your trip to Los Angeles: Logistical tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a low-cost flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and low-cost hotels. My favorite places to stay are:
HI Los Angeles Santa Monica
Banana Bungalow
For a lot more hostel suggestions, check out my list of the best hostels in Los Angeles!
Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will secure you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s detailed protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it lots of times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the best companies to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I useto save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want a lot more information on Los Angeles?
Be sure to check out our robust destination guide to LA for even a lot more planning tips!