San Francisco or LA?

[kble]

I plan on visiting California somewhere between April 21st and April 26th and am trying to decide between San Fran and LA. So far I'm more fascinated by the LA atmosphere because it's supposedly very different from what I'm used to. I guess that it's also sunnier. What would you guys recommend ("knowing" me)?

Also, seeing as I'll most likely go on my own, I was wondering who would be up for a meeting in either city.

[outmywindow]

I'm biased because I think LA sucks, but I think you should choose San Francisco. SF is an amazingly 'international' feeling city, considering that it's in California.

Also, LA sucks.

[Ghost-Girl]

San Francisco is pretty awesome.

If by LA atmosphere you mean smog - yeah, it's got that.

Edit: Reminds me of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e41ygKJ3ABk) song.

[starla]

I would pick San Francisco if I were visiting, LA if I were going to move there. I didn't like living in the Bay Area at all, but there is a lot to do in San Francisco and the surrounding areas. What are you looking to get out of the trip? Do you like to relax? Explore? Party?

Also, if you're not planning to rent a car, forget about LA.

[A Schnitzel]

I don't like visiting cities that require a drivers license to do anything.

So yeah, San Francisco would be a lot more fun just because of that.

[Arachne]

It may be a surprise but LA isn't a good tourist town... especially if you are making a short trip. It's a sprawling monster of a city with no real cultural center. You will get more sunshine in LA but I recommend San Fransisco if you are planning to do more than sit on the beach.

[sandwich]

Seattle!

[Oso Mocoso]

If you enjoy breathing putrid yellowish air while driving at slow speeds through a mob of angry Americans, then you'll love visiting Los Angeles. It's also got lots of prefabricated suburbs that all look identical which you could tour.

San Francisco on the other hand is awesome. The people who live there are diverse and mostly well educated. It can take a while to learn the local dialect called "hyphy" but once you do, communicating with northern Californians becomes easy and pleasant.

[outmywindow]

If you enjoy breathing putrid yellowish air while driving at slow speeds through a mob of angry Americans, then you'll love visiting Los Angeles. It's also got lots of prefabricated suburbs that all look identical which you could tour.

San Francisco on the other hand is awesome. The people who live there are diverse and mostly well educated. It can take a while to learn the local dialect called "hyphy" but once you do, communicating with northern Californians becomes easy and pleasant.
Oh fuck me, not this again.... ;)

[Oso Mocoso]

Oh fuck me, not this again.... ;)

Depends on whether or not you want to bite. :grin:

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Hm_AtbJRx5CqGM:http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//2000/500/50/4/62554.jpg

If we work together, we can totally drive this thread off the rails!

[syzygy]

You should visit after June 14, when the state of California will be graced by my presence.

[djm]

SF is a really great city, so no contest between them really - SF wins by a country mile.

[Neville]

LA, it's better. San Francisco is too touristy.

[CheeZ]

Unless you have some very specific reasons for visiting LA, like Disneyland, sunshine, surfing or Hollywood, don't visit LA. SF is the better choice.

[MoneyJungle]

If we work together, we can totally drive this thread off the rails!

Hit up the Yay Area. We'll bizurn some kripple and pop thizzle till we ridin' the yellow bus. Or just chop it up if yo yaper is lean. Yadadaholla?

EDIT; Oddly enough, I couldn't find a translation for eating fresh produce and perhaps visiting a museum.

[djm]

I never found people in SF too difficult understand, although I found the orange leathery skin a bit off-putting at first.

[Rincon]

I grew up just across the Golden Gate from San Francisco, so I'm biased as well, but SF is definitely the way to go, especially for a short(ish) trip and/or if you don't want to do lot's of driving. Unless you're just dying to visit Malibu or Disneyland or something.

[Ghost-Girl]

I still say San Francisco, but if you're just interested in the sun, sand and surf experience, San Diego's not a bad bet either. And the weather's cleared up pretty nicely lately, so you might actually get the postcard experience if you came in April.

[Limey]

I recommend both - or at least the roadtrip between the two, which I drove back in November.
I really wish I had time to drive big sur, but had to get inland to make Pleasanton before midnight.

[kble]

Excellent, thanks for the responses. I don't drive at all, so that makes the choice an easy one. I'm mostly just looking to explore and do city-trip like things (and by that I mean get a general feel of the city, not running from one sightseeing site to the next - getting lost is half the fun, right, sandwich? :p) and throw in a party or a pub or two as well maybe. Meet up in San Francisco then anyone (21st-26th-ish April)? :happpy: Oh, and accommodation recommendations would be good.


I would pick San Francisco if I were visiting, LA if I were going to move there.

I can see this now.

[!diom]

I find it amusing how the white people in the thread are touting SF's diversity. If you want diversity, then LA is where it's at, while SF is mostly white and Asian...

... But white and Asian is better IMHO. At least LA county still has Santa Monica and UCLA.

[Oso Mocoso]

I find it amusing how the white people in the thread are touting SF's diversity. If you want diversity, then LA is where it's at, while SF is mostly white and Asian...

Actually, San Francisco has a slightly greater latino population than it does Asian. L.A. is like all latinos, unless you were including them as white?

[Rincon]

I still say San Francisco, but if you're just interested in the sun, sand and surf experience, San Diego's not a bad bet either. And the weather's cleared up pretty nicely lately, so you might actually get the postcard experience if you came in April.

Black's beach FTW!

[starla]

I recommend both - or at least the roadtrip between the two, which I drove back in November.
I really wish I had time to drive big sur, but had to get inland to make Pleasanton before midnight.

I second this recommendation. The really good stuff that CA has to offer is between the two.

[Hustler]

Asking for an opinion between Los Angeles and the Bay Area is a 100% guaranteed way to troll a bunch of people.

[Ghost-Girl]

Black's beach FTW!
:lol: No thanks.

[Rincon]

:lol: No thanks.

Why not? Granted it's kind of a trek to get there, but the surfing is awesome! ;)

[!diom]

Actually, San Francisco has a slightly greater latino population than it does Asian. L.A. is like all latinos, unless you were including them as white?

Huh.


As of 2007, the Census Bureau estimated that 45.0 percent of the population was non-Hispanic white. Asian Americans make up 33.1% of the population; Chinese Americans constitute the largest single ethnic group in San Francisco at about a fifth of the population. Hispanics of any race make up 14.0% of the population. San Francisco's African American population has declined in recent decades, from 13.4 percent of the city in 1970 to 7.3 percent of the population in 2007.

Not far off from the 2000 census (http://sfpl.org/librarylocations/main/gic/sfpop2000.htm).

[Limey]

Asking for an opinion between Los Angeles and the Bay Area is a 100% guaranteed way to troll a bunch of people.

More at six
http://p-userpic.livejournal.com/43353253/2497543

[Oso Mocoso]

Not far off from the 2000 census (http://sfpl.org/librarylocations/main/gic/sfpop2000.htm).

All persons 776,773

Well, okay. For this sample representing less than 10% of the population, you'd appear to be correct.

However, citing numbers about specifically the City of San Francisco isn't all that relevant to a conversation about the metro area. San Francisco itself isn't even the major population center (San Jose is).

And yes, I know myself and other people have been throwing around the terms San Francisco, SF, Bay Area and Yay Area interchangeably but we figured you were quick enough to follow what we were talking about without an explicit explanation.

[kble]

More at six
http://p-userpic.livejournal.com/43353253/2497543

I have created a monster.

Should probably open a new thread.

[!diom]

And yes, I know myself and other people have been throwing around the terms San Francisco, SF, Bay Area and Yay Area interchangeably but we figured you were quick enough to follow what we were talking about without an explicit explanation.

And I figured you were quick enough to know that when people are considering visiting "San Franciso", they -- almost always -- mean the city proper, and not San Jose, Oakland, or wherever -- It's usually the other way around with "Los Angeles".

[Limey]

I have created a monster.

Should probably open a new thread.

Very subtle, we're going to have to open up a file on you, monitor future activity.

[avolkiteshvara]

Black's beach FTW!

I'm with Rincon. Viewing wrinkled old nutsacks are the best vacation.



LA can be fun if you want to go to the different studios and stuff. I had a friend that said different people were just grabbing her to sit in the audience. The shitty air would keep me away though.

Haight/Golden Gate park can be kind of fun your first time to SF.

[Oso Mocoso]

And I figured you were quick enough to know that when people are considering visiting "San Franciso", they -- almost always -- mean the city proper, and not San Jose, Oakland, or wherever -- It's usually the other way around with "Los Angeles".

Having entertained a LOT in the San Francisco area, you're simply incorrect except about Oakland. No one would ever go to Oakland for any reason.

[Anonymous]

SF all the way. The weather is better for one thing, and there's lots of awesome museums.

Also, I'd definitely be down for a meet-up! The 24th-26th would work, though the 26th would work best.


Having entertained a LOT in the San Francisco area, you're simply incorrect except about Oakland. No one would ever go to Oakland for any reason.

I got lost coming north on 880 once, and my one fear was that I'd take a wrong turn and end up in Oakland.

[Rincon]

I'm with Rincon. Viewing wrinkled old nutsacks are the best vacation.


You are obviously missing the point, but then again most people do. It is a topic that is so easy to poke fun at that it's comparable to the proverbial "shooting fish in a barrel".

[kble]

Very subtle, we're going to have to open up a file on you, monitor future activity.

You think I don't know about the other one? I'm in your head, bozo.

Ano, très bien, looking forward to it. Re-match!

[syzygy]

Uytuun, why can't you come to Ohio? We have so much exciting stuff.

[Anonymous]

Ano, très bien, looking forward to it. Re-match!

Ja, biss dan! Hopefully it will work out this time. We could even visit Golden Gate Park and pretend that it's Stanley Park.

[A Schnitzel]

We have so much exciting stuff.

:lol:

[starla]

Uytuun, why can't you come to Ohio? We have so much exciting stuff.

You, syzygy, are the most exciting thing Ohio has to offer.

Take that however you'd like.

[syzygy]

:lol:

We do too! They're so exciting that I can't tell you about them until you get here. We like to surprise people.


You, syzygy, are the most exciting thing Ohio has to offer.

Take that however you'd like.

DO YOU REALISE YOU JUST SAID I'M MORE EXCITING THAN CEDAR POINT?!

[starla]

DO YOU REALISE YOU JUST SAID I'M MORE EXCITING THAN CEDAR POINT?!

Do you realize that they spell realize with a z in Ohio?

[Spartan26]

All the Northern Cali people are just haters because we have all the water. ;P

I'm not much of a pro-LA person. In fact if not for the industry I'm sure I wouldn't live here but there's only so much of the NoCal superiority chant I can stomach. :sick: First off, don't get it twisted, there's tons to do here. New art scene in Venice and underground in downtown. World class muesums. Yes to diversity. More sunshine. Fun beaches. Film and TV production can be cool but if they want you to sit in an audience for a show stay away from freshmen series. They will take forever to get through. What you really want is someone who can get you on a set so you can sit in the director chairs of video village. That makes it worth the price of admission.

[Oso Mocoso]

I got lost coming north on 880 once, and my one fear was that I'd take a wrong turn and end up in Oakland.

God fucking help you if you ended up in Oakland. I once got a flat tire, and I had to exit the highway in Oakland. There was an auto repair place right near the exit, and I got my tire repaired, but I was anxious about the possibility of dying in a drive by shooting the entire time.



DO YOU REALISE YOU JUST SAID I'M MORE EXCITING THAN CEDAR POINT?!

Considering that Cedar Point would be boring, yeah since you're at least basically interesting you're more exciting than Cedar Point. Now do you feel weird about typing in all caps?

[syzygy]

Considering that Cedar Point would be boring, yeah since you're at least basically interesting you're more exciting than Cedar Point. Now do you feel weird about typing in all caps?

This is between starla and me. :happpy: Don't impose your rollercoaster hate on us. And no, I do not feel weird about typing it in all caps. IT'S CEDAR POINT, DAMMIT. ROLLERCOASTER CAPITAL OF THE WOOOOOOOORRRRRRRLLLLLLD.

Edit: Is there a reason you capitalised my name while quoting me?


Do you realize that they spell realize with a z in Ohio?

:rolleyes: They're wrong, though.

[Limey]

God fucking help you if you ended up in Oakland. I once got a flat tire, and I had to exit the highway in Oakland. There was an auto repair place right near the exit, and I got my tire repaired, but I was anxious about the possibility of dying in a drive by shooting the entire time.


I once found out the hard way that a package store in Northern Atlanta is NOT some sort of fedex/UPS depot where it's a good idea to pick up a moneygram late at night.
In overtown, Miami (portions of grand theft auto vice city were first based on this) I remember walking into a bank, ass puckered up like a stifled fart in mass, with a PC under my arm. I grew up in and around Handsworth, Birmingham, generally unpleasant place. I think I drove through Oakland once, seemed kinda nice, fruity Berkely to the south.

[outmywindow]

God fucking help you if you ended up in Oakland. I once got a flat tire, and I had to exit the highway in Oakland. There was an auto repair place right near the exit, and I got my tire repaired, but I was anxious about the possibility of dying in a drive by shooting the entire time.
You guys are aware that there are areas of Oakland that are perfectly fine, right? Temescal, Jack London District, Claremont. Hell, Rockridge is downright posh.

[Oso Mocoso]

You guys are aware that there are areas of Oakland that are perfectly fine, right? Temescal, Jack London District, Claremont. Hell, Rockridge is downright posh.

Oh, there are portions of Oakland that are marginally acceptable. Of course. I mean, Amy Tan lives there, yeah? Those neighborhoods tend to be the ones nearer Berkeley, and your own gentle patented OMW civilizing influence.

[outmywindow]

Oh, there are portions of Oakland that are marginally acceptable. Of course. I mean, Amy Tan lives there, yeah? Those neighborhoods tend to be the ones nearer Berkeley, and your own gentle patented OMW civilizing influence.
You can pick up whores around the corner, so it's not like I live in the most fantastic part of the East Bay there is, either. Also, I'd like to point out that I'm smack-dab between Oakland and Richmond, two of the three cities in California with the highest murder rates. Wheee!

For the record, I'd be shitting myself if I got a flat in Richmond. Oakland, not so much (with the exception of certain neighborhoods).

[Limey]

OMW civilizing influence (tm) yours with only three payments of $29.99

[outmywindow]

OMW civilizing influence (tm) yours with only three payments of $29.99
Satisfaction not guaranteed. Results not typical.

[Limey]

Satisfaction not guaranteed. Results not typical.

In a blind, double placebo study, some recipients of the OMW calming effect (tm) reported guy fawking of the legs, midge ure repulsion and compulsive shower curtain disorder.

[sandwich]

Edit: Is there a reason you capitalised my name while quoting me?

He does that to my username, too.

You guys are aware that there are areas of Oakland that are perfectly fine, right? Temescal, Jack London District, Claremont. Hell, Rockridge is downright posh.
Yeah, where ever I was in Oakland that one time was quite fancy. The housing development had its own fake pond to kayak around.

[aelan]

As a foreigner who's been to both, I'd pick SF if you're alone and not driving.

There're quite a few fun (ok, fun to me) activities to do there, besides visiting chocolate and/or jellybean factories, art museums, the festival market, little arthouse performances and street acts, there's the brewery/sourdough factories and Napa winecar with *ahem* tasting tours, and last I heard, shopping is really fun there too. :whistle:

http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/what_to_do/

Plus the best attraction of all, Anon. He's pure cotton candy cupcake and I hear he needs expert advice in shopping for a hat.

[Limey]

Plus the best attraction of all, Anon. He's pure cotton candy cupcake and I hear he needs expert advice in shopping for a hat.

What if I wanted a hat that said "look at me, I'm an asshole" - do you think he could provide expert advice there too?

[Hustler]

And I figured you were quick enough to know that when people are considering visiting "San Franciso", they -- almost always -- mean the city proper, and not San Jose, Oakland, or wherever -- It's usually the other way around with "Los Angeles".


Having entertained a LOT in the San Francisco area, you're simply incorrect except about Oakland. No one would ever go to Oakland for any reason.

Wow, an experiential counter-argument. If only it were valid! Here's something interesting:


Results 1 - 10 of about 3,680,000 for "san jose" vacation.
Results 1 - 10 of about 3,920,000 for "oakland" vacation.
Results 1 - 10 of about 19,600,000 for "san francisco" vacation.

I'm not even going to bother with the likes of Cupertino.

The only thing I can really tell from this thread is that the LA dwellers don't really feel the need to come on here and bash the Bay Area, while the Bay Area dwellers seem hellbent on telling everyone how much better it is. I wonder what the source of this rabid inferiority complex is?

[outmywindow]

I wonder what the source of this rabid inferiority complex is?
Our tiny, tiny penises.

[Hustler]

Our tiny, tiny penises.

Shrinkage, obviously, from those cold, cold summers.

[aelan]

What if I wanted a hat that said "look at me, I'm an asshole" - do you think he could provide expert advice there too?

I meant, Uytuun to give the fashion advice. I hear she's rather good at dragging males to malls and dressing them, though I'm not certain that qualifies as a manly aspect of her.

Only for you, Limey, my humble suggestion:

http://rlv.zcache.com/chav_tastic_hat-p148948470372947189qz14_400.jpg

[Anonymous]

There're quite a few fun (ok, fun to me) activities to do there, besides visiting chocolate and/or jellybean factories, art museums, the festival market, little arthouse performances and street acts, there's the brewery/sourdough factories and Napa winecar with *ahem* tasting tours, and last I heard, shopping is really fun there too. :whistle:

Oh yeah, that's another thing to take into consideration, are you over 21? Because if not, I would imagine that SF has more underage attractions.

Edit: That was to Uytuun.


Plus the best attraction of all, Anon. He's pure cotton candy cupcake and I hear he needs expert advice in shopping for a hat.

:frypan:

And I already bought a hat, too! Though it's a baseball cap type hat, not wide brimmed or anything.


What if I wanted a hat that said "look at me, I'm an asshole" - do you think he could provide expert advice there too?

As a matter of fact...

http://www.intpcentral.com/uploads/fb5cc018a399524770430c8b536f970eimages.jpg

[Limey]

I love both hats. I think I'd wear Anon's hat in LA and Aelan's hat in San Francisco (with a green brim).
San Francisco has enough outrageous people for an outrageous hat, no-one needs the extra ordnance out there.

[Ghost-Girl]

I like crazy hats, but there has to be a line drawn somewhere.

http://shillpages.com/dw/story/d5/st--6h67.jpg

[kble]

Oh yeah, that's another thing to take into consideration, are you over 21? Because if not, I would imagine that SF has more underage attractions.

Edit: That was to Uytuun.

Yeah, I'm 23. I've already decided on San Francisco, but that post got lost in the gang wars. I'll make a new thread tomorrow. Currently digesting an overload of sushi.