8 Things I Learned While Visiting Los Angeles

By John Wong on January 20, 2015

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You know the place. The City of Angels, La La Land, Tinseltown, whatever you wanna call it – Los Angeles is a city unlike any other I’ve ever been to before.

My aunt and uncle moved out to LA last summer and after I tell you I live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, you don’t need me to explain why I wanted to get the hell out (especially because it’s currently winter as I write this).

Besides, I’d been dying to see LA one day, and I finally got my wish (and with free hospitality!) this past winter break. Here are a few things I learned about Los Angeles during my short, one week visit.

1) The people are beautiful (and nice)

As I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan and got into my ride from the airport, I obviously immediately started people watching. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more beautiful people in one concentrated location in my entire life.

So you’d think they would all be shallow assholes, right?

WRONG.

I frequently introduce myself to people I see on the streets if I’m visiting somewhere, and everybody in LA always smiled and seemed fascinated to know I was from around Chicago. Don’t believe all those negative stereotypes you see on TV, people.

2) The traffic sucks

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This one you can believe. The traffic in LA is just as bad as everybody says it is. I can’t say I’m surprised, though. Traffic back home to get into downtown Chicago is already horrific enough, but in LA, America’s second largest city, it’s an auto wasteland.

3) LA DOES have culture

This is one you hear all the time: “LA literally has NO culture.”

NOT true.

Going to New York City last summer and seeing all of the museums, architecture, parks and attractions there made my jaw drop. Even having world-class museums, restaurants, etc. in my own backyard of Chicago has made me appreciate all the culture that a city has to offer.

But here’s the part that everybody doesn’t get quite right, because LA is home to so many beautiful art galleries, museums, theaters, and of course, it is the headquarters of the American film industry: Hollywood. You might’ve heard of it?

4) The weather is so tight

I’m talking year-round, you guys. This one made me the most happy, seeing as I come from the American Midwest and the weather (especially around wintertime) makes me curse the day I was born. But even in the end of December/early January when I visited, LA had weather in the mid-70s, sometimes even almost climbing to the 80s.

Needless to say, I was shocked. I don’t remember the last time I considered laying out in my swimsuit on a January afternoon.

5) Famous people aren’t everywhere you look

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Yes, Los Angeles is the home (and workplace) of countless television, music and movie stars. But during my weeklong visit, I did not see even one of them just hanging around the streets of LA. I thought this part was really weird because my mom is a huge Kardashian fan and they’re always out and about on the town, but nope. Kim and Co. were nowhere to be found.

6) LA is so f****** diverse

I mean this city is literally crawling with minorities. You have the typical Latino/Latina fare everybody expects from LA, and I was proud to see so many of my fellow Asian Americans represented as well, amongst so many other different ethnic groups and cultures.

Lots of people think of NYC as a huge melting pot (which no doubt it is), but I feel like most people pass over LA as mostly a rich, white man’s haven with Mexicans mowing their front yard.

Not the case – it was awesome to see a huge marriage of all kinds of people from different backgrounds walking around the streets of LA.

7) The beaches are dope

Most people like me have only ever experienced the wonders of the LA beaches from TV shows like “The Hills” and “90210″ or from those tacky Hollister stores you see in suburban malls. But the beauty of palm trees and bustling streets ending at the majestic shores of the Pacific Ocean (plus the gorgeous people) is something to be experienced at least once in someone’s lifetime.

8) I am definitely going back someday

Not just because I’m a broadcast major, and I can see myself having a lot of potential in a town like LA, either. It’s a place that has left an amazing first impression on me, and I wholeheartedly plan on returning soon. Until next time, LA.