Ever think to yourself as you watched the sunset off the coast of Santa Monica, that all the sunset needed was another sun setting right next to it and a French horn solo full of longing composed by John Williams and you'd be magically be transported to Tattooine? Or have you ever felt so chilled to your core during a 60 degree midwinter night that you wished to slice open a Tauntaun for warmth? Of course you have! Well, that's because the Star Wars Universe and Los Angeles share some similarities in terms of their locales. Here are some LA equivalents to the Sci-Fi franchise's most iconic settings.
More on if Star Wars were set in LA
1. Mos Eisley Cantina = Barney's Beanery
"You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. Want to go play air hockey? Next round of Fireball shots are on me." - Obi-Wan Kenobi
Barney's Beanery on Santa Monica Boulevard shares a lot of similarities with its Star Wars cantina counterpart; they both have cheap drinks, a diverse crowd of bar regulars and if you were ever going to witness someone getting their arm chopped off by a lightsaber, this is where you'd see it. Forget Han or Greedo, it's Ricardo the busboy who shot first; this long-time employee of this venerable dive bar has gone on shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! to prove that he literally is the best at Pop-A-Shot, a basketball arcade game. Maybe he should work for Jabba? And just like the Cantina, their Trivia Tuesday has a strict rule: no Droids aloud. Or iPhones. That'd be cheating.
2. Mos Eisley spaceport = LAX
"Move along, move along." - A Stormtrooper realizing you're not the Lyft driver they're looking for
Just like this dodgy spaceport, LAX is crawling with security on the lookout for rebel scum...aka Uber or Sidecar drivers violating rules of no pickups.
3. Forest Moon of Endor = Griffith Park
While you probably won't get greeted on your hike at Griffith Park by a merry band of Ewoks, you'll definitely get a chance to encounter their Southern Californian equivalent: small dogs being walked by someone in yoga pants. Or a mountain lion. Plus, any bike turns into a speeder bike when you're pedaling downhill. Griffith Park is the perfect place to stretch your legs without the menacing Second Death Star looming in the distance.
4. Degobah = La Brea Tar Pits
In addition to mammoths and the occasional saber-toothed tiger, you very well might find an X-Wing buried in the primordial tar from long ago — although not in a galaxy far, far away. If you happen to have an 800-year-old Jedi nearby, you might be able to try and get it out! Whoops, sorry. There is no try.
5. Hoth = Big Bear
Looking to escape the 10 months of summer that is Los Angeles? Then take the three hour drive to Big Bear (can someone convert that to parsecs?), where you'll find inns, cabins and chances to ski. Things you won't find? Cave lairs of the carnivorous Wampa...which I think is a good thing.
6. Cloud City = The Standard Hotel Downtown
"You truly belong with us here among the clouds. Can I buy you a Long Island Iced Tea?" - Creepy Guy trying to buy you a Long Island Iced Tea
Lando Calrisean would definitely be seen poolside at this LA rooftop hot spot. While The Standard isn't necessarily above the clouds, with some added fog (or more likely, smog), the effect is pretty much the same.
7. Mustafar = The Valley
Is the valley as volcanically hot as this entirely volcanic planet? Yes. Do you need SPF 8500000 to survive both of their broiling temperatures? Double yes.
Check out what Star Wars themed burlesque looks like.