Oh, sure, we could complain about plenty of things in Los Angeles. But in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re focused on only offering compliments. For the nearly 10 million people who call L.A. County home, there are plenty of things that keep us firmly rooted here—and things that we don’t just like about L.A., but honestly and truly love.
So we turned to our Facebook followers to let us know what they love the most about L.A. As you might expect, the weather was the most popular answer. But not all of the other items on our list below are quite as obvious. Here, according to our followers, are what Angelenos love the most about L.A.
The food
You know those ampersand T-shirts everyone was wearing a decade or so ago? If you were to make one for L.A.’s food scene, it would probably turn into a floor-length dress: tacos & dim sum & doughnuts & sushi & shawarma & KBBQ & we’ve gone and made ourselves really, really hungry.
The weather
It’s sunny upwards of 250 days a year and even in the winter the temperature often approaches 70. In fact, with all of the greenery that the seasonal rain brings, we’d say winter is one of the most pleasant periods in L.A. Where else in the country—that isn’t a humid swamp in the summer—can you say that?
The vibes
Maybe the most intangible characteristic but one frequently mentioned among the responses to our Facebook prompt, L.A.’s chilled vibes make this city a mindset as much as it is a physical place. (Aside from the freeways, which really kill the vibe.)
The museums
The Getty alone would be enough to make most Angelenos think “you know, we have some pretty remarkable museums.” But add in spots like LACMA, MOCA and the Broad? Mansions like the Huntington, Hollyhock House and Getty Villa? Museums from the folks who put on the Oscars and the Grammys? Plus dozens of other smaller institutions? And make it easy to visit most of those spots for free? Well, we’d say that L.A. absolutely belongs in the mix with places like New York and Paris when it comes to museums.
The people
Out-of-towners (and even some locals stuck in the industry bubble) sometimes see L.A. as full of nothing but Hollywood-obsessed phonies. But, you know, they’re just wrong. Actually live here and you’ll know that Angelenos are largely regular folks from all walks of life, both L.A. natives and transplants alike just trying to carve out their own niche.
The diversity
There are a staggering 224 languages spoken throughout Los Angeles. Drive only a couple of miles through Central L.A., in particular, and you’ll likely encounter a half-dozen of those on buildings and businesses. That cultural melting pot of course brings a remarkable mix of food, too, but it’s not the only sort of diversity we have in Los Angeles…
The beach, the mountains and the desert
You can surf and ski in the same day—the classic California Double—but we think it’s just as remarkable that you can go from sandy beaches to snow-capped mountains to miles of open desert without ever leaving L.A. County.
The flora and fauna
Like L.A.’s topography, the area’s plant life feels like a slice of paradise, where you might find palm trees, redwoods, cacti and all sorts of flowering shrubs on a single street. And then there’s the wildlife: coyotes are common, some neighborhoods boast parrots and peacocks, the mountains and hills harbor bears and mountain lions (R.I.P. P-22) and the ocean is teeming with dolphins, sea lions and whales (and, just a boat ride away, bison on Catalina Island).
The sunrises and sunsets
Sure, you can see the sun rise and set from any city, but the light just hits different in L.A. Particularly spectacular sunsets seem to stop Angelenos in their tracks no matter where they are, whether watching along the ocean, from a hilltop or looking out from Dodger Stadium. But we think early risers have just as special a visual treat thanks to sunrises over the mountains.
Coming back to L.A.
Wrapping up a vacation is usually bittersweet, but for all the reasons above, knowing that you’ll be coming home to L.A. makes it sting a little bit less. Automotive chaos aside, there’s a reason there’s a song that celebrates hopping off the plane at LAX (though we’ll take stepping out onto the tarmac at Burbank any time over LAX).
Thanks to our Facebook followers Alberto, Alex, Alyson, Cynthia, Damian, Ernie, Gwynneth, James, Jessica, Joanne, Jose, Katya, Lu, Mark, Melanie, Michelle, Monica, Paul, Petey, Rachel, Ricardo, Roberto, Sandy and Shoji for the suggestions.