Los Angeles city is one of the most famous cities in the United States and worldwide. Its multiculturalism, the proximity to Hollywood stars, the climate... many things make this city so attractive to tourists.
However, not everything is "peaches and cream;" Los Angeles also has a part that can surprise visitors or tourists, which is not pleasant.
Personal note:My intention is not to offend Angelenos in any way. I know that all cities have charming places and other not very positive things. This article is just a reference about what tourists should know before visiting the city.
Next, let’s look at some of these.
Safety
Los Angeles can be considered a safe city, but be careful, not entirely. It is essential to know which places to go. Tourist places are generally safer, but you may get a scare if you go into some neighborhoods.
As many already know, Los Angeles is known as the city of gangs, and although this could be dangerous if you find yourself in the middle of a confrontation between bands, it is always necessary to be alert.
if you are a tourist and alone, avoid going to the suburbs: South Central, Compton, and East.
monitor valuables;
avoid going to lonely places at night.
Nobody walks the streets.
What surprised me about Los Angeles is that people don’t usually walk to the shops, offices, etc. It is not like we get to see in other big cities. This makes visitors who do not know the town feel self-conscious about doing them unless it is with a tour guide.
However, the “Traveler Marriott” website invites us to know places where you can go on an excursion. Among these are:
The city of Los Angeles is for people with their cars, but this does not mean that you cannot enjoy the city on public transport. Before arriving in the town, I recommend investigating the different options and planning your routes to avoid confusion.
Los Angeles is home to one of the country’s best public transportation networks, including subways, light-rail, buses, and shuttles to nearly every corner of the greater Los Angeles area.
"Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board" makes it easier than ever to discover L.A. without a car. Car Free L.A. features a series of self-guided “car-free” vacation itineraries that offer a new way to experience the hidden gems of L.A.’s diverse neighborhoods via foot, bike, and Metro.
The distances are enormous
Hours and hours traveled. Yes, Los Angeles is a big city, and to get to know some of its main attractions, you will have to travel several miles to get there.
Just be patient and enjoy the ride.
People don't dress as elegantly as we might think
When we think of going to Los Angeles, we immediately think of the outfit that we will use to be at their level, but it is not a big problem as happens in Paris. On the contrary, Los Angeles is known as a carefree city, where people have the freedom to dress as they like without being criticized.
Obviously, if you are in an area with very wealthy people, there could be a drastic change in the way you dress, but if you are going as a tourist, relax and dress as you feel comfortable.
Homeless and people with mental problems
Although it is already well known that the Homeless live on the streets of Los Angeles, it never ceases to surprise you to see them in person. And not just homeless people, but many people with apparent untreated mental health problems.
Estimates vary, but a Times analysis two years ago found that roughly half of L.A. County’s homeless people were dealing with a mental illness. Last June, about 40% of L.A. County jail inmates were diagnosed with a mental illness.
The bottom line is that the mental health systems in this country, and this state and this county, are completely inadequate,” Dr. Jonathan Sheerin, L.A. County’s director of mental health, told The Times last month in a brutally honest assessment. “We have what I call the open-air asylum of the street and the closed-air asylum of the jail.”
It is not cheap
If you are an average tourist, Los Angeles is not a place to save a lot of money. However, there are always ways to enjoy and learn without going bankrupt.
The standard of living in Los Angeles is high, so the trip will not be cheap, but it will not be costly either. If you go backpacking, it is possible to spend less than $100 per day, counting meals, accommodation, and travel. The average price is usually around $150 per day anyway” —Viajar Los Angeles
Los Angeles is still a lovely city
As I said at the beginning of the article, Los Angeles, such a large and populated city, will always have things that will surprise us, both positive and negative, but that should not prevent us from visiting it and enjoying its beautiful culture.
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