Should I visit LA or San Fransisco?

Wow, the haters are out early today. Did someone from LA stir your coffee with their p*nis?

Here's the deal: LA and SF are both GREAT for tourism. I live in the OC (Orange County, south of the city of LA), but was born in and grew up in LA. Both LA and SF have really great areas and really ghetto areas. For those who say how great SF is, what about the Mission District, Castro, The Tenderloin, Hunter's Point and Bayview? Those areas are NOT for tourists, and are as bad or worse than any in LA.

BUT, the whole point here is that those areas can easily be avoided. You don't send tourists down to South LA or the Tenderloin. There are MANY other places to see.

Both are great. The main difference is that LA is more spread out, and the weather. If you're going in July, I think LA wins on weather. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE SF. But Mark Twain once said that the coldest winter he ever endured was a summer in San Francisco. It's VERY foggy there in summer. Cold, damp, misty for much of the day.

I could dissertate on the great attractions of each, but don't have enough space.

San Francisco, no question. It's easy to get around without a car and there's lots to see and do.

SF is more compact. It is a quaint city that you can walk, bike, or take public transit.

You don't need a car. It is cooler, but it may be foggy during your visit. You can't swim in the ocean.

It is more attractive. There are more views of the water.

The Bay area has 6 Flags, Water World, and Santa Cruz Boardwalk

The Bay Area has more nature attractions like Muir Woods and Mt. Tamalpais.

The coast line is less developed once you get out of town.

If you drive north, you'll be in wine country

LA has larger attractions and miles of beaches that you can swim.

LA has Disney, Disney California Adventure Park, Universal, Knotts Berry Farm, and 6 Flags.

LA has more traffic issues. The coast line is less developed as you drive north.

As you drive south, there are small, beach neighborhoods.

La would be hotter, But, it is typically sunny.

Both have things to do and see. Both have museums and aquaruiums.

Since I live in LA, I would prefer to vacation in SF.

When I lived in SF, I would come down to LA.

Give Los Angeles a try. It's a great city for wandering around discovering terrific places. There's something for every one to enjoy!

Should you like nature hikes go to Griffith Park which is the largest urban park in America with over 4000 acres of natural beauty. There are 54 miles of hiking trails, you can even hike up to the famous Hollywood Shrine, horseback riding stables, fantastic views of the city, and you can enjoy a free show, exhibits and good restaurants in the world class Observatory.

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/griffithpk/

Santa Monica has the most popular beach in LA, the Pier and there's even an amusement park on the Pier.

http://santamonicapier.org/

Olvera Street in downtown is the site where the Spanish founded Los Angeles. There are free tours of the historical district including the oldest building in the city. On Saturday mornings it's like a fiesta with mariachi music, folk dancing, authentic Mexican foods, great souvenirs made in Mexico.

http://olvera-street.com/

Every tourist should see Hollywood. It isn't a movie making center now, but still has a lot of attraction for thousands of people. You can see:

Hollywood Blvd. (the Walk of Fame)

the Chinese Theater (match your hand/foot prints to those of the stars)

Hollywood & Highland Center

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (allegedly haunted by several spirits including Marilyn Monroe)

Paramount Studios (the only studio actually in Hollywood)

Hollywood Museum

Madame Tussaud's

See how the very rich and famous live in Beverly Hills. Walk down Rodeo Dr. which is the most expensive shopping street in the country (possibly the world), see the fabulous estates/mansions and on weekends you can take a trolley tour of the city.

http://www.lovebeverlyhills.com/

Don't miss the Getty Center if you enjoy artwork and opulent architecture along fantastic views and even a good cafeteria. The Center was built by the Getty Family (cost of more than a billion dollars) to house the painting "Irises". Well, they had paid 54 million dollar for the painting! Go to the Getty Villa at Malibu for even more jaw-dropping opulence. The fantastic estate was Mr. Getty's vacation house.

http://www.getty.edu/

Take the ferry over to Avalon on Catalina Island for a day in a relaxing island resort---without leaving LA County.

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/hotels-packages

Enjoy one of the Starline Tours of the city, the Hop On, Hop Off Tours allow you to enjoy the sights close up while someone else worries about the traffic.

http://www.starlinetours.com/

This website has tons of information on every aspect of visiting LA.

http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/

I hope you will decide to see the City of Angels and enjoy your time discovering what it has to offer!

I agree with John T. LA is a dump. San Francisco is the place you want to visit. You can stay downtown and walk the city or ride the puplic transit system. LA is spread out. You would not be able to just wander around. You would have to rent a car and take your life in your own hands with the conjested LA roads. IF you end up in San Francisco, you need to go to the Tadish Grill for dinner. The best Cioppino anywhere.

LA is no longer the "City of Angels". It's now the " City of Crime, Corruption, and Gangs".

Definitely go to SF

LA sucks and the LAX Airport sucks and the city sucks and hollywood is a dump. Go to SF and check out the golden gate, the city and if ya can NAPA... the wine country is awesome. SF is so much cleaner and safer... again LA SUCKS!!!

SF is much more scenic.

Maybe san francisco.