August 12, 2026, 2:52 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
In Los Angeles, contrasts come together more strongly than in most other major cities. The City of Angels and the dream factory for stars and starlets is overshadowed by a dark cloud that deters many travelers. Our author hadn’t been there for eight years. Last spring, she returned to L.A. after a long time. When she came back, she saw the city with different eyes. Some things in Los Angeles shocked her, while others pleasantly surprised her.
My Negative Impressions
The Traffic
Most people in Los Angeles drive from point A to point B. The city has a relatively small subway network, and the buses are often hot and late. As a result, especially during rush hour, the streets are so crowded that it can take hours to travel just a few kilometers. Unlike in New York or Chicago, you can’t just hop on the next train to get to your destination, and walking is often too far.
Besides the fact that the streets are already crowded, I also think the infrastructure is not well thought out. To get out of the city from West Hollywood, you have to stop at about 100 red lights. I think I’ve rarely cursed so much in a car as I have on the streets of Los Angeles.
The best option is to try to avoid peak times and walk any routes that can be walked. I definitely hit my 20,000 steps every day on my trip to L.A.
Hollywood Glamour Meets Poverty, Suffering, and Homelessness
The contrast between luxury and suffering in Los Angeles is unmistakable. Of course, as tourists, we don’t really see how miserable many people in the city are, but I think a certain mood still resonates. At every corner, you see ads for “Celebrity Homes Bus Tours” and get information about the Land of Dreams, the big Hollywood stars, or the glamorous Oscars.
On the other side of the city, especially in many downtown areas, people sleep on the streets, and drug dealing and gangs are everyday occurrences. I had researched beforehand that South Los Angeles and the so-called “Skid Row” are considered particularly dangerous and should be avoided by tourists.
Although my paths didn’t lead me to the unsafe parts of the city, a part of the suffering is reflected in the rest of the city. In my opinion, you can’t and shouldn’t completely ignore it.
What Positively Surprised Me in Los Angeles
Not Too Crowded Despite Being a Metropolis
I don’t know if I’m the only one who sees it this way, but the city isn’t as crowded as you might expect. Well, at least not with pedestrians. My feeling was that because so many people drive from point A to point B, the pedestrian areas weren’t that crowded. When I think back to other metropolitan cities like New York, London, or Paris, I was sometimes really overwhelmed by the masses of people you encounter. In Los Angeles, it’s comparatively quiet. Whether on Rodeo Drive, at Venice Beach, or in the Hollywood Hills–I could always walk relatively calmly. I must add, though, that I was there in April. I think it looks quite different in the summer months.
Californian Friendliness Is No Myth
In California, people are open and nice. Yes, that’s true. You get compliments on the street, people help if you don’t know the way, and somehow they always try to make sure the other person is doing well. As soon as you’re in an elevator with another person or sitting next to each other in a restaurant, a short conversation starts. Small talk is a top priority here. Whether the almost overly friendly Californian manner is authentic or not is another question. I found it very refreshing to encounter so many positive people. Maybe we Germans could take a leaf out of their book.
An Oscar Is Heavier Than You Think
As a film lover, there was a real highlight for me. I got to hold an Oscar in my hands. Fun fact: An Oscar statue weighs nearly 4 kilograms. At the official Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, you learn all about the history of the awards and various films, and at the end, you can even hold a statue yourself. After a short, one-minute video, you have to put the Oscar back, of course. The museum is located in Mid-Wilshire and only opened in September 2021. So if you’re interested in Hollywood classics, you should definitely make a stop there.
My Conclusion
When I compare my first visit to Los Angeles with the visit in April 2026, I have to say that a lot has changed. I think you either like it or you don’t. Despite all the changes, I remain a fan of Los Angeles. The city is just brimming with creative people, and that’s exactly where I feel at home. Still, I hope that the problems and poverty that overshadow L.A. will soon find a solution. Who knows, maybe the next time I’m there, it will look completely different.