LA is California, but it's also SoCal. Having spent more of my US years in the bay area (ok, NorCal), I did notice. The freeways are faster, more "competitive", the heat is...well....SoCal heat..., Sunset blvd, the people (ala John McClane....."california!"). I came over to meet up with friends from college. I came a day early, so I spent the day driving around...Topanga, Santa Monica, and then San Juan Capistrano. 'Tried to stop by Pinks Hot Dogs...but the lines were just crazy (around the block crazy)!
