After speaking to quite a few people about LA, my opinion about the city could only become better. LA is full, not European, has got several centers and the traffic takes a life time.
Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA.
BUT arriving in LA from the right direction gives a wonderful view on the surrounding mountains and the Pacific. If you get a chance to fly into LAX, LA's airport, you'd be fascinated (especially at night; "On My Way to LA"). Driving in LA is not too easy, indeed, and it takes a lot of time to pass through the city. To be honest, I've just been in Santa Monica for a day in a rather closed room, but in the evening we went to some restaurant which was nice.
However, there are people supporting walking in LA, so that the city center there might become an actual downtown once. Just google and you'll find many blogs. Beside the downtown area there's still an amazing the breath-taking Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry.
