Los Angeles: Something we can be proud of..... (San Francisco, Nice: homes, theater)

[Island_OnThe_Land]

Los Angeles made it to the #2 spot of America's Top Ten Cultural Toursim Capitals as Ranked by Forbes 2009:

10. San Francisco
9. Minneapolis
8. Houston
7. Dallas
6. Atlanta
5. Washington
4. Boston
3. Chicago
2. LA
1. New York

So often derided as place devoid of substance or as Woody Allen famously stated LA's only cultural advantage was that you could turn right at a red light (in Annie Hall).

I think we can safely put those days to rest. From the top notch LA Phil at Disney Hall to LACMA to the Getty to superb musical venues LA does have a lot to offer.

To determine America's top cities for cultural tourism, FORBES measured the number of 2008 overnight visitors to each of the 40 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the country, factoring in the number of cultural institutions--including museums, sports teams, and live theater and concert venues.

As Forbes noted in giving LA the 2nd place nod, the city not only boasts a rich architectural history (with homes and buildings created by mid-century modernist master Joseph Eichler and contemporary architect Richard Meier), it's also home to 524 cultural institutions. Galleries, theater and music venues are abundant, not to mention museums such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Getty Center.

No we are far from a perfect city but just take a look around, we've come a long way over the past 30 years. We are the only U.S. city to host the Olympics TWICE (1932 and 1984).

[LASam]

Well, say what you will about LA, but the city is certainly not lacking in cultural institutions.

[Bruin5]

Nice post.

[the one]

excellent!!!

[jc76]

That's great! I don't see though how Chicago made the list Been there several times and never really thought of it as a city with culturalism. L.A. for sure, Chicago, no.

[DowntownVentura]

Originally Posted by Island_OnThe_Land

Los Angeles made it to the #2 spot of America's Top Ten Cultural Toursim Capitals as Ranked by Forbes 2009:

10. San Francisco
9. Minneapolis
8. Houston
7. Dallas
6. Atlanta
5. Washington
4. Boston
3. Chicago
2. LA
1. New York

So often derided as place devoid of substance or as Woody Allen famously stated LA's only cultural advantage was that you could turn right at a red light (in Annie Hall).

I think we can safely put those days to rest. From the top notch LA Phil at Disney Hall to LACMA to the Getty to superb musical venues LA does have a lot to offer.

To determine America's top cities for cultural tourism, FORBES measured the number of 2008 overnight visitors to each of the 40 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the country, factoring in the number of cultural institutions--including museums, sports teams, and live theater and concert venues.

As Forbes noted in giving LA the 2nd place nod, the city not only boasts a rich architectural history (with homes and buildings created by mid-century modernist master Joseph Eichler and contemporary architect Richard Meier), it's also home to 524 cultural institutions. Galleries, theater and music venues are abundant, not to mention museums such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Getty Center.

No we are far from a perfect city but just take a look around, we've come a long way over the past 30 years. We are the only U.S. city to host the Olympics TWICE (1932 and 1984).

Great post, I agree, LA is outstanding in a lot of areas, culture being one.

As for the Olympics, an interesting side note is 1932 and 1984 are the only Olympics where there were no other cities bidding. LA stepped up and made a success out of each one!! Go LA!!

Athens has also hosted the Olympics twice.

[skilaketahoe]

Congratulations.

Of course it attracts tourists - it was very cleverly built right about where planes run out of fuel. lol

Maybe the Californian Tourism Authority will spend more than 2 hours at Sydney Airport to promote its lesser known charms, and Disneyland

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by jc76

That's great! I don't see though how Chicago made the list Been there several times and never really thought of it as a city with culturalism. L.A. for sure, Chicago, no.

It is the conbination of Cultural and tourism that put them on the list, plus remember, these studies and lists are good for about a week, til the next one comes out. All they do, which is fine, is give the top cities listed bragging rights for awhile. They mean almost nothing else.

Nita