I'm looking to vacation to LA, and was wondering how dangerous is it really? Admittedly most of my perception are from the movies, but is it safe for Toursits? Are there any areas I should avoid?

Like any other major cities, there are good and bad areas. For the most part, Los Angeles is a very place for it's size. I was born and raised here in Los Angeles and have seen neighborhoods change from good to bad. Come out and enjoy, you will love that within an hour or so, you can enjoy the beaches, the mountains and the desert. I'm curious to know where your from? E-mail me if you have questions. blibit11@yahoo.com

Hey bw14

Thanks for the heads up, that makes me feel a lot better. I'm actually from Australia and looking to visit. Hopefully ill get over there at the end of the year, hope the weather will be good, cus i think it will be your winter? (end of the year is our summer).

It's not like im going to South Central LA or anything, it's more just like everyday walking around in the major touristy areas. In Australia we don't really have that much of a problem, but then again maybe that is because i know where to walk and not to walk!! I've been to NYC before and didnt feel unsafe anywhere so im hoping LA will be the same.

I didn't know about the mountains and the desert though, sounds A LOT like Australia :) I didn't really think of going out of the city, perhaps ill change my mind. Can you recommend any good day trips to the desert or mountains?

Thanks!!

Hello Goku! Thank you for the e mail. You could plan a day trip to beautiful Palm Springs, which is about two and a half hours from Los Angeles. Great scenery, great restaurants, great shopping. You also could travel to the mountains i.e. Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, which only takes a couple of hours. Nothing but beauty up there. Your could also visit Santa Barbara, which is on the ocean and about an hour and a half drive. Beautiful town! The choices are endless. Please e mail me if you need more info. Cheers, bwl4

in short, LA is not that dangerous and the parts you would probably be visiting would be very safe. There is a lot of crime in the south of LA but just don't go there at night. Just be sensible, don't flash your wallet around or leave stuff lying around, and don't forget to lock your car if you get one.

Hey Goku,

Everyone is pretty much spot on the mark. It's dangerous for people who are stupid and walk around late at night or put themselves in dangerous situations. I've been to LA a bunch of times and the only time i felt unsafe was the first time I went, and that was because I'd seen too many movies just like you :)

AJ