"It's Going to be Jammed!"

Have you seen that Saturday Night Live skit called “The Californians?” Well if you haven’t you probably should! The skit is like a soap opera that takes place in what it looks to be Malibu, California. Just picture it:  All the characters have blonde hair, yep, even the black guy. Every time they speak their speech is slowed down and catchphrases like “jammed” and “what are you doing here” are mumbled. When a character enters the scene slow, melancholy music plays and the character says something like “Hey honey I brought us some tangerines, this guy was selling them over on the off ramp over by the 2.” Pretty much throughout the skit the characters are all giving directions and tips on how to get somewhere, how to go back home, and even on where to park. Seriously, just watch it.

Despite my little geek out up above, I think the title does not best suited for the skit. It says “The Californians,” but we all know they are making fun of the sprawling city that has tons of parking lots, but never any space to park! If I’m going to talk about cultures in LA I have to mention geography and the driving culture that is a byproduct from it.

Alright, I got to mention, Los Angeles county is big as hell! You’ve got San Gabriel, San Fernando Valley, Palos Verdes, and the metropolitan area. I mean I can go on, but I’d rather not. Being a native to this massive area I have actually become familiar with some of the areas the county has to offer. One of the most underrated (in my opinion) part of Los Angeles would have to be the South Bay. The South Bay is home to Torrance, Hermosa Beach, San Pedro, and my favorite, Palos Verdes. In the South Bay you have the option of visiting a suburban type area where families live and it’s cute cause it reminds you that there’s life outside of college and people don’t eat top ramen out of the pot. Hermosa Beach is in fact hermosa (beautiful in español) and it’s nice place to hit up during the summer and get away from the bros at the OC beaches. Palos Verdes is nice cause there’s large mansions to gaze at and when you look to your left there’s the ocean. There’s also amazing hiking spots (Runyon canyon needs to stop being a thing) the Donald Trump golf course, and lot’s a little nature spots to visit! I think it’s an area most Angelinos need to explore because it’s a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

So why do I think the South Bay is underrated? Uh, well it’s fucking far. What you do is hop onto the 110, which by the way doesn’t have a car pool lane--it has a fast trak—then you merge onto the 105 and ya keep going until the sun goes down and you hit the ocean. If you know of the freeways I’m talking about, great you are officially an Angelino integrated and trapped by the driving culture that has evolved other the years. For those of you who have no clue, welcome to Los Angeles, where the weather is great so you don’t have to bring it up and the traffic is bad so we know why you were late.

This driving culture in LA is indeed a “thing” and there are terminologies like fast trak, “better directions” other people can give you, and factoring in time it takes to get from one place to another.  The freeways, in a way, have a personality that reflect the areas you’re passing by; The 110 is kind of, well, ghetto (that’s why there’s walls!) the 405 is bougie and you’re most likely to be driving next to a Tesla owned by some big shot who is at the same time humble so you can stay mad at them. When you’re on the 101 you know you’re heading towards fun whether it’s driving to Hollywood on a Saturday night or enjoying the coast. It’s important to understand that the geographical locations in Los Angeles play a large role in the culture that live within them.

Check out this blog "L.A. Can't Drive!"