San Diego Travel Forum

Hello,

I'm curious if there's any truth to this: I've heard quite a few times that people in southern california tended to be rather superficial and unfriendly. I know that doesn't mean all of them are, but I was even told so by somebody who lives in orange county. However I've also heard that San Diego had some of the most friendly people in the US and that people there were considerably more friendly than they tended to be in LA.

I know that you do have nice people and idiots everywhere, but it depends on their ratio, doesn't it?;-)


Another thing Ive been wondering: How efficient is the trolley in San Diego? I know that usually in California anything other than a car is not an option, really, but I've heard that the trolley in San Diego worked quite well. But then again Im wondering does that only mean it works well in comparison to public transport in other cities in southern california? or is it a means of transport that enables people to use it as a part of their daily lives instead of a car?

thank you!

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There are idiots everywhere, yes. But I very much prefer San Diego to LA, partially because of the people. They just seem more generally down-to-earth.

Not many San Diegans rely on the trolley. Public transit in general in Southern California has a stigma to it, and people that I've known living there think of the trolley as a sort of ferry for the homeless, just like they do of the buses in LA. It's not entirely true, and it is a good system, but, even if you do rely on it for a commute, you almost always have to drive to a station first and, thus, are still relying on your car as well. Especially in Mission Valley, they've built a lot of housing that's accessible and often connected to the trolley, but they still have a ways to go.

I have been to San Diego twice and have enjoyed it very much both times. The people are nice, warm and inviting. Service is good in hotels and restaurants, down to earth, friendly, not overly formal. I like it.

The troley is comfortable, efficient and economical. The only real drawback is the limited route system. The route system has greatlt expanded over the past five years. You can take the trolley down to the boarder with Mexico and out to the eastern suburbs, but he closest you can get to Balboa Park or the Zoo is about a mile walk. In November we decided to take a circle tour of the city on the trolley late one afternoon and found alot of locals using it to commute home from work in the downtown area out to the eastern suburbs.

David

Realize that California is *extremely* diverse, not only ethnically but also socially. You can find plastic people, and you can also find wonderful people - all depends on your circumstances.

If you have not lived there - it all seems like a big freeway.
If you live there, but your heart is not there - it will remain a big freeway.
If you don't make friends easily ... you can be very lonely.
You need to live there and cultivate your roots, and depending on your circle you could get to understand.

If you can understand the movie "LA Story" with Steve Martin and laugh at the drive-by and high colonic - you're halfway there ;=)

Even the term "Southern California" is debatable.

As Nomad says, California is extremely diverse. I was fortunate enough to live in Monterey and in the area north of Sacramento. LA is "stereotypical California. However, other locales are completely different with San Diego (very nice I might add) being one of them. In fact, at one time, there was a move afoot to split California into two separate states because the crowd from the area of Napa Valley northwards has a totally different mindset and sense of values than the people to the south.

We here in LA are not superficial; we're focused. We will be very friendly to anyone who has a great body, or anyone who has good drugs, or anyone who reads our screenplay. If you are not in one of those three groups, well...pardon me, that could be my agent calling...gotta go...

HB, LOL - i think you forgot that any decent agent only text messages you and can get you into the Viper Club.... just back from a weekend jaunt to SD, and for the most part it was the same as LA. I personally feel SD has lost some of its charm. Even in Ocean City I almost had to break up a fight due to some guy who thought that fighting and insulting people was a way to prove his manhood. Fortunately, as in LA, this is the minority, but I don't see that attitude in Europe or small towns in the US. As to being superficial, most people in LA, SD, San Francisco will go out of their way help you, assuming they are not several hours late to their next appointment due to traffic, highway maintenance, wild fires or rain. Karl

I lived in San Diego for 3 years and loved every minute of it. It is one of the most diversified cities in the USA and has something for everyone. Why not e-mail the Queen of San Diego, our own VTer IMKLUQUE (Linda) who can give you all the incite on life in San Diego.

Whoops. Although Linda may incite you on San Diego, my meaning and spelling was to have been insight. Darn, English is a hard language to write. |-{

Saludos from San Diego. They dont call this city "Americas finnest city for nothing". Its a great place with much to offer. Yes the trolley is very efficient. It will even take you down to the US-Mex. border. If you visit , dont forget to go to TIJUANA< MEXICO. Check it out, u will love it.

I disagree w/ Bocmaxima - locals actually DO take the trolley. I'm not one who takes it on a regular basis, but a lot of folks take it to work in the Downtown area. With parking as bad as it is at San Diego State University, there's plenty of regular use to that area too. Professional baseball and football games (and back in the day Steet Scene) are also serviced by the trolley. Now, if you're going somewhere off the main lines, no, it's not that convenient...

There are idiots and @$$holes to be found worldwide, but I like to think of them as people struggling to find the opportunity to release their inner niceness. They're vastly outnumbered by regular nice people anyhow - even here...

Thanks Larry, for your glowing remarks about me.

I'll just mention that my VT ID is LMKLUQUE (all lower case, lmkluque) rather than IMKLUQUE. It confuses everyone and I apologize for not having realized how hard it would be to read it when I signed up with VT so long ago.

Yes, I will be happy to give my opinion about San Diego. If you do want to write to me specifically.

As to your questions here.

I lived in LA for a few years, but the only contact I had with the "movie industry" was tours through studios, Hollywood and attending a few "pilot" premiers, so I didn't run into unfriendly or superficial people any more than I have in other big cities. It is my opinion that those people who think that people in Southern California tend to be superficial and unfriendly, are mostly not used to recognizing that in larger cities, people tend to seem superficial because their "polite" behavior is mistaken as having a deeper meaning than it does. Those who seem "unfriendly" are those who are not as polite, but still are not very trusting.

I've lived in San Diego at least forty years, so, it's natural I'd be more partial to this city. I think that a person's impressions regarding the friendliness or unfriendliness of people in any city, depends upon their own expectations and preceptions. Basically, you'll find what you are looking for.

About the San Diego Trolley.

It is not yet as efficient a system as found in a city like Paris. It is bascially an amendment to the "bus" system that was in place at the time. The SD Trolley is faster and connects areas that were not always easy to reach by bus alone. There are three lines, Red, Blue and the newest, Green. A Trolley trip from one end to the other of a line takes about an hour. If you need to transfer to a bus, the trip may take longer depending on where you're planning to go. Most single trips on bus/Trolley take fifteen minutes to an hour. The SD Trolley and buses are used mostly by people who do not have a car, (many of those are poorer people as a rule) also public transportation is used--as mentioned--by those who do not want to bother with traffic or parking problems when they go to work or other places where dealing with a car can be a hassle.

If you haven't the use of a car, our public transportation would serve most of your needs. However, if you plan on living here you will, like most of us, find that traveling by car is the easiest way to get around and the most efficient choice regarding time.

Merry Christmas To You All,
Linda

I beg forgiveness your Highness. I, I, I, is L, L, L, and not grown up at that. Small letters not large. What the L, no, l, so talk to the real Queen of San Diego, lmkluque. Linda with a large L. ;-0 I trust that puts me back in good stead, my Lady.

LOL!!!

Thank you Larry for my first big laugh of the day!

You are always in good stead with me, how could you not be with the generous comments you've made?

You are not the only one who has thought the first letter was an "I" (i) everyone thinks so. Therefore, it is not on you and everyone else, it's on me.

However, I must say, it boosted my ego nicely to read your reaction. :-)

Thanks,
Linda