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Tinseltown. La La Land. City of Angels. The Big Orange. Los Angeles is a land of many nicknames and iterations. From the original native tribes to the dusty farmlands and oil fields of yore, through the Hollywood golden age to the birthplace of hippies and well-tanned entrepreneurs, Los Angeles has grown into a melting pot of cultures where you can find just about anything you could ever want at a moment’s notice. A land of opportunity and action that moves at a relaxed trot, yet never ceases.
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And while the options are plentiful, there are some things that you will only find here in L.A. Beyond the glitz and glamour, the star maps, the red carpet premieres, the reality TV titans, and the tourist traps, here are 10 signposts to guide you through the (local access only) giant sprawl that is Los Angeles. You know you’re in L.A. when you…
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You know youre in LA
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Racing to eat CBD-infused vegan ice cream before it melts all over you.
We love weed. We love ice cream. We love artisanal goods. We have vegans galore. L.A. is all about diversity, and combining the good stuff to achieve momentary bliss.
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See more goats than people in your yoga class.
L.A. is full of trend-setters. Sometimes the trends don't make any sense, but that doesn't stop us from diving in headfirst and giving it a whirl.
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Spot Batman, Superman, Darth Vader, and Jack Sparrow having beef on Hollywood Blvd.
Cross Hollywood Boulevard any day of the week and you'll likely see Darth Vader sipping a latte while arguing with other famous movie characters over whose turf is whose this fine morning. Luckily, Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson are there to break it up.
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Witness a hipster going into a momentary-craft-coffee seizure.
The coffee game in L.A. is Andre the Giant strong. One hundred percent, we drink too much of it. Things can get a little funky for a sec as the nervous system works itself out.
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Pull up to a red light where a star-studded musical number is taking place in the crosswalk and nobody gives a shit.
Los Angelenos are so desensitized to weird stuff, publicity stunts, and giant public spectacles that nothing registers on our radar anymore. What is fun?
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Wait in line around the block for a local dive bar.
Two-dollar PBR used to be a fair price, but then it became a major draw for every drinker on a budget. And with 12 million people living in your neighborhood (11 million of them on a budget), it's bound to get a little crowded.
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Run into Anthony Kiedis coming out of a port-a-potty at the beach.
Totes normal around here. Because even Anthony Kiedis has indigestion now and then.
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Have the best taco of your life whilst sitting on a curb.
It's true. You are likely to have an out-of-this-world taco experience at any one of 100 taco trucks in town. Three dollars so well spent.
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Come to a dead stop at 11:30 in the morning because of a sudden 12-mile traffic jam.
Everybody works odd hours in La La Land, so traffic is pretty much constant. How else did podcasting become so popular?
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Parrots wearing sunglasses and Marvel swag.
There is a gang of parrots living in L.A. and they wear what they want and go where they please. Stay on their good side and everything will be fine.
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Celery Juice
Enough said.
