A fantastic question, and my answer as a south bay dweller is absolutely-freaking-not. Expensive, hot (for CA), crowded, weak culture:size ratio.
Quality theaters (both movie & traditional).
Parts of town you'd feel comfortable walking alone at 1am.
Art, both public (public installations, statues, etc) & private (museums & so forth).
Varied & competing viewpoints/ideas/industry.
Crime.
A fantastic question, and my answer as a south bay dweller is absolutely-freaking-not. Expensive, hot (for CA), crowded, weak culture:size ratio.