East coast or west coast - when choosing one of the top US cities for your vacation comparing Los Angeles and New York can be like comparing apples and oranges because of the individual characteristics that makes each of these cities what it is.

One of the first things to note is the climatic changes. Landing in one of New York's airports is not guaranteed to be an experience bathed in sunshine, whereas you will be most unfortunate to land in Los Angeles on a day when the sun isn't showing it's brightest face. New York's weather is seasonal. You will find all kinds of weather here, the good mixed very evenly with the bad. If you want to do many outdoor things, you will need to pack clothes to keep you cool, keep you warm, and keep you dry - for all times of the year! In Los Angeles, if you are vacationing during the summer, then you will only require summer clothes, but if you are vacationing later in the year, those same summer clothes will be just as appropriate with the addition of a light rainproof jacket and sweater for slightly cooler evenings or beach walks.

The most important deciding factor of whether to choose New York or Los Angeles will be what you hope to do on your vacation. Do you hope to tour museums and architectural landmarks, or do you want to see where the stars hang out and visit theme parks? Are you a theatre person or a movie person? One thing that you will find in both locations is shopping! New York's 5th Avenue will please shop-a-holics as much as Rodeo Drive - you can spend just as much time and money in either place.

Although accommodation may sound very similar, with hotel chains having establishments on both coasts, the building itself may be very different. In New York you are likely to get a room that overlooks more buildings unless you are in the Central Park, be many stories high, and feel very urban. In Los Angeles, you can expect a pool as more or less standard, depending where you are located you might even get an ocean view, and the hotels won't be of skyscraper proportions. What you eat might also be very different - are you a steak or a salad person? Although you will find both menus on both coasts, salad is more popular in Los Angeles where image is everything.

Whether you prefer a fast paced lifestyle, or one that's more laid back; the magnificence of New York's skyscrapers to the green palm trees of Los Angeles; or the tradition and history steeped in Manhattan's culture to the transient edgy style of city of angels, there are some things that come out very similar when comparing Los Angeles and New York. In both cities you will find a lot of residents who have come there from all over the US if not the world, and all of them hope to find their dreams in their new home. Both cities will offer you a lot of variety in terms of what to do and you will find you have to choose between various options because there just isn't time to do everything. The choice really comes down to what kind of holiday you prefer - and of course, you could decide to have a two centre holiday and spend one week on each coast to experience the best of both worlds!

Related Links: Visiting Los Angeles, Los Angeles Resorts