America's two biggest cultural capitals represent opposite lifestyles as much as opposite coasts — Los Angeles is sprawling, car-dependent, and entertainment-industry-driven, while New York is dense, walkable, and built around its subway.
New York's Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, Empire State Building, and Brooklyn Bridge are among the most recognized landmarks on earth, densely packed within a single walkable island. Los Angeles's Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory are spread across a much larger area, generally requiring a car to see more than one in a day.
New York has the deeper museum bench — The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) are both among the greatest art museums in the world. Los Angeles counters with The Getty Center and Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), genuinely excellent but generally requiring a drive between them.
This is Los Angeles's clear advantage — Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach give it a beach culture New York simply doesn't have, plus a warm, sunny climate nearly year-round. New York's outdoor space is mostly limited to parks rather than coastline.
New York is genuinely walkable, with an extensive subway system that makes a car unnecessary and even a hindrance. Los Angeles is built around freeways and requires a car (or heavy reliance on rideshare) to see its spread-out neighborhoods and attractions.
Choose New York for walkability, world-class museums, and the most iconic skyline in the country. Choose Los Angeles for beaches, sunshine, and entertainment-industry sightseeing, accepting that you'll need a car. Both are major international gateways and rarely combined on one trip given the cross-country distance between them.