I spent quite a bit of time in southern California over the last couple of weekends. The area is king of suburban sprawl. I know of nowhere else that you can drive almost 90 miles north to south or over 150 miles east to west and not leave suburbia. Oh, and you can run into a traffic jam any time during the day or night at random.
How did this happen? I'm not entirely sure, though I know residents there are deeply, DEEPLY ingrained in the car culture. What's more, I have heard stories that either oil companies or automotive manufacturers paid off Los Angeles city officials decades ago to shelf plans to build transit for the city. However, I can't substantiate those stories. All I know is that the effects have been dramatic.
There are some bright spots, though. Venice, San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, parts of Pasadena, and some other areas, are pockets of urban-style character. LA's rail system is improving, particularly to and from downtown. There's plenty more to do, but it's a start.
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