For folks who live there, I’m sure it does. 
Anyway, it’s just one of those things that seems important to the locals, but not so much to the non-locals.
NorCal person: Where do you live
SoCal person: Anaheim
NorCal person: Right on. I’m down in LA all the town.
SoCal person: Well, it’s not really LA, you know.
NorCal person: Yeah, whatever…
For the last year I lived in LA, I drove (I think) three or four times (I was a passenger much more often than that). Lived downtown and worked in K-Town.
But I wouldn’t recommend it for a visit. It’s too restrictive.
Sounds like me (a transplant) talking to my husband (an LA native).
As long as you don’t run for it.
Also, since no one else could be bothered to suggest it, rent a car.
Do you like pornstars? Do you like karaoke? Will you be in town on Tuesday? Pornstar Karaoke every Tuesday night at Sardo’s.
Why are you even in this thread? Can you go sit down somewhere?
So many things to do it’s ridiculous.
Personal Suggestions:
If you want the Hollywood Boulevard experience go to Universal City Walk instead (smells less like pee)
Pinks Hot Dogs (along with Tommy’s Burgers, Carneys Hot Dogs, Oki Dog, In-n-Out)
Wacko/SoapPlant and the Goodwill next door are a great visit
Rent a car, but take a train to Union Station one day and walk over to Olvera Street
Drive west on Sunset to the Sea at sundown
Venice Beach/Santa Monica Promenade
Day Hike in the Santa Monica or San Gabriel mountains
L.A. Zoo
The Last Bookstore
Descanso Gardens
Dim Sum on the weekend in Monterey Park at a funky old school cart oriented place
Dim Sum on a weeknight at Din Tai Fung for the upscale experience
J.J. Bakery for great baked Chinese delights
Versailles/Phillipes/The Hat/etc.
Galco’s Old World Grocery for the amazing Soda Pop offerings
Another vote for The Museum of Jurassic Technology–it looks like they still have the gallery with portraits of Dogs of the Soviet Space Program.
One museum not mentioned yet is the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar. If you’re into classic cars, this is a world-class exhibit.
As the SoCal person in such a conversation, I would never proceed with that script.
I don’t generally feel called upon to argue for the distinction except when I’m confronted by someone who has gone out of his way to explicitly deny that it exists.
OP, if outdoor activities interest you, you can rent a horse for a few hours, and ride the trails in Griffith Park.
nm. Double post.
For the record, I went to Versailles for dinner tonight based on this conversation. It was, as always, amazing.
Posts like this make me a little sorry I moved. Loved that place.