LA basin is far more diverse and tolerant of cultural differences than the SF bay area. People, given the freedom, self-segregate into racial and economic groups. Hunters Point (black working class/poor), Mission (mixed low/middle class white/Latino working class), Castro (mostly upper middle class white/mixed ethno) , North Beach (mixed ethno / former Italian), Pacific Heights (super ultra rich white/asian), Haight (mixed/white older former ponytail yuppies), Chinatown (rich and poor Chinese) are prime examples.
Just look at the voting graphs for more proof of my example of diversity in thought between the two regions. LA is primarily center left but SoCal leftist voters, on occasion, will cross party lines and vote for center-right oriented issues. Voters in the SFBA rarely cross political lines, no matter the issue. Now tell me, who is more flexible in thought and action - people who absolutely never cross party lines or voters that defy party policy and vote their conscience?
But we do agree on the single, most important point. Demagoguing the opposition benefits no one but the radical activists of both parties.
Salad bowl or culture smelter, people interact.
PS; I lived in downtown SF at bush/leavenworth and franklin/sutter streets.. The people there are very gay, very white and quite wealthy.
EDIT:
LA and SF no go zones - '
East Oakland = Compton
East Palo Alto = Compton
Hunters Point = Compton
I've been jumped and attacked by latino gangsters at Ocean Beach, attacked by 3 black guys in San Mateo and confronted by an armed (.38 snubnosed revolver), angry and confused Latino pimp in Venice Beach. No place is truly safe.