Tips on How to Visit Los Angeles Like a True Pittsburgher

You don’t have to be a film industry executive to welcome the return of American Airlines’ nonstop service between Pittsburgh International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

LA also is a great travel destination with a raft of things to enjoy. But we wanted to find out how to enjoy Southern California like a Pittsburgher. So, we turned to Melissa Grossenbacher, Allegheny County Airport Authority’s Director of Events, who spent 15 plus years living in Los Angeles, discovering the city’s hidden gems and iconic experiences.

Here are some of her suggestions on bringing Steel Town sensibilities to Tinsel Town.

Putting the “fun” in funiculars

The Duquesne Incline and the Mon Incline are known as funiculars – a fancy way of saying a steep cable railroad in which ascending and descending cars are counterbalanced. You can re-create the experience on Angels Flight Railway in Los Angeles. It takes passengers on a short ride between Hill Street and Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. It’s also a rare cheap treat at only $1 each way.

Famous bridges

You really can’t beat Pittsburgh in a bridge contest. Even though it’s a myth that the city has more bridges than any other city in the world, Pittsburgh has been a showcase for some amazing bridges since the 1800s. But Los Angeles has some bridges worth seeing too. The Sixth Street Viaduct/Bridge with its iconic arches has been featured in films and television shows since 1932. The Colorado Street Bridge, with its distinctive Beaux Arts style, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rabid sports fans

If you follow the Pirates, Steelers, Penguins and Riverhounds, why not give LA teams a chance. For baseball, there are the Dodgers and Angels, football has the Rams and Chargers, hockey has the Kings and Ducks, and soccer has Los Angeles FC and the LA Galaxy. Plus, Los Angeles has two basketball teams: the Lakers and Clippers. Bonus points for LA with the Sparks of the WNBA and Angel City in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Museums built by titans of industry

Andrew Carnegie left a lasting legacy throughout Western Pennsylvania, not the least of which are the public libraries that bear his name in many communities. (He and his foundation built 2,509 libraries around the world). He also founded the Carnegie Museums in 1895 and sent a scientific crew to Wyoming, where they would discover the first of many world-famous dinosaurs. Today the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh encompass the Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Science Center and the Andy Warhol Museum. In Los Angeles, The Getty Center and Getty Villa, free museums that are 15 miles apart, started in 1954 when oil tycoon J. Paul Getty opened a gallery adjacent to his home. The Getty Villa is temporarily closed.

Signature sandwiches

Pittsburgh has Primanti’s, which has a location in the airport, while Los Angeles boasts Philippe’s and Cole’s, each of which claim to have invented the French dip, although smart money says Phillippe’s deserves the title. Fries are on the side!

How to get there

We just scratched the surface of the things to do in Los Angeles. Like Pittsburgh, it also has a thriving arts and cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods worth exploring and abundant outdoors recreation possibilities. Check out Discover LA for more information.

American is operating its PIT-LAX service daily, year-round. In addition, Breeze Airways is increasing its nonstop PIT-LAX service from three times a week to five times a week this summer.

A hub for American, LAX provides convenient connections for travelers heading to Hawaii and, through its Oneworld Alliance partner Qantas, seamless one-stop connections to Australia and New Zealand.