Why San Francisco's way of doing business beat Los Angeles'

shudder I was thinking about it, there is one thing LA beats the bay area at - if you live an hour away from work, paying a toll is just an option (for high speed lanes, if they exist). In SF, you either pay the toll or you.. don't cross the bridge, because there's no other choice!

But growing up in the Bay Area, I never thought a 6 mile commute would take me 40 minutes on a day with horrible traffic. Thankfully, it's usually only 20 minutes!

Another thing about LA: The traffic lights are really the worst thing. Even the 405 during rush hour isn't that bad - just a typic freeway parking lot. I've seen 80 look just like it!

Now, for a uniquely Los Angeles experience.. here goes:

You're waiting about a block and a half from the next red light in evening traffic. Finally, the light turns green, but cars aren't moving. You need to turn left up at the intersection, but the left turn lane begins about 5 cars from the limit line.

The light turns yellow, and then red. Finally, the cars in front of you start moving again.

So you start moving, and wonder if you'll actually get into the left turn lane.... sadly no. There's 2 cars in front of you, and a cement median that keeps you from waiting in line.

Lather, rinse, repeat. The light turns green, cars move, you're finally in the left turn lane at pole position! In the midst of that you watched a handful of fed up people run the red arrow because they couldn't stand waiting 5 minutes for yet another green light.

Eventually, you get going.