[LAsam]

For Los Angeles, I definitely think the scope of existing pre-WWII architecture of the historic core is totally unexpected based on outside perceptions. I know it surprised me when I first discovered it... and it was love at first sight.

Outside of my hometown, I was recently surprised by The Wharf area of Washington DC. My outside perception of DC was of a bunch of historic buildings, with blandish office buildings mixed in. The Wharf is very modern and reminded me a lot of what I've seen in the Pacific Northwest, or LoDo in Denver, and I really enjoyed it.

One more is Alki Beach in Seattle. I don't think outsiders typically expect a lot of beach volleyball and sandy beach in Seattle.