10 Ways To Spot A Tourist In Southern California

If you’re just visiting Southern California and want to blend in like a local, make sure to avoid everything on this list. Or, if you’re a local who wants to know how to spot someone who may not be from around here, use this as your handy dandy guide on how to spot a tourist.

We know we can always find the tourists on a Hollywood studio tour.

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Or a trolley tour of the city…

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Or buying one of these California trinkets to take home.

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Heading into the Hollywood Wax Museum? That pretty much guarantees you’re a tourist.

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Asking where you can see the Hollywood sign is also code for, “I’m a tourist.”

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Same with palm trees. When you point at a palm tree we might suspect you’re not local. When you take a picture of one we will know for sure.

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How’s your driving? We drive like maniacs out here. If you can’t keep up we’ll know right away that you’re only visiting.

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Taking a picture in front of the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Yep, we know you’re a tourist!

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Or posing for pictures in front of signs to prove you were really here? Yep, we know what that means, too.

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And finally…if you can’t tell the difference between Northern California and Southern California it’s pretty clear you’re not from around here. We’re happy to explain the differences, so just ask.

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What are some other ways you can spot a tourist in SoCal? And if you are a tourist, what are some ways you like to try and blend in with the locals?