While Hollywood remains one of the cultures most often identified with Los Angeles, there are parts of the region that still look to surf culture as the leader. While these cultures might at first appear dramatically different, there are some obvious similarities. Take the similarities between the movie star and the surfer, for instance:

The movie star makes money doing something that everyone is familiar with, but few can actually do well. Same with the professional surfer.

Movies stars only wear clothing by the right designers. Surfers are drawn to clothes sold at surf shops.

Movies stars tend to be very good looking. Surfers also tend to be very good looking.

The movie star claims to want privacy but secretly wishes to have his pictures in all the magazines. The surfer also claims to want to be left alone, but secretly wishes to have his picture in Surfer Magazine.

The movie star is often clueless about how normal people live. The surfer is also clueless about how normal people live.

Because of his lifestyle, the movie star often has trouble maintaining lasting relationships. The surfer has the same problem.

The movie star often gets up early for movie shoots. The surfer gets up early for the best waves.

Movie stars often hold political views that are far outside the mainstream. Same with surfers.

Movie stars wear sunglasses a lot. So do surfers.

Movie stars often lead lives that occasionally put them in conflict with law enforcement officials. Surfers often get caught smoking pot.

Today's movie stars work out a lot to keep up their physique. Surfers tend to go in the water every day.

Movie stars like convertibles. So do surfers.

Movie stars are drawn to off-beat religions and philosophies. Same with surfers.

A lot of people with they were movie stars. A lot of people also wish they were surfers.

Movie stars don't pay much attention to surfers. Surfers don't pay much attention to movie stars.

(Oct. 5, 2005)

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