Los Angeles tips?

I've been considering a 10-14 day getaway in the upcoming weeks, and the west, coast, particularly Los Angeles, has been really grabbing my interest. I really want a change of scenery from my small Pennsylvania town. I've been to Russia, England, Finland, Estonia and the United Arab Emirates, but I've never made it west of the Mississippi River here in the states That's the appeal for the west coast now.
I know some of you are from the west coast area. Could you give me any tips or recommendations? Particularly places to seek out and places to avoid in Los Angeles (hotel location, etc.) Is it a city worth visiting and spending that much time in?
I was also considering Seattle, but flights and hotels seem a lot more expensive, and vacancy seems to be pretty rare. Is there a big event going on there soon or something?
Is there anywhere on the west coast that would be a better visit than Los Angeles?
I know some of you are from the west coast area. Could you give me any tips or recommendations? Particularly places to seek out and places to avoid in Los Angeles (hotel location, etc.) Is it a city worth visiting and spending that much time in?
I was also considering Seattle, but flights and hotels seem a lot more expensive, and vacancy seems to be pretty rare. Is there a big event going on there soon or something?
Is there anywhere on the west coast that would be a better visit than Los Angeles?