I don't think LA as a whole is beta at all (I loved living there too much for that to be true
).
Venice beach is in-your-face beta (EIE-Fe) in a way that allows me to enjoy its quirkiness for a while until I feel a bit overwhelmed by the great effort to be different and edgy. But when you move away from the boardwalk and walk down Abbot Kinney, Venice becomes much different. Instead of backpacking kids looking to score medical weed and sleeping on the beach, you now have quirky but upscale shops and restaurants. It could still be beta, but in a more IEI way and much more refined and artsy. The same goes for the residential areas with amazingly cute little houses where only artists should live.
Santa Monica strikes me as delta as it is down to earth, outdoorsy with lots of young upper middle class couples and
families. It feels very comfortable and friendly in an understated non-fuzzy way. People eating in Vegan cafes and walking their little rescue dogs.
I lived in Playa Del Rey, which is also delta, but more family-oriented and quiet. A more traditional beach community, not exciting, but friendly and easy-going.
I have a hard time typing downtown. The commercial warehouse districts are bustling, vibrant, and all about business. Perhaps gamma, but not your typical U.S.-American gamma. More of a Latin American gamma. The banking district on the other hand is purely U.S.-gamma as we know it.
The Valley might be Alpha, at least Sherman Oaks. It's nice, trendy, but not over-hyped, and somewhat playful. Easy-going and friendly and very livable (except for the scorching heat in the summer).
Westwood is alpha, playful, lots of students, cultural, light-hearted.
Beverly Hills maybe gamma?
Hollywood and North Hollywood maybe beta...not sure.
I could write more, but I am already sad because I miss LA so much. It has something for everybody, people are friendly, drivers are laid-back and courteous, beaches are great, and SoCal weather rules. Any type can love LA (and LA is all types) and if you don't like it, you have to keep looking.