Oh man, I just spent some time reading Guys diaries, my family and I spent most of the day at Pikes Market and it looks like we stayed in a hotel a stones throw away on the Waterfront just next to he ferris wheel.
Guys pic of the fish market is spot on, there are so many tourists who just gawk at his giant fresh catches of the sea, it's an amazing place. Guy doesn't mention an amazing American banjo player who was playing clawhammer and singing trad songs right next to this market. Pikes Market is a cool place.
As for other cultural events on our holiday, we visited some outstanding natural places like Yellowstone, Zion Nat. Pk. and the Grand Canyon, but I was really impressed with our last day in LA which we spent at Venice Beach. Such a cool place with loads of freaks, skaters, bodybuilders and stoners... really a great place to hang out, drink beers and watch people.