They meant things like bars, restaurants, sports stadiums, concerts, plays. Things that require sufficient density to make economic sense.

LA has multiple of all of those and nearly entirely suburbs

Right, but if I had 1 hour in NYC versus 1 hour in LA how many clubs could I theoretically go to? Probably a dozen in NYC, provided I leave immediately. Probably about .5 in LA.

So while what you're saying is true, it doesn't disprove anything. LA is much less dense and therefore has much less "stuff" available for its inhabitants. But it's still more than a rural area.

This might surprise the nyc residents on hn but you can find bars next to bars next to bars next to bars in LA too.