Find Therapists Serving
Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California. With roughly 3.9 million residents within the city limits as of 2020, Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States, behind only New York City; it is also the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Southern California. Los Angeles has an ethnically and culturally diverse population and is the principal city of a metropolitan area of 13.2 million people. Greater Los Angeles, which includes the Los Angeles and Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan areas, is a sprawling metropolis of over 18 million residents.

The majority of the city proper lies in a basin in Southern California adjacent to the Pacific Ocean in the west and extending partly through the Santa Monica Mountains and north into the San Fernando Valley, with the city bordering the San Gabriel Valley to its east. It covers about 469 square miles (1,210 km2) and is the county seat of Los Angeles County, which is the most populous county in the United States with an estimated 9.86 million residents as of 2022. It is the fourth-most visited city in the U.S. with over 2.7 million visitors as of 2022.

The area that became Los Angeles was originally inhabited by the indigenous Tongva people and later claimed by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo for Spain in 1542. The city was founded on September 4, 1781, under Spanish governor Felipe de Neve, in the village of Yaanga. It became a part of Mexico in 1821 following the Mexican War of Independence. In 1848, at the end of the Mexican–American War, Los Angeles and the rest of California were purchased as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and became part of the United States. Los Angeles was incorporated as a municipality on April 4, 1850, five months before California achieved statehood. The discovery of oil in the 1890s brought rapid growth to the city. The city was further expanded with the completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913, which delivers water from Eastern California.

Los Angeles has a diverse economy with a broad range of industries. Despite a steep exodus of film and television production since the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles is now still one of the largest hubs of American film production, the world’s largest by revenue; the city was an important site in the history of film. It also has one of the busiest container ports in the Americas. In 2018, the Los Angeles metropolitan area had a gross metropolitan product of over $1.0 trillion, making it the city with the third-largest GDP in the world, after New York and Tokyo. Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984, and will also host in 2028. Despite a business exodus from Downtown Los Angeles since the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's urban core is evolving as a cultural center with the world's largest showcase of architecture designed by Frank Gehry.

The city of Los Angeles covers a total area of 502.7 square miles (1,302 km2), comprising 468.7 square miles (1,214 km2) of land and 34.0 square miles (88 km2) of water. The city extends for 44 miles (71 km) from north to south and for 29 miles (47 km) from east to west. The perimeter of the city is 342 miles (550 km).

Los Angeles is both flat and hilly. The highest point in the city proper is Mount Lukens at 5,074 ft (1,547 m), located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains at the north extent of the Crescenta Valley. The eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains stretches from Downtown to the Pacific Ocean and separates the Los Angeles Basin from the San Fernando Valley. Other hilly parts of Los Angeles include the Mt. Washington area north of Downtown, eastern parts such as Boyle Heights, the Crenshaw district around the Baldwin Hills, and the San Pedro district.

Health and wellness are paramount in Los Angeles, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. UCLA Health stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Attitude Fitness, HEIMAT, and Sanctuary Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Los Angeles, such as the Mount Hollywood Trail and Inspiration Loop Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and the enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Los Angeles, CA are Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland Park, and Getty Resources for Visual Art and Cultural Heritage.

Population: 3.879 million (2024). Zip codes:  90001–90084, 90086–90089, 90091, 90093–90097, 90099, 90101–90103, 90174, 90185, 90189, 90291–90293, 91040–91043, 91303–91308, 91311, 91316, 91324–91328, 91330, 91331, 91335, 91340, 91342–91349, 91352–91353, 91356–91357, 91364–91367, 91401–91499, 91504–91505, 91601–91609. Area codes:  213, 323, 310, 424, 818, 747, 626. Elevation: 5,075 ft (1,576 m). Area: 501.55 sq mi (1,299.01 km2).

FAQs

Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to live?

Living in Los Angeles offers residents an urban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Los Angeles, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Los Angeles and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Los Angeles are above average.

What is the crime rate in Los Angeles, CA?

With a crime rate of 36 per one thousand residents, Los Angeles has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 28. Within California, more than 91% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Los Angeles.

Is Los Angeles, CA expensive?

The cost of living in Los Angeles, CA is 8% higher than the state average and 50% higher than the national average. Los Angeles, CA housing is 137% more expensive than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 12% pricier. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 16% more in Los Angeles, CA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 16% more.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Los Angeles

UCLA Health 

Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department

Attitude Fitness

HEIMAT 

Sanctuary Fitness

Mount Hollywood Trail 

Inspiration Loop Trail

Universal Studios Hollywood

Disneyland Park

Getty Resources for Visual Art and Cultural Heritage

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

Rentcafe

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.