# Southern California > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Southern_California > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Southern_California.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_California > Source revision: 1355856897 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Geographic and cultural region of the US "SoCal" redirects here. For other uses, see [SoCal (disambiguation)](/source/SoCal_(disambiguation)). Not to be confused with [Baja California](/source/Baja_California) or [Baja California Sur](/source/Baja_California_Sur). For the university in Los Angeles, see [University of Southern California](/source/University_of_Southern_California). Place in California, United States Southern California Images top to bottom, left to right: Hermosa Beach Pier, Disneyland Resort, Village of La Jolla, Santa Monica Pier, Surfer at Black's Beach, Hollywood Sign, Downtown Los Angeles, San Diego Skyline Red: The ten counties of Southern California Interactive map of Southern California Country United States State California Counties Imperial Kern Los Angeles Orange Riverside San Bernardino San Diego San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara Ventura Largest city Los Angeles Area (10-county)[2] • Total 56,505 sq mi (146,350 km2) Population (2020)[1] • Total 23,762,904 Demonym Southern Californian GDP [3] • Total $1.95 trillion (2022) **Southern California** (commonly shortened to **SoCal**) is a [geographic](/source/Geographic) and [cultural](/source/Cultural_area) [region](/source/List_of_regions_of_California) that generally comprises the southern portion of the U.S. state of [California](/source/California). Its densely populated coastal region includes [Greater Los Angeles](/source/Greater_Los_Angeles) (the second-most populous [urban agglomeration](/source/Urban_agglomeration) in the [United States](/source/United_States))[4][5] and [San Diego County](/source/San_Diego_County) (the second-most populous county in California). The region generally contains ten of California's 58 counties: [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles_County%2C_California), [San Diego](/source/San_Diego_County%2C_California), [Orange](/source/Orange_County%2C_California), [Riverside](/source/Riverside_County%2C_California), [San Bernardino](/source/San_Bernardino_County%2C_California), [Kern](/source/Kern_County%2C_California), [Ventura](/source/Ventura_County%2C_California), [Santa Barbara](/source/Santa_Barbara_County%2C_California), [San Luis Obispo](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_County%2C_California), and [Imperial](/source/Imperial_County%2C_California) counties. Although geographically smaller than [Northern California](/source/Northern_California) in land area, Southern California has a higher population, with 23.76 million residents as of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census). The sparsely populated [desert region](/source/Deserts_of_California) of California occupies a significant portion of the area: the [Colorado Desert](/source/Colorado_Desert), along with the [Colorado River](/source/Colorado_River), is located on Southern California's eastern border with [Arizona](/source/Arizona), and the [Mojave Desert](/source/Mojave_Desert) shares a border with [Nevada](/source/Nevada) to the northeast. Southern California's southern border with [Baja California](/source/Baja_California) is part of the [Mexico–United States border](/source/Mexico%E2%80%93United_States_border). ## Constituent metropolitan areas Southern California encompasses eight metropolitan areas (MSAs), three of which together form the [Greater Los Angeles](/source/Greater_Los_Angeles) [Combined Statistical Area](/source/List_of_Combined_Statistical_Areas) (CSA) with over 18 million people, the second-biggest CSA after [the New York CSA](/source/New_York_metropolitan_area). These three MSAs are the [Los Angeles metropolitan area](/source/Los_Angeles_metropolitan_area) ([Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles_County%2C_California) and [Orange](/source/Orange_County%2C_California) counties, with 13.3 million people), the [Inland Empire](/source/Inland_Empire) ([Riverside](/source/Riverside_County%2C_California) and [San Bernardino](/source/San_Bernardino_County%2C_California) counties, including the [Coachella Valley](/source/Coachella_Valley) cities, with 4.3 million people), and the [Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura metropolitan area](/source/Oxnard%E2%80%93Thousand_Oaks%E2%80%93Ventura_metropolitan_area) (0.8 million people). In addition, Southern California contains the [San Diego metropolitan area](/source/San_Diego_metropolitan_area) with 3.3 million people, [Bakersfield](/source/Kern_County%2C_California) metro area with 0.9 million, and the [Santa Barbara](/source/Santa_Barbara_County%2C_California), [San Luis Obispo](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_County), and [El Centro (Imperial County)](/source/Imperial_County%2C_California) metropolitan areas. The **Southern California** **[Megaregion](/source/Megaregions_of_the_United_States)** (or [megalopolis](/source/Megalopolis)) is larger still, extending northeast into [Las Vegas](/source/Las_Vegas), [Nevada](/source/Nevada) and south across the [Mexican](/source/Mexico) border into [Tijuana](/source/Tijuana).[6] ## Significance [San Diego Marina district](/source/Marina%2C_San_Diego%2C_California) Sunset in [Venice](/source/Venice%2C_California), a neighborhood in Los Angeles Within Southern California are two major cities, [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles) and [San Diego](/source/San_Diego), as well as three of the [country's largest metropolitan areas](/source/List_of_United_States_metropolitan_areas).[7] With a population of approximately 4 million, Los Angeles is the most populous city in California and the second most populous in the United States. South of Los Angeles and with a population of approximately 1.4 million is San Diego, the second most populous city in the state and the eighth most populous in the nation. [Three Arch Bay](/source/Three_Arch_Bay) in [Laguna Beach](/source/Laguna_Beach) The counties of [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles_County%2C_California), [San Diego](/source/San_Diego_County%2C_California), [Orange](/source/Orange_County%2C_California), [Riverside](/source/Riverside_County%2C_California), and [San Bernardino](/source/San_Bernardino_County%2C_California) are the five most populous in the state, and are among the top 15 most populous counties in the United States.[8] The [motion picture](/source/Cinema_of_the_United_States), [television](/source/Television_in_the_United_States) and [music industry](/source/Music_of_the_United_States) are centered in the Los Angeles area in Southern California. [Hollywood](/source/Hollywood%2C_Los_Angeles), a district of Los Angeles, gives its name to the American motion picture industry, which is synonymous with the neighborhood name. Headquartered in Southern California are [The Walt Disney Company](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company) (which owns [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company)), [Sony Pictures](/source/Sony_Pictures), [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures), [MGM](/source/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer), [Paramount Pictures](/source/Paramount_Pictures), and [Warner Bros](/source/Warner_Bros.). Universal, Warner Bros., and Sony also run major record companies. Southern California is also home to a large surf and skateboard culture. Companies such as [Vans](/source/Vans), [Volcom](/source/Volcom), [Quiksilver](/source/Quiksilver), [No Fear](/source/No_Fear), [Stüssy](/source/St%C3%BCssy), and [Body Glove](/source/Body_Glove) are all headquartered there. Skateboarder [Tony Hawk](/source/Tony_Hawk); surfers [Rob Machado](/source/Rob_Machado), [Timmy Curran](/source/Timmy_Curran), [Bobby Martinez](/source/Bobby_Martinez), [Pat O'Connell](/source/Pat_O'Connell_(surfer)), [Dane Reynolds](/source/Dane_Reynolds), and [Chris Ward](/source/Chris_Ward_(surfer)) live in Southern California. Some of the most famous surf locations are in Southern California as well, including [Trestles](/source/Trestles_(surfing)), [Rincon](/source/Rincon_(surfspot)), [The Wedge](/source/The_Wedge_(surfing)), [Huntington Beach](/source/Huntington_Beach%2C_California), and [Malibu](/source/Malibu%2C_California). Some of the world's largest [action sports](/source/Action_sports) events, including the [X Games](/source/X_Games),[9] [Boost Mobile Pro](/source/ASP_World_Tour),[10] and the [U.S. Open of Surfing](/source/U.S._Open_of_Surfing), are held in Southern California. The region is also important to the world of [yachting](/source/Yachting) with premier events including the annual [Transpacific Yacht Race](/source/Transpacific_Yacht_Race), or *Transpac*, from Los Angeles to [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii). [San Diego Yacht Club](/source/San_Diego_Yacht_Club) hosted the three [America's Cup](/source/America's_Cup) races from 1988 to 1995. The first modern-era [triathlon](/source/Triathlon) was held in San Diego's [Mission Bay](/source/Mission_Bay%2C_San_Diego%2C_California) in 1974. Since then, Southern California, and [San Diego](/source/San_Diego_County%2C_California) in particular, have become a mecca for [triathlon](/source/Triathlon) and multi-sport racing, products, and culture. Southern California has multiple sports franchises and networks, such as [Fox Sports Net](/source/Fox_Sports_Net). Many of these locals and tourists frequent the [Southern California coast](/source/South_Coast_(California)) for its beaches. Some of Southern California's most popular beaches are [Malibu](/source/Malibu%2C_California), [Laguna Beach](/source/Laguna_Beach), [La Jolla](/source/La_Jolla), [Manhattan Beach](/source/Manhattan_Beach%2C_California), and [Hermosa Beach](/source/Hermosa_Beach). Southern California is also known for its mountain resort communities, such as [Big Bear Lake](/source/Big_Bear_Lake%2C_California), [Lake Arrowhead](/source/Lake_Arrowhead%2C_California), and [Wrightwood](/source/Wrightwood), and their ski resorts, like [Bear Mountain](/source/Bear_Mountain_(ski_area)), [Snow Summit](/source/Snow_Summit), [Snow Valley Mountain Resort](/source/Snow_Valley_Mountain_Resort), and [Mountain High](/source/Mountain_High). The inland desert city of [Palm Springs](/source/Palm_Springs) is also popular.[11] ## Northern boundary California counties below the latitude 35°45'N Southern California is generally considered the area of California south of the latitude 35°45'N,[12] approximately one-third of the state, formed by the northern boundaries of [San Luis Obispo](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_County%2C_California), [Kern](/source/Kern_County%2C_California), and [San Bernardino](/source/San_Bernardino_County%2C_California) counties, which are not exactly a straight line.[13] Another definition for Southern California uses [Point Conception](/source/Point_Conception) and the [Tehachapi Mountains](/source/Tehachapi_Mountains) as the northern geographical barriers, especially when defining California's [bioregions](/source/Bioregion).[14][15] In this definition, [Owens Valley](/source/Owens_Valley) and [Death Valley](/source/Death_Valley) are part of the Southern California desert system.[16] Because of the barrier formed by the Tehachapi and [Sierra Nevada](/source/Sierra_Nevada) ranges, cartographer [George Wheeler](/source/George_Wheeler_(explorer)) observed in 1876 that Northern California was better connected to Oregon and Nevada than it was to Southern California.[17] The [Tehachapi](/source/Tehachapi_Mountains) and [Sierra](/source/Sierra_Nevada) mountains formed a significant barrier to human travel before highways were built,[17] and continue to affect weather, plants and animals. Following the acquisition of the territory of California by the United States, several pro-slavery politicians attempted to arrange the division of Alta California at 36 degrees, 30 minutes, the [line of the Missouri Compromise](/source/Missouri_Compromise_line). Instead, the passing of the [Compromise of 1850](/source/Compromise_of_1850) enabled California to be admitted to the Union as a [free state](/source/Slave_and_free_states), preventing the southern half of California from becoming its own separate [slave state](/source/Slave_state). The Pico Act of 1859 proposed to divide California to create the [Territory of Colorado](/source/Territory_of_Colorado_(California)) in the south Subsequently, southern Californians dissatisfied with inequitable taxes and land laws attempted several times in the 1850s to achieve a separate statehood or territorial status [separate from northern California](/source/Partition_and_secession_in_California). The only successful proposal, the Pico Act of 1859, was passed by the [California State Legislature](/source/California_State_Legislature) and signed by State Governor [John B. Weller](/source/John_B._Weller).[18] It was approved overwhelmingly by nearly 75 percent of southern California voters to form the proposed [Territory of Colorado](/source/Territory_of_Colorado_(California)). The Pico Act bisected California starting at a latitude of six standard parallels south of the [Mount Diablo meridian](/source/Mount_Diablo_meridian), then ducking southward around part of the [Central Valley](/source/Central_Valley_(California)) before cutting northeast to the California border.[19] Six standard parallels is 144 miles south of [Mount Diablo](/source/Mount_Diablo)—which corresponds to the current northern border of [San Luis Obispo County](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_County), at the latitude 35°45'N. The proposal was sent to [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.), with a strong advocate in Senator [Milton Latham](/source/Milton_Latham). However, the secession crisis following the [election](/source/U.S._presidential_election%2C_1860) of [Abraham Lincoln](/source/Abraham_Lincoln) in 1860 and the subsequent [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War) led to the proposal never coming to a vote.[20][21] In 1900, the *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)* defined Southern California as including "the seven counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, and Santa Barbara." This definition left out San Luis Obispo and Kern counties.[22] Southern California was the name of a [proposed new state](/source/Cal_3) which failed to get on the 2018 California ballot. The ballot measure proposed splitting the existing state into three parts.[23] In December 2020, during the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic), the state government led by Governor [Gavin Newsom](/source/Gavin_Newsom) divided the state into five regions for the purpose of issuing stay-at-home orders. The Southern California region consisted of the following counties: [Imperial](/source/Imperial_County%2C_California), [Inyo](/source/Inyo_County%2C_California), [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles_County%2C_California), [Mono](/source/Mono_County%2C_California), [Orange](/source/Orange_County%2C_California), [Riverside](/source/Riverside_County%2C_California), [San Bernardino](/source/San_Bernardino_County%2C_California), [San Diego](/source/San_Diego_County%2C_California), [San Luis Obispo](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_County%2C_California), [Santa Barbara](/source/Santa_Barbara_County%2C_California), and [Ventura](/source/Ventura_County%2C_California). However, Kern County was grouped with other counties of the [San Joaquin Valley](/source/San_Joaquin_Valley), California's central agricultural valley.[24] Population, land area & population density (2020) County Ref. Population Land mi2[25] Land km2 Pop. /mi2 Pop. /km2 Los Angeles County[26] 10,014,009 4,059.28 10,513.49 2,466.94 952.49 San Diego County[27] 3,298,634 4,210.23 10,904.45 783.48 302.50 Orange County[28] 3,186,989 792.84 2,053.45 4,019.71 1,552.02 Riverside County[29] 2,418,185 7,209.27 18,671.92 335.43 129.51 San Bernardino County[30] 2,181,654 20,068.01 51,975.91 108.71 41.97 Kern County[31] 909,235 8,134.65 21,068.65 111.77 43.15 Ventura County[32] 843,843 1,840.79 4,767.62 458.41 176.99 Santa Barbara County[33] 448,229 2,733.94 7,080.87 163.95 63.30 San Luis Obispo County[34] 282,424 3,300.85 8,549.16 85.56 33.03 Imperial County[35] 179,702 4,175.54 10,814.60 43.04 16.62 Southern California 23,762,904 56,525.40 146,400.11 420.39 162.31 California 39,538,223 155,959.34 403,932.84 253.52 97.88 ## Urban landscape This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Southern California" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Percentage of households with incomes above $150,000[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] across LA County census tracts Southern California consists of a heavily developed urban environment, home to some of the largest [urban areas](/source/List_of_urbanized_areas_in_California_(by_population)) in the state, along with the [Deserts of California](/source/Deserts_of_California) (part of which was even [proposed to become a new county](/source/High_Desert_County%2C_California) due to cultural, economic and geographic differences relative to the rest of the more urban region)[36][37][38] that have been left undeveloped. It is the third most populated [megalopolis](/source/Megalopolis) in the United States, after the [Great Lakes megalopolis](/source/Great_Lakes_megalopolis) and the [Northeast megalopolis](/source/Northeast_megalopolis). Much of Southern California is famous for its large, spread-out, suburban communities and use of automobiles and highways. The dominant areas are Los Angeles, [Orange County](/source/Orange_County%2C_California), [San Diego](/source/San_Diego), and [Riverside](/source/Riverside%2C_California)–[San Bernardino](/source/San_Bernardino), each of which are the centers of their respective metropolitan areas, composed of numerous smaller cities and communities. The urban area is also host to an international [San Diego–Tijuana](/source/San_Diego%E2%80%93Tijuana) metropolitan region, created by the urban area spilling over into [Baja California](/source/Baja_California). The main barrier to urbanization along the [Interstate 5](/source/Interstate_5_in_California) corridor is [Camp Pendleton](/source/Camp_Pendleton). The cities and communities along [Interstate 15](/source/Interstate_15_in_California) and [Interstate 215](/source/Interstate_215_(California)) are so interrelated that [Temecula](/source/Temecula) and [Murrieta](/source/Murrieta) have as much connection with the [San Diego metropolitan area](/source/San_Diego_metropolitan_area) as they do with the [Inland Empire](/source/Inland_Empire). To the east, the [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau) considers the San Bernardino and Riverside County areas, [Riverside-San Bernardino area](/source/Riverside-San_Bernardino_area) as a separate [metropolitan area](/source/Metropolitan_area) from Los Angeles County. Newly developed [exurbs](/source/Exurbs) formed in the [Antelope Valley](/source/Antelope_Valley), north of Los Angeles, the [Victor Valley](/source/Victor_Valley), and the [Coachella Valley](/source/Coachella_Valley) with the [Imperial Valley](/source/Imperial_Valley). Also, population growth was high in the [Bakersfield-Kern County](/source/Bakersfield%2C_California), [Santa Maria](/source/Santa_Maria%2C_California), and [San Luis Obispo](/source/San_Luis_Obispo) areas. The skyline of [Downtown Los Angeles](/source/Downtown_Los_Angeles) as seen at sunset in October 2006. Standing 1,018 ft (310 m) high, with 73 floors, the [U.S. Bank Tower](/source/U.S._Bank_Tower_(Los_Angeles)) was the [West Coast](/source/West_Coast_of_the_United_States)'s tallest building when it was built in 1989, until the neighboring [Wilshire Grand Center](/source/Wilshire_Grand_Center) surpassed it in 2017. ## Climate See also: [Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub](/source/Mediterranean_forests%2C_woodlands%2C_and_scrub) [Köppen climate types](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification) of Southern California Most of Southern California has a [Mediterranean](/source/Mediterranean_climate)-like climate, with warm and dry summers, mild and wet winters, where cool weather and freezing temperatures are rare. Southern California contains other types of climates, including [semi-arid](/source/Semi-arid), [desert](/source/Desert_climate) and [mountain](/source/Mountain_climate), with infrequent rain and many sunny days. Summers are hot or warm, and dry, while winters are mild, and rainfall is low to moderate depending on the area. Rain is infrequent, but is often heavy when it does occur, making [flash floods](/source/Flash_flood) an aspect of living in Southern California. This climatic pattern was alluded to in the hit song "[It Never Rains in Southern California](/source/It_Never_Rains_in_Southern_California)". While snow is very rare in lower elevations, mountains above 5,000 feet (1,500 m) receive plentiful snowfall in the winter. Since the first decade of the 21st century, [droughts](/source/Droughts_in_California) and [wildfires](/source/List_of_California_wildfires) have increased in frequency as a result of [climate change](/source/Climate_change).[39][40] ## Natural landscape [Proctor Valley](/source/Proctor_Valley) in [Chula Vista](/source/Chula_Vista) Autumn of 2008 in Southern California Main article: [Geography of Southern California](/source/Geography_of_Southern_California) Southern California consists of one of the more varied collections of geologic, topographic, and natural ecosystem landscapes in a diversity outnumbering other major regions in the state and country. The region spans from Pacific Ocean [islands](/source/Channel_Islands_of_California), [shorelines](/source/Shoreline), beaches, and [coastal plains](/source/Coastal_plain), through the [Transverse](/source/Transverse_Ranges) and [Peninsular Ranges](/source/Peninsular_Ranges) with their peaks, and into the large and small interior valleys, to the vast [deserts of California](/source/Deserts_of_California). - Introductory categories include: - [Category: Beaches of Southern California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Beaches_of_Southern_California) - [Category: Mountain ranges of Southern California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Mountain_ranges_of_Southern_California) - [Category: Rivers of Southern California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Rivers_of_Southern_California) - [Category: Deserts of California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Deserts_of_California) - [Category: Parks in Southern California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Parks_in_Southern_California) ## Geography ### Geographic features View from [La Jolla Cove](/source/La_Jolla_Cove) in [San Diego](/source/San_Diego) Peaks in the eastern [San Gabriel Mountains](/source/San_Gabriel_Mountains), [Angeles National Forest](/source/Angeles_National_Forest), San Bernardino County [Yucca Valley](/source/Yucca_Valley) with Visitor Center in Background in June 2017 [Ocean Beach](/source/Ocean_Beach%2C_San_Diego) Sunset in San Diego - [Algodones Dunes](/source/Algodones_Dunes) (Imperial County) - [Angeles National Forest](/source/Angeles_National_Forest) (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, & Ventura Counties) - [Antelope Hills](/source/Antelope_Hills%2C_California) (Kern County) - [Antelope Valley](/source/Antelope_Valley) (Los Angeles & Kern Counties) - [Arroyo Seco](/source/Arroyo_Seco_(Los_Angeles_County)) (Los Angeles County) - [Bacon Hills](/source/Bacon_Hills) (Kern County) - [Baldwin Hills](/source/Baldwin_Hills_(mountain_range)) (Los Angeles County) - [Ballona Wetlands](/source/Ballona_Wetlands) (Los Angeles County) - [Big Bear Lake](/source/Big_Bear_Lake) (San Bernardino County) - [Bissell Hills](/source/Bissell_Hills) (Kern County) - [Black Hills](/source/Black_Hills_(Kern_County)) (Kern County) - [Bolsa Chica Estuary](/source/Bolsa_Chica_Ecological_Reserve) (Orange County) - [Buena Vista Hills](/source/Buena_Vista_Hills_(Kern_County)) (Kern County) - [Buena Vista Lake](/source/Buena_Vista_Lake) (Kern County) - [Cajon Pass](/source/Cajon_Pass) (San Bernardino County) - [Calico Mountains](/source/Calico_Mountains_(California)) (San Bernardino County) - [Channel Islands](/source/Channel_Islands_of_California) (Santa Barbara, Ventura & Los Angeles Counties) - [Castaic Lake](/source/Castaic_Lake) (Los Angeles County) - [Chino Hills](/source/Chino_Hills) (Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties) - [Coachella Valley](/source/Coachella_Valley) (Riverside County) - [Colorado Desert](/source/Colorado_Desert) (San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, & San Diego Counties) - [Colorado River](/source/Colorado_River) (San Bernardino, Riverside & Imperial Counties, Baja California & Sonora) - [Conejo Valley](/source/Conejo_Valley) (Los Angeles & Ventura Counties) - [Cucamonga Valley](/source/Cucamonga_Valley) (San Bernardino & Riverside Counties) - [Cuyamaca Mountains](/source/Cuyamaca_Mountains) (San Diego County) - [Death Valley](/source/Death_Valley) (San Bernardino & Inyo Counties) - [Diablo Range](/source/Diablo_Range) (Kern County) - [Diamond Valley Lake](/source/Diamond_Valley_Lake) (Riverside County) - [Elk Hills](/source/Elk_Hills) (Kern County) - [Elkhorn Hills](/source/Elkhorn_Hills) (San Luis Obispo County) - [El Mirage Lake](/source/El_Mirage_Lake) (San Bernardino County) - [El Paso Mountains](/source/El_Paso_Mountains) (Kern County) - [Gaviota Coast](/source/Gaviota_Coast) (Santa Barbara County) - [Greenhorn Mountains](/source/Greenhorn_Mountains) (Kern County) - [High Desert](/source/High_Desert_(California)) (Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, & San Bernardino Counties) - [Horned Toad Hills](/source/Horned_Toad_Hills) (Kern County) - [Imperial Valley](/source/Imperial_Valley) (Imperial County) - [Irish Hills](/source/Irish_Hills_(California)) (San Luis Obispo County) - [In-Ko-Pah Mountains](/source/In-Ko-Pah_Mountains) (San Diego County) - [Inland Empire](/source/Inland_Empire_(CA)) (Riverside & San Bernardino Counties) - [Jacumba Mountains](/source/Jacumba_Mountains) (San Diego County) - [Jawbone Canyon](/source/Jawbone_Canyon) (Kern County) - [Kern River](/source/Kern_River) (Kern County) - [La Jolla Cove](/source/La_Jolla_Cove) (San Diego County) - [Laguna Mountains](/source/Laguna_Mountains) (San Diego County) - [Lake Arrowhead](/source/Lake_Arrowhead%2C_California) (San Bernardino County) - [Lake Casitas](/source/Lake_Casitas) (Ventura County) - [Lake Elsinore](/source/Lake_Elsinore) (Riverside County) - [Lake Isabella](/source/Lake_Isabella) (Kern County) - [Lake Perris](/source/Lake_Perris) (Riverside County) - [Lake Piru](/source/Lake_Piru) (Ventura County) - [Lakeview Mountains](/source/Lakeview_Mountains) (Riverside County) - [Lake Webb](/source/Lake_Webb) (Kern County) - [Little San Bernardino Mountains](/source/Little_San_Bernardino_Mountains) (Riverside & San Bernardino Counties) - [Little Signal Hills](/source/Little_Signal_Hills) (Kern County) - [Los Angeles Basin](/source/Los_Angeles_Basin) (Los Angeles & Orange Counties) - [Los Angeles River](/source/Los_Angeles_River) (Los Angeles County) - [Los Padres National Forest](/source/Los_Padres_National_Forest) (Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, & Ventura Counties) - [Lost Hills](/source/Lost_Hills) (Kern County) - [Low Desert](/source/Low_Desert) (Imperial, San Diego, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties) - [Mojave Desert](/source/Mojave_Desert) (Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties) - [Mojave River](/source/Mojave_River) (San Bernardino County) - [Mount San Antonio](/source/Mount_San_Antonio) (Los Angeles County) - [New River](/source/New_River_(Mexico%E2%80%93United_States)) (Imperial County, Mexicali Municipality) - [Nine Sisters](/source/Nine_Sisters) (San Luis Obispo County) - [Ojai Valley](/source/Ojai_Valley) (Ventura County) - [Orange Coast](/source/Orange_Coast) (Orange County) - [Oxnard Plain](/source/Oxnard_Plain) (Ventura County) - [Palomar Mountain](/source/Palomar_Mountain) (San Diego County) - [Palo Verde Valley](/source/Palo_Verde_Valley) (Riverside & Imperial Counties) - [Palos Verdes Peninsula](/source/Palos_Verdes_Hills) (Los Angeles County) - [Panamint Range](/source/Panamint_Range) (Inyo County) - [Peninsular Ranges](/source/Peninsular_Ranges) (San Diego, Riverside, & Orange Counties) - [Pleito Hills](/source/Pleito_Hills) (Kern County) - [Point Loma](/source/Point_Loma) (San Diego County) - [Point Mugu](/source/Point_Mugu) (Ventura County) - [Point of Rocks](/source/Point_of_Rocks_(Kern_County%2C_California)) (Kern County) - [Pomona Valley](/source/Pomona_Valley) (Los Angeles & San Bernardino Counties) - [Providence Mountains](/source/Providence_Mountains) (San Bernardino County) - [Puente Hills](/source/Puente_Hills) (Los Angeles County) - [Pyramid Lake](/source/Pyramid_Lake_(Los_Angeles_County%2C_California)) (Los Angeles County) - [Rand Mountains](/source/Rand_Mountains) (Kern County) - [Rio Hondo](/source/Rio_Hondo_(California)) (Los Angeles County) - [Rosamond Hills](/source/Rosamond_Hills) (Kern County) - [Saddleback Valley](/source/Saddleback_Valley) (Orange County) - [Salton Sea](/source/Salton_Sea) (Imperial & Riverside Counties) - [San Andreas Fault](/source/San_Andreas_Fault) (All Counties) - [San Bernardino Mountains](/source/San_Bernardino_Mountains) (San Bernardino County) - [San Bernardino National Forest](/source/San_Bernardino_National_Forest) (Riverside & San Bernardino Counties) - [San Bernardino Valley](/source/San_Bernardino_Valley) (San Bernardino County) - [San Diego Bay](/source/San_Diego_Bay) (San Diego County) - [San Diego River](/source/San_Diego_River) (San Diego County) - [San Emigdio Mountains](/source/San_Emigdio_Mountains) (Los Angeles, Ventura, & Kern Counties) - [San Fernando Valley](/source/San_Fernando_Valley) (Los Angeles County) - [San Gabriel Mountains](/source/San_Gabriel_Mountains) (Los Angeles & San Bernardino Counties) - [San Gabriel River](/source/San_Gabriel_River_(California)) (Los Angeles County) - [San Gabriel Valley](/source/San_Gabriel_Valley) (Los Angeles County) - [San Jacinto Mountains](/source/San_Jacinto_Mountains) (Riverside County) - [San Jacinto River](/source/San_Jacinto_River_(California)) (Riverside County) - [San Joaquin Valley](/source/San_Joaquin_Valley) (Kern County) - [San Luis Rey River](/source/San_Luis_Rey_River) (San Diego County) - [San Pedro Bay](/source/San_Pedro_Bay_(California)) (Los Angeles County) - [San Rafael Mountains](/source/San_Rafael_Mountains) (Santa Barbara County) - [Santa Ana Mountains](/source/Santa_Ana_Mountains) (Orange & Riverside Counties) - [Santa Ana River](/source/Santa_Ana_River) (San Bernardino, Riverside & Orange Counties) - [Santa Ana Valley](/source/Santa_Ana_Valley) (Orange County) - [Santa Catalina Island](/source/Santa_Catalina_Island%2C_California) (Los Angeles County) - [Santa Clara River](/source/Santa_Clara_River_(California)) (Ventura County) - [Santa Clara River Valley](/source/Santa_Clara_River_Valley) (Ventura County) - [Santa Clarita Valley](/source/Santa_Clarita_Valley) (Los Angeles County) - [Santa Margarita River](/source/Santa_Margarita_River) (Riverside, Orange & San Diego Counties) - [Santa Monica Bay](/source/Santa_Monica_Bay) (Los Angeles County) - [Santa Monica Mountains](/source/Santa_Monica_Mountains) (Los Angeles & Ventura Counties) - [Santa Rosa Mountains](/source/Santa_Rosa_Mountains_(California)) (Riverside, Imperial & San Diego Counties) - [Santa Susana Mountains](/source/Santa_Susana_Mountains) (Los Angeles & Ventura Counties) - [Santa Ynez Mountains](/source/Santa_Ynez_Mountains) (Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties) - [Santa Ynez Valley](/source/Santa_Ynez_Valley) (Santa Barbara County) - [Scodie Mountains](/source/Scodie_Mountains) (Kern County) - [Sequoia National Forest](/source/Sequoia_National_Forest) (Kern County) - [Shale Hills](/source/Shale_Hills) (Kern County) - [Sierra Nevada](/source/Sierra_Nevada_(U.S.)) (Kern County) - [Sierra Pelona Mountains](/source/Sierra_Pelona_Mountains) (Los Angeles & Kern Counties) - [Simi Hills](/source/Simi_Hills) (Los Angeles & Ventura Counties) - [Simi Valley](/source/Simi_Valley_(valley)) (Ventura County) - [Sweetwater River](/source/Sweetwater_River_(California)) (San Diego County) - [Tehachapi Mountains](/source/Tehachapi_Mountains) (Kern & Los Angeles Counties) - [Tejon Hills](/source/Tejon_Hills) (Kern County) - [Temescal Mountains](/source/Temescal_Mountains) (Riverside County) - [Telephone Hills](/source/Telephone_Hills) (Kern County) - [Temblor Range](/source/Temblor_Range) (Kern & San Luis Obispo Counties) - [Tijuana River](/source/Tijuana_River) (San Diego County) - [Topatopa Mountains](/source/Topatopa_Mountains) (Ventura County) - [Turtle Mountains](/source/Turtle_Mountains_(California)) (San Bernardino County) - [Ventura River](/source/Ventura_River) (Ventura County) - [Verdugo Mountains](/source/Verdugo_Mountains) (Los Angeles County) - [Victor Valley](/source/Victor_Valley) (San Bernardino County) ### Geology #### List of major fault zones Note: Plate boundary faults are indicated with a (#) symbol. - [Brawley Seismic Zone](/source/Brawley_Seismic_Zone) - [Chino Fault](/source/Chino_Fault) - [Elsinore Fault Zone](/source/Elsinore_Fault_Zone) - [Elysian Park Fault](/source/Elysian_Park_Fault) - [Garlock Fault](/source/Garlock_Fault) - [Hosgri Fault](/source/Hosgri_Fault) - [Imperial Fault Zone](/source/Imperial_Fault_Zone) - [Laguna Salada Fault](/source/Laguna_Salada_Fault) - [Newport–Inglewood Fault](/source/Newport%E2%80%93Inglewood_Fault) - [Peninsular Ranges](/source/Peninsular_Ranges) - [Puente Hills Fault](/source/Puente_Hills_Fault) - [Raymond Fault](/source/Raymond_Fault) - [Rose Canyon Fault](/source/Rose_Canyon_Fault) - [Salton Trough](/source/Salton_Trough) - [Salinian Block](/source/Salinian_Block) - [San Andreas Fault](/source/San_Andreas_Fault) # - [San Cayetano Fault](/source/San_Cayetano_Fault) - [San Felipe Fault Zone](/source/San_Felipe_Fault_Zone) - [San Gabriel Fault](/source/San_Gabriel_Fault) - [San Jacinto Fault Zone](/source/San_Jacinto_Fault_Zone) - [Santa Maria River Fault](/source/Santa_Maria_River_Fault) - [Santa Ynez Fault](/source/Santa_Ynez_Fault) - [Shoreline Fault](/source/Shoreline_Fault) - [Ventura Fault](/source/Ventura_Fault) - [White Wolf Fault](/source/White_Wolf_Fault) - [Whittier Fault](/source/Whittier_Fault) - [Yorba Linda Fault](/source/Yorba_Linda_Fault) Northridge earthquake shake map #### Earthquakes Each year, Southern California has about 10,000 earthquakes. Nearly all of them are too small to be felt. Only several hundred have been greater than [magnitude](/source/Moment_magnitude_scale) (Mw) 3.0, and only about 15–20 have been greater than Mw 4.0.[41] California as a whole enacted the [Alquist Priolo Special Studies Zone Act](/source/Alquist_Priolo_Special_Studies_Zone_Act) in the wake of the [1971 San Fernando earthquake](/source/1971_San_Fernando_earthquake). The act prohibits new construction of residential buildings closer than 50 feet (15 m) from a surface rupturing active fault zone. In addition, the act improved safety by requiring new structures (both residential and commercial) to be seismically retrofitted. It also required existing infrastructure to comply. Since 1972, numerous large magnitude earthquakes have struck Southern California with little widespread damage in part due to the act. However, exceptions can be noted for epicenters that lie directly on top of densely populated regions such as the Mw 6.7 [1994 Northridge Earthquake](/source/1994_Northridge_Earthquake) and, to a lesser extent, the smaller Mw 5.5 [2008 Chino Hills earthquake](/source/2008_Chino_Hills_earthquake). The Northridge earthquake occurred on a blind-thrust fault directly underneath the [San Fernando Valley](/source/San_Fernando_Valley), which until the earthquake was previously undiscovered. [Seismic retrofitting](/source/Seismic_retrofit) of existing and new construction is aimed to prevent damage and save lives in the aftermath of a major quake, but it cannot guarantee that buildings will be unscathed if the epicenter is relatively close by. The [1994 Northridge earthquake](/source/1994_Northridge_earthquake) was particularly destructive, causing a substantial number of deaths, injuries, and structural collapses. The quake caused the most property damage of any earthquake in U.S. history at an estimated $20 billion.[42] Many Southern California [faults](/source/Fault_(geology)) are able to produce a Mw 6.7 earthquake or greater, such as the [San Andreas Fault](/source/San_Andreas_Fault), which can produce Mw 8.0 or greater. The largest known earthquake in California was the [1857 Fort Tejon earthquake](/source/1857_Fort_Tejon_earthquake) that ruptured 200+ miles (320+ kilometers) of the San Andreas Fault from [Parkfield](/source/Parkfield%2C_California) to [Wrightwood](/source/Wrightwood%2C_California). With a recurrence interval of roughly 150 years, this part of the San Andreas fault is well within its window to produce another large earthquake. Along with the southern section of the San Andreas (in the [Palm Springs](/source/Palm_Springs%2C_California) region, which has not ruptured in ~400 years), the entire Southern California portion of the San Andreas Fault is ready to produce a powerful earthquake in the near future. Notable faults capable of large magnitude events include the [San Jacinto Fault](/source/San_Jacinto_Fault_Zone) (a splay of the San Andreas that runs directly under the I-10 & I-215 interchange), the [Newport–Inglewood-Rose Canyon Fault](/source/Newport%E2%80%93Inglewood_Fault) (located adjacent to [SoFi Stadium](/source/SoFi_Stadium) and responsible for [Signal Hill](/source/Signal_Hill%2C_California)), the [Elsinore Fault](/source/Elsinore_Fault_Zone) (created [Lake Elsinore](/source/Lake_Elsinore)), the [Garlock Fault](/source/Garlock_Fault) (which marks boundary between of the [Sierra Nevada](/source/Sierra_Nevada) and the [Mojave Desert](/source/Mojave_Desert)), and the [Hollywood fault](/source/Hollywood_fault) (which is within feet of [Capitol Records](/source/Capitol_Records) and is roughly parallel to [Hollywood Boulevard](/source/Hollywood_Boulevard)). The [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey) (USGS) has released a California earthquake forecast,[43] which models earthquake occurrence in California. #### List of earthquakes This is a partial list of earthquakes in Southern California. For a full list, see [List of earthquakes in California](/source/List_of_earthquakes_in_California). Note: Earthquakes with epicenters in the Los Angeles Metro Area are marked with the (#) symbol. Other earthquakes mentioned indicates shaking was felt in the region. - [1812 San Juan Capistrano earthquake](/source/1812_San_Juan_Capistrano_earthquake) # - [1812 Ventura earthquake](/source/1812_Ventura_earthquake) - [1857 Fort Tejon earthquake](/source/1857_Fort_Tejon_earthquake) - [1892 Laguna Salada earthquake](/source/1892_Laguna_Salada_earthquake) - [1899 San Jacinto earthquake](/source/1899_San_Jacinto_earthquake) - [1918 San Jacinto earthquake](/source/1918_San_Jacinto_earthquake) - [1933 Long Beach earthquake](/source/1933_Long_Beach_earthquake) # - [1940 El Centro earthquake](/source/1940_El_Centro_earthquake) - [1948 Desert Hot Springs earthquake](/source/1948_Desert_Hot_Springs_earthquake) - [1971 San Fernando earthquake](/source/1971_San_Fernando_earthquake) # - [1979 Imperial Valley earthquake](/source/1979_Imperial_Valley_earthquake) - [1968 Borrego Mountain earthquake](/source/1968_Borrego_Mountain_earthquake) - [1986 North Palm Springs earthquake](/source/1986_North_Palm_Springs_earthquake) - [1987 Superstition Hills earthquakes](/source/1987_Superstition_Hills_earthquakes) - [1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake](/source/1987_Whittier_Narrows_earthquake) # - [1991 Sierra Madre earthquake](/source/1991_Sierra_Madre_earthquake) # - [1992 Big Bear earthquake](/source/1992_Big_Bear_earthquake) # - [1992 Landers earthquake](/source/1992_Landers_earthquake) - [1994 Northridge earthquake](/source/1994_Northridge_earthquake) # - [2008 Chino Hills earthquake](/source/2008_Chino_Hills_earthquake) # - [2010 Baja California earthquake](/source/2010_Baja_California_earthquake) - [2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes](/source/2019_Ridgecrest_earthquakes) ## Population See also: [Greater Los Angeles § Demographics](/source/Greater_Los_Angeles#Demographics) Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1850 6,492 — 1860 33,280 412.6% 1870 44,158 32.7% 1880 91,916 108.2% 1890 251,770 173.9% 1900 337,328 34.0% 1910 808,408 139.7% 1920 1,423,786 76.1% 1930 3,044,978 113.9% 1940 3,840,733 26.1% 1950 5,931,975 54.4% 1960 9,398,722 58.4% 1970 12,103,559 28.8% 1980 14,308,742 18.2% 1990 18,269,095 27.7% 2000 20,637,512 13.0% 2010 22,680,010 9.9% 2020 23,762,904 4.8% Sources: 1790–1990, 2000, 2010, 2020[25][44][45] Chart does not include Indigenous population figures. Studies indicate that the Native American population in California in 1850 was close to 150,000 before declining to 15,000 by 1900.[46] Ethnic origins in Southern California [Downtown San Bernardino](/source/Downtown_San_Bernardino) As of the [2020 United States census](/source/2020_United_States_census), Southern California has a population of 23,762,904. Despite a reputation for high growth rates, Southern California's population has grown slower than the state average since the 2000s. This is due to California's growth becoming concentrated in the northern part of the state as result of a stronger, tech-oriented economy in the [Bay Area](/source/San_Francisco_Bay_Area) and an emerging [Greater Sacramento](/source/Greater_Sacramento) region. Southern California consists of one [Combined Statistical Area](/source/Combined_Statistical_Area), eight [Metropolitan Statistical Areas](/source/Metropolitan_Statistical_Area), one international [metropolitan area](/source/Metropolitan_area), and multiple metropolitan divisions. The region is home to two extended metropolitan areas that exceed five million in population. These are the [Greater Los Angeles Area](/source/Greater_Los_Angeles_Area) at 17,786,419, and [San Diego–Tijuana](/source/San_Diego%E2%80%93Tijuana) at 5,105,768.[47][48] Of these metropolitan areas, the [Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metropolitan area](/source/Los_Angeles-Long_Beach-Santa_Ana_metropolitan_area), [Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area](/source/Riverside-San_Bernardino-Ontario_metropolitan_area), and [Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura metropolitan area](/source/Oxnard-Thousand_Oaks-Ventura_metropolitan_area) form Greater Los Angeles;[49] while the [El Centro metropolitan area](/source/El_Centro_metropolitan_area) and [San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos metropolitan area](/source/San_Diego-Carlsbad-San_Marcos_metropolitan_area) form the [Southern Border Region](/source/Southern_Border_Region_(California)).[50][51] North of Greater Los Angeles are the [Santa Barbara](/source/Santa_Barbara_County%2C_California), [San Luis Obispo](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_County%2C_California), and [Bakersfield](/source/Kern_County%2C_California) metropolitan areas. ### Cities See also: [List of largest cities in California by population](/source/List_of_largest_cities_in_California_by_population) Los Angeles (with a population of approximately 3.9 million people) and San Diego (at nearly 1.4 million people) are the two largest cities in all of California, and are among the top eight largest cities in the United States.[52] In Southern California, there are also 14 cities with more than 200,000 residents and 48 cities over 100,000 residents. Many of Southern California's most developed cities lie along or in close proximity to the coast, with the exception of San Bernardino and Riverside. ### Counties Curt Teich map postcard depicting SoCal attractions - [Imperial](/source/Imperial_County%2C_California) - [Kern](/source/Kern_County%2C_California) - [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles_County%2C_California) - [Orange](/source/Orange_County%2C_California) - [Riverside](/source/Riverside_County%2C_California) - [San Bernardino](/source/San_Bernardino_County%2C_California) - [San Diego](/source/San_Diego_County%2C_California) - [San Luis Obispo](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_County%2C_California) - [Santa Barbara](/source/Santa_Barbara_County%2C_California) - [Ventura](/source/Ventura_County%2C_California) ## Economy ### Industries Southern California is one of the largest economies in the United States. It is dominated by, and heavily dependent upon, the abundance of petroleum, as opposed to other regions where automobiles are not nearly as dominant, due to the vast majority of transport that runs on this fuel. Southern California is famous for tourism and the [entertainment industry](/source/Entertainment_industry). Other industries include software, automotive, aerospace, finance, biomedical, ports and regional logistics. The region was a leader in the housing bubble from 2001 to 2007, and has been heavily impacted by the housing crash. Since the 1920s, motion pictures, petroleum, and aircraft manufacturing have been major industries. In one of the richest agricultural regions in the U.S., cattle and citrus were major industries until farmlands were turned into suburbs. Although military spending cutbacks have had an impact, aerospace continues to be a major factor.[53] ### Major central business districts [Taco Bell](/source/Taco_Bell) Headquarters in [Irvine](/source/Irvine%2C_California) Southern California is home to many major business districts. Central business districts (CBD) include [Downtown Los Angeles](/source/Downtown_Los_Angeles), [Downtown Riverside](/source/Downtown_Riverside), [Downtown San Bernardino](/source/Downtown_San_Bernardino), [downtown San Diego](/source/Downtown_San_Diego), and the [South Coast Metro](/source/South_Coast_Metro). Within the Los Angeles Area are the major business districts of [Downtown Pasadena](/source/Pasadena%2C_California), [Downtown Burbank](/source/Burbank%2C_California), [Downtown Santa Monica](/source/Santa_Monica%2C_California), [Downtown Glendale](/source/Glendale%2C_California) and [Downtown Long Beach](/source/Downtown_Long_Beach). Los Angeles proper has many business districts, such as [Downtown LA](/source/Downtown_Los_Angeles) and those lining [Wilshire Boulevard](/source/Wilshire_Boulevard), including [Mid-Wilshire](/source/Mid-Wilshire), the [Miracle Mile](/source/Miracle_Mile%2C_Los_Angeles), [Downtown Beverly Hills](/source/Downtown_Beverly_Hills), and [Westwood](/source/Westwood%2C_Los_Angeles); others include [Century City](/source/Century_City%2C_Los_Angeles) and [Warner Center](/source/Warner_Center%2C_Los_Angeles) in the [San Fernando Valley](/source/San_Fernando_Valley). The area of Santa Monica and Venice (and perhaps some of Culver City) is informally referred to as "Silicon Beach" because of the concentration of financial and marketing technology-centric firms located in the region. The [San Bernardino-Riverside Area](/source/San_Bernardino-Riverside_Area) maintains the business districts of [Downtown San Bernardino](/source/Downtown_San_Bernardino), [Hospitality Business/Financial Centre](/source/Hospitality_Lane_District%2C_San_Bernardino%2C_California), [University District](/source/University_District%2C_San_Bernardino) which are in the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside. In Orange County, has highly developed suburban business centers (also known as [edge cities](/source/Edge_cities)) including the [Anaheim–Santa Ana edge city](/source/Anaheim%E2%80%93Santa_Ana_edge_city) along I-5; and another, the [South Coast Plaza–John Wayne Airport edge city](/source/South_Coast_Plaza%E2%80%93John_Wayne_Airport_edge_city) that stretches from the [South Coast Metro](/source/South_Coast_Metro) to the [Irvine Business Complex](/source/Irvine_Business_Complex); [Newport Center](/source/Newport_Center%2C_Newport_Beach%2C_California); and [Irvine Spectrum](/source/Irvine_Spectrum). [Downtown Santa Ana](/source/Downtown_Santa_Ana) is an important government, arts and entertainment, and retail district. [Downtown San Diego](/source/Downtown_San_Diego) is the CBD of San Diego, though the city is filled with business districts. These include [Carmel Valley](/source/Carmel_Valley%2C_San_Diego), [Del Mar Heights](/source/Del_Mar_Heights%2C_San_Diego), [Mission Valley](/source/Mission_Valley), [Rancho Bernardo](/source/Rancho_Bernardo), [Sorrento Mesa](/source/Sorrento_Mesa), and [University City](/source/University_City%2C_San_Diego). Most of these districts are located in Northern San Diego and some within [North County](/source/North_County_(San_Diego_area)) regions. ### Theme parks and Water parks [Disneyland](/source/Disneyland) in [Anaheim](/source/Anaheim) **Los Angeles** - [Dry Town Water Park](/source/Dry_Town_Water_Park) - [Pacific Park](/source/Pacific_Park) - [Raging Waters San Dimas](/source/Raging_Waters_San_Dimas) - [Six Flags Hurricane Harbor](/source/Six_Flags_Hurricane_Harbor) - [Six Flags Magic Mountain](/source/Six_Flags_Magic_Mountain) - [Universal Studios Hollywood](/source/Universal_Studios_Hollywood) **Orange County** - [Adventure City](/source/Adventure_City) - [Balboa Fun Zone](/source/Balboa_Fun_Zone) - [Disneyland](/source/Disneyland) - [Disney California Adventure](/source/Disney_California_Adventure) - [Knott's Berry Farm](/source/Knott's_Berry_Farm) - [Knott's Soak City](/source/Knott's_Soak_City) - [Wild Rivers](/source/Wild_Rivers_(water_park)) **Riverside & San Bernardino** - [Castle Park](/source/Castle_Park_(amusement_park)) - [SkyPark at Santa's Village](/source/SkyPark_at_Santa's_Village) - [Wet'n'Wild Palm Springs](/source/Wet'n'Wild_Palm_Springs) **San Diego** - [Sesame Place San Diego](/source/Sesame_Place_San_Diego) - [Belmont Park](/source/Belmont_Park_(San_Diego)) - [Legoland California](/source/Legoland_California) - Legoland Waterpark - [San Diego Zoo](/source/San_Diego_Zoo) - [San Diego Zoo Safari Park](/source/San_Diego_Zoo_Safari_Park) - [SeaWorld San Diego](/source/SeaWorld_San_Diego) ### Vineyard-Winery American Viticultural Area (AVA) districts - [California wine](/source/California_wine) AVA-[American Viticultural Areas](/source/American_Viticultural_Area) in southern California: South Coast AVA Cucamonga Valley AVA Malibu-Newton Canyon AVA Ramona Valley AVA Saddle Rock-Malibu AVA Temecula Valley AVA Leona Valley AVA Central Coast AVA San Luis Obispo Coast AVA Arroyo Grande Valley AVA Edna Valley AVA San Pasqual Valley AVA Santa Maria Valley AVA Santa Ynez Valley AVA Sta. Rita Hills AVA York Mountain AVA ## Transportation This section needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message) See also: [Category:Transportation in Southern California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Transportation_in_Southern_California) Southern California is home to [Los Angeles International Airport](/source/Los_Angeles_International_Airport), the second-busiest airport in the United States by passenger volume (see [World's busiest airports by passenger traffic](/source/World's_busiest_airports_by_passenger_traffic)) and the third-busiest by international passenger volume (see [Busiest airports in the United States by international passenger traffic](/source/Busiest_airports_in_the_United_States_by_international_passenger_traffic)); [San Diego International Airport](/source/San_Diego_International_Airport), the busiest single-runway airport in the United States; [Van Nuys Airport](/source/Van_Nuys_Airport), the world's busiest [general aviation](/source/General_aviation) airport; major commercial airports at [San Bernardino](/source/San_Bernardino_International_Airport), [Orange County](/source/John_Wayne_Airport), [Bakersfield](/source/Meadows_Field), [Ontario](/source/LA%2FOntario_International_Airport), [Burbank](/source/Hollywood_Burbank_Airport), and [Long Beach](/source/Long_Beach_Airport); and numerous smaller commercial and general aviation airports. Six of the seven lines of the [commuter rail](/source/Commuter_rail) system, [Metrolink](/source/Metrolink_(California)), run out of downtown Los Angeles, connecting Los Angeles, [Ventura](/source/Ventura_County%2C_California), San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego counties with the other line connecting San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties directly. Southern California is also home to the [Port of Los Angeles](/source/Port_of_Los_Angeles), the country's busiest commercial port; the adjacent [Port of Long Beach](/source/Port_of_Long_Beach), the country's second busiest container port; and the [Port of San Diego](/source/Port_of_San_Diego). ### Airports The following table shows all airports listed by the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) as a hub airport:[54] Airport ID City (Metro area) Category Enplanements (2011) (mil) Los Angeles International Airport LAX Los Angeles Large Hub 30.5m San Diego International Airport SAN San Diego Large Hub 8.5m John Wayne Airport SNA Orange County Medium Hub 4.2m Ontario International Airport ONT San Bernardino, Riverside Medium hub 2.3m Hollywood Burbank Airport BUR Burbank (LA) Medium Hub 2.1m Long Beach Airport LGB Long Beach (LA) Small Hub 1.5m Palm Springs International Airport PSP Palm Springs Small Hub 0.8m Santa Barbara Municipal Airport SBA Santa Barbara Small Hub 0.7m San Luis Obispo Regional Airport SBP San Luis Obispo Small Hub 0.5m San Bernardino International Airport SBD San Bernardino, Riverside Small Hub NA ### Freeways and highways Interstate and state highway system of Southern California Main article: [Southern California freeways](/source/Southern_California_freeways) Sections of the Southern California freeway system are often referred to by names rather than by the official numbers. Interstate Highways Sign Interstate Freeway name Interstate 5 Golden State Freeway Santa Ana Freeway San Diego Freeway Montgomery Freeway Interstate 8 Ocean Beach Freeway Mission Valley Freeway Interstate 10 Santa Monica (Rosa Parks) Freeway Golden State Freeway San Bernardino Freeway Indio (Dr. June McCarroll) Freeway Blythe Freeway Interstate 15 Mojave Freeway Barstow Freeway Ontario Freeway Corona Freeway Temecula Valley Freeway Escondido Freeway Interstate 40 Needles Freeway Interstate 105 Century (Glenn Anderson) Freeway Interstate 110 Harbor Freeway Interstate 210 Foothill Freeway Interstate 215 Barstow Freeway San Bernardino Freeway Moreno Valley Freeway Escondido Freeway Interstate 405 San Diego Freeway Interstate 605 San Gabriel River Freeway Interstate 710 Long Beach Freeway Interstate 805 Jacob Dekema Freeway Future Interstate 905 U.S. Highway system Sign U.S. Route Freeway name U.S. Route 66 National Trails Highway Cajon Boulevard Foothill Boulevard Arroyo Seco Parkway Santa Monica Boulevard U.S. Route 95 U.S. Route 99 Golden State Highway Ridge Route U.S. Route 101 Ventura Freeway Hollywood Freeway Santa Ana Freeway El Camino Real U.S. Route 395 ### Public transportation The [Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway](/source/Atchison%2C_Topeka_and_Santa_Fe_Railway)'s combined Super Chief-El Capitan pulls into Los Angeles's Union Passenger Terminal on September 24, 1966. See also: [Category:Public transportation in Southern California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Public_transportation_in_Southern_California) - [Antelope Valley Transit Authority](/source/Antelope_Valley_Transit_Authority) - [Big Blue Bus](/source/Big_Blue_Bus) (Santa Monica) - [Gold Coast Transit](/source/Gold_Coast_Transit) (Ventura County) - [Golden Empire Transit](/source/Golden_Empire_Transit) (Bakersfield) - [Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority](/source/Los_Angeles_County_Metropolitan_Transportation_Authority) - [Metrolink](/source/Metrolink_(California)) - [North County Transit District](/source/North_County_Transit_District) (northern San Diego County) - [Omnitrans](/source/Omnitrans) (southwestern San Bernardino County) - [Orange County Transportation Authority](/source/Orange_County_Transportation_Authority) - [Riverside Transit Agency](/source/Riverside_Transit_Agency) (western Riverside County) - [Coaster](/source/Coaster_(rail_service)) (Oceanside to San Diego) - [San Diego Metropolitan Transit System](/source/San_Diego_Metropolitan_Transit_System) - [San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_Regional_Transit_Authority) - [Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District](/source/Santa_Barbara_Metropolitan_Transit_District) ## Communication ### Telephone area codes - [213](/source/Area_code_213) – [Central Los Angeles](/source/Central_Los_Angeles) - [310](/source/Area_code_310) – [West Los Angeles](/source/Westside_(Los_Angeles_County)), [Inglewood](/source/Inglewood%2C_California), [Santa Monica](/source/Santa_Monica), [South Bay](/source/South_Bay%2C_Los_Angeles) and [Catalina Island](/source/Santa_Catalina_Island%2C_California) - [323](/source/Area_code_323) – Overlay with 213 - [424](/source/Area_code_424) – Overlay with 310 - [442](/source/Area_code_442) – Overlay with 760 - [562](/source/Area_code_562) – [Long Beach](/source/Long_Beach), [Gateway Cities](/source/Gateway_Cities), and parts of northern [Orange County](/source/Orange_County%2C_California) - [619](/source/Area_code_619) – most of [San Diego County](/source/San_Diego_County) including [San Diego](/source/San_Diego) - [626](/source/Area_code_626) – most of [San Gabriel Valley](/source/San_Gabriel_Valley) including [Pasadena](/source/Pasadena) - [657](/source/Area_code_657) – Overlay with 714 - [661](/source/Area_code_661) – [Bakersfield](/source/Bakersfield), [Santa Clarita](/source/Santa_Clarita), and [Antelope Valley](/source/Antelope_Valley) - [714](/source/Area_code_714) – Northern Orange County (including [Anaheim](/source/Anaheim), [Santa Ana](/source/Santa_Ana%2C_California), and [Huntington Beach](/source/Huntington_Beach)) - [760](/source/Area_code_760) – Northern San Diego County (including [Oceanside](/source/Oceanside%2C_California) and [Escondido](/source/Escondido%2C_California)), [Imperial County](/source/Imperial_County), [Coachella Valley](/source/Coachella_Valley), [Blythe](/source/Blythe%2C_California), [Twentynine Palms](/source/Twentynine_Palms), [Victor Valley](/source/Victor_Valley), [Barstow](/source/Barstow%2C_California), and [Ridgecrest](/source/Ridgecrest%2C_California) - [805](/source/Area_code_805) – [Santa Barbara](/source/Santa_Barbara_County%2C_California), [Ventura](/source/Ventura_County%2C_California) and [San Luis Obispo](/source/San_Luis_Obispo_County%2C_California) Counties - [818](/source/Area_code_818) – Eastern [Conejo Valley](/source/Conejo_Valley), [Crescenta Valley](/source/Crescenta_Valley), [San Fernando Valley](/source/San_Fernando_Valley) including [Glendale](/source/Glendale%2C_California) and [Burbank](/source/Burbank%2C_California) - [820](/source/Area_code_820) – Overlay with 805 - [840](/source/Area_code_840) – Overlay with 909 - [858](/source/Area_code_858) – Overlay with 619 - [909](/source/Area_code_909) – Southwestern [San Bernardino County](/source/San_Bernardino_County), eastern [Los Angeles County](/source/Los_Angeles_County), and portions of northwestern [Riverside County](/source/Riverside_County) - [949](/source/Area_code_949) – Southern [Orange County](/source/Orange_County%2C_California) (including [Irvine](/source/Irvine%2C_California), [Newport Beach](/source/Newport_Beach), [Laguna Niguel](/source/Laguna_Niguel), and [San Clemente](/source/San_Clemente)) - [951](/source/Area_code_951) – Western [Riverside County](/source/Riverside_County) including [Riverside](/source/Riverside%2C_California) and [Temecula](/source/Temecula) ## Colleges and universities Main article: [List of colleges and universities in Southern California](/source/List_of_colleges_and_universities_in_Southern_California) [University of California, Los Angeles](/source/University_of_California%2C_Los_Angeles) [California Institute of Technology](/source/California_Institute_of_Technology) Public institutions in the region include: [University of California](/source/University_of_California) (10 campuses total; 5 within the SoCal region) - [Irvine](/source/University_of_California%2C_Irvine) - [Los Angeles](/source/University_of_California%2C_Los_Angeles) - [Riverside](/source/University_of_California%2C_Riverside) - [Santa Barbara](/source/University_of_California%2C_Santa_Barbara) - [San Diego](/source/University_of_California%2C_San_Diego) [California State University](/source/California_State_University) (23 campuses total; 12 within the SoCal region) - [Bakersfield](/source/California_State_University%2C_Bakersfield) - [Channel Islands](/source/California_State_University_Channel_Islands) - [Dominguez Hills](/source/California_State_University%2C_Dominguez_Hills) - [Fullerton](/source/California_State_University%2C_Fullerton) - [Los Angeles](/source/California_State_University%2C_Los_Angeles) - [Long Beach](/source/California_State_University%2C_Long_Beach) - [Northridge](/source/California_State_University%2C_Northridge) - [Pomona](/source/California_State_Polytechnic_University%2C_Pomona) - [San Bernardino](/source/California_State_University%2C_San_Bernardino) - [San Diego](/source/San_Diego_State_University) - [San Marcos](/source/California_State_University%2C_San_Marcos) - [San Luis Obispo](/source/California_Polytechnic_State_University) Private institutions include: - [California Institute of Technology](/source/California_Institute_of_Technology) (Pasadena) - [Azusa Pacific University](/source/Azusa_Pacific_University) ([Azusa](/source/Azusa%2C_California)) - [Chapman University](/source/Chapman_University) ([Orange](/source/Orange%2C_California)) - [Claremont Colleges](/source/Claremont_Colleges) (all in [Claremont](/source/Claremont%2C_California)) - [Claremont McKenna College](/source/Claremont_McKenna_College) - [Harvey Mudd College](/source/Harvey_Mudd_College) - [Pitzer College](/source/Pitzer_College) - [Pomona College](/source/Pomona_College) - [Scripps College](/source/Scripps_College) - [Claremont Graduate University](/source/Claremont_Graduate_University) - [Keck Graduate Institute](/source/Keck_Graduate_Institute) - [Loma Linda University](/source/Loma_Linda_University) ([Loma Linda](/source/Loma_Linda%2C_California)) - [Loyola Marymount University](/source/Loyola_Marymount_University) (Los Angeles) - [Occidental College](/source/Occidental_College) (Los Angeles) - [Pepperdine University](/source/Pepperdine_University) (Los Angeles) - [University of Redlands](/source/University_of_Redlands) ([Redlands](/source/Redlands%2C_California)) - [University of San Diego](/source/University_of_San_Diego) - [University of Southern California](/source/University_of_Southern_California) (Los Angeles) ## Parks and recreation areas Numerous parks provide recreation opportunities and open space. Locations include: - [National Park Service](/source/National_Park_Service) - [Cabrillo National Monument](/source/Cabrillo_National_Monument) - [Carrizo Plain National Monument](/source/Carrizo_Plain_National_Monument) - [Castle Mountains National Monument](/source/Castle_Mountains_National_Monument) - [Cesar E. Chavez National Monument](/source/Cesar_E._Chavez_National_Monument) - [Channel Islands National Park](/source/Channel_Islands_National_Park) - [Death Valley National Park](/source/Death_Valley_National_Park) - [Joshua Tree National Park](/source/Joshua_Tree_National_Park) - [Mojave National Preserve](/source/Mojave_National_Preserve) - [Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area](/source/Santa_Monica_Mountains_National_Recreation_Area) - Major [State Parks](/source/State_park) – *including:* - [Anza-Borrego Desert State Park](/source/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park) - [Crystal Cove State Park](/source/Crystal_Cove_State_Park) - [Cuyamaca Rancho State Park](/source/Cuyamaca_Rancho_State_Park) - [Chino Hills State Park](/source/Chino_Hills_State_Park) - [Fort Tejon State Historic Park](/source/Fort_Tejon_State_Historic_Park) - [Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area](/source/Kenneth_Hahn_State_Recreation_Area) - [Mount San Jacinto State Park](/source/Mount_San_Jacinto_State_Park) - [Malibu Creek State Park](/source/Malibu_Creek_State_Park) - [Red Rock Canyon State Park (California)](/source/Red_Rock_Canyon_State_Park_(California)) - [Topanga State Park](/source/Topanga_State_Park) - Major State Historic Parks – *including:* - [California Citrus State Historic Park](/source/California_Citrus_State_Historic_Park) - [El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park](/source/Presidio_of_Santa_Barbara) - [La Purísima Mission State Historic Park](/source/La_Pur%C3%ADsima_Mission_State_Historic_Park) - [Los Encinos State Historic Park](/source/Los_Encinos_State_Historic_Park) - [Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa](/source/Mission_San_Luis_Obispo_de_Tolosa) - [Old Town San Diego State Historic Park](/source/Old_Town_San_Diego_State_Historic_Park) - [Rancho Los Encinos](/source/Rancho_Los_Encinos) - [Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park](/source/Santa_Susana_Pass_State_Historic_Park) - Tule Elk State Natural Reserve - [Watts Towers](/source/Watts_Towers) - [Will Rogers State Historic Park](/source/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park) ## Sports See also: [Freeway Series](/source/Freeway_Series), [Lakers–Clippers rivalry](/source/Lakers%E2%80%93Clippers_rivalry), and [Sports in California § Northern California–Southern California rivalry](/source/Sports_in_California#Northern_California–Southern_California_rivalry) Major professional sports teams in Southern California include: - [NFL](/source/NFL) (American football) [Los Angeles Rams](/source/Los_Angeles_Rams), [Los Angeles Chargers](/source/Los_Angeles_Chargers) - [NBA](/source/NBA) (Basketball) [Los Angeles Lakers](/source/Los_Angeles_Lakers), [Los Angeles Clippers](/source/Los_Angeles_Clippers) - [MLB](/source/MLB) (Baseball) [Los Angeles Dodgers](/source/Los_Angeles_Dodgers), [Los Angeles Angels](/source/Los_Angeles_Angels), [San Diego Padres](/source/San_Diego_Padres) - [NHL](/source/NHL) (Ice hockey) [Los Angeles Kings](/source/Los_Angeles_Kings), [Anaheim Ducks](/source/Anaheim_Ducks) - [MLS](/source/MLS) (Soccer) [LA Galaxy](/source/LA_Galaxy), [Los Angeles FC](/source/Los_Angeles_FC), [San Diego FC](/source/San_Diego_FC) - [NWSL](/source/NWSL)(Soccer) [Angel City FC](/source/Angel_City_FC), [San Diego Wave FC](/source/San_Diego_Wave_FC) - [WNBA](/source/WNBA)(Basketball) [Los Angeles Sparks](/source/Los_Angeles_Sparks) Southern California also is home to a number of popular NCAA sports programs such as the [UCLA Bruins](/source/UCLA_Bruins), the [USC Trojans](/source/USC_Trojans), and the [San Diego State Aztecs](/source/San_Diego_State_Aztecs). The Bruins and the Trojans both field football teams in [NCAA Division I](/source/NCAA_Division_I) in the [Big Ten Conference](/source/Big_Ten_Conference), and there is a longtime [rivalry between the schools](/source/UCLA%E2%80%93USC_rivalry). ## See also - [California portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:California) - [Category: History of Southern California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:History_of_Southern_California) - [Category:Ranchos of California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Ranchos_of_California) – *Southern California Counties categories* - [Category: Public transportation in Southern California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Public_transportation_in_Southern_California) - [California earthquake forecast](/source/California_earthquake_forecast) - [California megapolitan areas](/source/California_megapolitan_areas) - [Geography of Southern California](/source/Geography_of_Southern_California) - [Largest cities in Southern California](/source/Largest_cities_in_Southern_California) - [List of regions of California#Southern California](/source/List_of_regions_of_California#Southern_California) - [Megaregions of the United States](/source/Megaregions_of_the_United_States) - [San Angeles](/source/San_Angeles) - [South Coast](/source/South_Coast_(California)) - [Southern California Association of Governments](/source/Southern_California_Association_of_Governments) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["State Population Totals and Components of Change: 2010-2019"](https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-state-total.html). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200126071436/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-state-total.html) from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Square Mileage by County"](http://www.counties.org/pod/square-mileage-county). [California State Association of Counties](/source/California_State_Association_of_Counties). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233117/http://www.counties.org/pod/square-mileage-county) from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [*Gross Domestic Product by County and Metropolitan Area*](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/release?rid=397), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240313103326/https://fred.stlouisfed.org/release?rid=397) from the original on March 13, 2024, retrieved May 20, 2024 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Figures Show California's Motoring Supremacy"](https://books.google.com/books?id=p04zAQAAMAAJ&pg=PAPA38). *Touring Topics*. **8** (2). Los Angeles, California: Automobile Club of Southern California: 38–39. March 1916. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230315184941/https://books.google.com/books?id=p04zAQAAMAAJ&pg=PAPA38) from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Cooley, Timothy J. (2014). [*Surfing about Music*](https://books.google.com/books?id=EXdAAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA46). University of California Press. p. 46. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-52095-721-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-52095-721-3). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230315184923/https://books.google.com/books?id=EXdAAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA46) from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Megaregions"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170516142109/http://www.america2050.org/megaregions.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.america2050.org/megaregions.html) on May 16, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** The three metropolitan areas are: 1. [Los Angeles–Long Beach–Santa Ana](/source/Los_Angeles_Metropolitan_Area)*(the second largest in the US)*, 1. Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario *(the [Inland Empire](/source/Inland_Empire_(California)))* and 1. San Diego–Carlsbad–San Marcos – see: [United States metropolitan areas](/source/Metropolitan_Statistical_Area) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["California County Population Estimates"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120329114501/http://www.csac.counties.org/images/users/1/2008population.pdf) (PDF). [California Department of Finance](/source/California_Department_of_Finance). January 7, 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.csac.counties.org/images/users/1/2008population.pdf) (PDF) on March 29, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Yoon, Peter (August 7, 2006). ["X Games Take a Turn for the Better"](https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-xgames7aug07,0,5636019.story?coll=la-home-headlines). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081210190856/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-xgames7aug07,0,5636019.story?coll=la-home-headlines) from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Higgins, Matt (September 13, 2006). ["Construction Stirs Debate on Effects on 'Perfect Wave'"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/13/sports/othersports/13surfing.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110430024343/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/13/sports/othersports/13surfing.html) from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Palm Springs Travel Guide | U.S. News Travel"](https://travel.usnews.com/Palm_Springs_CA/). *[U.S. News & World Report](/source/U.S._News_%26_World_Report)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240508130223/https://travel.usnews.com/Palm_Springs_CA/) from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Minerals Management Service](/source/Minerals_Management_Service) (1987). [*Pacific Summary / Index: June 1, 1986 – July 31, 1987*](https://books.google.com/books?id=CSJPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA6). Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Activities. [U.S. Department of the Interior](/source/U.S._Department_of_the_Interior). p. 6. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230221022446/https://books.google.com/books?id=CSJPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA6) from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Clarke, Chris (November 23, 2015). ["That Feud Between NorCal and SoCal? Time to Get Over It"](https://www.pbssocal.org/redefine/that-feud-between-norcal-and-socal-time-to-get-over-it). *PBS SoCal*. Retrieved November 16, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Smith, Thomas (April 23, 2023). ["Where Does Southern California Stop and Northern California Start?"](https://bayareatelegraph.com/2023/04/23/where-does-southern-california-stop-and-northern-california-start/). *Bay Area Telegraph*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230425141209/https://bayareatelegraph.com/2023/04/23/where-does-southern-california-stop-and-northern-california-start/) from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Peter Berg](/source/Peter_Berg_(bioregionalist)) (2014). Cheryll Glotfelty; Eve Quesnel (eds.). [*The Biosphere and the Bioregion: Essential Writings of Peter Berg*](https://books.google.com/books?id=dF4KBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA265). Routledge. p. 265. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781134504091](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781134504091). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231023205057/https://books.google.com/books?id=dF4KBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA265) from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Sharp, Robert Phillip; Glazner, Allen F. (1997). *Geology Underfoot in Death Valley and Owens Valley*. Mountain Press Publishing. p. 44. 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Retrieved March 20, 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-49)** ["Population Estimates"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111117092845/http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/files/2008/CSA-EST2008-alldata.csv). Archived from [the original](http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/files/2008/CSA-EST2008-alldata.csv) ([CSV](/source/Comma-separated_values)) on November 17, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-50)** ["California Coast, Los Angeles to San Diego Bay"](https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=36155). December 15, 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170525054533/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=36155) from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-51)** Loucky, James, ed. (2008). [*Transboundary policy challenges in the Pacific border regions of North America*](https://books.google.com/books?id=KDc2r0SC5PIC&pg=PA8). University of Calgary Press. p. 8. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-55238-223-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-55238-223-3). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230315184935/https://books.google.com/books?id=KDc2r0SC5PIC&pg=PA8) from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-52)** ["List of the largest U.S. cities by population | Estimate, Census, New York City, & Facts | Britannica"](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Whats-the-largest-US-city-by-population). *www.britannica.com*. May 1, 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240605015550/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Whats-the-largest-US-city-by-population) from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-53)** Westwick, Peter J., ed. (June 4, 2012). [*Blue Sky Metropolis*](https://books.google.com/books?id=O5IkDQAAQBAJ). [Huntington Library](/source/Huntington_Library): University of California Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-52028-906-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-52028-906-2). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230315184948/https://books.google.com/books?id=O5IkDQAAQBAJ) from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-54)** ["Calendar Year 2011 Primary Airports"](http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy11_primary_enplanements.pdf) (PDF). September 27, 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170208001604/https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy11_primary_enplanements.pdf) (PDF) from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2016. ## Further reading - Castillo-Munoz, Veronica (2016). *The Other California: Land, Identity and Politics on the Mexican Borderlands*. University of California Press. - Deverell, William; Igler, David, eds. (2013). *A companion to California history*. John Wiley & Sons. - Fogelson, Robert M. (1967). *The Fragmented Metropolis: Los Angeles, 1850–1930*., focus on planning, infrastructure, water and business. - Friedricks, William (1992). *Henry E. Huntington and the Creation of Southern California*., on Henry Edwards Huntington (1850–1927), railroad executive and collector, who helped build LA and southern California through the Southern Pacific railroad and trolleys. - Garcia, Matt. (2001). *A World of Its Own: Race, Labor and Citrus in the Making of Greater Los Angeles, 1900–1970*. - Garcia, Mario T. (1972). "A Chicano Perspective on San Diego History". *Journal of San Diego History*. **18** (4): 14–21. [online](https://web.archive.org/web/20020101212335/http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/72fall/chicano.htm) - Lotchin, Roger (2002). *Fortress California, 1910–1961*. [excerpt and text search](https://www.amazon.com/Fortress-California-1910-1961-WARFARE-WELFARE/dp/0252071034/), covers military and industrial roles. - Mills, James R. (1960). *San Diego: Where California Began*. San Diego: San Diego Historical Society.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: publisher location ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_publisher_location)) [revised edition online](https://web.archive.org/web/20000818221714/http://www.sandiegohistory.org/books/wcb/wcb.htm) - O'Flaherty, Joseph S. (1972). *An End and a Beginning: The South Coast and Los Angeles, 1850–1887*. - O'Flaherty, Joseph S. (1978). *Those Powerful Years: The South Coast and Los Angeles, 1887–1917*. - Pryde, Philip R. (2004). *San Diego: An Introduction to the Region* (4th ed.)., a historical geography - Shragge, Abraham. (1994). "A new federal city: San Diego during World War II". *Pacific Historical Review*. **63** (3): 333–361. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/3640970](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F3640970). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [3640970](https://www.jstor.org/stable/3640970). [in JSTOR](https://www.jstor.org/stable/3640970) - Starr, Kevin (1997). *The Dream Endures: California Enters the 1940s*. pp. 90–114., covers 1880s–1940 - Starr, Kevin (2004). *Coast of Dreams: California on the Edge, 1990–2003*. pp. 372–381. - Starr, Kevin (2011). *Golden Dreams: California in an Age of Abundance, 1950–1963*. pp. 57–87. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Southern California](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Southern_California). Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Southern California](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Southern_California#Q844837)***. - [California Historical Society Collection, 1860–1960](http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15799coll65) – [USC Libraries](/source/University_of_Southern_California_Libraries) Digital Collections - [Historical Society of Southern California](https://web.archive.org/web/20000116065323/http://www.socalhistory.org/) v t e State of California Sacramento (capital) Topics Culture food languages sports California Dream Crime Demographics Earthquakes Economy agriculture Education Education, history of Environment Geography climate ecology flora fauna Government Capitol districts governor legislature Supreme Court Healthcare Abortion History Law LGBT rights National Historic Landmarks National Natural Landmarks NRHP listings Politics congressional delegations elections People Protected areas state parks state historic landmarks Symbols Transportation Water Foreign relations Index of articles Regions Antelope Valley Big Sur California Coast Ranges Cascade Range Central California Central Coast Central Valley Channel Islands Coachella Valley Coastal California Conejo Valley Cucamonga Valley Death Valley East Bay (SF Bay Area) East County (SD) Eastern California Emerald Triangle Gold Country Great Basin Greater San Bernardino Inland Empire Klamath Basin Lake Tahoe Greater Los Angeles Los Angeles Basin Lost Coast Mojave Desert Mountain Empire North Bay (SF) North Coast North County (SD) Northern California Orange Coast Owens Valley Oxnard Plain Peninsular Ranges Pomona Valley Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta Sacramento Valley Saddleback Valley Salinas Valley San Fernando Valley San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco Peninsula San Gabriel Valley San Joaquin Valley Santa Clara Valley Santa Clara River Valley Santa Clarita Valley Santa Ynez Valley Shasta Cascade Sierra Nevada Silicon Valley South Bay (LA) South Bay (SD) South Bay (SF) South Coast Southern Border Region Southern California Southern California Megalopolis Transverse Ranges Tri-Valley Victor Valley Wine Country Metro regions Fresno–Madera Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Sacramento–Roseville Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario San Diego–Tijuana San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland Counties Alameda Alpine Amador Butte Calaveras Colusa Contra Costa Del Norte El Dorado Fresno Glenn Humboldt Imperial Inyo Kern Kings Lake Lassen Los Angeles Madera Marin Mariposa Mendocino Merced Modoc Mono Monterey Napa Nevada Orange Placer Plumas Riverside Sacramento San Benito San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco San Joaquin San Luis Obispo San Mateo Santa Barbara Santa Clara Santa Cruz Shasta Sierra Siskiyou Solano Sonoma Stanislaus Sutter Tehama Trinity Tulare Tuolumne Ventura Yolo Yuba Most populous cities Los Angeles San Diego San Jose San Francisco Fresno Sacramento Long Beach Oakland Bakersfield Anaheim Music California sound San Francisco sound Bakersfield sound Chicano rock Chicano soul Surf music Sunshine pop California punk Hardcore punk Nu metal Bay Area thrash Orange County ska Palm Desert Scene Paisley Underground West Coast hip hop West Coast jazz West Coast blues Yuman music California portal v t e Southern California megaregion Metropolitan areas and cities in italics are located outside California Metropolitan Los Angeles Major cities: Los Angeles Long Beach Anaheim Santa Ana Santa Clarita Irvine Glendale Huntington Beach Garden Grove Inland Empire Major cities: San Bernardino Riverside Fontana Moreno Valley Ontario Rancho Cucamonga Corona San Diego–Tijuana Major cities: San Diego Tijuana Chula Vista Oceanside Escondido Rosarito Central Coast Major cities: Santa Barbara Santa Maria San Luis Obispo Oxnard Ventura Las Vegas Valley Major cities: Las Vegas Henderson North Las Vegas Megapolitan areas of California Authority control databases International VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Czech Republic Israel Other Yale LUX [34°00′N 117°00′W / 34.000°N 117.000°W / 34.000; -117.000](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Southern_California¶ms=34_00_N_117_00_W_region:US-CA_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Southern California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_California) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_California?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.