Los Angeles Local Guide

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the cultural, economic, and entertainment hub of Los Angeles County. Founded in 1781 as a Spanish pueblo, the city has grown into a global metropolis known for Hollywood, the entertainment industry, diverse neighborhoods, world-class museums, and a year-round mild climate.

Long Beach is a large coastal city in southern Los Angeles County, known for its waterfront, the Port of Long Beach, and a vibrant downtown. As the second-largest city in the county, Long Beach combines urban density with beach culture, offering a mix of neighborhoods, a busy harbor, and a growing downtown with restaurants, shops, and residential towers.

Santa Monica is an incorporated city on the coast of Los Angeles County, known for its famous pier, its walkable downtown, and its beachfront location. As an independent city surrounded by the City of Los Angeles, Santa Monica has its own government, schools, and services.

Beverly Hills is an incorporated city in Los Angeles County, known worldwide for its luxury shopping on Rodeo Drive, its grand residential estates, and its role as a center of the entertainment industry. As an independent city surrounded by the City of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills has its own government, police department, and schools.

West Hollywood is an incorporated city in Los Angeles County, known for its vibrant nightlife, its design and arts community, and its role as a center of LGBTQ+ culture. As an independent city surrounded by the City of Los Angeles, West Hollywood has its own government and services.

Pasadena is an incorporated city in the western San Gabriel Valley, known for its historic architecture, the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl, and its role as a center of science and education. As one of the oldest cities in Los Angeles County, Pasadena combines a walkable downtown with grand residential neighborhoods, cultural institutions, and the California Institute of Technology.

Glendale is an incorporated city at the eastern edge of the San Fernando Valley, known for its diverse population, its large Armenian-American community, and its growing downtown. As the third-largest city in Los Angeles County, Glendale combines suburban residential neighborhoods with a dense, walkable downtown centered on the Americana at Brand shopping complex.

Burbank is an incorporated city in the eastern San Fernando Valley, known as the Media Capital of the World for its concentration of major film and television studios. As an independent city, Burbank has its own government, schools, and services.

Culver City is an incorporated city on the Westside of Los Angeles County, known for its historic film studios, its growing tech sector, and its vibrant downtown. As an independent city surrounded by the City of Los Angeles, Culver City has its own government and services.

Malibu is an incorporated city along the coast of Los Angeles County, known for its 21 miles of scenic coastline, its beaches, and its celebrity homes. As an independent city, Malibu has its own government and services.

Manhattan Beach is an incorporated city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, known for its wide sandy beach, its pier, and its strong community character. As an independent city, Manhattan Beach has its own government, schools, and services.

Redondo Beach is an incorporated city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, known for its pier, its marina, and its mix of beach and residential neighborhoods. As an independent city, Redondo Beach has its own government, schools, and services.

Hermosa Beach is an incorporated city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, known for its compact size, its lively pier, and its beach culture. As the smallest of the three Beach Cities, Hermosa Beach has its own government, schools, and services.

Torrance is an incorporated city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, known for its size, its diversity, and its mix of residential and industrial areas. As one of the larger cities in the county, Torrance combines established residential neighborhoods with major employers in aerospace, healthcare, and technology.

El Segundo is an incorporated city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, known for its small-town feel, its beach, and its major aerospace and technology employers. As an independent city, El Segundo has its own government, schools, and services.

Inglewood is an incorporated city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, known for its diversity, its history, and the SoFi Stadium complex. As an independent city, Inglewood has its own government and services.

Hawthorne is an incorporated city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, known for its aerospace heritage and as the headquarters of SpaceX. As an independent city, Hawthorne has its own government and services.

Gardena is an incorporated city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, known for its diversity and its large Japanese-American community. As an independent city, Gardena has its own government and services.

Carson is an incorporated city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, known for its diversity, its proximity to the harbor, and California State University, Dominguez Hills. As an independent city, Carson has its own government and services.

Compton is an incorporated city in southern Los Angeles County, known for its history, its cultural legacy, and its role in the development of West Coast hip-hop. As an independent city, Compton has its own government and services.

Downey is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its aerospace history, its medical center, and its growing downtown. As an independent city, Downey has its own government and services.

Whittier is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its historic uptown, its Quaker founding, and its strong community character. As an independent city, Whittier has its own government and services.

Norwalk is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its central location, its residential character, and its civic center. As an independent city, Norwalk has its own government and services.

Lakewood is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known as a planned community with extensive parks and a strong family character. As an independent city, Lakewood has its own government and services.

Cerritos is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its performing arts center, its strong schools, and its suburban character. As an independent city, Cerritos has its own government and services.

Bellflower is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its residential character and its revitalized downtown along Bellflower Boulevard. As an independent city, Bellflower has its own government and services.

South Gate is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its working-class character, its industrial base, and its diverse population. As an independent city, South Gate has its own government and services.

Lynwood is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its residential character and its location along the 105 freeway corridor. As an independent city, Lynwood has its own government and services.

Alhambra is an incorporated city in the western San Gabriel Valley, known for its diverse population and its vibrant Asian dining scene. As an independent city, Alhambra has its own government and services.

Monterey Park is an incorporated city in the western San Gabriel Valley, known as the first suburban Chinatown in the United States. As an independent city, Monterey Park has its own government and services.

San Gabriel is an incorporated city in the San Gabriel Valley, known for the San Gabriel Mission, the original settlement of the Los Angeles area, and its vibrant Asian dining scene. As an independent city, San Gabriel has its own government and services.

Arcadia is an incorporated city in the San Gabriel Valley, known for the Santa Anita Park racetrack and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. As an independent city, Arcadia has its own government and services.

Monrovia is an incorporated city in the San Gabriel Valley, known for its charming Old Town, its historic architecture, and its location at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. As an independent city, Monrovia has its own government and services.

Temple City is an incorporated city in the San Gabriel Valley, known for its residential character, its family-friendly community, and its annual Camellia Festival. As an independent city, Temple City has its own government and services.

South Pasadena is a small incorporated city in the San Gabriel Valley, known for its historic homes, tree-lined streets, and charming downtown. As an independent city, South Pasadena has its own government, schools, and services.

San Marino is an affluent incorporated city in the San Gabriel Valley, known for its grand estates, its excellent schools, and the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. As an independent city, San Marino has its own government, schools, and services.

El Monte is an incorporated city in the San Gabriel Valley, known for its diversity, its working-class character, and its history as an agricultural and manufacturing center. As an independent city, El Monte has its own government and services.

West Covina is an incorporated city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, known for its residential character, its shopping centers, and its medical center. As an independent city, West Covina has its own government and services.

Covina is an incorporated city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, known for its historic downtown, its community character, and its location at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. As an independent city, Covina has its own government and services.

Glendora is an incorporated city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, known for its charming downtown, its mountain views, and its community character. As an independent city, Glendora has its own government and services.

Azusa is an incorporated city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, known for its location at the mouth of the San Gabriel Canyon and its diverse community. As an independent city, Azusa has its own government and services.

Pomona is an incorporated city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, known for its historic downtown, its arts district, and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). As an independent city, Pomona has its own government and services.

Claremont is an incorporated city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, known as a college town and home to the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of prestigious liberal arts colleges. As an independent city, Claremont has its own government and services.

La Verne is an incorporated city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, known for its residential character, its community feel, and the University of La Verne. As an independent city, La Verne has its own government and services.

Diamond Bar is an incorporated city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, known for its master-planned residential communities and its hillside setting. As an independent city, Diamond Bar has its own government and services.

Walnut is an incorporated city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, known for its residential character, its excellent schools, and its rural feel. As an independent city, Walnut has its own government and services.

La Puente is an incorporated city in the San Gabriel Valley, known for its working-class character and its strong Latino community. As an independent city, La Puente has its own government and services.

Pico Rivera is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its residential character and its strong community feel. As an independent city, Pico Rivera has its own government and services.

Montebello is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its rich history, its diverse community, and its commercial corridors. As an independent city, Montebello has its own government and services.

Commerce is a small incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for the Citadel Outlets shopping center and the Commerce Casino. As an independent city, Commerce has its own government and services.

Calabasas is an incorporated city in the western San Fernando Valley, known for its suburban feel, its location in the Santa Monica Mountains, and its affluent residential character. As an independent city, Calabasas has its own government and services.

Agoura Hills is an incorporated city in the western San Fernando Valley, known for its rural feel, its location in the Santa Monica Mountains, and its equestrian character. As an independent city, Agoura Hills has its own government and services.

Hidden Hills is a small incorporated city in the western San Fernando Valley, known as a gated community with an equestrian character and a high degree of privacy. As an independent city, Hidden Hills has its own government and services.

San Fernando is an incorporated city in the northern San Fernando Valley, known for its small size, its rich history, and its Latino community. As an independent city, San Fernando has its own government and services.

Santa Clarita is an incorporated city north of the San Fernando Valley, known for its rapid growth, its master-planned communities, and its location near the Angeles National Forest. As an independent city, Santa Clarita has its own government and services.

Lancaster is an incorporated city in the Antelope Valley, the northern part of Los Angeles County, known for its desert landscape, its aerospace industry, and its rapid growth. As an independent city, Lancaster has its own government and services.

Palmdale is an incorporated city in the Antelope Valley, the northern part of Los Angeles County, known for its rapid growth, its aerospace industry, and its desert landscape. As an independent city, Palmdale has its own government and services.

Rancho Palos Verdes is an incorporated city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, known for its dramatic ocean views, its bluffs, and its residential character. As an independent city, Rancho Palos Verdes has its own government and services.

Palos Verdes Estates is an incorporated city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, known for its affluent residential character, its ocean views, and its historic architecture. As an independent city, Palos Verdes Estates has its own government and services.

Rolling Hills Estates is an incorporated city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, known for its equestrian character, its residential neighborhoods, and its open space. As an independent city, Rolling Hills Estates has its own government and services.

La Cañada Flintridge is an incorporated city at the western edge of the San Gabriel Valley, known for its affluent residential character, its excellent schools, and its location at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. As an independent city, La Cañada Flintridge has its own government and services.

La Mirada is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its residential character, its community feel, and Biola University. As an independent city, La Mirada has its own government and services.

Paramount is an incorporated city in southeast Los Angeles County, known for its working-class character, its industrial base, and its diverse population. As an independent city, Paramount has its own government and services.

Signal Hill is a small incorporated city completely surrounded by the city of Long Beach, known for its hilltop location, its oil history, and its views. As an independent city, Signal Hill has its own government and services.

Avalon is an incorporated city on Santa Catalina Island, the only incorporated city on the Channel Islands. As an independent city, Avalon has its own government and services.