Los Angeles is one of the world’s most famous cities. The city is internationally known for being the home of the rich and famous, Hollywood, the main home of major entertainment companies, bad traffic, ethnically diverse, and the second-largest city in America.
Almost everyone in the world has some thoughts on Los Angeles, whether you have been there or not. The city has affected the entire world whether you realize it or not. Either through the silver screen and movies or TV shows that you watch every week or from goods and products that have come from across the world.
So what is LA known for?
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HOLLYWOOD
Los Angeles is best known for being the home to Hollywood. Hollywood is a neighborhood in Los Angeles and is the heart of the American film industry. The American film industry was an early pioneer of cinema and is now one of the largest in the world.
LA is a major hub for all things related to movies and television. The area has become world-famous for producing some of the big blockbuster movies that we all enjoy.
Hollywood was originally a real estate development that had put up the now-famous Hollywood sign. The sign originally read Hollywoodland and the land was removed to give us the sign that we all recognize today.
Hollywoodland was supposed to be a segregated community.
Hollywood is now known as the movie-making city of the world.
FILM INDUSTRY
The film industry is one of the United States’ largest industries and is one of the country’s biggest cultural exports.
Hollywood has become the gold standard of movie-making around the globe.
The US film industry in 2019 generated $35 billion inrevenue. Making it one of the USA’s biggest industries.
Hollywood’s film industry has spawned a new social class; that of Hollywood actors and celebrities.
MUSIC INDUSTRY
Los Angeles is also well known for its booming music industry. There are tons of well-known record labels that do business out of LA. Some of which include:
- Capitol Records
- Interscope Records
- Brushfire Records
- Warner Music Group
There is no shortage of Mega music stars who call Los Angeles home for most of the year.
CELEBRITIES
Los Angeles is the number one place that comes to mind when people think of where to find celebrities.
Celebrities have become some of the world’s most famous and internationally recognizable people.
In LA the number of celebrities walking around the city is higher than almost anywhere else in the world.
Spotting celebrities around the city is not uncommon but is also not an everyday occurrence. Celebrities tend to live in LA because that is where they work.
Some of the best places to spot celebrities while in LA:
- West Hollywood
- Bel-air
- Malibu
- Hollywood
- Runyon Canyon
- LAX Airport
ENTERTAINMENT
LA is one of the entertainment capitals of the world. With most of the major media coming out of the California city.
LA is home to some of the biggest names in the entertainment world with major movie studios, radio shows, tons of filmmaking, and a music industry that have made Los Angeles one of the world’s biggest distributors of multi-media content in the world.
The city is full of theme parks, clubs, beaches, outdoor activities, and so much more.
WORLD-FAMOUS
Los Angeles is one of the most famous cities in the world and has become one of the world’s most well-known cities. The city has become so popular for a multitude of different reasons from its hugely popular and powerful entertainment industries, to its global shipping and e-commerce industries.
Say the name Los Angeles to almost anyone in the world and they will know what city you are talking about.
LA is responsible for some of the United States’ biggest cultural successes.
RICH
Los Angeles has a reputation for being one of the places in the world where the rich flock to. With million-dollar homes, and ocean views it has become one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in.
LA is also expensive because of the topography of its location, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and mountainous terrain on the other makes it incredibly difficult to build.
California is also one of the most expensive states to live in. California also has one of the world’s best economies and if it was its own country it would be the 5th largest economy in the world. That puts California behind Europes largest economy Germany and ahead of India.
2ND LARGEST CITY IN AMERICA
Los Angeles is the second most populated city in the United States. It is also one of the biggest economic centers in the world with a Trillion dollars a year GDP. This Makes LA the third most economically powerful city in the world. LA is behind New York #2 and Toyko #1 of the cities with the largest economies.
DISNEYLAND
Disneyland has become world-renowned for being the happiest place on earth. The Disney-inspired theme park is one of the world’s most-visited theme parks, coming in second behind another Disney theme park; Disney World located in Flordia.
Disneyland has become one of the United States’ biggest tourist attractions with about 18 million annual visitors to the park.
Disneyland was and still is a vacation that families with small kids take every year.
THEME PARKS
Besides Disneyland, the LA area is home to many other notable theme parks.
- Knott’s Berry Farm
- Six Flags
- Magic Mountain
- California Adventure Park
- Universal Studios.
The City also has waterparks which are kind of like theme parks but wet and in your bathing suit.
- Knott’s Soak City
- Raging Waters
- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
- Buccaneer Bay
- Great Wolf Lodge
The Theme parks of LA draw in millions of visitors each year looking for some thrills.
WARM WEATHER
California is one of the US’s top vacation destinations. Part of the lure to the city is its Mediterranean climate. While much of the US is freezing in snow LA keeps it nice and warm in the winter months, rarely dipping below 10°C/50°F summers see temperatures average out at about 30°C/86°F.
LA’s climate has made it a much sought-after place to live in the United States as well as internationally.
THE WALK OF FAME
One of the city’s top tourist attractions is the Hollywood walk of fame. The walk of fame is a strip with star plaques with famous celebrities’ names on them.
The Hollywood walk of fame is a top honor for celebrities who have gained worldwide fame. The walk is sprawled over 15 blocks in LA and is one of the top free attractions to visit while in Los Angeles.
BEACHES
LA is home to some of the nicest beaches in all of the USA. The city has many world-famous beaches.
Beaches in California and Los Angeles have become synonymous with the California beach culture. The culture has spawned characters and stereotypes of the likes of the surfer dude and the beach bum.
Notable Beaches
- Venice Beach
- Malibu
- Long Beach
- Huntington Beach
- Santa Monica
MEXICAN CULTURE
Did you know that before California became a part of the United States it was part of Mexico?
California has the largest number of Hispanics living in the state with around 14 million making California the state with the highest number of Latinos in all of America.
Around 33% of all people living in California are of Hispanic heritage.
A large number of Latinos in the state has shaped California into what we know it today.
Los Angeles also has some of the best Mexican food you can get outside of Mexico.
Check Out:
What Mexico City Is Known For
NIGHTLIFE
LA nightlife has the reputation of being one of the top party destinations in America. The city’s music industry has played a large part in making this a party city. It has become known as a place to let your hair down and have a good time out.
Here are some local areas to head to for a good night out.
- West Hollywood
- Venice
- Downtown
- Hollywood
- Echo Park
- Hermosa Beach
SPRAWLING METROPOLIS
Los Angeles is notorious for being super spread out.
LA is the opposite of New York City in that the city just kept growing out instead of up, as it had so much free land to spread out onto.
The city also pioneered the freeway which gave people the freedom to live in one area and work in another furthering the expansion of the city.
BEAUTIFUL
Los Angeles has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the States, as well as some of the most eye-catching architecture for any US city.
The city is surrounded by mountains and oceans which add to the city’s beauty. The mountains are a stunning backdrop to the Pacific Ocean. A common trait of some of the most beautiful cities in the world share seems to be having both mountains and ocean within grasp.
SKID ROW
Skid Row or Skid Road is a neighborhood in downtown LA that has the largest homeless population in the United States. This area of downtown LA has the reputation for being where the undesirables live. Most of the people down in skid row have a severe drug addiction or are suffering from intense mental health issues or both.
Many people in LA including the LAPD are trying to clean up the neighborhood. The area for almost 100 years has been a local dumping ground for any person who does not fit into the norms of society.
ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE
Los Angeles has become an economic powerhouse generating more than a trillion dollars a year in GDP for the United States.
LA is second only to New York City for the city’s that are the biggest contributors to the US GDP. LA alone generated more money than the entire country of Saudi Arabia.
Los Angeles has the busiest port in the United States as well as the biggest port in North America.
LA is one of the USA’s most important cities for business, commercial commerce, shipping, entertainment, and overall diversity which most other states lack. All of these have been a contributing factor to the city’s success.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The City has become one of the US’s most important cities for international trade. The Los Angeles port, which is the biggest in the United States, has created the perfect atmosphere for international trade. LA is the first place most ships will unload and load freight destined for the rest of the world.
The city has become one of the major shipping hubs for the Pacific.
Los Angeles County posts handle around 40% of all inbound trade to the constitutional Untied States.
LA also has one of the United States’ bestlogistical infrastructure, from ports, roads, and railways all in and out of the city.
ETHNIC DIVERSITY
California and LA are considered to be some of the most ethnically diverse places in all of the United States. This history of the state and of LA itself has shaped it to be so diverse.
The city saw a large growth of African American population when the black community moved out of the southern states in what is known as theGreat Northward Migrationor the Black Migration.
The diversity in the city has had some positive and negative outcomes. For now, minority communities have had to face years of systemic racism, fewer job opportunities, and face injustices that are not felt in the white community.
The city seems to be working on how to move forward with everyone gaining from lessons learned, however, there is still seems to be a long uphill battle ahead.
SPORTS
Los Angeles sports teams are world-renowned. The city has a major sports team in all major sports leagues in the United States NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, MLB.These sports franchises have become some of the best teams representing their leagues. Probably the most famous of all these teams are the LA Lakers which have fans from around the world in almost every country.
The LA Lakers also have the most championships won by any team in LA with 12 title championships since they have been in LA.
Notable Sports Franchises:
- LA Lakers, NBA
- LA Dodgers, MLB
- Anaheim Ducks, NHL
- Los Angeles Rams, NFL
- LA Clippers, NBA
- Los AngelesGalaxy, MLS
LA BREA TAR PITS
For any fossil lover, LA’s well-known La Brea Tar Pits has provided the world with some of the best fossils from the last ice age. The site has unearthed more than 3.5 million fossils and they are still finding more.
Fossils of:
- Woolly Mammoths
- Dire Wolves
- Short-Faced Bears
- American Lions
- Ground Sloths
- Sabertooth Cats
La Brea Tar Pits plus more than we can name here.
LIBERAL PLACE
California has long been a blue state with left-leaning liberal views which infuriate most people with conservative views.
Los Angeles’s liberal stance on contraventional issues has long angered people from more conservative states. Some of these are Gay marriage, abortion, drug legalization, the homelessness crisis, racism, and income distribution, climate change, and socialized health care to name a few.
The city has long had this laid-back view of some of the issues that plague other American cities.
SMOG
Los Angeles has long been the US city with the worst air pollution. The smog which blankets the city has created some ongoing health issues for many of its residents from asthma, heart disease, and cancers. The city is implementing green projects but is still a long way off. In the meantime, you might want a mask to help keep out those nasty particles.
Shop small businesses on Etsy here and support artists around the world.
The Smog of the city is kept in place by the surrounding mountains.
EXPENSIVE
LA has become one of the most expensive cities in the United States. The city has become very expensive to live in, with rent in some parts of the city exceeding 5,000 dollars a month for a studio apartment.
The city also has a highly skilled workforce making it more expensive to conduct business. The State of California has the highest minimum wage in the country at $14 an hour. The state is set for a $15 minimum by 2023.
LAPD
Los Angeles has one of the most notorious police departments in the world.
The LAPD has been a major part of cinema, TV, and music for the last 50 years.
The LAPD stands for the Los Angeles police department.
The police of LA have long had a love-hate kind of relationship with the city which they protect.
The LA swat team has long been held up as one of the best in the country dealing with issues almost daily.
The police department has, for the most part, been a positive to LA stopping some of the countries most heinous crimes. They have also had their fair share of controversy.
The LA riots are still a stain on the city, which was caused by white LAPD officers beating up a black Rodney King.
BAD TRAFFIC JAMS
Los Angeles has long been one of the worst cities in America for bad traffic. The average Angeleno spends around 5 days sitting in traffic which costs them around $2,500 a year to just sit in traffic.
The city is facing a dilemma in which there are 2 main sides. One is the side of the suburban families and the other is those who live in more densely populated areas. The problem is that the city wants to change from a city with suburbs to a more densely populated core and build the city up more like New York.
This is a problem for people who are living in the suburbs and do not want to see their property values fall and would like more roads and freeways built while the other side is fighting for more public transit and want the ability to walk to work and have more green spaces with the bonus of getting more cars off the road.
The biggest issue is that the population density of Los Angeles is getting bigger every year. This means that there are just more people on the roads. Which in turn causes more bad traffic.
Since the creation of the automobile, cities around the world have changed a lot. Instead of people mainly walking everywhere now everyone, especially in the US, is driving. In the US the average family owns 1.8 cars that’s a lot of cars on the road, which makes for fun times sitting in traffic. Not.
SURFING
Los Angeles has been one of the leading places in the world to promote surfing culture. Surf culture has had effects on pop culture, clothing, and even speech. Los Angeles has a few of the best surf spots in the world for both beginners and some for professionals.
LA helped bring about surfing culture to the whole world.
Areas of LA to grab your boards and hit the waves:
- Manhattan Beach
- Redondo Beach
- Hermosa Beach
- Surfrider Beach
- Huntington Beach
GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY
Griffith Observatory like the name would suggest is an observatory that looks into the night sky for planets and stars millions of miles away. The building serves multiple functions, the first being to look up at the night sky, it is also a planetarium and an exhibition space.
It is the most visited observatory in the world and was built in 1911.
The site where the observatory sits is also a park and the park is home to the most iconic sign in the world; the Hollywood sign that sits about the city.
Griffith Park is one of the city’s most visited parks because of the observatory and the Hollywood sign. The park also has lots of hiking trails making it even more inviting to those looking for some great views of the LA skyline and surrounding areas.
BEVERLY HILLS
One of the most notable neighborhoods in America and everyone remembers its zip code, 90210. Beverly Hills is considered one of the most expensive zip codes in the entire country with average home prices being in the multi-million dollar range.
Beverly Hills is home to a wide range of mega-famous celebrities and high-end shopping. The neighborhood is also home to one of LAs most famous streets Rodeo Drive which has been shown on the big screen and in pop culture.
Beverly Hills has become famous for its luxury boutiques and for being the neighborhood of the rich and the famous. The cost of living in Beverly Hills is more than 150% more than the national average.
Beverly Hills even has a few homes that are valued at over $100 million.
HOME OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS
Los Angeles has long been the hometown of the rich and famous. From the golden age of Hollywood starting in 1910 to the present day. The city has been a place that the world sees as a playground for the elite of the US and of the world.
LA has 23 of the most expensive zip codes in the US and by far one of the most recognizable; 90210.
The city is home to some of the most expensive homes in the United States with some going for almost $250 million, which is a quarter of a billion dollars for a house.
The city has created some of the country’s richest people through a wide variety of different means, although the entertainment industry gets the majority of the attention from the outside world.
Conclusion
Los Angeles is known for a lot of things and part of that is due to the large size of the city and how powerful the city has become over the last 100 years.
The city is one that everyone who will visit will experience differently. Los Angeles, even if you never visit, has shaped the world directly and indirectly.
LA will continue to grow and influence the world.
For more on LA’s history, check out this book here on Amazon.
If you’re planning a trip to Los Angeles be sure to check out Hotels.com here for the best rates on accommodation in the city.
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FAQs
What are things Los Angeles is known for? ›
Hollywood stars, the TV & movie industries, and gorgeous beaches all make LA a famous city and a popular vacation spot.
What are 5 interesting facts about Los Angeles? ›- By 1930, Los Angeles produced a quarter of the world's oil. ...
- The film industry moved to LA to flee Thomas Edison's patents. ...
- Los Angeles' 'HOLLYWOOD' sign originally said 'HOLLYWOODLAND' ...
- Los Angeles has the most diverse population of Buddhist sects in the world.
One is simply the city's initials, L.A. It is also called the City of Angels because Los Angeles means “the angels” in Spanish. Los Angeles often has warm, sunny weather. So another nickname is City of Flowers and Sunshine.
What makes LA so great? ›One of the things everyone knows about Los Angeles is that it's an expensive place to live, but few cities in the U.S. offer as much as LA does for residents—diverse art and culture, incredible year-round weather and outdoor recreation, amazing views of the ocean, and some of the best dining and entertainment in the ...
What makes LA unique? ›From the streets of downtown LA to the million dollar neighborhoods in Bel Air, people from all socio-economic classes and various walks of life are found here. This mixture of different cultures, religions, beliefs, social status and more, makes Los Angeles one of the most uniquely diverse cities in the world.
What are 3 interesting facts about LA? ›Los Angeles is the only North American city to have hosted the Olympics twice. The Los Angeles Zoo also encompasses a substantive botanical garden with a renowned collection of native plant species. Los Angeles is home to the largest historic theatre district on the National Register of Historic Places.
What symbolizes Los Angeles? ›1. Colonnades of palm trees. Tall ones, spindly ones, bearded ones, plump ones, palm “trees” aren't native, but they are the symbol of Los Angeles.
Why is it called city of Angeles? ›The land at the banks of the Los Angeles River, the history books decided, were no longer called Yaangva; the Spanish moving in deemed it El Pueblo de la Reina de los Angeles, 'the town of the Queen of the Angels,' referring to the Catholic figure of the holy Virgin Mary.
Why is Los Angeles called like that? ›The city was named El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles which translates to, “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels” on September 4, 1781. The name comes from the Spanish language about a river called – El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles de Porciúncula.
Why do people love LA so much? ›Armed with greater flexibility and a deeper appreciation of home, more people are considering a move to Los Angeles. The city is known for its welcoming climate, inclusive culture, and rich history. It's no wonder that over 12 million people call the Greater Los Angeles area home.
What is so great about living in LA? ›
Enjoy one of the most diverse U.S. cities
Spend time exploring L.A. landmarks like Olvera Street, Little Armenia, Little Tokyo, Historic Filipinotown, Koreatown, Thai Town and much more! Living in L.A. provides the perfect opportunity to explore the world and an incredible variety of tasty cuisines.
It's also known for its crazy-good weather, with over 280 sunny days a year–definitely, a place to consider if you want a year-round glow. LA is also the second-largest city in the states. This means it's a huge melting pot of opportunities, ethnic diversity, and entertainment.
What is LA known for food? ›You'll find a wide variety of Mexican dishes, but tacos take the lead. From fancy Mexican restaurants to food trucks and food stands, tacos are everywhere in LA. And if you get inspired and want to make your own, grab a tortilla press, some maize or wheat flour, and your favorite taco fillings.
What do you like most about LA? ›- 1.) Los Angeles weather is always just right. ...
- 2.) The best food from all around the world. ...
- 3.) The Los Angeles Sports Teams. ...
- 4.) Los Angeles is the creative capital of the world. ...
- 5.) We have some of the best Universities for college students. ...
- 6.) Want to go the beach? ...
- 7.) ...
- 8.)
- 1. California is the third largest state in America. ...
- The capital of California is Sacramento. ...
- The most populous city in California is Los Angeles. ...
- The Flag of Texas is called The Bear Flag. ...
- The State flower of California is the California Poppy. ...
- The State Sport of California is Surfing.
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles has unveiled a new marketing campaign built around the slogan "That's So LA" to keep tourists coming despite the nation's economic turndown.
What are the cultural features of Los Angeles? ›Los Angeles is known for its mural art, and many outdoor public art murals have been painted throughout the 20th century by early Mexican muralists Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and José Clemente Orozco. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Chicano art movement took a strong hold in Los Angeles.
Who is the Queen of the Angels? ›The close connection between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Angels is one we see throughout her life on Earth: at the Annunciation, the Nativity of her Divine Son, her Assumption into heaven, and finally her Coronation as Queen of Angels and Men.
What does the name Angeles mean? ›Angeles is a gender-neutral name of Greek and Spanish origin, meaning “angels” and “messengers of God.” A name deeply connected to religion, Angeles is often chosen by parents who wish to honor the Virgin Mary.
When did L.A. become popular? ›The city really started growing around World War I. It steadily densified by World War II, then sprawled out in the 1970s.
Why is L.A. the City of Angels? ›
Officially settled in 1781, the original name of what is now Los Angeles was El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles, or "The Town of the Queen of Angels" in Spanish. The pueblo eventually became a ciudad, or city, which made Los Angeles the City of Angels. The name has been with the it ever since.
Does Los Angeles have a full name? ›It is to this incident the city of Los Angeles owes its name which is in full Nuestra Señora La Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula - Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porciuncula."
Why not to live in LA? ›LA has one of the highest numbers of homeless people in the US. Due to the high costs of living, lack of steady income, poor access to mental health services, and an increased number of incarcerated people. They resort to drug abuse and petty theft, making the city streets unsafe, especially at night.
Why do most famous people move to LA? ›The beautiful weather and the endless highways attract celebrities to LA so they can enjoy driving around without getting stuck in bad traffic or having to take public transportation, unlike many other big cities such as New York City.
Is it worth it to move to LA? ›With a current population of almost 4 million people, Los Angeles is one of the best places to live in California. Prized for its cultural diversity, people from all over the country and the world are moving to Los Angeles with the hopes to make their dreams come true.
What is the biggest problem in LA? ›95% of voters say homelessness is L.A.'s biggest problem, Times poll finds. 'You can't escape it' | LABC.
Where is the safest place to live in Los Angeles? ›What City in Los Angeles County Has the Lowest Crime Rate? La Habra Heights has some of the lowest crime rates in Los Angeles County. It gets a crime and safety score of “B” at an 8.94 crime rate per 1,000.
Is NYC or LA better? ›New York City has a higher safety index and better career opportunities. However, it has a higher cost of living and a smaller land size too. Los Angeles, on the other hand, has a lower cost of living with a more comfortable and stable climate. The city also has an affordable transport system.
Why do most celebrities live in LA? ›Offering long, winding driveways, state-of-the-art security systems, quiet streets and cul-de-sacs, and the mature landscaping needed to block out tourists and paparazzi, Beverly Hills is a quiet oasis for celebrities and their families. Furthermore, many of the homes in Beverly Hills were built with privacy in mind.
Where is the best part of LA to live? ›...
- The Westside.
- Santa Monica.
- Beverly Hills.
- Culver City.
- Venice Beach.
- San Fernando Valley.
- The Verdugos.
- Northeast L.A.
What are some kids facts about Los Angeles? ›
The population of Los Angeles is approximately 4 million. It is a large desert basin surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the San Gabriel Mountain Range. It is both flat and hilly and is divided by the Santa Monica Mountains. The highest point in the city is Mount Lukens at 1,547 m (5,074 ft).
What is an interesting fact? ›- It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow. ...
- A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
- A shrimp's heart is in its head.
- It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
- 1. California is the third largest state in America. ...
- The capital of California is Sacramento. ...
- The most populous city in California is Los Angeles. ...
- The Flag of Texas is called The Bear Flag. ...
- The State flower of California is the California Poppy. ...
- The State Sport of California is Surfing.