“LA County is generally considered to be the center of the Southern California Lifestyle.”

The main hub of LA County is the City of Los Angeles, center point of sunny SOCAL, with legendary Hollywood northwest of downtown, the San Fernando Valley to the east, and the inviting beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu to the west.  While visitors may arrive at the entertainment capital of the world with stars in their eyes, they will soon discover there’s much more than just red-carpet glamour.  Second in population size only to New York, L.A. is a vibrant destination where creativity and self-expression have fueled the growth of art, music, architecture, and neighborhoods dedicated to cultural exploration.  Known for its entertainment industry, miles of coastline, mountains, shopping, sports, ethnic diversity, and culture of creativity, L.A.'s vibe ranges from upscale to hip to surf-casual and everything between.

Los Angeles County is a vast and varied geographic entity.  It includes a group of inland valleys, a coastal plain separated by low mountains that are interspersed with steep passes, an arc of still higher mountains, and a long seacoast.  Nearly half of the county is taken up by mountain chains—most of them running east-west.  If Los Angeles were a state, as opposed to a county, it would be the seventh most populated state in America.  At around 500 square miles, Los Angeles County includes more than 100 cities and communities, each with such a variety of different neighborhoods and places (LIFESTYLES) to live, from beachy Santa Monica to upscale Beverly Hills.  There are a lot of people living in L.A., and for good reason!  When you live in Los Angeles, you will quickly learn that it is hard to justify staying home because there’s ALWAYS something going on.  There are tons of art exhibits, museums, festivals and not to mention beach access for great people watching if all else fails!

Los Angeles has always been an entrepreneurial paradise, a great place to start your own business and a hub for job opportunities with low unemployment. The potential client base is enormous, whether you want to start a restaurant or sell a product, it is always an exciting time to turn your dreams into a reality.  Union Station is the main railway station in Los Angeles, and it is the largest railroad passenger terminal in the western United States.  Visitors seeking outdoor activities can choose mountain hikes, seaside bike rides, golf, boating, surfing, or just enjoying the sunshine.  Spectator sports abound, and depending on the season, there's basketball, football, baseball, and soccer.  Live theaters, film complexes, museums, and art galleries provide opportunities for cultural activities.  The Los Angeles dining scene boasts elegant restaurants, casual outdoor cafes, and ethnic foods that include Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Ethiopian, Korean, Italian, Israeli, and many more.  Fresh seafood from local waters and produce from California's farms are always available.  Los Angeles is known for its car culture, although public transportation is available in most areas.