Los Angeles - a huge metropolis in the south-western part of the California coast, stretching from north to south for 71 km and 47 km - from west to east. Occupying an area of ​​about 1200 sq. km, it is the 9th among United States cities, but is seemingly so poorly - the city's neighborhoods are literally sandwiched between the mountains, the desert and the ocean, on a narrow strip of coastal plain, also subject to regular earthquakes. "City of Angels" was founded in 1781 the Spaniard Felipe de Neve, and until 1848 was a part of Mexico, as a wealthy white settlement immigrant Chinese laborers and wealthy Mexican ranchero, with a population of less than fifty thousand people. But after the completion of the transcontinental railroad in the late 1880s, the city began a rapid growth, has now become a recognized center of culture, science, technology, international trade, becoming the home of the world famous film, television and music studios, one of the richest cities country and recognized sports center.

 

Discovered by explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542, Santa Catalina Island, Catalina or just lying in the waters of the Pacific Ocean southwest of Los Angeles. The island is well known for its unique ecosystem with 400 species of plants (8 of them are endemic), 100 species of birds and numerous species of mammals (in particular, is one of the few places in the country where the natural environment, home to American bison) and is a large nature reserve. In the capital and only city on the island - Avalon - you can see the former Casino (1929) with its famous ballroom, which were many music stars, a huge theater, the island museum, art gallery, Chaymis Tower, Wrigley old mansion (today hotel) with the same name and memorial botanical gardens.

 

City Resort Palm Springs is in the Coachella Valley desert to the south-east of Los Angeles.

 

Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains of Santa Ynez south of Los Angeles, the resort area of ​​Santa Barbara is often called the California Riviera because of the beautiful weather, the colorful Mediterranean architecture and magnificent seaside location. Just above the town begins "wine country" Santa Barbara Wine Country, with three dozen family wineries producing premium California wines.