Southern California: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Southern California, sometimes called SoCal, is the southern portion of the state of California. Geographically, the division between central and southern California is customarily at the Tehachapi Mountains. Politically, the region is defined roughly by the following eight counties (in descending order of population): Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Imperial. Some people consider San Luis Obispo and Kern counties to be part of the region. Over two-thirds of the state's population lives in Southern California.

Southern California contains the major cities of Los Angeles and San Diego and is a major hub of shipping and air travel, as well as a popular tourist destination and the center of the United States' film industry (Hollywood).

The term Southern California is sometimes used as a synonym for the Greater Los Angeles Area, but this is geographically inaccurate since it excludes the state's two southernmost counties: San Diego and Imperial. For the L.A. region, the term Southland is preferred.

Metrolink is Southern California's Commuter Train Network, operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA).

Regions

Los Angeles County

• Santa Clarita Valley
• Greater Los Angeles Area
• East: East Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley
• West: West Los Angeles, Beach Cities
• South: South Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, South Central Los Angeles, Gateway Cities
• North: San Fernando Valley, portions of the Antelope Valley
• Central: Downtown Los Angeles, South Central Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Westside is known for its showbiz types, with predominantly affluent white as well as a large Jewish populations. The San Fernando Valley is regarded as the X-rated film capital. South Central Los Angeles is noted for its troubled African American population, with frequent drive-by shootings. The Los Angeles Eastside has predominantly poor working-class Latino neighborhoods as well as several gentrified neighborhoods. The San Gabriel Valley may be best known for its large lower-middle-class to upper-class Chinese American populations with 4 major suburban "Chinatowns" and with contigious cities approaching Asian American majorities.

Other Counties

Imperial - Kern - Orange - Riverside - San Luis Obispo - Santa Barbara - San Diego - Ventura

Elsewhere

• Antelope Valley (Los Angeles, Kern Counties)
• Coachella Valley (Imperial County)
• Conejo Valley (Ventura County)
• Channel Islands
  • Catalina Island (Los Angeles County)
• Cucamonga Valley (San Bernadino County)
• High Desert (Riverside and San Bernadino Counties)
• Imperial Valley (Imperial County)
• Inland Empire (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernadino Counties)
• Low Desert (Riverside County)
• Orange Coast (Orange County)
• Pomona Valley (Los Angeles and San Bernadino Counties)
• Santa Clara River Valley (Ventura County)
• Victor Valley (San Bernadino County)