Los Angeles, California The city of Los Angeles sits on a low hilly coastal plain in southwestern California. Five counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura) make up the greater metropolitan area commonly referred to as Los Angeles. These communities were built on the hills and valleys around several mountain ranges (San Gabriel, Santa Monica, Santa Ana, San Bernardino, Santa Susana, and Verdugo Mountains). The town was established in 1781, when two thousand Spanish settlers built a small farming community out of what is now the downtown district. They named the town El Pueblo Nuestra Senora La Reina De Los Angeles De Porciuncula which translates to "The Town of Our Lady Queen of Angels of Porciuncula". The area remained small and unpopulated throughout the 19th century, however during the 20th century the population grew rapidly. The mild two-season climate, picturesque scenery, and economic opportunities made the area a much-desired place to call home. Today the city alone populates close to 4 million people making it the second most populous city in the United States. It is one of the country's major commercial, financial, and industrial centers. Being a Mecca for the motion picture, television, and music industries is perhaps one reason why Los Angeles has become a major trendsetter for the rest of the nation and world. HINMAN RESIDENCE TATE/POLANSKI RESIDENCE SEBRING RESIDENCE LaBIANCA RESIDENCE EL COYOTE CAFE SPAHN MOVIE RANCH HALL OF JUSTICE HAWTHRONE SHOOTOUT