Southern California is a vast and diverse region encompassing eight metropolitan areas, including some of the largest urban centers in the United States. The Greater Los Angeles Combined Statistical Area (CSA), with over 18 million residents, is the second-largest in the country, following the New York CSA.

Metropolitan Areas of Southern California

The region's largest metropolitan areas include:

• Los Angeles Metro Area (Los Angeles & Orange counties) – 13.3 million people
• Inland Empire (Riverside & San Bernardino counties) – 4.3 million people
• San Diego Metro Area – 3.3 million people
• Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura Metro Area – 0.8 million people
• Bakersfield Metro Area – 0.9 million people
• Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and El Centro (Imperial County) Metro Areas

Southern California is also part of the larger Southern California Megaregion, which extends into Las Vegas, Nevada, and across the U.S.-Mexico border into Tijuana.

Economic and Cultural Significance

Southern California is a global powerhouse in entertainment, sports, and action sports culture:

• Hollywood, located in Los Angeles, is the heart of the motion picture industry. Major entertainment companies, including Disney, Sony Pictures, Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount, and MGM, are headquartered here.
• The region is a hotspot for music and television, with leading record labels and TV networks such as ABC and Fox Sports Net based in SoCal.
• A strong surf and skateboard culture thrives here, with brands like Vans, Volcom, Quiksilver, No Fear, Stüssy, and RVCA headquartered in the region. Legendary athletes like Tony Hawk (skateboarding) and Rob Machado (surfing) call Southern California home.

Outdoor Recreation and Sports

Southern California is known for its world-famous beaches, ski resorts, and sports culture:

• Surfing hotspots include Trestles, Huntington Beach, Malibu, and Rincon, hosting major events like the U.S. Open of Surfing.
• Yachting is a major sport, with events like the Transpacific Yacht Race (Transpac) and America’s Cup races in San Diego.
• Triathlon culture originated in San Diego, which remains a global center for multi-sport competitions.
• Mountain resorts, including Big Bear Lake, Snow Summit, and Lake Arrowhead, attract skiers and snowboarders.
• Desert getaways like Palm Springs are popular destinations for relaxation and tourism.

Southern California’s blend of metropolitan cities, thriving industries, outdoor adventures, and cultural influence makes it one of the most dynamic and sought-after regions in the United States.