Built on the basin of a coastal desert, the City of Los Angeles is largely surrounded by mountains. From the Verdugo Hills to the ridges of the Santa Monica down to the coast of Malibu, the skyline of Los Angeles and the surrounding communities includes more than just buildings. The hills around such famous areas as Hollywood, Beverly Hills, the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Malibu create both beauty and problems. The hills provide a wonderful backdrop to the area while at the same time trapping the smog that L.A. has become notorious for.
So with this blend of mountains, desert and seashore, Southern California enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Combined with little rain and lots of sunshine, the area has been a mecca for settlers and natives peoples for thousands of years. The city of Los Angeles is home to almost 4 million people while the population of the surrounding metropolitan area has grown to over 17 million.
Los Angeles has an extraordinary history unlike any city in the world. Not always known as a skyscraper kind of town, Los Angeles has evolved into a showcase of modern architecture. Both the area around downtown and Century City feature some of the country’s most striking and beautiful high rise buildings.
Like most areas of the West Coast, Southern California is prone to earthquakes so the building of high rise structures would seem counter intuitive. Thanks to modern, state of the art architectural designs, the construction of high rise buildings has increased sharply over the last decade. Immense structures such as the Bonaventure, Library Tower and Fox Center have elevated the Los Angeles skyline beyond what many people thought was possible.
From the shores of Malibu to the cliffs of Palos Verde, the ocean is a natural attraction for visitors and residents alike. Seaside panoramas of the Malibu coastline detail the natural and rugged beauty of this coastal landmark. Home to Hollywood stars and celebrities, Malibu is the place to see and be seen.