Chapter 2: Physical Features of the United States and Canada

The county of Los Angeles is made up of various distinct landscapes, of which the valleys, mountains, and coastal areas are the most distinguished.

Mountains

The Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains, which make up the Angeles National Forest, are Los Angeles' major mountain ranges. The Angeles National Forest was established on December 20, 1982 and span an area of over 650,000 acres. The elevation ranges from 1,200 ft. - 10,064 ft. with Mount San Antonio, (Mt. Baldy), being its highest peak. The Angeles National Forest contains 10 lakes and reservoirs, and 240 miles of rivers and streams. As it is located just north of the metropolitan area, it is an important get away for Los Angeles city dwellers as it offers various camping grounds and skiing locations in the winter when its surface is covered in snow.

Coastal Area

The County of Los Angeles has 70 miles of coast line and approximately 20 public beaches. Among the most popular beaches are Venice and Santa Monica.


Venice Beach and Santa Monica beach are two of the most popular and visited in Los Angeles. Santa Monica spans across a 3.5 mile stretch and offers 340 days of sunshine throughout the year. The Santa Monica pier offers tourist and locals various forms of entertainment with Pacific Park and its ferris whell, carousel, aquarium, and other attractions. Temperatures in Santa Monica range from mid 60's to low 70's in the winter and 80's in the summer months. Just a few miles south is Venice Beach. Tourists and locals are drawn to venice not only for the ocean, but also by the many attractions, such as street performers, and shops that line Ocean Front Walk.


Valleys

Another physical feature in Los Angeles is the valley. Los Angeles contains the San Fernando Valley and parts of the Antelope Valley. San Fernando spans across an area of 345 square miles and is bound by the Santa Susana Mountains to the north west, the Simi Hills to the west, Santa Monica Mountains to the south, Verdugo mountains to the east, and the San Gabriel Mountains to the north east. The Valley is characterised with having much higher temperatures during the summer months, and can have more rainfall than the coastal and mountainous regions.