View Community Listings

Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal or the South Land, is an informal name for the megalopolis and nearby desert that occupies the southernmost quarter of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people, and is the nation’s second most populated region, behind only the BosWash Region in the Eastern United States. Counties usually associated with Southern California are Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, and in some cases Santa Barbara. There are no clear, exact boundaries for this area; instead, residents rely on physical features to establish the boundary. On the west is the Pacific Ocean; to the south is the international border between the United States and Mexico; to the east are the Mojave and Colorado Deserts and the Colorado River at the state’s border with Arizona and Nevada. To the north is the Tehachapi Mountain range, located about 70 miles north of Los Angeles, which separates the region from the rest of the state. Adding to the confusion over the northern border is the issue of just how many sections California is actually to be broken up into. For those supporting only two divisions, North and South, the border would shift a bit more northward. Yet for those supporting three sections, which would include a center section known as Central California, the border tends to get shifted a bit more southward.

Of Interest

Local News from San Diego Union-Tribune via Yahoo! News

Pride parade focuses celebration on same-sex marriage

Jul 20, 2008 1:11 am

All the familiar trappings, the flamboyant and the tongue-and-cheek, were there.

Sanders calls on SEDC boss to resign

Jul 19, 2008 1:11 pm

Mayor Jerry Sanders demanded the resignation of Southeastern Economic Development Corp. President Carolyn Smith yesterday, the day her agency revealed it had paid its 15 employees more than $1 million...

Farmers markets have growing appeal

Jul 19, 2008 1:11 pm

After some free sampling, Chula Vista resident Jennifer Holt purchased garlicky hummus and pita bread on her first visit to the farmers market in the Otay Ranch Town Center.

Nonprofit housing deal gets approval

Jul 19, 2008 1:11 pm

National City has agreed to work with a nonprofit San Ysidro social services agency on a $3 million plan to buy, rehabilitate and manage two small housing complexes for low-income residents.

Grantville group opposes proposal

Jul 19, 2008 1:11 pm

A vocal contingent of Grantville businessmen and residents has long opposed the city's decision to turn its community into a redevelopment area.

Diverse builders compete

Jul 18, 2008 1:12 pm

The two developers vying to rebuild San Diego's dilapidated City Hall are set to submit proposals today for an overhaul of the four-block Civic Center complex. What's at stake is millions of dollars t...

Critics say Barona grants are misused

Jul 18, 2008 1:11 pm

The Barona Band of Mission Indians has made state elected officials a generous offer. The tribe will contribute $5,000 to any public or private school a legislator selects in his or her district.

$1 surcharge OK'd to help cabbies cope with rising gas prices

Jul 18, 2008 1:11 pm

San Diego-area transit officials yesterday placed a $1 surcharge on taxi trips to help drivers cover their rising gas costs.

Body found in Sierra identified as S.D. hiker

Jul 18, 2008 1:11 pm

A man's body found in a remote section of the eastern Sierra Nevada on Wednesday was identified as missing hiker Ric DeVan, 44, of San Diego, his father said yesterday.

News from the Orange County Register

News from the Orange County Register

See more articles

New search

To view related LOCATIONS, choose from the list below:

• California
• Northern California
• Central Coast and Valley - California

To change LIFESTYLE, choose from the list below:

• All Communities
• Golf
• RV
• Luxury Living
• Manufactured Home Communities

Top 19 most popular retirement CITIES in Southern California:

• APPLE VALLEY
• BLYTHE
• CATHEDRAL CITY
• CORONA
• DESERT HOT SPRINGS
• EL CAJON
• ENCINITAS
• HEMET
• INDIAN WELLS
• LA QUINTA
• LOS OSOS
• RANCHO MIRAGE
• RIALTO
• RIVERSIDE
• SAN LUIS OBISPO
• SANTEE
• SPRING VALLEY
• SUN CITY
• SYLMAR

View entire city directory for Southern California