Los Angeles expanded rapidly in the 20th century to include many independent cities. There are more than three million people living within a 1200 kilometre area. Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States. The Los Angeles region has a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from many beaches and miles of shoreline, to the moderately high Santa Monica Mountains, and even higher San Gabriel Mountains, which often receive a lot of snow. One of the best things about Los Angeles is its mild climate, although there are some occasional periods of severe weather.
Winters are relatively warm and summers have almost no rain at all.
With an average temperature of about 18 Celsius, people who like to go to the beach and surf, or in-line skate along the boardwalk at Venice Beach can be outside all year long. Los Angeles is famous for its attractions including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles Zoo, Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland.