20 Amazing Facts about Los Angeles
1. What’s in the name?
The city popularly known as LA or Los Angeles was initially called ‘El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles del Rio Porciuncula’. This literally means ‘The town of our lady Queen of the Angels of the Porciuncula River’. It was named thus by its initial inhabitants.
2. Pouring cats and dogs
In April 1926 a gauge in San Gabriel collected almost one inch of rain in less than a minute. In February 1978 there was almost a foot of rainfall within a day. When it rains in Los Angeles it isn’t a mere drizzle, it pours! Most of the rain in LA occurs during early to mid-spring and during the winter season. On average February is the wettest month while heavy rains are common during November.
3. Cars>People
Los Angeles is one of the busiest cities in the world and it has more cars than it has people. The city is filled with car and automobile crazy people and it is said that the city has more vehicles than humans. In the urban region, there are about 6,433,00 cars in LA.
4. The iconic Hollywood sign
The exemplary Hollywood sign was actually called ‘Hollywoodland’. In the year 1923, it was put up there as an advertisement for a real estate development plot of that name. The poles that hold the sign were back then taken there by mules. The whole project cost about $21,000 back then, which is a huge amount. It was intended to be kept there only for a year and a half. Now it stands there, illuminated as a tribute to movies and monumental works of Hollywood and American cinema.
5. F.r.i.e.n.d.s. Indeed
The show friends ended almost a decade ago but it is still a huge part of the life of all the teens and adults out there. Here is a must-visit for all the ‘Friends’ fans out there! There is an exact replica of Central Perk as it was in the iconic show ‘Friends’. The cafe is at Warner bros studio and it serves coffee and treats too. So if you are in the city, book a tour and make sure you go there.
6.Tumbling down the way
We know that San Francisco has the most crooked street but here in LA, we have the steepest street in all of California! Eldred Street in Highland Park has an elevation grade of almost 33% so drivers better beware. The street was built back in 1912. The street also has steps for pedestrians to use which leads to a beautiful view of San Gabriels and Mount Baldy.
7. A job for the goats
For all those who thought goats have no ‘jobs’ per se, YOU’RE WRONG! Don't be surprised to witness a scene of pastoral grazing if you are visiting the museum during the spring months. Every year goats are hired by the Getty Museum in LA during the spring season to keep their lawns and grounds well maintained. Almost 60 goats are hired with their shepherd and two dogs as well so you see these goats chewing their way through the day. Using goats to level the lawn also helps saves energy and reduce waste. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!
8. Why is the film industry in LA?
The people of the industry wanted to get as far away from Thomas Edison as possible! Edison lived in New Jersey and held most of the country’s film patents. The filmmakers wanted to go as far west as possible to host onto their intellectual property rights.
9. Dogs and humans allowed into bars!
Imagine a day where you struggle to choose between going out for a drink and snuggling at home with your doggo. No worries, LA’s got you covered! You get the best of both worlds in a good amount of bars in LA where you can get your dog while you grab a drink. Drinking with your friends is fun but drinking with your dog is amazing. Few dog-friendly bars are The blue dog beer tavern, golden road brewing and big bar.
10. Money, money, economy
Los Angeles has one of the most flourishing and successful economies anywhere in the world. If it were a country of its own it would definitely have an economy bigger than Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Sweden, to name a few!
11. Dolby Theatre
The Dolby Theatre was also known as the Kodak Theatre is a live-performance auditorium in LA. Along with hosting the annual academy awards, it also plays host to various events like Victoria’s Secret fashion show, American Idol finals, and the Daytime Emmys as well!
12. Wooden Lighthouse
Los Angeles is home to the only remaining wooden lighthouse in the entire state. It is located in San Pedro’s Fermin Park. This Victorian-style lighthouse is located in a beautiful garden and it was initially used as a navigating point at San Pedro’s bay.
13. Ice age remains
The La Brea Tar Pits in LA is the site with the most diverse and the largest number of fossils and remains from the ice age in the whole world. The cite contained remains of a mammoth named Zed, giant sloths, sabertooth cats, and American lions
14. Quite a grave
Hollywood’s forever cemetery has tons of iconic and legendary stars buried there. One of them is Mel Blanc who is the voice behind the Loony Toons show which is a part of the childhood of people all over the world. His grave says ‘That’s all folks’.
15. Huntington library
The Huntington Library is one of the biggest libraries with one of the richest research collections in the world, not to forget its beautiful rose gardens! There are nearly 30 different movies and television shows that shot at this magnificent location in LA.
16. Olympics once again
Los Angeles is the only city in the whole of Northern America to have hosted the Olympics for a second time!
17. Green green zoo
The Los Angeles zoo along with being a home to numerous species of animals is also home to a substantive botanical garden with a widespread collection of native and rare plant species.
18. So many people!!!
Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the US after New York City and it is also the third most populous city in all of North America. Los Angeles has approximately a population of four million people living there and it is the largest city in California in California.
19.Ferris wheel
The only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the whole world is located in Los Angeles. It is the pacific wheel at the pacific park. The Ferris wheel gives people a panoramic view from the height of about 130 feet. The wheel measures 85 feet and spins at a speed of 2.5 revolutions per minute with occasional stops too. It is operated by 660 solar panels. So it is fun and eco-friendly at the same time!
20. Oil production
Los Angeles has the third-largest oil field in the country. In the year 1923, it almost accounted for 1/4th of the oil production in the entire world. Thousands of active oil wells of the country are currently located in this densely populated city. The oil wells of LA play a major role in the emergence of Los Angeles as an eminent power in history.
Los Angeles has an elegant history as well as a glorious present and every time you walk past a building or park it definitely has a story to tell. A holiday or a business trip to LA is something an individual of any age would enjoy, Los Angeles definitely has something for everyone. So pack your bags and book your flights to Los Angeles for your next vacation.