Southern California

Southern California is separated from the rest of the state by the east-west trending Transverse Ranges, which separate the Central Valley from the Mojave Desert. In contrast with the vast western urban areas that include San Diego, Santa Barbara, and sprawling Los Angeles, the east is dominated by two vast deserts, the Mojave, and the Colorado Desert. The fun, mythology, and youthful lifestyle are found mostly on the coastal areas, famous for the great beaches, surfing, and year-round balmy weather. While some parts of the desert receive less than 6 inches of rain a year, other areas can display spectacular spring wildflower bloom when the conditions are right.