So, How Big is Los Angeles? Asking for a Friend (Probably Godzilla)
Ever looked at a map of Los Angeles and thought, "Dang, that sprawl is epic. I wonder how many squirrels it takes to staff all those Starbucks?" Well, my friend, you've stumbled upon a question that's both geographically relevant and philosophically mind-bending. Buckle up, because we're diving into the square footage of the City of Angels (and questionable burritos).
The City of Angels by the Numbers (and a Whole Lot of Square Footage)
Los Angeles itself, the shiny heart thrumming within the sprawl, clocks in at a respectable 469 square miles. That's a lot of land, folks. Like, enough room to fit 1.2 MILLION football fields. Imagine the halftime shows! Or, if you're feeling less sporty, it's roughly the size of San Francisco... times ten. Yeah, it's big.
But wait, there's more! Los Angeles County, the larger entity that cradles the city and its many quirky neighbors, sprawls across a whopping 4,070 square miles. That's enough space to house Rhode Island with room leftover for a very large In-N-Out.
Is That All? Is Los Angeles Trying to Swallow the Entire State?
Hold your horses (or should we say, avocados?). There's a whole category of "Greater Los Angeles" that encompasses a five-county area. We're talking Los Angeles, Orange County (homeland of Disneyland!), Ventura County (where surfers catch epic waves), and a couple of others. This mega-region stretches across a mind-boggling 33,954 square miles. At that size, it could comfortably fit the entire state of Vermont with plenty of space for a Hollywood movie set or two.
So, How Many Square Feet is Los Angeles? It Depends
Here's the truth bomb: depending on which "Los Angeles" you're talking about, the answer varies wildly. The city itself is a manageable 469 square miles, but the greater metropolitan area is a sprawling giant.
So, the next time you're planning a trip to LA (or should we say, Greater LA-s Angeles?), remember: this city (or should we say, collection of cities) is vast. Just pack your walking shoes (or rent a really good scooter), because there's a lot to see!