The Burning Question (Besides "Did We Just Order Delivery Again?): How Wide is Los Angeles?
Ah, Los Angeles. City of Angels, smog chandeliers, and the never-ending quest for the perfect brunch spot. But beyond the Hollywood glitz and palm tree vistas, there's a question that plagues the minds of geographers, urban planners, and anyone who's ever gotten lost trying to find a friend's apartment: just how wide is this sprawling metropolis?
Fear not, intrepid explorer! We're here to delve into the fascinating (or perhaps terrifying) world of Los Angeles's dimensions. Buckle up, because this isn't your average "wide ruler under a textbook" situation.
Dodging the "Depends What You Mean by 'Wide'" Trap
Los Angeles, like a master of disguise, can morph its size depending on who you ask. The city limits themselves stretch a cool 29 miles (47 kilometers) east to west. That's like playing a never-ending game of "I Spy" from the beach all the way to Dodger Stadium (well, maybe not quite that far east, but you get the idea).
But hold on to your surfboards, because here's where things get interesting. Los Angeles is like a big, beautiful amoeba, constantly amoeba-ing its way outwards. There's the greater Los Angeles area, which encompasses neighboring cities and suburbs. This sprawling beast can reach widths of over 80 miles (129 kilometers)! That's wider than the entire state of Rhode Island, folks. Basically, you could fit two Rhode Islands in there, with room leftover for a few In-N-Outs.
So, How Wide Are We Talking Here?
Here's the truth: Los Angeles's width is a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure situation. It depends on whether you're talking strictly city limits, venturing into the greater sprawl, or if you just include that guy's cousin's house in Burbank who insists he basically lives in LA (we see you, Steve).
But hey, that's the beauty of LA, right? It's a city that defies definition, a place where freeways become parking lots and tacos are a valid breakfast option. So next time you're stuck in traffic (because let's be honest, you will be), you can ponder the great existential question: am I crawling through a city, a region, or a state of mind?
The answer, my friend, is likely all three.
