I guess it is okay to say "the OC" now... (San Diego: 2014, places to live)

[DewDropInn]

Originally Posted by matzoman

Example, Drive from Norwalk (LA County) to Anaheim (OC) what is the difference?

VERY easy to tell.

When you are driving north on the 5 the fake mountain with the painted snow on top is on your left.

When you are driving south on the 5 the fake mountain with the painted snow on top is on your right.

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by Harrier

@ matzo - To an outsider it may be all considered metro Los Angeles but we originally got on this topic because you stated as a "matter of fact" that Orange County was a suburb of LA. I counered this by citing the cultural, geographical, and historical differences - and the identity that people feel with these two distinct areas. Sure a first time visitor won't understand these intricacies, however it seemed that you were stating that OC was a suburb of LA without viewing it through the lens of a visitor. You say that OC is a suburb because the demarcation lines have been blurred and I suppose that makes all smaller cities or areas "suburbs" of the big town. By that logic - WASHINGTON D.C. and BOSTON are suburbs of NEW YORK CITY! Northeast megalopolis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Good point. For those familiar with the East Coast, would you say Baltimore is a suburb of Washington or Washington is a suburb of Baltimore? (Even tho they are 40 miles apart, I'd say neither is a suburb of the other.)

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by Harrier

Ok matzo - i think we are on the same page and bowneline said it very well. Los Angeles and OC combine to form a metro area but OC is not a suburb. You posted above that you don't consider OC a suburb - and I'm glad you clarified that because according to the above quote. it sounded like you did consider it a suburb. That was in response to O'l Wanderer saying "no wonder people consider OC a suburb of LA".

Anyways I understand, and you are absolutely right. Outside LA Metro area - people consider everything part of LA. This likely includes Apple Valley - which I would consider blasphemy if an area resident said so!

...And then there is "Southern CA"... Is San Diego part of Southern CA, or just the LA metro?

[dtran103]

LA is simply too economically weak to be considered the center of southern california. It's the most famous and oldest city, so Metro "LA" is apt. But I don't think even any of the cities even in LA county could be considered one of it's suburbs. It's just simply not an important destination for many in soCal.

More people travel from LA to OC for work than OC-ers travel to LA, as reported in a 2009 survey. Economically, it's healthier than LA.

I can understand if outsiders think it's a suburb of LA, because they think it's like NYC's central role like over on the east coast. They think all of socal is LA. They have no idea just how big it is.

[Fontucky]

The main cultural difference between Los Angeles and OC: OC has left turn arrows/lanes.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by dtran103

LA is simply too economically weak to be considered the center of southern california. It's the most famous and oldest city, so Metro "LA" is apt. But I don't think even any of the cities even in LA county could be considered one of it's suburbs. It's just simply not an important destination for many in soCal.

More people travel from LA to OC for work than OC-ers travel to LA, as reported in a 2009 survey. Economically, it's healthier than LA.

I can understand if outsiders think it's a suburb of LA, because they think it's like NYC's central role like over on the east coast. They think all of socal is LA. They have no idea just how big it is.

LA is the largest city in the region and the county seat. That ensures its prominence.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

...And then there is "Southern CA"... Is San Diego part of Southern CA, or just the LA metro?

I would consider San Diego part of Southern california. This is purely in a geographical sense - it is in the southern portion of the state. A huge debate rages over where the line dividing northern and southern california is, but San Diego is securely in souther california (or perhaps it is in northern Mexico).

Southern California as an idea conjures up Los Angeles and Orange County in the minds of outsiders, i think. They would simply think of San Diego as a separate entity outside the LA-centric view of Southern california. To these people it would not register if you said you went to southern california but did not go to the beach. Barstow counts as SC to me but not to an outsider.

[SoCalBadBoy22]

Well...

i KNOW you all say... take THE 405 to THE 55 west... I know I do...

so what's the big deal about saying THEE OC?

not that I do, I just don't understand the fuss.

[bradleyyo]

Originally Posted by Harrier

I would consider San Diego part of Southern california. This is purely in a geographical sense - it is in the southern portion of the state. A huge debate rages over where the line dividing northern and southern california is, but San Diego is securely in souther california (or perhaps it is in northern Mexico).

Southern California as an idea conjures up Los Angeles and Orange County in the minds of outsiders, i think. They would simply think of San Diego as a separate entity outside the LA-centric view of Southern california. To these people it would not register if you said you went to southern california but did not go to the beach. Barstow counts as SC to me but not to an outsider.

San Diego is not Northern MexicoBut yes, I think LA, SD, OC, and up to Santa Barbara would be Southern California. at least in my opinion.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by bradleyyo

San Diego is not Northern Mexico.

I hope you realize I said that "tongue -in-cheeck".

!