The City of Angels covers an area of more than 498 square miles and holds the distinctions of being the largest city in the state of California and the only major U.S. city divided by a range of mountains. The Pacific Ocean, Angeles National Forest, and the Mojave Desert are all within an hour or so drive of city proper.

Los Angeles has many fabulous gourmet restaurants. But if you've recently moved into a nearly new home there and you don't want to splash out too much, you can also get delicious food from the superb farmers' market at Third and Fairfax. This Los Angeles institute is famous for its traditional dishes.