Los Angeles is a county in Southern California.
Los Angeles ( [ lɒs_ˈændʒəlᵻs ] , Spanish for `` The Angels '' ; [ los ˈaŋxeles ] ) , officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L.A. , is the cultural , financial , and commercial center of Southern California . Southern California . The region is traditionally described as eight counties , based on demographics and economic ties : Imperial , Los Angeles , Orange , Riverside , San Bernardino , San Diego , Santa Barbara , and Ventura .