Regions

Divisions Salton Sea in the Coachella Valley. The Oceanside Pier on the San Diego County coast.

Southern California is divided culturally, politically, and economically into distinctive regions, each containing its own culture and atmosphere anchored usually by a city with both national and sometimes global recognition which are often the hub of economic activity for its respective region and being home to many tourist destinations. Each region is further divided into many culturally distinct areas, but as a whole combine to create the southern California atmosphere.

Coastal southern California southern Central Coast Southern Portion of Santa Barbara County Ventura County Oxnard Plain Los Angeles Basin Orange County San Diego County Inland Southern California Imperial Valley Inland Empire San Bernardino County High Desert (Section)* Morongo Basin* San Bernardino Valley Riverside County Coachella Valley* Low Desert (Section)* Deserts of California High Desert* Antelope Valley Morongo Basin* eastern Kern County Low Desert* Coachella Valley* Lower Colorado River Valley Imperial County Imperial Valley Palo Verde Valley

*Part of multiple regions