Los Angeles and famous cities with a Spanish name

The La La Land actually got its name from a Spanish Origin. First explored by a Portuguese team, Los Angeles did not accommodate people until Gaspar de Portola established a Spanish outpost in the area. As it grew larger, a group of Mexican settlers of European, African and Native American descent established a farming village on the banks of the Rio Porciuncula. The settlement was later officially named “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula,” or “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porciuncula.” Therefore, Los Angeles means “The Angels” literally.

In addition to Los Angeles, there are also numerous famous cities in California that got their name associated with Spanish. “Escondido” means “Hidden.” Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, and Laguna Woods, all located in Orange County, got the first part of their name from the Spanish word for “Lagoon.” Not sure if you watched Lady Bird, but Sacramento per se does mean “Sacrament” in Spanish. Two other famous examples would be San Francisco and San Diego, named after two saints. 

Las Vegas, NV, got its name from “The Meadows.” El Paso, TX, also means “The Passage” in Spanish.

There is also a city in California called “Corona,” which means “Crown” in Spanish. One wonders how the people are feeling this couple months.