Southern California's Coast from the Air

Since we flew north from Long Beach in March instead of heading east like we usually do, I got a good look at the coastline.

Note how close the mountains are to the Pacific Coast.

I find it remarkable that so many people live in Southern California. The region is the second most populous section of the US (behind the Northeastern seaboard region).  Yet large parts of Southern California seem barely suited to human habitation, for they are subject to earthquakes, wild fires, and flooding. Yet people flock there.