This paper presents several approaches to the use of radar imagery for land use classification of urban and near-urban areas. The use of L(HH) (L band, horizontal transmit and horizontal receive) data is emphasized because it is these types of data obtained by Seasat-A (and in November 1981 by Shuttle radar) which are most generally available. For urban area studies using imaging radar the effect of processing in an off-zero doppler (‘squint’) mode, the presence of large diffuse scatters and the possibility of height measurements are discussed. Each approach provides information and also requires supporting ground truth which are unique to radar remote sensing. For some areas the coupling of data from the microwave portion of the spectrum to the data available in the visible and near visible realms may improve the classification of urban and near-urban land use. However, the radar data are not without their own limitations which may be imposed by either the system or the nature of the imaged scene. A proper knowledge of these limitations can permit us to turn a perceived defect into a decided advantage. The metropolitan area of Los Angeles provides the geographic background for this study.