Insect and Spider Identification: CLOSED: Need help to ID a brown spider, 1 by alexg427

alexg427 wrote:
Hello.

I found this big spider weaving a large web which started from the top part of the hedges connecting to the edges of the roof. Spider description: the body without the head part must be at least 3/4 inches with brown color, with legs, spider is at least 1 1/2 inch in diameter, or a bit bigger. You can judge the size of the spider when you see it in the 8 oz glass jar. The legs are long especially the front ones. The abdomen has a special black mark - it looks like a cross or diamond shape. You can see that on the picture. I live in Hollywood (Los Angeles) California. Does anybody has an idea what kind of spider is this, and if this spider is a bad one, or harmless?