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Cities in California

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the cities and towns of California! From the stunning coastline to the majestic mountains, California is a diverse state with a plethora of vibrant communities. In this page, you will find a wealth of information about the cities in California, including their populations, notable features, and a handy map to help you navigate through the Golden State.

California is home to a multitude of cities, ranging from small towns to bustling metropolises. With a population of over 39 million people, it is the most populous state in the United States. From iconic cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco to charming towns nestled in the wine country, each city in California has its own unique character and attractions.

California State Flag
California State Flag

Los Angeles, the largest city in California and the second-largest in the United States, is renowned for its entertainment industry, stunning beaches, and cultural diversity. San Francisco, with its iconic Golden Gate Bridge and vibrant neighborhoods, offers a mix of history, innovation, and natural beauty. San Diego, located along the southern coast, boasts beautiful beaches, a laid-back atmosphere, and a thriving craft beer scene.

Beyond the major cities, California is dotted with charming towns and communities that offer a slower pace of life and a closer connection to nature. From the picturesque coastal towns of Carmel and Santa Barbara to the mountain retreats of Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes, there is something for everyone in the diverse landscape of California.

List of Cities and Towns in California

(Sortable Table)

NameTitleCountyPopulation (2020)
AdelantoCitySan Bernardino38,046
Agoura HillsCityLos Angeles20,299
AlamedaCityAlameda78,280
AlbanyCityAlameda20,271
AlhambraCityLos Angeles82,868
Aliso ViejoCityOrange52,176
Alturas County seatCityModoc2,715
Amador CityCityAmador200
American CanyonCityNapa21,837
AnaheimCityOrange346,824
AndersonCityShasta11,323
Angels CampCityCalaveras3,667
AntiochCityContra Costa115,291
Apple ValleyTownSan Bernardino75,791
ArcadiaCityLos Angeles56,681
ArcataCityHumboldt18,857
Arroyo GrandeCitySan Luis Obispo18,441
ArtesiaCityLos Angeles16,395
ArvinCityKern19,495
AtascaderoCitySan Luis Obispo29,773
AthertonTownSan Mateo7,188
AtwaterCityMerced31,970
Auburn County seatCityPlacer13,776
AvalonCityLos Angeles3,460
AvenalCityKings13,696
AzusaCityLos Angeles50,000
Bakersfield County seatCityKern403,455
Baldwin ParkCityLos Angeles72,176
BanningCityRiverside29,505
BarstowCitySan Bernardino25,415
BeaumontCityRiverside53,036
BellCityLos Angeles33,559
Bell GardensCityLos Angeles39,501
BellflowerCityLos Angeles79,190
BelmontCitySan Mateo28,335
BelvedereCityMarin2,126
BeniciaCitySolano27,131
BerkeleyCityAlameda124,321
Beverly HillsCityLos Angeles32,701
Big Bear LakeCitySan Bernardino5,046
BiggsCityButte1,964
BishopCityInyo3,819
Blue LakeCityHumboldt1,208
BlytheCityRiverside18,317
BradburyCityLos Angeles921
BrawleyCityImperial26,416
BreaCityOrange47,325
BrentwoodCityContra Costa64,292
BrisbaneCitySan Mateo4,851
BuelltonCitySanta Barbara5,161
Buena ParkCityOrange84,034
BurbankCityLos Angeles107,337
BurlingameCitySan Mateo31,386
CalabasasCityLos Angeles23,241
CalexicoCityImperial38,633
California CityCityKern14,973
CalimesaCityRiverside10,026
CalipatriaCityImperial6,515
CalistogaCityNapa5,228
CamarilloCityVentura70,741
CampbellCitySanta Clara43,959
Canyon LakeCityRiverside11,082
CapitolaCitySanta Cruz9,938
CarlsbadCitySan Diego114,746
Carmel-by-the-SeaCityMonterey3,220
CarpinteriaCitySanta Barbara13,264
CarsonCityLos Angeles95,558
Cathedral CityCityRiverside51,493
CeresCityStanislaus49,302
CerritosCityLos Angeles49,578
ChicoCityButte101,475
ChinoCitySan Bernardino91,403
Chino HillsCitySan Bernardino78,411
ChowchillaCityMadera19,039
Chula VistaCitySan Diego275,487
Citrus HeightsCitySacramento87,583
ClaremontCityLos Angeles37,266
ClaytonCityContra Costa11,070
ClearlakeCityLake16,685
CloverdaleCitySonoma8,996
ClovisCityFresno120,124
CoachellaCityRiverside41,941
CoalingaCityFresno17,590
ColfaxCityPlacer1,995
ColmaTownSan Mateo1,507
ColtonCitySan Bernardino53,909
Colusa County seatCityColusa6,411
CommerceCityLos Angeles12,378
ComptonCityLos Angeles95,740
ConcordCityContra Costa125,410
CorcoranCityKings22,339
CorningCityTehama8,244
CoronaCityRiverside157,136
CoronadoCitySan Diego20,192
Corte MaderaTownMarin10,222
Costa MesaCityOrange111,918
CotatiCitySonoma7,584
CovinaCityLos Angeles51,268
Crescent City County seatCityDel Norte6,673
CudahyCityLos Angeles22,811
Culver CityCityLos Angeles40,779
CupertinoCitySanta Clara60,381
CypressCityOrange50,151
Daly CityCitySan Mateo104,901
Dana PointCityOrange33,107
DanvilleTownContra Costa43,582
DavisCityYolo66,850
Del MarCitySan Diego3,954
Del Rey OaksCityMonterey1,592
DelanoCityKern51,428
Desert Hot SpringsCityRiverside32,512
Diamond BarCityLos Angeles55,072
DinubaCityTulare24,563
DixonCitySolano18,988
DorrisCitySiskiyou860
Dos PalosCityMerced5,798
DowneyCityLos Angeles114,355
DuarteCityLos Angeles21,727
DublinCityAlameda72,589
DunsmuirCitySiskiyou1,707
East Palo AltoCitySan Mateo30,034
EastvaleCityRiverside [11]69,757
El CajonCitySan Diego106,215
El Centro County seatCityImperial44,322
El CerritoCityContra Costa25,962
El MonteCityLos Angeles109,450
El SegundoCityLos Angeles17,272
Elk GroveCitySacramento176,124
EmeryvilleCityAlameda12,905
EncinitasCitySan Diego62,007
EscalonCitySan Joaquin7,472
EscondidoCitySan Diego151,038
EtnaCitySiskiyou678
Eureka County seatCityHumboldt26,512
ExeterCityTulare10,321
FairfaxTownMarin7,605
Fairfield County seatCitySolano119,881
FarmersvilleCityTulare10,397
FerndaleCityHumboldt1,398
FillmoreCityVentura16,419
FirebaughCityFresno8,096
FolsomCitySacramento80,454
FontanaCitySan Bernardino208,393
Fort BraggCityMendocino6,983
Fort JonesCitySiskiyou695
FortunaCityHumboldt12,516
Foster CityCitySan Mateo33,805
Fountain ValleyCityOrange57,047
FowlerCityFresno6,700
FremontCityAlameda230,504
Fresno County seatCityFresno542,107
FullertonCityOrange143,617
GaltCitySacramento25,383
Garden GroveCityOrange171,949
GardenaCityLos Angeles61,027
GilroyCitySanta Clara59,520
GlendaleCityLos Angeles196,543
GlendoraCityLos Angeles52,558
GoletaCitySanta Barbara32,690
GonzalesCityMonterey8,647
Grand TerraceCitySan Bernardino13,150
Grass ValleyCityNevada14,016
GreenfieldCityMonterey18,937
GridleyCityButte7,421
Grover BeachCitySan Luis Obispo12,701
GuadalupeCitySanta Barbara8,057
GustineCityMerced6,110
Half Moon BayCitySan Mateo11,795
Hanford County seatCityKings57,990
Hawaiian GardensCityLos Angeles14,149
HawthorneCityLos Angeles88,083
HaywardCityAlameda162,954
HealdsburgCitySonoma11,340
HemetCityRiverside89,833
HerculesCityContra Costa26,016
Hermosa BeachCityLos Angeles19,728
HesperiaCitySan Bernardino99,818
Hidden HillsCityLos Angeles1,725
HighlandCitySan Bernardino56,999
HillsboroughTownSan Mateo11,387
Hollister County seatCitySan Benito41,678
HoltvilleCityImperial5,605
HughsonCityStanislaus7,481
Huntington BeachCityOrange198,711
Huntington ParkCityLos Angeles54,883
HuronCityFresno6,206
ImperialCityImperial20,263
Imperial BeachCitySan Diego26,137
Indian WellsCityRiverside4,757
IndioCityRiverside89,137
City of IndustryCityLos Angeles264
InglewoodCityLos Angeles107,762
IoneCityAmador5,141
IrvineCityOrange307,670
IrwindaleCityLos Angeles1,472
IsletonCitySacramento794
Jackson County seatCityAmador5,019
Jurupa ValleyCityRiverside [12]105,053
KermanCityFresno16,016
King CityCityMonterey13,332
KingsburgCityFresno12,380
La Cañada FlintridgeCityLos Angeles20,573
La HabraCityOrange63,097
La Habra HeightsCityLos Angeles5,682
La MesaCitySan Diego61,121
La MiradaCityLos Angeles48,008
La PalmaCityOrange15,581
La PuenteCityLos Angeles38,062
La QuintaCityRiverside37,558
La VerneCityLos Angeles31,334
LafayetteCityContra Costa25,391
Laguna BeachCityOrange23,032
Laguna HillsCityOrange31,374
Laguna NiguelCityOrange64,355
Laguna WoodsCityOrange17,644
Lake ElsinoreCityRiverside70,265
Lake ForestCityOrange85,858
Lakeport County seatCityLake5,026
LakewoodCityLos Angeles82,496
LancasterCityLos Angeles173,516
LarkspurCityMarin13,064
LathropCitySan Joaquin28,701
LawndaleCityLos Angeles31,807
Lemon GroveCitySan Diego27,627
LemooreCityKings27,038
LincolnCityPlacer49,757
LindsayCityTulare12,659
Live OakCitySutter9,106
LivermoreCityAlameda87,955
LivingstonCityMerced14,172
LodiCitySan Joaquin66,348
Loma LindaCitySan Bernardino24,791
LomitaCityLos Angeles20,921
LompocCitySanta Barbara44,444
Long BeachCityLos Angeles466,742
LoomisTownPlacer6,836
Los AlamitosCityOrange11,780
Los AltosCitySanta Clara31,625
Los Altos HillsTownSanta Clara8,489
Los Angeles County seatCityLos Angeles3,898,747
Los BanosCityMerced45,532
Los GatosTownSanta Clara33,529
LoyaltonCitySierra740
LynwoodCityLos Angeles67,265
Madera County seatCityMadera66,224
MalibuCityLos Angeles10,654
Mammoth LakesTownMono7,191
Manhattan BeachCityLos Angeles35,506
MantecaCitySan Joaquin83,498
MaricopaCityKern1,026
MarinaCityMonterey22,359
Martinez County seatCityContra Costa37,287
Marysville County seatCityYuba12,844
MaywoodCityLos Angeles25,138
McFarlandCityKern14,161
MendotaCityFresno12,595
MenifeeCityRiverside102,527
Menlo ParkCitySan Mateo33,780
Merced County seatCityMerced86,333
Mill ValleyCityMarin14,231
MillbraeCitySan Mateo23,216
MilpitasCitySanta Clara80,273
Mission ViejoCityOrange93,653
Modesto County seatCityStanislaus218,464
MonroviaCityLos Angeles37,931
MontagueCitySiskiyou1,226
MontclairCitySan Bernardino37,865
Monte SerenoCitySanta Clara3,479
MontebelloCityLos Angeles62,640
MontereyCityMonterey30,218
Monterey ParkCityLos Angeles61,096
MoorparkCityVentura36,284
MoragaTownContra Costa16,870
Moreno ValleyCityRiverside208,634
Morgan HillCitySanta Clara45,483
Morro BayCitySan Luis Obispo10,757
Mount ShastaCitySiskiyou3,223
Mountain ViewCitySanta Clara82,376
MurrietaCityRiverside110,949
Napa County seatCityNapa79,246
National CityCitySan Diego56,173
NeedlesCitySan Bernardino4,931
Nevada City County seatCityNevada3,152
NewarkCityAlameda47,529
NewmanCityStanislaus12,351
Newport BeachCityOrange85,239
NorcoCityRiverside26,316
NorwalkCityLos Angeles102,773
NovatoCityMarin53,225
OakdaleCityStanislaus23,181
Oakland County seatCityAlameda440,646
OakleyCityContra Costa43,357
OceansideCitySan Diego174,068
OjaiCityVentura7,637
OntarioCitySan Bernardino175,265
OrangeCityOrange139,911
Orange CoveCityFresno9,649
OrindaCityContra Costa19,514
OrlandCityGlenn8,298
Oroville County seatCityButte20,042
OxnardCityVentura202,063
Pacific GroveCityMonterey15,090
PacificaCitySan Mateo38,640
Palm DesertCityRiverside51,163
Palm SpringsCityRiverside44,575
PalmdaleCityLos Angeles169,450
Palo AltoCitySanta Clara68,572
Palos Verdes EstatesCityLos Angeles13,347
ParadiseTownButte4,764
ParamountCityLos Angeles53,733
ParlierCityFresno14,576
PasadenaCityLos Angeles138,699
Paso RoblesCitySan Luis Obispo31,490
PattersonCityStanislaus23,781
PerrisCityRiverside78,700
PetalumaCitySonoma59,776
Pico RiveraCityLos Angeles62,088
PiedmontCityAlameda11,270
PinoleCityContra Costa19,022
Pismo BeachCitySan Luis Obispo8,072
PittsburgCityContra Costa76,416
PlacentiaCityOrange51,824
Placerville County seatCityEl Dorado10,747
Pleasant HillCityContra Costa34,613
PleasantonCityAlameda79,871
PlymouthCityAmador1,078
Point ArenaCityMendocino460
PomonaCityLos Angeles151,713
Port HuenemeCityVentura21,954
PortervilleCityTulare62,623
PortolaCityPlumas2,100
Portola ValleyTownSan Mateo4,456
PowayCitySan Diego48,841
Rancho CordovaCitySacramento79,332
Rancho CucamongaCitySan Bernardino174,453
Rancho MirageCityRiverside16,999
Rancho Palos VerdesCityLos Angeles42,287
Rancho Santa MargaritaCityOrange47,949
Red Bluff County seatCityTehama14,710
Redding County seatCityShasta93,611
RedlandsCitySan Bernardino73,168
Redondo BeachCityLos Angeles71,576
Redwood City County seatCitySan Mateo84,292
ReedleyCityFresno25,227
RialtoCitySan Bernardino104,026
RichmondCityContra Costa116,448
RidgecrestCityKern27,959
Rio DellCityHumboldt3,379
Rio VistaCitySolano10,005
RiponCitySan Joaquin16,013
RiverbankCityStanislaus24,865
Riverside County seatCityRiverside314,998
RocklinCityPlacer71,601
Rohnert ParkCitySonoma44,390
Rolling HillsCityLos Angeles1,739
Rolling Hills EstatesCityLos Angeles8,280
RosemeadCityLos Angeles51,185
RosevilleCityPlacer147,773
RossTownMarin2,338
Sacramento Capital cityCitySacramento524,943
St. HelenaCityNapa5,430
Salinas County seatCityMonterey163,542
San AnselmoTownMarin12,830
San Bernardino County seatCitySan Bernardino222,101
San BrunoCitySan Mateo43,908
San CarlosCitySan Mateo30,722
San ClementeCityOrange64,293
San Diego County seatCitySan Diego1,386,932
San DimasCityLos Angeles34,924
San FernandoCityLos Angeles23,946
San Francisco County seatCity and countySan Francisco873,965
San GabrielCityLos Angeles39,568
San JacintoCityRiverside53,898
San JoaquinCityFresno3,701
San Jose County seatCitySanta Clara1,013,240
San Juan BautistaCitySan Benito2,089
San Juan CapistranoCityOrange35,196
San LeandroCityAlameda91,008
San Luis Obispo County seatCitySan Luis Obispo47,063
San MarcosCitySan Diego94,833
San MarinoCityLos Angeles12,513
San MateoCitySan Mateo105,661
San PabloCityContra Costa32,127
San Rafael County seatCityMarin61,271
San RamonCityContra Costa84,605
Sand CityCityMonterey325
SangerCityFresno26,617
Santa Ana County seatCityOrange310,227
Santa Barbara County seatCitySanta Barbara88,665
Santa ClaraCitySanta Clara127,647
Santa ClaritaCityLos Angeles228,673
Santa Cruz County seatCitySanta Cruz62,956
Santa Fe SpringsCityLos Angeles19,219
Santa MariaCitySanta Barbara109,707
Santa MonicaCityLos Angeles93,076
Santa PaulaCityVentura30,657
Santa Rosa County seatCitySonoma178,127
SanteeCitySan Diego60,037
SaratogaCitySanta Clara31,051
SausalitoCityMarin7,269
Scotts ValleyCitySanta Cruz12,224
Seal BeachCityOrange25,242
SeasideCityMonterey32,366
SebastopolCitySonoma7,521
SelmaCityFresno24,674
ShafterCityKern19,953
Shasta LakeCityShasta10,371
Sierra MadreCityLos Angeles11,268
Signal HillCityLos Angeles11,848
Simi ValleyCityVentura126,356
Solana BeachCitySan Diego12,941
SoledadCityMonterey24,925
SolvangCitySanta Barbara6,126
SonomaCitySonoma10,739
Sonora County seatCityTuolumne5,003
South El MonteCityLos Angeles19,567
South GateCityLos Angeles92,726
South Lake TahoeCityEl Dorado21,330
South PasadenaCityLos Angeles26,943
South San FranciscoCitySan Mateo66,105
StantonCityOrange37,962
Stockton County seatCitySan Joaquin320,804
Suisun CityCitySolano29,518
SunnyvaleCitySanta Clara155,805
Susanville County seatCityLassen16,728
Sutter CreekCityAmador2,646
TaftCityKern8,546
TehachapiCityKern12,939
TehamaCityTehama435
TemeculaCityRiverside110,003
Temple CityCityLos Angeles36,494
Thousand OaksCityVentura126,966
TiburonTownMarin9,146
TorranceCityLos Angeles147,067
TracyCitySan Joaquin93,000
TrinidadCityHumboldt307
TruckeeTownNevada16,729
TulareCityTulare68,875
TulelakeCitySiskiyou902
TurlockCityStanislaus72,740
TustinCityOrange80,276
Twentynine PalmsCitySan Bernardino28,065
Ukiah County seatCityMendocino16,607
Union CityCityAlameda70,143
UplandCitySan Bernardino79,040
VacavilleCitySolano102,386
VallejoCitySolano126,090
Ventura County seatCityVentura110,763
VernonCityLos Angeles222
VictorvilleCitySan Bernardino134,810
Villa ParkCityOrange5,843
Visalia County seatCityTulare141,384
VistaCitySan Diego98,381
WalnutCityLos Angeles28,430
Walnut CreekCityContra Costa70,127
WascoCityKern27,047
WaterfordCityStanislaus9,120
WatsonvilleCitySanta Cruz52,590
WeedCitySiskiyou2,862
West CovinaCityLos Angeles109,501
West HollywoodCityLos Angeles35,757
West SacramentoCityYolo53,915
Westlake VillageCityLos Angeles8,029
WestminsterCityOrange90,911
WestmorlandCityImperial2,014
WheatlandCityYuba3,712
WhittierCityLos Angeles87,306
WildomarCityRiverside36,875
WilliamsCityColusa5,538
WillitsCityMendocino4,988
Willows County seatCityGlenn6,293
WindsorTownSonoma26,344
WintersCityYolo7,115
WoodlakeCityTulare7,419
Woodland County seatCityYolo61,032
WoodsideTownSan Mateo5,309
Yorba LindaCityOrange68,336
YountvilleTownNapa3,436
Yreka County seatCitySiskiyou7,807
Yuba City County seatCitySutter70,117
YucaipaCitySan Bernardino54,542
Yucca ValleyTownSan Bernardino21,738

For more details go to List of municipalities in California

Cities in California Map

To assist you in planning your California adventure, we have included an interactive map showcasing the cities and towns across the state. This map allows you to visualize their geographic distribution and easily locate the destinations that pique your interest.

Cities in California Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 10 most popular cities in California?

The 10 most popular cities in California, based on population and overall recognition, are:

  1. Los Angeles
  2. San Diego
  3. San Jose
  4. San Francisco
  5. Fresno
  6. Sacramento
  7. Long Beach
  8. Oakland
  9. Bakersfield
  10. Anaheim

These cities are not only known for their size and population but also for their cultural, economic, and tourist significance within the state of California.

How many cities are in California USA?

There are 482 incorporated cities in the state of California, USA. These cities range in size, population, and characteristics, offering a diverse range of urban and rural environments for residents and visitors alike. It’s worth noting that this number may change over time as new cities are incorporated or existing ones undergo changes in their status. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, I recommend consulting official sources or the California government website.

Most dangerous cities in California:

Some cities in California have experienced higher crime rates compared to others. However, it’s important to note that crime rates can change over time, and it’s always a good idea to consult updated sources or local law enforcement for the most current information. Here are a few cities that have historically been cited for higher crime rates, but please keep in mind that this information might have changed:

  1. Oakland
  2. Stockton
  3. San Bernardino
  4. Emeryville
  5. Compton
  6. Richmond
  7. Vallejo
  8. Santa Cruz
  9. Modesto
  10. San Francisco (certain areas)

It’s crucial to exercise caution and stay informed about local safety measures and advice when visiting or residing in any city.

What is California most cheapest city?

While California is generally known for its higher cost of living, there are still some cities that offer relatively more affordable options. One of the cities often cited as being more affordable in California is Bakersfield. Located in the southern part of the Central Valley, Bakersfield has a lower cost of living compared to some of the larger metropolitan areas in the state. The housing prices and overall expenses in Bakersfield tend to be more affordable, making it an attractive option for those looking for a lower-cost city in California.

Another city that is often considered more affordable is Fresno, also located in the Central Valley. Fresno has a lower median home price compared to many other cities in California, and the cost of living is generally more affordable. It is known for its agricultural industry and offers a good balance between urban amenities and a lower cost of living.

Additionally, cities like Modesto, Stockton, and Riverside are often mentioned as relatively more affordable options in California. These cities, located in the Central Valley and Inland Empire regions, have lower housing costs compared to major coastal cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.

However, it’s important to note that affordability can vary depending on individual circumstances, such as income, lifestyle, and personal preferences. It’s always recommended to thoroughly research and consider factors such as job opportunities, amenities, and quality of life when determining the best place to live based on affordability in California.

Go back to List of States in USA