Explore Map of California - a Golden State, the most populous and the third-largest U.S. state by area. It covers a total area of 163,696 sq mi (423,970 square kilometers). It is bordered by Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona on its three sides, the Pacific Ocean forms its western border, the state has 58 political subdivisions or counties.
Map of California (CA)
About Map: The California map shows the state boundary, the capital city, major highways, rail networks, rivers, and key geographic features of California in the western United States.
About California
The California Map provides an overview of the state’s geographic location, diverse topography, and administrative divisions. California is located in the western part of the United States of America (USA). It is the third-largest state in the country by area and the most populous U.S. state, with a population of 39,538,223 according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
The State of California covers a total area of about 163,696 square miles. Of this, approximately 155,959 square miles is land area and about 7,737 square miles is water area. California shares its northern border with Oregon, its eastern border with Nevada, its southeastern border with Arizona, and its southern border with the Mexican state of Baja California. The Pacific Ocean lies along its western coast. Administratively, the state is divided into 58 counties, each governed from its respective county seat.
The California State Map also highlights Sacramento, the capital of the state. Several rivers and lakes are located across California, and much of the state drains into the Pacific Ocean watershed.
Some of the prominent rivers that can be identified on the California map include the San Joaquin, Eel, Salinas, Smith, Klamath, Salmon, Scott, Sacramento, Shasta, Lost, Mad, and Mattole rivers.
Important lakes in California include Mono Lake, Tulare Lake, Clear Lake, Owens Lake, Lake Havasu, and Lake Tahoe.
Interstate Highways in California
Major Interstate Highways in California include I-5, I-8, I-10, I-15, I-40, I-80, I-105, I-110, I-180, I-205, I-210, I-215, I-238, I-280, I-305, I-380, I-405, I-505, I-580, I-605, I-680, I-710, I-780, I-805, I-880, I-905, and I-980.
California State Facts
| State Name | California |
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Capital | Sacramento |
| Largest City | Los Angeles |
| Abbreviation | CA, Calif., US-CA |
| Statehood | September 9, 1850 (31st State) |
| Nickname | The Golden State |
| Total Area | 163,696 sq mi (423,970 sq km) |
| Land Area | 155,959 sq mi (403,466 sq km) |
| Water Area | 7,737 sq mi (20,504 sq km) |
| Population (2020 Census) | 39,538,223 |
| Population Rank | 1st in the United States |
| Most Populous County | Los Angeles County |
| Top 5 Most Populous Cities | Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time Zone (UTC-08:00), observes Daylight Saving Time |
| Highest Point | Mount Whitney - 14,505 ft (4,421 m) |
| Lowest Point | Death Valley (Badwater Basin) – -282 ft (-86 m) |
| Number of Counties | 58 |
| Official Website | https://www.ca.gov |
Regions of California
| Coastal California | Northern California | Central California | Southern California | Eastern California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Coast | Cascade Range | Greater Sacramento | South Coast | Central Sierra |
| Greater Bay Area | Klamath Mountains | San Joaquin Valley | Greater Los Angeles | Inland Empire |
| Central Coast | North Coast | Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta | Channel Islands | |
| South Coast | Greater Sacramento | Central Coast | Inland Empire | |
| Greater Los Angeles | Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta | Southern Border Region | ||
| Greater San Diego | Central California | Greater San Diego-Tijuana | ||
| Channel Islands | Greater Bay Area | Greater El Centro | ||
| Northern Sierra |
Counties in California
There are 58 counties in the U.S. state of California that is home to more than 39 million people. San Bernardino County is the largest county and Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the california, United States.
20 Largest Cities in California (by Population)
This is list of top 20 largest cities in California with populations above 100,000 as of 2020 census. California has 460 cities and 22 are towns.
| Name | County | Population | Lat Long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 3,898,747 | 34.0522, -118.2437 |
| San Diego | San Diego | 1,386,932 | 32.7157, -117.1611 |
| San Jose | Santa Clara | 1,013,240 | 37.3382, -121.8863 |
| San Francisco | San Francisco | 873,965 | 37.7749, -122.4194 |
| Fresno | Fresno | 542,107 | 36.7378, -119.7871 |
| Sacramento | Sacramento | 524,943 | 38.5816, -121.4944 |
| Long Beach | Los Angeles | 466,742 | 33.7701, -118.1937 |
| Oakland | Alameda | 440,646 | 37.8044, -122.2712 |
| Bakersfield | Kern | 403,455 | 35.3733, -119.0187 |
| Anaheim | Orange | 346,824 | 33.8366, -117.9143 |
| Stockton | San Joaquin | 320,804 | 37.9577, -121.2908 |
| Riverside | Riverside | 314,998 | 33.9806, -117.3755 |
| Santa Ana | Orange | 310,227 | 33.7455, -117.8677 |
| Irvine | Orange | 307,670 | 33.6846, -117.8265 |
| Chula Vista | San Diego | 275,487 | 32.6401, -117.0842 |
| Fremont | Alameda | 230,504 | 37.5483, -121.9886 |
| Santa Clarita | Los Angeles | 228,673 | 34.3917, -118.5426 |
| San Bernardino | San Bernardino | 222,101 | 34.1083, -117.2898 |
| Modesto | Stanislaus | 218,464 | 37.6391, -120.9969 |
| Moreno Valley | Riverside | 208,634 | 33.9425, -117.2297 |
Islands of California
| Island | Location | Lat Long |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda | Alameda County, San Francisco Bay Area, California | 37.7652, -122.2416 |
| Alcatraz | San Francisco Bay, California | 37.8267, -122.4230 |
| Anacapa Island | Channel Islands, Ventura County, California | 34.0129, -119.4033 |
| Angel Island | San Francisco Bay, Marin County, California | 37.8603, -122.4324 |
| Bay Farm Island | Alameda County, California | 37.7310, -122.2320 |
| Channel Islands | Southern California Coast, Pacific Ocean | 34.0069, -119.7785 |
| Coast Guard Island | Alameda County, California | 37.7728, -122.3003 |
| Mare Island | Vallejo, Solano County, California | 38.1013, -122.2727 |
| San Miguel Island | Channel Islands, Santa Barbara County, California | 34.0428, -120.3678 |
| Santa Barbara Island | Channel Islands, California | 33.4769, -119.0318 |
| Santa Cruz Island | Channel Islands, Santa Barbara County, California | 34.0069, -119.7785 |
| Santa Rosa Island | Channel Islands, Santa Barbara County, California | 33.9631, -120.1293 |
| San Clemente Island | Channel Islands, California | 32.9049, -118.4820 |
| San Nicolas Island | Channel Islands, California | 33.2475, -119.4582 |
| Yerba Buena Island | San Francisco Bay, California | 37.8108, -122.3656 |
Best Places to Visit in California
Best Places to Visit in California are Yosemite, San Francisco, San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Monterey, Big Sur, Napa Valley, Sequoia National Parks, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Fresno, Santa Catalina Island, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Death Valley, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Long Beach, Oakland and many more. This is list best things to do in California.
- Yosemite National Park – Known for granite cliffs, giant sequoias, and Yosemite Valley scenery.
- Golden Gate Bridge – Iconic suspension bridge and the most famous landmark of San Francisco.
- Disneyland Park – The original Disney theme park located in Anaheim.
- Disney California Adventure Park – Popular Disney theme park themed around California culture.
- Universal Studios Hollywood – Film studio and theme park featuring movie-based attractions.
- San Diego Zoo – One of the world’s most famous zoos with diverse wildlife exhibits.
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park – Large wildlife park known for open-range animal habitats.
- Alcatraz Island – Historic island prison and major San Francisco tourist attraction.
- Griffith Observatory – Observatory offering city views and exhibits about space and astronomy.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame – Famous sidewalk honoring entertainment industry stars.
- Santa Monica Pier – Historic pier with amusement rides and oceanfront views.
- Balboa Park – Cultural park in San Diego with museums, gardens, and attractions.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium – World-renowned aquarium featuring marine life exhibits.
- Joshua Tree National Park – Desert park known for Joshua trees and rock formations.
- Sequoia National Park – Home to giant sequoia trees including the General Sherman Tree.
- Kings Canyon National Park – Scenic park with deep canyons and mountainous landscapes.
- Lassen Volcanic National Park – Known for volcanic peaks, hot springs, and geothermal features.
- Pinnacles National Park – Unique rock formations and habitat for California condors.
- Redwood National and State Parks – Famous for the tallest trees on Earth.
- Muir Woods National Monument – Protected forest of ancient coastal redwood trees.
- Big Sur – Scenic coastal region known for cliffs, ocean views, and Highway 1 drives.
- Lake Tahoe – Alpine lake famous for skiing, beaches, and outdoor recreation.
- Napa Valley – World-famous wine region known for vineyards and wineries.
- Death Valley National Park – Hottest and lowest national park in North America.
- Hearst Castle – Historic hilltop mansion and museum on the California coast.
- Venice Beach – Popular beach known for boardwalk culture and street performers.
- PIER 39 – Waterfront attraction in San Francisco famous for sea lions and shops.
- California Academy of Sciences – Science museum, aquarium, and planetarium in San Francisco.
- Palace of Fine Arts – Historic monument and architectural landmark in San Francisco.
- USS Midway Museum – Historic aircraft carrier museum in San Diego Harbor.
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – Classic seaside amusement park with historic rides.
National Parks in California
| National Park | Location | Lat Long |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Tree National Park | Near Twentynine Palms and Palm Springs, Southern California | 33.8734, -115.9010 |
| Kings Canyon National Park | Near Fresno, Sierra Nevada, California | 36.8879, -118.5551 |
| Channel Islands National Park | Near Ventura and Santa Barbara, California | 34.0069, -119.7785 |
| Sequoia National Park | Near Visalia and Three Rivers, California | 36.4864, -118.5658 |
| Pinnacles National Park | Near Soledad and Hollister, Central California | 36.4906, -121.1825 |
| Yosemite National Park | Near Mariposa and Groveland, Sierra Nevada, California | 37.8651, -119.5383 |
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Near Redding and Susanville, Northern California | 40.4977, -121.4207 |
| Redwood National Park | Near Crescent City and Eureka, Northern California Coast | 41.2132, -124.0046 |
| Death Valley National Park | Near Furnace Creek and Lone Pine, Eastern California | 36.5054, -117.0794 |
Major Rivers in California
| River | Location | Flows Through | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith River | Northern California | Del Norte County | 25 mi (40 km) |
| Klamath River | Northern California | Siskiyou County and Del Norte County | 257 mi (414 km) |
| Trinity River | Northwestern California | Trinity County and Humboldt County | 165 mi (266 km) |
| Salmon River | Northern California | Siskiyou County | 87 mi (140 km) |
| Redwood Creek | Northern California | Humboldt County | 61 mi (98 km) |
| Mad River | Northwestern California | Humboldt County | 113 mi (182 km) |
| Eel River | Northern California | Mendocino County and Humboldt County | 196 mi (315 km) |
| Russian River | North Coast California | Sonoma County and Mendocino County | 110 mi (177 km) |
| Sacramento River | Central and Northern California | Sacramento Valley | 400 mi (640 km) |
| San Joaquin River | Central California | San Joaquin Valley | 366 mi (589 km) |
| American River | Northern California | Sacramento County | 119 mi (191 km) |
| Feather River | Northern California | Butte County and Yuba County | 73 mi (117 km) |
| Yuba River | Northern California | Yuba County and Nevada County | 40 mi (64 km) |
| Pit River | Northeastern California | Shasta County and Modoc County | 207 mi (333 km) |
| Mokelumne River | Central California | San Joaquin County and Calaveras County | 95 mi (153 km) |
Highest Mountain Peaks in California
| Mountain Peak | Location | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Whitney | Inyo County, Sierra Nevada, California | 14,505 ft (4,421 m) |
| Mount Williamson | Inyo County, Sierra Nevada, California | 14,379 ft (4,383 m) |
| White Mountain Peak | Mono County and Inyo County, California | 14,252 ft (4,344 m) |
| North Palisade | Fresno County and Inyo County, California | 14,248 ft (4,343 m) |
| Mount Shasta | Siskiyou County, Northern California | 14,179 ft (4,322 m) |
| Mount Humphreys | Fresno County and Inyo County, California | 13,992 ft (4,265 m) |
| Mount Keith | Inyo County, Sierra Nevada, California | 13,982 ft (4,262 m) |
| Mount Darwin | Inyo County and Fresno County, California | 13,837 ft (4,218 m) |
| Mount Kaweah | Tulare County, Sequoia National Park, California | 13,807 ft (4,209 m) |
| Mount Morgan | Mono County, Eastern Sierra, California | 13,758 ft (4,193 m) |
| Mount Gabb | Fresno County and Inyo County, California | 13,747 ft (4,190 m) |
| Mount Tom | Inyo County, Eastern Sierra, California | 13,657 ft (4,163 m) |
| Mount Dubois | Inyo County, Sierra Nevada, California | 13,565 ft (4,135 m) |
| Mount Pinchot | Fresno County and Inyo County, California | 13,500 ft (4,115 m) |
| Mount Ritter | Madera County, Sierra Nevada, California | 13,149 ft (4,008 m) |
FAQs
Sacramento is the capital city of California.
Los Angeles is the largest city in California by population, with more than 3.8 million residents according to U.S. Census data.
California is located on the west coast of the United States along the Pacific Ocean.
Major national parks in California include Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Redwood National Park.
Mount Whitney is the highest mountain in California, with an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 m).
California has 58 counties.
San Bernardino County is the largest county in California by area, covering more than 20,000 square miles.
Some famous attractions in California include the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, Yosemite National Park, Hollywood, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, and Death Valley National Park.
California is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west.
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