ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓÆµ

California Map - CA Map

Written and fact-checked by | Last Updated: March 13, 2026, 11:18 ET

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)

California Map (CA) showing the state boundary, capital, highways, rail network, and major rivers.

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.

More California Maps
Western United States MapCalifornia County MapMap of California With Cities
California ZipcodesAirports in CaliforniaWhere is California
California Area CodesCalifornia Blank MapCalifornia River Map
US County MapCalifornia Road MapCalifornia PhysicalMap

About California Map

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 NameCalifornia
CountryUnited States
ContinentNorth America
CapitalSacramento
Largest CityLos Angeles
AbbreviationCA, Calif., US-CA
StatehoodSeptember 9, 1850 (31st State)
NicknameThe Golden State
Total Area163,696 sq mi (423,970 sq km)
Land Area155,959 sq mi (403,466 sq km)
Water Area7,737 sq mi (20,504 sq km)
Population (2020 Census)39,538,223
Population Rank1st in the United States
Most Populous CountyLos Angeles County
Top 5 Most Populous CitiesLos Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno
Time ZonePacific Time Zone (UTC-08:00), observes Daylight Saving Time
Highest PointMount Whitney - 14,505 ft (4,421 m)
Lowest PointDeath Valley (Badwater Basin) – -282 ft (-86 m)
Number of Counties58
Official Websitehttps://www.ca.gov

Regions of California

Coastal CaliforniaNorthern CaliforniaCentral CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaEastern California
North CoastCascade RangeGreater SacramentoSouth CoastCentral Sierra
Greater Bay AreaKlamath MountainsSan Joaquin ValleyGreater Los AngelesInland Empire
Central CoastNorth CoastSacramento-San Joaquin River DeltaChannel Islands 
South CoastGreater SacramentoCentral CoastInland Empire 
Greater Los AngelesSacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Southern Border Region 
Greater San DiegoCentral California Greater San Diego-Tijuana 
Channel IslandsGreater Bay Area Greater El Centro 
 Northern Sierra  

Top 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.

RankNameCountyPopulation
1Los AngelesLos Angeles3,898,747
2San DiegoSan Diego1,386,932
3San JoseSanta Clara1,013,240
4San FranciscoSan Francisco873,965
5FresnoFresno542,107
6SacramentoSacramento524,943
7Long BeachLos Angeles466,742
8OaklandAlameda440,646
9BakersfieldKern403,455
10AnaheimOrange346,824
11StocktonSan Joaquin320,804
12RiversideRiverside314,998
13Santa AnaOrange310,227
14IrvineOrange307,670
15Chula VistaSan Diego275,487
16FremontAlameda230,504
17Santa ClaritaLos Angeles228,673
18San BernardinoSan Bernardino222,101
19ModestoStanislaus218,464
20Moreno ValleyRiverside208,634

List of 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.

Alameda CountyKings CountyPlacer CountyShasta County
Alpine CountyLake CountyPlumas CountySierra County
Amador CountyLassen CountyRiverside CountySiskiyou County
Butte CountyLos Angeles CountySacramento CountySolano County
Calaveras CountyMadera CountySan Benito CountySonoma County
Colusa CountyMarin CountySan Bernardino CountyStanislaus County
Contra Costa CountyMariposa CountySan Diego CountySutter County
Del Norte CountyMendocino CountySan FranciscoTehama County
El Dorado CountyMerced CountySan Joaquin CountyTrinity County
Fresno CountyModoc CountySan Luis Obispo CountyTulare County
Glenn CountyMono CountySan Mateo CountyTuolumne County
Humboldt CountyMonterey CountySanta Barbara CountyVentura County
Imperial CountyNapa CountySanta Clara CountyYolo County
Inyo CountyNevada CountySanta Cruz CountyYuba County
Kern CountyOrange County 

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 – ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓÆµ 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.