California

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of California}}
{{Further|Northern California|Southern California}}
[[File:California Topography and Geomorphic.gif|thumb|upright=1.2|left|[[Topographic map]] of California]]

Covering an area of {{convert|163,696|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, California is the [[List of U.S. states by area|third-largest state in the United States]] in area, after [[Alaska]] and [[Texas]].<ref name="2000 population and housing">{{Cite web |date=April 2004 |title=2000 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/phc3-us-pt1.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/phc3-us-pt1.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=December 25, 2009 |publisher=[[US Census Bureau]] |page=29}}</ref> California is one of the most geographically diverse states in the union and is often geographically bisected into two regions, [[Southern California]], comprising the ten southernmost counties,<ref>{{Cite journal |date=March 1916 |title=Figures Show California's Motoring Supremacy |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=p04zAQAAMAAJ|page=1}} |journal=Touring Topics |volume=8 |pages=38–9 |number=2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Cooley |first=Timothy J. |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=EXdAAQAAQBAJ|page=46}} |title=Surfing about Music |date=2014 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-95721-3 |page=46}}</ref> and [[Northern California]], comprising the 48 northernmost counties.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Neil |date=April 19, 1963 |title=Westward Tilt: Northern California |work=Lodi News-Sentinel |location=Lodi, California |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19630419&id=Rd8zAAAAIBAJ&pg=2786,2022902 |access-date=September 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=Kr8rAQAAMAAJ|page=6}} |title=Kent Guide Manual (Harrison Narcotic Law) and Professional Registry |date=1917 |publisher=The Service Press |editor-last=John E. Kent |location=San Francisco |page=6}}</ref> It is bordered by [[Oregon]] to the north, [[Nevada]] to the east and northeast, [[Arizona]] to the southeast, the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the west and shares an international border with the [[Mexico|Mexican]] state of [[Baja California]] to the south (with which it makes up part of [[The Californias]] region of [[North America]], alongside [[Baja California Sur]]).

In the middle of the state lies the [[California Central Valley]], bounded by the Sierra Nevada in the east, the [[Pacific Coast Ranges|coastal mountain ranges]] in the west, the [[Cascade Range]] to the north and by the [[Tehachapi Mountains]] in the south. The Central Valley is California's productive agricultural heartland.

Divided in two by the [[Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta]], the northern portion, the [[Sacramento Valley]] serves as the watershed of the [[Sacramento River]], while the southern portion, the [[San Joaquin Valley]] is the watershed for the [[San Joaquin River]]. Both valleys derive their names from the rivers that flow through them. With dredging, the Sacramento and the San Joaquin Rivers have remained deep enough for several inland cities to be [[seaport]]s.
[[File:Big Sur June 2008.jpg|thumb|[[Big Sur]], on the [[Central Coast (California)|Central Coast]]]]
[[File:1 yosemite valley tunnel view 2010.JPG|thumb|[[Yosemite]], in the [[Sierra Nevada]]]]
The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is a critical water supply hub for the state. Water is diverted from the delta and through an extensive network of [[pump (Water)|pumps]] and canals that traverse nearly the length of the state, to the Central Valley and the State Water Projects and other needs. Water from the Delta provides drinking water for nearly 23{{spaces}}million people, almost two-thirds of the state's population as well as water for farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.

[[Suisun Bay]] lies at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. The water is drained by the [[Carquinez Strait]], which flows into [[San Pablo Bay]], a northern extension of [[San Francisco Bay]], which then connects to the [[Pacific Ocean]] via the [[Golden Gate]] strait.

The [[Channel Islands of California|Channel Islands]] are located off the [[South Coast (California)|Southern coast]], while the [[Farallon Islands]] lie west of San Francisco.

The Sierra Nevada (Spanish for "snowy range") includes the highest peak in the [[contiguous United States|contiguous 48 states]], [[Mount Whitney]], at {{convert|14505|ft|m}}.<ref name="Mount_Whitney">{{cite ngs |id=GT1811|designation=Whitney|access-date=October 20, 2011}}</ref><ref name="USGS">{{Cite web |date=2001 |title=Elevations and Distances in the United States |url=http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015012701/http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html |archive-date=October 15, 2011 |access-date=October 21, 2011 |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|name="NAVD88"|Elevation adjusted to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988]].}} The range embraces [[Yosemite Valley]], famous for its glacially carved domes, and [[Sequoia National Park]], home to the [[Sequoiadendron giganteum|giant sequoia]] trees, the largest living organisms on Earth, and the deep freshwater lake, [[Lake Tahoe]], the largest lake in the state by volume.

To the east of the Sierra Nevada are [[Owens Valley]] and [[Mono Lake]], an essential [[bird migration|migratory bird]] habitat. In the western part of the state is [[Clear Lake (California)|Clear Lake]], the largest freshwater lake by area entirely in California. Although Lake Tahoe is larger, it is divided by the California/Nevada border. The Sierra Nevada falls to Arctic temperatures in winter and has several dozen small glaciers, including [[Palisade Glacier]], the southernmost glacier in the United States.
[[File:Death Valley Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes 2013.jpg|thumb|left|[[Death Valley]], in the [[Mojave Desert]]]]
[[File:San-miguel-cuyler-hike (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[San Miguel Island|San Miguel]], in the [[Channel Islands (California)|Channel Islands]]]]
The [[Tulare Lake]] was the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. A remnant of [[Pleistocene]]-era [[Lake Corcoran]], Tulare Lake dried up by the early 20th century after its tributary rivers were diverted for agricultural irrigation and municipal water uses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 26, 2017 |title=The Dried-Up Heart of California's Water Dilemma |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2017-04-26/the-dried-up-heart-of-california-s-water-dilemma}}</ref>

About 45 percent of the state's total surface area is covered by forests,<ref name="Forestry 2003">{{Cite book |last1=Laaksonen-Craig |first1=Susanna |url=http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8070.pdf |title=Forestry, Forest Products, and Forest Products Consumption in California |last2=Goldman |first2=George |last3=McKillop |first3=William |date=2003 |publisher=University of California—Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources |isbn=978-1-60107-248-1 |location=Davis, California |page=1 |access-date=December 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221195646/http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8070.pdf |archive-date=February 21, 2011 }}</ref> and California's diversity of pine species is unmatched by any other state. California contains more forestland than any other state except Alaska. Many of the trees in the [[White Mountains (California)|California White Mountains]] are the oldest in the world; an individual [[bristlecone pine]] is over 5,000 years old.<ref name="Lanner">{{Cite book |last=Lanner |first=RM |title=The Bristlecone Book |date=2007 |publisher=Mountain Press |isbn=978-0-87842-538-9 |page=14}}</ref><ref name="oldest">{{Cite web |title=Oldlist |url=http://www.rmtrr.org/oldlist.htm |access-date=January 8, 2013 |publisher=Rocky Mountain Tree Ring Research}}</ref>

In the south is a large inland salt lake, the [[Salton Sea]]. The south-central desert is called the [[Mojave Desert|Mojave]]; to the northeast of the Mojave lies [[Death Valley]], which contains the lowest and hottest place in North America, the [[Badwater Basin]] at {{convert|−279|ft|m}}.<ref name=NED/> The horizontal distance from the bottom of Death Valley to the top of Mount Whitney is less than {{convert|90|mi|km}}. Indeed, almost all of southeastern California is arid, hot desert, with routine extreme high temperatures during the summer. The southeastern border of California with Arizona is entirely formed by the [[Colorado River]], from which the southern part of the state gets about half of its water.

A majority of California's cities are located in either the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] or the [[Sacramento metropolitan area]] in [[Northern California]]; or the [[Los Angeles metropolitan area|Los Angeles area]], the [[Inland Empire]], or the [[San Diego metropolitan area]] in [[Southern California]]. The Los Angeles Area, the Bay Area, and the San Diego metropolitan area are among several major metropolitan areas along the California coast.

As part of the [[Pacific Ring of Fire|Ring of Fire]], California is subject to [[tsunami]]s, [[Floods in California|floods]], [[Droughts in California|droughts]], [[Santa Ana winds]], [[List of California wildfires|wildfires]], and [[landslide]]s on steep terrain; California also has several [[volcano]]es. It has many [[List of earthquakes in California|earthquakes]] due to several faults running through the state, the largest being the [[San Andreas Fault]]. About 37,000 [[earthquake]]s are recorded each year; most are too small to be felt,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://seismo.berkeley.edu/faq/rate_of_seism.html |access-date=April 22, 2011 |publisher=Seismo.berkeley.edu}}</ref> but two-thirds of the human risk from earthquakes lies in California.<ref name=CaliforniaEarthquakesHumanRisk/>

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of California}}
{{Further|Climate change in California}}
[[File:Köppen Climate Types California.png|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate]] types in California]]

Most of the state has a [[Mediterranean climate]]. The cool [[California Current]] offshore often creates summer [[fog]] near the coast. Farther inland, there are colder winters and hotter summers. The maritime moderation results in the shoreline summertime temperatures of Los Angeles and [[San Francisco]] being the coolest of all major metropolitan areas of the United States and uniquely cool compared to areas on the same latitude in the interior and on the east coast of the North American continent. Even the [[San Diego]] shoreline bordering Mexico is cooler in summer than most areas in the contiguous United States. Just a few miles inland, summer temperature extremes are significantly higher, with downtown Los Angeles being several degrees [[Climate of the Los Angeles Basin|warmer]] than at the coast. The same [[microclimate]] phenomenon is seen in the [[San Francisco Bay Area#Climate|climate of the Bay Area]], where areas sheltered from the ocean experience significantly hotter summers and colder winters in contrast with nearby areas closer to the ocean.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wrcc.dri.edu/|title=Western Regional Climate Center|website=wrcc.dri.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/California-state/Climate|title=California - Climate &#124; Britannica|website=www.britannica.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-coastal-and-inland-climates/|title=Difference Between Coastal and Inland Climates|date=October 26, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:AERONET La Jolla.2007295.terra.250m.jpg|thumb|left|[[List of California wildfires|California wildfires]] affect the state yearly. In the south, the [[Santa Ana winds]] often expand fires and spread smoke over hundreds of miles.]]
Northern parts of the state have more rain than the south. California's mountain ranges also influence the climate: some of the rainiest parts of the state are west-facing mountain slopes. Coastal northwestern California has a [[temperate climate]], and the Central Valley has a Mediterranean climate but with greater temperature extremes than the coast. The high mountains, including the Sierra Nevada, have an [[alpine climate]] with snow in winter and mild to moderate heat in summer.

California's mountains produce [[rain shadow]]s on the eastern side, creating extensive [[desert]]s. The higher elevation deserts of [[eastern California]] have hot summers and cold winters, while the low deserts east of the Southern California mountains have hot summers and nearly frostless mild winters. [[Death Valley]], a desert with large expanses below sea level, is considered the hottest location in the world; the highest temperature in the world,<ref name="newRecord">{{Cite journal |last=El Fadli |first=K. I. |display-authors=etal |date=September 2012 |title=World Meteorological Organization Assessment of the Purported World Record 58{{spaces}}°C Temperature Extreme at El Azizia, Libya (September 13, 1922) |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |volume=94 |issue=2 |page=199 |bibcode=2013BAMS...94..199E |doi=10.1175/BAMS-D-12-00093.1 |doi-access=free}} (The 136.4{{spaces}}°F (58{{spaces}}°C), claimed by [['Aziziya]], [[Libya]], on September 13, 1922, has been officially deemed invalid by the [[World Meteorological Organization]].)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=World Meteorological Organization World Weather / Climate Extremes Archive |url=http://wmo.asu.edu/world-highest-temperature |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104143844/http://wmo.asu.edu/world-highest-temperature |archive-date=January 4, 2013 |access-date=January 10, 2013}}</ref> {{convert|134|°F|°C|1}}, was recorded there on July 10, 1913. The lowest temperature in California was {{convert|−45|°F}} on January 20, 1937, in [[Boca, California|Boca]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weather Data: California, Boca, 1937, January |url=https://geographic.org/global_weather/weather_data.php?month=01&year=1937&id=USC00040931&path=weather_stations/usc0000000_usc0045999/USC00040931.dly&name=Boca&country=California |access-date=June 26, 2020}}</ref>

The table below lists average temperatures for January and August in a selection of places throughout the state; some highly populated and some not. This includes the relatively cool summers of the [[Humboldt Bay]] region around [[Eureka, California|Eureka]], the extreme heat of [[Death Valley]], and the mountain climate of [[Mammoth Lakes, California|Mammoth]] in the Sierra Nevada.

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;"
|+Average temperatures and precipitation for selected communities in California<ref name="California climate averages">{{Cite web |title=California climate averages |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=US&s=CA&statename=California-United-States-of-America |access-date=January 26, 2018 |publisher=Weatherbase}}</ref>
|-
!Location
! August{{break}}(°F)
! August{{break}}(°C)
! January{{break}}(°F)
! January{{break}}(°C)
! Annual{{break}}precipitation{{break}}(mm/in)
|-
|[[Los Angeles]] ||83/64 ||29/18 ||66/48 ||20/8 ||377/15
|-
|[[Los Angeles International Airport|LAX/LA Beaches]] ||75/64 ||23/18 ||65/49 ||18/9 ||326/13
|-
|[[San Diego, California|San Diego]] ||76/67 ||24/19 ||65/49 ||18/9 ||262/10
|-
|[[San Jose, California|San Jose]] ||82/58 ||27/14 ||58/42 ||14/5 ||401/16
|-
|[[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] ||67/54 ||20/12 ||56/46 ||14/8 ||538/21
|-
|[[Fresno, California|Fresno]] ||97/66 ||34/19 ||55/38 ||12/3 ||292/11
|-
|[[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] ||91/58 ||33/14 ||54/39 ||12/3 ||469/18
|-
|[[Oakland, California|Oakland]] ||73/58 ||23/14 ||58/44 ||14/7 ||588/23
|-
|[[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]] ||96/69 ||36/21 ||56/39 ||13/3 ||165/7
|-
|[[Riverside, California|Riverside]] ||94/60 ||35/18 ||67/39 ||19/4 ||260/10
|-
|[[Eureka, California|Eureka]] ||62/53 ||16/11 ||54/41 ||12/5 ||960/38
|-
|[[Death Valley]] ||115/86 ||46/30 ||67/40 ||19/4 ||60/2
|-
|[[Mammoth Lakes, California|Mammoth Lakes]] ||77/45 ||25/7 ||40/15 ||4/ −9 ||583/23
|}
The wide range of climates leads to a high demand for water. Over time, [[Droughts in California|droughts]] have been increasing [[Climate change in California|due to climate change]] and [[Water extraction|overextraction]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/14/western-drought-fueled-by-climate-change-is-the-worst-in-1200-years.html|title=Western drought fueled by climate change is the worst in 1,200 years, scientists say|first=Emma|last=Newburger|publisher=[[CNBC]]|date=February 14, 2022|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> becoming less seasonal and more year-round, further straining California's [[electricity supply]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/california-blackouts-power-grid/story?id=89460998|title=Why California has blackouts: A look at the power grid|first=Meredith|last=Deliso|publisher=ABC News|date=September 9, 2022|access-date=September 11, 2022}}</ref> and [[water security]]<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Boxall |first1=Bettina |last2=St. John |first2=Paige |date=November 10, 2018 |title=California's most destructive wildfire should not have come as a surprise |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-camp-fire-science-20181110-story.html |access-date=November 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Advancing Drought Science and Preparedness across the Nation |url=https://www.drought.gov/drought/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111042024/https://www.drought.gov/drought/ |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |access-date=November 11, 2018 |publisher=National Integrated Drought Information System}}</ref> and having an impact on California business, industry, and agriculture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kvpr.org/business-economy/2022-03-14/drought-has-already-cost-close-to-2-billion-and-14-000-jobs-and-its-likely-not-over-yet?_amp=true |title= Drought has already cost close to $2 billion and 14,000 jobs, and it's likely not over yet|website=www.kvpr.org |date= March 14, 2022|access-date=July 13, 2022}}{{title missing|date=July 2022}}</ref>

In 2022, a new state program was created in collaboration with [[indigenous peoples of California]] to revive the practice of [[controlled burn]]s as a way of clearing excessive forest debris and making landscapes more resilient to wildfires. [[Native American use of fire in ecosystems|Native American use of fire in ecosystem]] management was outlawed in 1911, yet has now been recognized.<ref name="Elassar-2022"/>

===Ecology===
{{Main|Ecology of California|Environment of California}}
[[File:Mount Whitney 2003-03-25.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mount Whitney]], in the Sierra Nevada, is the highest mountain in the [[contiguous United States]].]]

California is one of the ecologically richest and most diverse parts of the world, and includes some of the most endangered ecological communities. California is part of the [[Nearctic realm]] and spans a number of terrestrial [[ecoregion]]s.<ref name="Checklist of the Scarabaeoidea of the Nearctic Realm">{{Cite web |date=2003 |title=Checklist of the Scarabaeoidea of the Nearctic Realm |url=http://www.iscc.ca.gov/docs/CaliforniaInvasiveSpeciesList.pdf |access-date=October 5, 2010 |publisher=digitalcommons.unl.edu (University of Nebraska State: Papers in Entomology)}}</ref>

California's large number of [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] species includes [[Relict (biology)|relict]] species, which have died out elsewhere, such as the Catalina ironwood (''[[Lyonothamnus floribundus]]''). Many other endemics originated through differentiation or [[adaptive radiation]], whereby multiple species develop from a common ancestor to take advantage of diverse ecological conditions such as the California lilac (''[[Ceanothus]]''). Many California endemics have become endangered, as urbanization, logging, [[overgrazing]], and the introduction of [[exotic species]] have encroached on their habitat.

===Flora and fauna===
{{Main|Fauna of California|California Floristic Province}}
{{see also|List of California native plants}}
[[File:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Sequoiadendron giganteum|Giant Sequoias]], native to California, are the [[List of tallest trees|largest trees in the world]]. Shown is the [[Grizzly Giant]] in Yosemite.]]

California boasts several superlatives in its collection of flora: the [[giant sequoia|largest trees]], the [[coast redwood|tallest trees]], and the [[pinus longaeva|oldest trees]]. California's native grasses are [[perennial plant]]s,<ref name="Restoring Native Grasses">{{Cite journal |last=David Elstein |date=May 2004 |title=Restoring California's Native Grasses |url=http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/may04/grass0504.htm |journal=Agricultural Research Magazine |volume=52 |issue=5 |page=17 |access-date=December 25, 2009}}</ref> and there are close to hundred succulent species native to the state.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} After European contact, these were generally replaced by [[invasive species]] of European annual grasses; and, in modern times, California's hills turn a characteristic golden-brown in summer.<ref name="The California Invasive Species List">{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2010 |title=The California Invasive Species List |url=http://www.iscc.ca.gov/docs/CaliforniaInvasiveSpeciesList.pdf |access-date=October 5, 2010 |publisher=iscc.ca.gov (California Invasive Species Advisory Committee)}}</ref>

Because California has the greatest diversity of climate and terrain, the state has six life zones which are the lower [[Sonoran Desert]]; upper Sonoran (foothill regions and some coastal lands), transition (coastal areas and moist northeastern counties); and the Canadian, Hudsonian, and Arctic Zones, comprising the state's highest elevations.<ref name="California: flora and fauna">{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=California: flora and fauna |url=http://www.city-data.com/states/California-Flora-and-fauna.html |access-date=September 7, 2010 |publisher=city-data.com}}</ref>

Plant life in the dry climate of the lower Sonoran zone contains a diversity of native cactus, mesquite, and paloverde. The [[Yucca brevifolia|Joshua tree]] is found in the Mojave Desert. Flowering plants include the dwarf desert poppy and a variety of [[aster (genus)|asters]]. [[Fremont cottonwood]] and [[valley oak]] thrive in the Central Valley. The upper Sonoran zone includes the chaparral belt, characterized by forests of small shrubs, stunted trees, and herbaceous plants. ''[[Nemophila]]'', [[Lamiaceae|mint]], ''[[Phacelia]]'', ''[[viola (plant)|Viola]]'', and the California poppy (''[[Eschscholzia californica]]'', the state flower) also flourish in this zone, along with the lupine, more species of which occur here than anywhere else in the world.<ref name="California: flora and fauna" />

[[File:California sea lion in La Jolla (70568).jpg|thumb|right|A [[California sea lion]] in [[La Jolla]]]]

The transition zone includes most of California's forests with the redwood (''[[Sequoia sempervirens]]'') and the "big tree" or giant sequoia (''[[Sequoiadendron giganteum]]''), among the oldest living things on earth (some are said to have lived at least 4,000 years). [[Tanbark oak]], [[California laurel]], [[sugar pine]], [[Arbutus|madrona]], [[Acer macrophyllum|broad-leaved maple]], and [[Douglas-fir]] also grow here. Forest floors are covered with [[Polystichum|swordfern]], alumnroot, [[barrenwort]], and [[trillium]], and there are thickets of [[huckleberry]], [[azalea]], elder, and wild currant. Characteristic wild flowers include varieties of mariposa, [[tulip]], and [[Lilium columbianum|tiger]] and [[Lilium pardalinum|leopard]] lilies.<ref name="Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.">{{Cite web |title=Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl |url=http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_1/sequoia/sempervirens.htm |access-date=October 7, 2010 |publisher=fed.us (U.S. Forest Service) |archive-date=December 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216063912/http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_1/sequoia/sempervirens.htm }}</ref>

The high elevations of the Canadian zone allow the [[Jeffrey pine]], [[red fir]], and [[lodgepole pine]] to thrive. Brushy areas are abundant with dwarf [[manzanita]] and ceanothus; the unique [[Calvatia sculpta|Sierra puffball]] is also found here. Right below the timberline, in the Hudsonian zone, the whitebark, foxtail, and silver pines grow. At about {{convert|10500|ft|m}}, begins the Arctic zone, a treeless region whose flora include a number of wildflowers, including [[Primula suffrutescens|Sierra primrose]], [[Aquilegia flavescens|yellow columbine]], [[Ranunculus|alpine buttercup]], and [[Dodecatheon alpinum|alpine shooting star]].<ref name="California: flora and fauna" /><ref name="Life Zones of the Central Sierra Nevada">{{Cite web |title=Life Zones of the Central Sierra Nevada |url=http://www.sierrahistorical.org/archives/lifezones.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301063716/http://www.sierrahistorical.org/archives/lifezones.html |archive-date=March 1, 2012 |access-date=October 5, 2010 |publisher=sierrahistorical.org}}</ref>

[[Palm trees]] are a well-known feature of California, particularly in [[Southern California]] and [[Los Angeles]]; many species have been imported, though the ''Washington filifera'' (commonly known as the ''California fan palm'') is native to the state, mainly growing in the [[Colorado Desert]] oases.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/a-brief-history-of-palm-trees-in-southern-california |title= A Brief History of Palm Trees in Southern California |last= Masters|first= Nathan |date=December 7, 2011 |website= kcet.org |publisher= Public Media Group of Southern California/[[KCET]]/[[PBS]] |access-date= August 16, 2023}}</ref> Other common plants that have been introduced to the state include the [[eucalyptus]], [[acacia]], [[Schinus|pepper tree]], geranium, and [[Scotch broom]]. The species that are federally classified as endangered are the [[Erysimum capitatum|Contra Costa wallflower]], [[Oenothera deltoides subsp. howellii|Antioch Dunes evening primrose]], [[Tuctoria mucronata|Solano grass]], [[Delphinium variegatum|San Clemente Island larkspur]], [[Cordylanthus maritimus|salt marsh bird's beak]], [[Arabis blepharophylla|McDonald's rock-cress]], and [[Dudleya traskiae|Santa Barbara Island liveforever]]. {{As of|1997|12}}, 85 plant species were listed as threatened or endangered.<ref name="California: flora and fauna" />
[[File:Tule Elk - Merced National Wildlife Refuge Bill Leikam 12-03-2010.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Tule Elk]] in the [[San Joaquin Valley]]]]
In the deserts of the lower Sonoran zone, the mammals include the [[jackrabbit]], [[kangaroo rat]], squirrel, and opossum. Common birds include the [[owl]], [[roadrunner]], [[cactus wren]], and various species of hawk. The area's reptilian life include the [[Crotalus cerastes|sidewinder viper]], [[desert tortoise]], and [[horned toad]]. The upper Sonoran zone boasts mammals such as the [[Pronghorn|antelope]], [[Dusky-footed woodrat|brown-footed woodrat]], and [[ring-tailed cat]]. Birds unique to this zone are the [[California thrasher]], [[Psaltriparus minimus|bushtit]], and [[California condor]].<ref name="California: flora and fauna" /><ref name="California Condor">{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=California Condor |url=http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Condor/id |access-date=October 3, 2010 |publisher=The Cornell Lab of Ornithology}}</ref><ref name="CalPhotos: Browse Mammal Common Names">{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2010 |title=CalPhotos: Browse Mammal Common Names |url=http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/fauna/com-Mammal.html |access-date=October 3, 2010 |publisher=calphotos.berkeley.edu (BSCIT University of California, Berkeley)}}</ref><ref name="Quail Ridge Reserve: UC Davis Natural Reserve System">{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2007 |title=Quail Ridge Reserve: UC Davis Natural Reserve System |url=http://nrs.ucdavis.edu/quail/natural/birds_bushtit.htm |access-date=October 5, 2010 |publisher=nrs.ucdavis.edu (University of California at Davis: Natural Reserve System) |archive-date=June 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610063556/http://nrs.ucdavis.edu/quail/Natural/Birds_bushtit.htm }}</ref>

In the transition zone, there are Colombian [[black-tailed deer]], [[American black bear|black bears]], [[gray fox]]es, [[cougar]]s, [[bobcat]]s, and [[Roosevelt elk]]. Reptiles such as the garter snakes and rattlesnakes inhabit the zone. In addition, amphibians such as the [[Proteidae|water puppy]] and [[Batrachoseps attenuatus|redwood salamander]] are common too. Birds such as the [[kingfisher]], chickadee, [[towhee]], and hummingbird thrive here as well.<ref name="California: flora and fauna" /><ref name="Black-tailed Deer of California">{{Cite web |date=2000 |title=Black-tailed Deer of California |url=http://www.westernhunter.com/Pages/Vol02Issue24/blacktail.html |access-date=October 7, 2010 |publisher=westernhunter.com}}</ref>

The Canadian zone mammals include the [[mountain weasel]], [[snowshoe hare]], and several species of chipmunks. Conspicuous birds include the [[Steller's jay|blue-fronted jay]], [[mountain chickadee]], [[hermit thrush]], [[American dipper]], and [[Townsend's solitaire]]. As one ascends into the Hudsonian zone, birds become scarcer. While the [[gray-crowned rosy finch]] is the only bird native to the high Arctic region, other bird species such as [[Anna's hummingbird]] and [[Clark's nutcracker]]. Principal mammals found in this region include the Sierra coney, [[white-tailed jackrabbit]], and the [[bighorn sheep]]. {{As of|2003|04}}, the bighorn sheep was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The fauna found throughout several zones are the [[mule deer]], [[coyote]], [[mountain lion]], [[northern flicker]], and several species of hawk and sparrow.<ref name="California: flora and fauna" />
[[File:Methuselah Walk USA Ca.jpg|thumb|[[Methuselah (pine tree)|Methuselah]] is the [[List of oldest trees|oldest tree in the world]], found in the [[Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest]] of [[Inyo National Forest]].]]
Aquatic life in California thrives, from the state's mountain lakes and streams to the rocky Pacific coastline. Numerous trout species are found, among them [[Rainbow trout|rainbow]], [[Golden trout|golden]], and [[Cutthroat trout|cutthroat]]. Migratory species of salmon are common as well. Deep-sea life forms include [[White seabass|sea bass]], [[yellowfin tuna]], [[barracuda]], and several types of whale. Native to the cliffs of northern California are seals, sea lions, and many types of shorebirds, including migratory species.<ref name="California: flora and fauna" />

{{as of|2003|April}}, 118 California animals were on the federal endangered list; 181 plants were listed as endangered or threatened. Endangered animals include the [[Vulpes macrotis|San Joaquin kitfox]], [[Aplodontia rufa nigra|Point Arena mountain beaver]], [[Pacific pocket mouse]], [[salt marsh harvest mouse]], [[Morro Bay kangaroo rat]] (and five other species of kangaroo rat), [[California vole#Subspecies|Amargosa vole]], [[California least tern]], [[California condor]], [[loggerhead shrike]], [[Bell's sparrow|San Clemente sage sparrow]], [[San Francisco garter snake]], five species of salamander, three species of chub, and two species of pupfish. Eleven butterflies are also endangered<ref>{{Cite web |title=California's Endangered Insects—Formally Listed Insects |url=http://essig.berkeley.edu/endins/listed.htm |access-date=August 25, 2015 |website=berkeley.edu}}</ref> and two that are threatened are on the federal list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Threatened and Endangered Invertebrates |url=http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/t_e_spp/invertebrates.html |access-date=May 8, 2017 |website=DFG.CA.gov |publisher=California Department of Fish and Wildlife |archive-date=May 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524215006/http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/t_e_spp/invertebrates.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Species Search Results |url=https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/pub/SpeciesReport.do?groups=I&listingType=L&mapstatus=1 |access-date=May 8, 2017 |website=Environmental Conservation Online System |publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service}}</ref> Among threatened animals are the coastal [[California gnatcatcher]], [[Paiute cutthroat trout]], [[Sea otter#Subspecies|southern sea otter]], and [[northern spotted owl]]. California has a total of {{convert|290821|acre|km2}} of National Wildlife Refuges.<ref name="California: flora and fauna" /> {{As of|2010|09}}, 123 California animals were listed as either endangered or threatened on the [[US Fish & Wildlife Service|federal list]].<ref name="U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Species Reports: Listings and occurrences for California">{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2010 |title=U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Species Reports: Listings and occurrences for California |url=http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/stateListingAndOccurrenceIndividual.jsp?state=CA&s8fid=112761032792&s8fid=112762573902&s8fid=24012838822503 |access-date=September 7, 2010 |publisher=ecos.fws.gov}}</ref> Also, {{as of|2010|alt=as of the same year}}, 178 species of California plants were listed either as endangered or threatened on this federal list.<ref name="U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Species Reports: Listings and occurrences for California" />

===Rivers===
{{main|List of rivers of California}}
[[File:View of the Bay Area and the Californian Delta.jpg|thumb|left|[[San Francisco Bay]] (center left) and the [[Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta|California Delta]] (top right)]]
The most prominent river system within California is formed by the Sacramento River and [[San Joaquin River]], which are fed mostly by snowmelt from the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, and respectively drain the north and south halves of the Central Valley. The two rivers join in the [[Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta]], flowing into the Pacific Ocean through [[San Francisco Bay]]. Many major tributaries feed into the Sacramento–San Joaquin system, including the [[Pit River]], [[Feather River]] and [[Tuolumne River]].

The [[Klamath River|Klamath]] and [[Trinity River (California)|Trinity Rivers]] drain a large area in far northwestern California. The [[Eel River (California)|Eel River]] and [[Salinas River (California)|Salinas River]] each drain portions of the California coast, north and south of San Francisco Bay, respectively. The [[Mojave River]] is the primary watercourse in the Mojave Desert, and the [[Santa Ana River]] drains much of the [[Transverse Ranges]] as it bisects Southern California. The [[Colorado River]] forms the state's southeast border with Arizona.

Most of California's major rivers are dammed as part of two massive water projects: the [[Central Valley Project]], providing water for agriculture in the Central Valley, and the [[California State Water Project]] diverting water from Northern to Southern California. The state's coasts, rivers, and other bodies of water are regulated by the [[California Coastal Commission]].

===Regions===
{{Main|List of regions of California}}
{{see also|List of places in California}}
[[File:Ca-regions.svg|thumb|right|Map of California's regions]]
[[File:Southern California counties in red noshade.png|thumb|right|Map showing the division between [[Northern California]] (top white) and [[Southern California]] (bottom red)]]
California is traditionally separated into [[Northern California]] and [[Southern California]], divided by a straight border which runs across the state, separating the northern 48 counties from the southern 10 counties. Despite the persistence of the northern-southern divide, California is more precisely divided into many regions, multiple of which stretch across the northern-southern divide.

; Major divisions
* '''[[Northern California]]'''
* '''[[Southern California]]'''

; Regions
{{div col|colwidth=20em|content=
* '''[[Shasta Cascade]]'''
** [[Klamath Basin]]
** [[Modoc Plateau]]
* '''[[North Coast (California)|North Coast]]'''
** [[Lost Coast]]
* '''[[San Francisco Bay Area|Bay Area]]'''
** [[North Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)|North Bay]]
** [[San Francisco Peninsula]]
** [[Santa Clara Valley|South Bay (Santa Clara Valley)]]
** [[East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)|East Bay]]
* '''[[Central Valley (California)|Central Valley]]'''
** [[Sacramento Valley]]
*** [[Sacramento metropolitan area|Greater Sacramento]]
** [[San Joaquin Valley]]
*** [[Metropolitan Fresno]]
** [[Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta|California Delta]]
*'''[[Sierra Nevada]]'''
**[[Gold Country]]
**[[Eastern Sierra]]
* '''[[Central Coast (California)|Central Coast]]'''
** [[Monterey Bay Area]]
** [[Big Sur]]
** [[Gaviota Coast]]
* '''[[Southern California]]'''
** [[Los Angeles metropolitan area|Greater Los Angeles]]
*** [[Antelope Valley]]
*** [[Los Angeles Basin]]
*** [[San Fernando Valley]]
*** [[San Gabriel Valley]]
*** [[Santa Clarita Valley]]
** [[Channel Islands (California)|Channel Islands]]
** [[Orange Coast]]
** [[Inland Empire]]
** [[San Diego–Tijuana]]
*'''[[Deserts of California|California Deserts]]'''
**[[Mojave Desert]]
**[[Great Basin Desert]]
**[[Colorado Desert]] ([[Sonoran Desert]])
***[[Calexico–Mexicali]]
}}

=== Cities and towns ===
{{see also|List of cities and towns in California|List of largest California cities by population}}

The state has 482 [[Municipal corporation|incorporated]] cities and towns, of which 460 are cities and 22 are towns. Under California law, the terms "city" and "town" are explicitly interchangeable; the name of an incorporated municipality in the state can either be "City of (Name)" or "Town of (Name)".<ref name="Cal Gov Code 34502">{{Cite web |title=CA Codes (gov:34500-34504) |url=http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=gov&group=34001-35000&file=34500-34504 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827062453/http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=gov&group=34001-35000&file=34500-34504 |archive-date=August 27, 2009 |access-date=January 29, 2010 |publisher=California State Senate}}</ref>

[[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] became California's first incorporated city on February 27, 1850.<ref name="Sacramento Charter">{{Cite web |title=Instant City: Sacramento |url=http://www.library.ca.gov/goldrush/sec08.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128231357/http://www.library.ca.gov/goldrush/sec08.html |archive-date=January 28, 2010 |access-date=January 29, 2010 |publisher=[[California State Library]]}}</ref> [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[San Diego]], and [[Benicia, California|Benicia]] tied for California's second incorporated city, each receiving incorporation on March 27, 1850.<ref name="San Jose Inc">{{Cite web |title=San Jose at a Glance |url=http://www.sanjoseca.gov/about.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208201852/http://www.sanjoseca.gov/about.asp |archive-date=February 8, 2010 |access-date=January 29, 2010 |publisher=City of San Jose}}</ref><ref name="History of San Diego">{{Cite web |title=A History of San Diego Government |url=http://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/geninfo/history.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528081607/http://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/geninfo/history.shtml |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=January 29, 2010 |publisher=City of San Diego}}</ref><ref name="Benicia Inc">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2007 |title=California State Parks: 1846 to 1854 |url=http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1096 |access-date=January 29, 2010 |publisher=California State Parks}}</ref> [[Jurupa Valley, California|Jurupa Valley]] became the state's most recent and 482nd incorporated municipality, on July 1, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 11, 2011 |title=Jurupa Valley Becomes California's 482nd City |url=http://newsletter.cacities.org/e_article002045084.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506030043/http://newsletter.cacities.org/e_article002045084.cfm |archive-date=May 6, 2012 |access-date=August 21, 2011 |publisher=League of California Cities}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stokley |first=Sandra |date=June 14, 2011 |title=Jurupa Valley: Rushing to meet a July 1 incorporation |url=http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_D_wcode15.40e71cc.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907035535/http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_D_wcode15.40e71cc.html |archive-date=September 7, 2012 |access-date=August 21, 2011 |publisher=[[The Press-Enterprise (California)|The Press-Enterprise]]}}</ref>

The majority of these cities and towns are within one of five [[metropolitan area]]s: the [[Los Angeles Metropolitan Area]], the [[San Francisco Bay Area]], the [[Riverside-San Bernardino Area]], the [[San Diego metropolitan area]], or the [[Sacramento metropolitan area]].

{{Largest cities
 |country=California
 |stat_ref=Source:<ref name="2020Census">{{Cite web |title=Census QuickFacts: California |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/CA/PST045219 |access-date=September 24, 2021 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>
 |list_by_pop=
 |div_name=
 |div_link=Counties of California{{!}}County
 |city_1=Los Angeles, California{{!}}Los Angeles
 |div_1=Los Angeles County, California{{!}}Los Angeles
 |pop_1=3,898,747
 |img_1=Los Angeles with Mount Baldy.jpg
 |city_2=San Diego, California{{!}}San Diego
 |div_2=San Diego County, California{{!}}San Diego
 |pop_2=1,386,932
 |img_2=San Diego skyline 18 (2).jpg
 |city_3=San Jose, California{{!}}San Jose
 |div_3=Santa Clara County, California{{!}}Santa Clara
 |pop_3=1,013,240
 |img_3=SJPan (cropped).jpg
 |city_4=San Francisco, California{{!}}San Francisco
 |div_4=San Francisco County, California{{!}}San Francisco
 |pop_4=873,965
 |img_4=San Francisco from the Marin Headlands in August 2022 (cropped).jpg
 |city_5=Fresno, California{{!}}Fresno
 |div_5=Fresno County, California{{!}}Fresno
 |pop_5=542,107
 |city_6=Sacramento, California{{!}}Sacramento
 |div_6=Sacramento County, California{{!}}Sacramento
 |pop_6=524,943
 |city_7=Long Beach, California{{!}}Long Beach
 |div_7=Los Angeles County, California{{!}}Los Angeles
 |pop_7=466,742
 |city_8=Oakland, California{{!}}Oakland
 |div_8=Alameda County, California{{!}}Alameda
 |pop_8=440,646
 |city_9=Bakersfield, California{{!}}Bakersfield
 |div_9=Kern County, California{{!}}Kern
 |pop_9=403,455
 |city_10=Anaheim, California{{!}}Anaheim
 |div_10=Orange County, California{{!}}Orange
 |pop_10=346,824
 |city_11=Stockton, California{{!}}Stockton
 |div_11=San Joaquin County, California{{!}}San Joaquin
 |pop_11=320,804
 |city_12=Riverside, California{{!}}Riverside
 |div_12=Riverside County, California{{!}}Riverside
 |pop_12=314,998
 |city_13=Santa Ana, California{{!}}Santa Ana
 |div_13=Orange County, California{{!}}Orange
 |pop_13=310,227
 |city_14=Irvine, California{{!}}Irvine
 |div_14=Orange County, California{{!}}Orange
 |pop_14=307,670
 |city_15=Chula Vista, California{{!}}Chula Vista
 |div_15=San Diego County, California{{!}}San Diego
 |pop_15=275,487
 |city_16=Fremont, California{{!}}Fremont
 |div_16=Alameda County, California{{!}}Alameda
 |pop_16=230,504
 |city_17=Santa Clarita, California{{!}}Santa Clarita
 |div_17=Los Angeles County, California{{!}}Los Angeles
 |pop_17=228,673
 |city_18=San Bernardino, California{{!}}San Bernardino
 |div_18=San Bernardino County, California{{!}}San Bernardino
 |pop_18=222,101
 |city_19=Modesto, California{{!}}Modesto
 |div_19=Stanislaus County, California{{!}}Stanislaus
 |pop_19=218,464
 |city_20=Moreno Valley, California{{!}}Moreno Valley
 |div_20=Riverside County, California{{!}}Riverside
 |pop_20=208,634

}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Largest metropolitan statistical areas in California
|-
| CA rank
| U.S. rank
![[List of metropolitan statistical areas|Metropolitan statistical area]]<ref name="OMB_17-01">{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2017 |title=OMB Bulletin No. 17-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/bulletins/2017/b-17-01.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/bulletins/2017/b-17-01.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=March 6, 2018 |publisher=[[United States Office of Management and Budget]]}}</ref>
!2020 census<ref name="2020Census" />
!2010 census<ref name="2020Census" />
!Change
!Counties<ref name="OMB_17-01" />
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|1}}
| align="center" |{{nts|2}}
|[[Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|13200998|12828837}}
 |[[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles]], [[Orange County, California|Orange]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|2}}
| align="center" |{{nts|12}}
|[[San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|4749008|4335391}}
 |[[Alameda County|Alameda]], [[Contra Costa County|Contra Costa]], [[Marin County|Marin]], [[San Francisco]], [[San Mateo County|San Mateo]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|3}}
| align="center" |{{nts|13}}
|[[Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|4599839|4224851}}
 |[[Riverside County, California|Riverside]], [[San Bernardino County, California|San Bernardino]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|4}}
| align="center" |{{nts|17}}
|[[San Diego-Carlsbad, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|3298634|3095313}}
 |[[San Diego County, California|San Diego]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|5}}
| align="center" |{{nts|26}}
|[[Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|2397382|2149127}}
 |[[El Dorado County, California|El Dorado]], [[Placer County, California|Placer]], [[Sacramento County, California|Sacramento]], [[Yolo County, California|Yolo]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|6}}
| align="center" |{{nts|35}}
|[[San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|2000468|1836911}}
 |[[San Benito County, California|San Benito]], [[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|7}}
| align="center" |{{nts|56}}
|[[Fresno, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|1008654|930450}}
 |[[Fresno County, California|Fresno]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|8}}
| align="center" |{{nts|62}}
|[[Bakersfield, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|909235|839631}}
 |[[Kern County, California|Kern]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|9}}
| align="center" |{{nts|70}}
|[[Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|843843|823318}}
 |[[Ventura County, California|Ventura]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|10}}
| align="center" |{{nts|75}}
|[[Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA]]
 |{{change|invert=on|779233|685306}}
 |[[San Joaquin County, California|San Joaquin]]
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Largest combined statistical areas in California
|-
| CA rank
| U.S. rank
![[List of Combined Statistical Areas|Combined statistical area]]<ref name="2020Census" />
!2020 census<ref name="2020Census" />
!2010 census<ref name="2020Census" />
!Change
!Counties<ref name="OMB_17-01" />
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|1}}
| align="center" |{{nts|2}}
|[[Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA Combined Statistical Area]]
 |{{change|invert=on|18644680|17877006}}
 |[[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles]], [[Orange County, California|Orange]], [[Riverside County, California|Riverside]], [[San Bernardino County, California|San Bernardino]], [[Ventura County, California|Ventura]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|2}}
| align="center" |{{nts|4}}
|[[San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Combined Statistical Area]]
 |{{change|invert=on|9714023|8923942}}
 |[[Alameda County, California|Alameda]], [[Contra Costa County, California|Contra Costa]], [[Marin County, California|Marin]], [[Merced County, California|Merced]], [[Napa County, California|Napa]], [[San Benito County, California|San Benito]], [[San Francisco]], [[San Joaquin County, California|San Joaquin]], [[San Mateo County, California|San Mateo]], [[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara]], [[Santa Cruz County, California|Santa Cruz]], [[Solano County, California|Solano]], [[Sonoma County, California|Sonoma]], [[Stanislaus County, California|Stanislaus]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|3}}
| align="center" |{{nts|23}}
|[[Sacramento-Roseville, CA Combined Statistical Area]]
 |{{change|invert=on|2680831|2414783}}
 |[[El Dorado County, California|El Dorado]], [[Nevada County, California|Nevada]], [[Placer County, California|Placer]], [[Sacramento County, California|Sacramento]], [[Sutter County, California|Sutter]], [[Yolo County, California|Yolo]], [[Yuba County, California|Yuba]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|4}}
| align="center" |{{nts|45}}
|[[Fresno-Madera, CA Combined Statistical Area]]
 |{{change|invert=on|1317395|1234297}}
 |[[Fresno County, California|Fresno]], [[Kings County, California|Kings]], [[Madera County, California|Madera]]
|-
| align="center" |{{nts|5}}
| align="center" |{{nts|125}}
|[[Redding-Red Bluff, CA Combined Statistical Area]]
 |{{change|invert=on|247984|240686}}
 |[[Shasta County, California|Shasta]], [[Tehama County, California|Tehama]]
|}
Description	What you type	What you get
Italic	''Italic text''	Italic text
Bold	'''Bold text'''	Bold text
Bold & italic	'''''Bold & italic text'''''	*Bold & italic text*
Description	What you type	What you get
Reference	Page text.<ref>[https://www.example.org/ Link text], additional text.</ref>	Page text.^[1]
Named reference	Page text.<ref name="test">[https://www.example.org/ Link text]</ref>	Page text.^[2]
Additional use of the same reference	Page text.<ref name="test" />	Page text.^[2]
Display references	<references />	↑ Link text, additional text. ↑ Link text