California State Maps

These maps show California State Counties, Cities, Federal Areas, Physiographic, and Ecoregions.

The Counties of California and Their Name Origins

• Alameda County: Named after the Spanish word for "grove of poplar trees."
• Alpine County: Named for its high mountain peaks.
• Amador County: Named after José María Amador, a soldier, rancher, and gold miner.
• Butte County: Named after the Marysville Buttes in the northern Sacramento Valley.
• Calaveras County: Named for the Spanish word for "skulls."
• Colusa County: Derived from a local Native American word meaning "scratcher."
• Contra Costa County: Spanish for "opposite coast," referring to its location across the bay from San Francisco.
• Del Norte County: Spanish for "of the north," reflecting its northernmost location.
• El Dorado County: Named for the mythical city of gold, referring to its rich Gold Rush history.
• Fresno County: Spanish for "ash tree," referring to the abundant ash trees in the area.
• Glenn County: Named after Hugh J. Glenn, a prominent wheat farmer in the area.
• Humboldt County: Named after the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.
• Imperial County: Named for the Imperial Valley, where the county is located.
• Inyo County: Derived from a Native American word meaning "dwelling place of the great spirit."
• Kern County: Named for Edward Kern, a cartographer and topographer in the John C. Frémont expedition.
• Kings County: Named for the Kings River, which was named by Spanish explorers.
• Lake County: Named after Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within California.
• Lassen County: Named for Peter Lassen, an early pioneer and rancher in the area.
• Los Angeles County: Spanish for "The Angels," from the original name of the city, El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles.
• Madera County: Spanish for "wood," referencing the timber in the area.
• Marin County: Named after Chief Marin of the Coast Miwok Native American tribe.
• Mariposa County: Spanish for "butterfly," named for the large number of butterflies found in the area during the 1800s.
• Mendocino County: Named after Cape Mendocino, which was named for Antonio de Mendoza, the Viceroy of New Spain.
• Merced County: Spanish for "mercy," named after the Merced River, originally called El Río de Nuestra Señora de la Merced.
• Modoc County: Named for the Modoc Native American tribe in the area.
• Mono County: Named after the Mono people, a Native American tribe in the region.
• Monterey County: Named for Monterey Bay, which was named in honor of the Count of Monte Rey.
• Napa County: Derived from a Native American word meaning "house."
• Nevada County: Spanish for "snow-covered," referencing the Sierra Nevada mountains.
• Orange County: Named after the orange fruit, which was one of the major crops grown in the county at the time.
• Placer County: Named for the placer gold deposits found in the area during the Gold Rush.
• Plumas County: Spanish for "feathers," named after the Feather River (Río de las Plumas), which runs through the county.
• Riverside County: Named for the city of Riverside, which is located near the Santa Ana River.
• Sacramento County: Spanish for "sacrament," referring to the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.
• San Benito County: Named for San Benito (Saint Benedict), a prominent figure in Christianity.
• San Bernardino County: Named after Saint Bernardino of Siena by Spanish missionaries.
• San Diego County: Named after Saint Didacus (San Diego in Spanish), a Catholic missionary.
• San Francisco County: Named for Saint Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order.
• San Joaquin County: Named for the San Joaquin River, which was named by early Spanish explorers.
• San Luis Obispo County: Named for Saint Louis, the Bishop of Toulouse (San Luis Obispo in Spanish).
• San Mateo County: Named after Saint Matthew (San Mateo in Spanish).
• Santa Barbara County: Named after Saint Barbara, a Christian martyr.
• Santa Clara County: Named for Saint Clare of Assisi (Santa Clara in Spanish).
• Santa Cruz County: Spanish for "holy cross," named for the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Mission Santa Cruz.
• Shasta County: Named after Mount Shasta, which was named by the early Hudson's Bay Company explorers after a local Native American tribe.
• Sierra County: Named for the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which runs through the county.
• Siskiyou County: The origin of the name is uncertain; it may derive from a Native American word, a mountain pass, or a French word meaning "six stones."
• Solano County: Named after Chief Solano, a leader of the Suisun people who allied with Mexican forces.
• Sonoma County: Derived from a Native American word for "valley of the moon" or "nose," depending on interpretation.
• Stanislaus County: Named for the Stanislaus River, which in turn was named after a local Native American leader, Estanislao.
• Sutter County: Named after John Sutter, a pioneer and agriculturalist known for his association with the California Gold Rush.
• Tehama County: Named after a local Native American village or the Arabic word for "lowlands."
• Trinity County: Named for the Trinity River, which was named by Spanish explorers who believed it led to the Holy Trinity.
• Tulare County: Named after Tulare Lake, once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River.
• Tuolumne County: Derived from a Native American word, possibly meaning "many stone houses" or "people of the caves."
• Ventura County: Named after Mission San Buenaventura, which was named for Saint Bonaventure.
• Yolo County: Derived from a Native American word "yo-loy," meaning "abounding in rushes" or "place of the rushes."
• Yuba County: The origin of the name is unclear, but it may derive from a Native American word or from the Spanish word "uva" (grape), for the wild grapes found in the area.

California State County Sizes Map

Smallest County in California State

Alpine County: 740 sq miles

Largest County in California State

San Bernardino County: 20,119 sq miles

Mean and Median Area of Counties in California State

Mean Area: 3057 sq miles

Median Area: 1311 sq miles

Major Cities of California State and Their Locations

1. Coastal Cities

Los Angeles: The largest city in California, located on the Pacific Coast and a major global hub for entertainment, culture, and trade.

San Francisco: Known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a major city on the northern California coast, famous for its tech industry and history.

2. Inland Cities

Sacramento: California’s capital city, located in the Central Valley. Sacramento has a rich history dating back to the Gold Rush era.

Fresno: A key agricultural hub located in the Central Valley.

Topographic Tour of California

1. Coastal Lowlands

The western edge of California features low-lying coastal areas along the Pacific Ocean. This region includes beaches, estuaries, and coastal hills, especially around the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.

2. Sierra Nevada Mountains

Running north to south along the eastern edge of California, the Sierra Nevada is home to Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous U.S. The range also features Yosemite National Park and Kings Canyon National Park.

3. Central Valley

The Central Valley is a vast, fertile flatland that lies between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Coast Ranges. It is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, producing a large portion of the nation's fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

4. Mojave Desert

The Mojave Desert in southeastern California is an arid region known for its dramatic landscapes, including sand dunes, Joshua trees, and unique rock formations. Death Valley, the hottest place in North America, is located in this desert.

5. Cascade-Sierra Range

Stretching through the northern parts of California, this mountain range is characterized by volcanic peaks such as Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak. It forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and contains dense forests and pristine alpine lakes.

6. Klamath Mountains

The Klamath Mountains, located in northern California near the Oregon border, are known for their rugged terrain and biodiversity. This region is rich in coniferous forests, including the famous coastal redwoods.

Physiographic Regions of California

BASIN AND RANGE, GREAT BASIN

This region covers northeastern California and is characterized by alternating mountain ranges and flat valleys. It includes dry, arid basins and supports diverse wildlife.

BASIN AND RANGE, MEXICAN HIGHLAND

This section lies in southeastern California and stretches into Mexico. The terrain features arid, rocky highlands and desert valleys.

BASIN AND RANGE, SALTON TROUGH

The Salton Trough is an extension of the Basin and Range province, and is known for the Salton Sea, an inland saline lake located in the Colorado Desert region of Southern California.

BASIN AND RANGE, SONORAN DESERT

Part of the larger Sonoran Desert, this region spans southeastern California. It is a low-elevation desert with unique flora like the iconic saguaro cactus.

CASCADE-SIERRA MOUNTAINS, SIERRA NEVADA

This region includes the Sierra Nevada, which is home to California’s highest peaks, vast forests, and a range of habitats from alpine to montane.

CASCADE-SIERRA MOUNTAINS, SOUTHERN CASCADE MOUNTAINS

The southern part of the Cascade Range, including Lassen Peak, features volcanic landscapes, geothermal activity, and dense forests.

LOWER CALIFORNIAN

This region covers much of Southern California, characterized by warm, Mediterranean climates, coastal scrub, and chaparral ecosystems.

PACIFIC BORDER, CALIFORNIA COAST RANGES

This rugged coastal region extends along California’s Pacific coastline. It is characterized by mountainous terrain and diverse ecosystems, including coastal redwood forests.

PACIFIC BORDER, CALIFORNIA TROUGH

This region includes the Central Valley and its surrounding lowlands, forming one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world.

PACIFIC BORDER, KLAMATH MOUNTAINS

The Klamath Mountains, located in northern California near the Oregon border, are known for their rugged terrain and biodiversity.

PACIFIC BORDER, LOS ANGELES RANGES

This region includes the mountains surrounding the Los Angeles Basin, such as the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains, providing a dramatic backdrop to the city.

Notable Federal Lands: Some of the Largest and Most Fascinating Destinations in California

1. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of California’s most famous national parks, known for its towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees. It attracts millions of visitors each year.

2. Death Valley National Park

Located in eastern California, Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America, offering stark desert landscapes and unique geological features.

3. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

These two adjacent national parks are home to some of the world's largest trees, the giant sequoias, as well as stunning mountain landscapes and alpine scenery.

4. Joshua Tree National Park

Famous for its iconic Joshua Trees and rugged rock formations, this park offers a blend of two desert ecosystems: the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.

5. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Peak is one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world, and the park features a variety of geothermal features, including boiling springs and fumaroles.

Ecoregions of California

Central California Coast Ranges Section

This ecoregion features rugged coastal mountains and rolling hills. It has a Mediterranean climate and supports diverse ecosystems, including chaparral and oak woodlands.

Central California Coast Section

Running along the central coast, this section includes lowlands, coastal dunes, and wetlands. It is home to rich agricultural lands and unique coastal species.

Great Valley Section

This ecoregion encompasses the fertile Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, and supports vast grasslands, rivers, and wetlands.

Klamath Mountains Section

Known for its biological diversity, this section includes forested mountains and supports numerous endemic plant species and rich wildlife habitats.

Modoc Plateau Section

The Modoc Plateau is located in northeastern California and features volcanic landscapes, high desert, and forested lava flows, home to unique high-elevation species.

Mojave Desert Section

This ecoregion represents the driest and hottest desert environment in California, home to unique species such as the desert tortoise and diverse cacti.

Mono Section

Located in eastern California, this section includes high desert basins and the iconic Mono Lake, a saline soda lake that supports unique aquatic life.

Northern California Coast Ranges Section

This section features rugged mountains, coastal forests, and river systems. It includes the northern reaches of California’s coastal redwoods.

Northern California Coast Section

This ecoregion spans northern coastal areas and is known for its temperate rainforests, featuring towering redwoods and a cool, moist climate.

Northern California Interior Coast Ranges Section

Situated inland, this section includes forested mountain ranges and grasslands, providing important habitats for diverse plant and animal species.

Northwestern Basin and Range Section

This section covers northeastern California’s arid, mountainous terrain, featuring valleys and salt flats within the Great Basin.

Sierra Nevada Foothills Section

The foothills of the Sierra Nevada include rolling oak woodlands and chaparral ecosystems, transitioning from the Central Valley to the high mountain ranges.

Sierra Nevada Section

This section covers the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, including alpine meadows, coniferous forests, and glacier-carved valleys.

Sonoran Colorado Desert Section

Located in southeastern California, this ecoregion includes low-elevation deserts, home to unique flora like creosote bush and wildlife such as bighorn sheep.

Sonoran Mojave Desert Section

This section covers parts of both the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, featuring diverse desert landscapes and ecosystems adapted to extreme aridity.

Southern California Coast Section

This section includes coastal plains and mountain ranges of Southern California, supporting chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and rare species such as the California gnatcatcher.

Southern Cascades Section

This ecoregion includes the southern part of the Cascade Range, with coniferous forests, volcanic features, and important watersheds.