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California region map
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Regions

Pick a region form the map or the list below to explore.

California region map

Regions

Scroll down to explore the twelve regions of California.

  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo VCW_D_SC_Hero_barn Scenic.jpg_KG
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_shastacascade

    1. Shasta Cascade

    This region, in California’s northeast corner, is known for mountains, forests, waterfalls, and amazing, safe-to-visit volcanoes. The region, a 3-hour drive north of Sacramento, gets its name from the rugged Cascade Mountains and their signature peak in state, 14,180-foot/4,322-meter Mount Shasta—yes, a volcano.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: Pacific Crest Trail
    Spotlight: Lassen Volcanic National Park
    Spotlight: Butte County
    California Welcome Centers in Shasta Cascade
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo Hero_H_HW1_NC_DuncansCove_Seeff_0
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_northcoast

    2. North Coast

    With crashing waves along the coast and soaring redwood trees blanketing miles of uncrowded parkland, this is one of California’s most spectacular regions. The largest city, Eureka, is roughly a 5-hour drive north of San Francisco—but what a drive: see lush wine country, charming hamlets, spouting whales, and breathtaking sunsets.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: Redwood National & State Parks
    Spotlight: Mendocino
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo VCW_D_GC_Hero_SierraFoothills_swim_Flippen-sized
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_goldcountry

    3. Gold Country

    The western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range, defining California’s eastern border, are known as the Gold Country, named after the rich Mother Lode discovered here in the mid-1850s. While gold is still found in the region, new riches include top museums and art in Sacramento, the state capital, plus whitewater rafting, tucked-away towns, farm-fresh dining, and award-winning wines.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: Sacramento
    California Welcome Centers in Gold Country
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo VC_Hero_Manley
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_sfbayarea

    4. San Francisco Bay Area

    On the western oceanfront of Northern California, at the state’s distinctive bend along the coast, lies this breathtaking region. It’s framed by an unforgettable gateway—the iconic Golden Gate Bridge—spanning the mouth of San Francisco Bay. Explore diverse cities, picturesque hamlets, family-friendly beaches, coastal parklands, and wine country, including Napa and Sonoma wine country, 1½ hours north of San Francisco.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: San Francisco
    Spotlight: Alcatraz
    Spotlight: Point Reyes National Seashore
    Spotlight: Napa Valley
    Spotlight: Sonoma County
    Spotlight: Berkeley
    Spotlight: Oakland
    Spotlight: Santa Cruz
    Spotlight: San Jose
    Spotlight: Silicon Valley
    California Welcome Centers in the San Francisco Bay Area
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo VCW_D_HS_Hero_packtrip_Sunset TS_HS_tpf0513s-hr146b-54118-ts-dark_0
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_highsierra

    5. High Sierra

    Nicknamed “California’s backbone,” this region of towering granite peaks defines much of the state’s eastern boundary. Visit Yosemite Valley, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, and the giant trees of Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks—all within a day’s drive of either San Francisco or L.A. In winter, enjoy snow sports; in summer, go hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or boating.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: Lake Tahoe
    Spotlight: Yosemite National Park
    Spotlight: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
    Spotlight: Mammoth Lakes
    Spotlight: Pacific Crest Trail
    California Welcome Centers in the High Sierra
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo *VCW_HERO_CV_PacificStar_UPick3_Flippen_sized
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_centralvalley

    6. Central Valley

    Running right down the middle of California, this broad region contains some of most productive farmland in the world. Wine country around Lodi features big, bold reds. Further south, Fresno has a lively arts scene.
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    Highlights

    Davis
    Lodi Wine Country
    Spotlight: Fresno
    Spotlight: Bakersfield
    California Welcome Centers in the Central Valley
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo VC_CentralCoast_RegionHero_DinosaurCavePark-ShellBeach_Stock_RF_143997001_1280x640x_0
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo dummy-map_0

    7. Central Coast

    In this narrow strip of coastal hills and valleys, discover romantic towns, including Carmel-by-the-Sea, historic Monterey, and elegant Santa Barbara, nicknamed “the American Riviera.” The region’s classic drive along Highway One, linking San Francisco to Los Angeles, visits Big Sur, Hearst Castle, wine country, and kick-back surf towns.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: Monterey & Carmel
    Spotlight: Big Sur
    Spotlight: Hearst Castle
    Spotlight: San Luis Obispo County
    Spotlight: Pinnacles National Park
    Spotlight: Santa Barbara
    Spotlight: Ventura County
    Spotlight: Channel Islands National Park
    California Welcome Centers in the Central Coast
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo VCW_D_DE_T1__DE_DeathValley_Flippen_1
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_deserts_0

    8. Deserts

    This dramatic region takes up the southeastern half of the state. Remarkable desert parklands, including Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Anza-Borrego, provide an extraordinary chance to explore, while the oasis-like allure of Palm Springs, 3 hours northeast of San Diego, offers sunny resort-style getaways, with golf, tennis, spas, and high-end shopping.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: Greater Palm Springs
    Spotlight: Death Valley National Park
    Spotlight: Joshua Tree National Park
    Spotlight: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
    California Welcome Centers in the Deserts
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo InlandEmpire_biking_1280x642_0
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_inlandempire

    9. Inland Empire

    This densely populated Southern California region has surprising alpine getaways, like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, in the impressive San Bernardino Range. On the region’s sunny east side, explore the inviting Temecula Valley wine region. The university town of Riverside is the region’s largest city. San Bernardino, the second largest city, has museums and impressive shopping, while Fontana has NASCAR racing.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: Pacific Crest Trail
    Lake Arrowhead
    Big Bear Lake
    Spotlight: Temecula Valley
    Route 66
    California Welcome Centers in the Inland Empire
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo LosAngeles_Killackey_sized
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo dummy-map_0

    10. Los Angeles County

    This sunny region along the state’s southern coast is California’s most populated region, best known as the capital of the entertainment industry. Here, movie stars really do work in Hollywood, play in the surf at Malibu, and shop in Beverly Hills. Looping freeways make the car king, but the region also has a surprisingly good network of buses and light rail—a hassle-free way to explore.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: Los Angeles
    Spotlight: Griffith Park
    Spotlight: The Getty Center
    Spotlight: West Hollywood
    Spotlight: Hollywood
    Spotlight: Universal Studios Hollywood
    Spotlight: Santa Monica
    Spotlight: Long Beach
    Spotlight: Santa Catalina Island
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo Hero_OC_HuntingtonCouple_Mansfield_sized
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_orangecounty

    11. Orange County

    Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, this region is known for flawless beaches and “the happiest place on earth,” Disneyland Resort. Anaheim, the theme park’s home, offers a surprisingly hip vibe in a refurbished downtown. Newport Beach has dazzling yachts, Huntington Beach has iconic surfing, and Costa Mesa beckons with top shopping.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: Knott’s Berry Farm
    Spotlight: Disneyland Resort
    Spotlight: Anaheim
    California Welcome Centers in Orange County
  • Spotlight: San Diego Zoo Surfing_Mom_LaJolla_Myles_1280x642
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo vca_maps_sandiego

    12. San Diego County

    This sun-and-surf region is known for some of the best weather and warmest water in the state. San Diego, the state’s second largest city, is home to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, one of the world’s great urban parks. For family fun, play at SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California. Inland, discover surprising mountain towns like Julian, known for orchards and apple pie.
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    Highlights

    Spotlight: San Diego
    Spotlight: Balboa Park
    Spotlight: San Diego Zoo
    Spotlight: SeaWorld San Diego
    Spotlight: Legoland California
    Spotlight: Pacific Crest Trail
    California Welcome Centers in San Diego County