Carlsbad
—  City  —
City of Carlsbad
Official seal of Carlsbad Seal
Location of Carlsbad within San Diego County, California.
Carlsbad Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°7′19″N 117°17′49″W / 33.12194°N 117.29694°W / 33.12194; -117.29694Coordinates: 33°7′19″N 117°17′49″W / 33.12194°N 117.29694°W / 33.12194; -117.29694
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Diego
Incorporated	1952
Government
• Mayor	Matt Hall
Area[1]
• Total	39.110 sq mi (101.295 km2)
• Land	37.722 sq mi (97.699 km2)
• Water	1.388 sq mi (3.596 km2)  3.55%
Elevation	52 ft (16 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	105,328
• Rank	5th in San Diego County 59th in California 256th in the United States
• Density	2,700/sq mi (1,000/km2)
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
• Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code	92008, 92009, 92010, 92011
Area code(s)	760, 442 (overlaid)
FIPS code	06-11194
GNIS feature ID	1660437
Website	carlsbadca.gov

Carlsbad is an affluent, coastal resort city that occupies seven miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean in the northern region of San Diego County in Southern California. Carlsbad is located 87 miles (140 km) south of Los Angeles and 35 miles (56 km) north of downtown San Diego. A majority of San Diego County's top twenty-five employers have their locations closer to Carlsbad than San Diego.^[2] The city is mainly known for shopping, tourism, a booming high-tech industry, and resort living. The population was 105,328 at the 2010 census. The city has drafted ordinances protecting sensitive wildlife habitat, becoming one of the first municipalities in the U.S. state of California to do so. The city has also pledged to protect a specified amount of land within the city limits from development of any kind and spends significant funds to restore habitats destroyed by newer development projects.

History[link]

Statue of John Frazier

Carlsbad's history begins with the Luiseño people who located one of their villages, Palamai, near what is today Agua Hedionda Lagoon. In the 1880s a former sailor named John Frazier dug a well in the area. He began offering his water at the train station and soon the whistle-stop became known as Frazier's Station. A test done on a second fresh-water well discovered the water to be chemically similar to the one found in some of the most renowned spas in the world, and the town was named after the famed Spa in the Bohemian town of Karlsbad.^[3]

To take advantage of the find, the Carlsbad Land and Mineral Water Company was formed by a German-born merchant from the Midwest named Gerhard Schutte together with Samuel Church Smith, D.D.Wadsworth and Henry Nelson. The naming of the town followed soon after, along with a major marketing campaign to attract visitors. The area experienced a period of growth, with homes and businesses sprouting up in the 1880s. Agricultural development of citrus fruits, avocados and olives soon changed the landscape. By the end of 1887, land prices fell throughout San Diego County. However, the community survived on the back of its fertile agricultural lands.

The site of John Frazier's original well can still be found at Alt Karlsbad, a replica of a German Hanseatic house, located on Carlsbad Boulevard.

The world's first skateboard park, Carlsbad Skatepark, was built here in March 1976.^[4] It was located on the grounds of Carlsbad Raceway and was designed and built by inventors Jack Graham and John O'Malley.

Today, Carlsbad is described as an affluent suburban city formed to avoid annexation by nearby Oceanside.^{[citation needed]} The city attracted people from around the world, one example are ethnic groups from Germany and Austria, as well Scandinavia and the Low Countries came in the turn of the 20th century in a town and landscape reminiscent of their homelands.^{[citation needed]} But the real thing is Carlsbad has a theme park Legoland California - the first and only one outside of Europe - owned and operated by the Lego Corporation of Denmark and virtually most of the theme park: its' focus are constructed by the trademark product, Lego bricks.^[5]

Geography[link]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.1 square miles (101 km²) of which 37.7 square miles (98 km²) are land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) are (3.55%) water, the majority of which is contained within three lagoons and one lake.

The northern area of the city is part of a tri-city area consisting of northern Carlsbad, southern Oceanside and western Vista.

Most of the current city area, including many of its boasted attractions, has been annexed from neighboring unincorporated areas since the 1970s.

Climate[link]

Carlsbad has a Subtropical-Mediterranean Climate, similar to many coastal areas of California.

Carlsbad neighborhoods[link]

The Old Santa Fe Depot, built in 1907, is a local landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places and currently houses the city's Visitor's Information Center.

For city planning and growth management purposes, the city of Carlsbad is divided into four quadrants.^{[7] [8]}

Northwest quadrant[link]

The northwest quadrant of Carlsbad (ZIP code 92008) includes the downtown "Village," the Barrio and what is known as "Olde Carlsbad." It is the first part of Carlsbad to be settled; homes range from 1950s cottages and bungalows to elegant mansions on the hill overlooking the ocean. Hosp Grove, a grove of trees relatively untouched by development and now designated by the city for recreational use, is located in the northwest quadrant, along with the Buena Vista and Agua Hedionda Lagoon.

The Barrio is the area near downtown Carlsbad, "bordered by Carlsbad Village Drive to the north, Tamarack Avenue to the south, Interstate 5 to the east and the railroad tracks to the west," was settled by Latinos in the early 20th century.^[9] It is the site of the Centro de Aprendizaje, a Spanish division of the Carlsbad City Library.^[10]

Northeast quadrant[link]

The quadrant consists mostly of single-family homes, with larger lots found in the older area known as Chestnut Hills. It is located east of El Camino Real and north of Palomar Airport Road.

Southeast quadrant[link]

This is the most newly-developed quadrant and contains the largest number of dwelling units of the four quadrants. It is located south of Palomar Airport Road and east of El Camino Real and includes La Costa Resort and Spa.

Southwest quadrant[link]

This quadrant extends along the Pacific Ocean to the south of the center of Carlsbad. It includes the Aviara resort neighborhood.

Demographics[link]

2010[link]

The 2010 United States Census^[11] reported that Carlsbad had a population of 105,328. The population density was 2,693.1 people per square mile (1,039.8/km²). The racial makeup of Carlsbad was 87,205 (82.8%) White, 1,379 (1.3%) African American, 514 (0.5%) Native American, 7,460 (7.1%) Asian, 198 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 4,189 (4.0%) from other races, and 4,383 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13,988 persons (13.3%).

The Census reported that 104,413 people (99.1% of the population) lived in households, 459 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 456 (0.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 41,345 households, out of which 14,079 (34.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 22,657 (54.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,792 (9.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,519 (3.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2,038 (4.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 295 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 9,890 households (23.9%) were made up of individuals and 3,800 (9.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53. There were 27,968 families (67.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.03.

The population was spread out with 25,366 people (24.1%) under the age of 18, 6,718 people (6.4%) aged 18 to 24, 28,073 people (26.7%) aged 25 to 44, 30,373 people (28.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 14,798 people (14.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

There were 44,673 housing units at an average density of 1,142.2 per square mile (441.0/km²), of which 26,808 (64.8%) were owner-occupied, and 14,537 (35.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%. 69,855 people (66.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 34,558 people (32.8%) lived in rental housing units.

2000[link]

As of the census of 2000, there were 78,247 people, 31,521 households, and 20,898 families residing in the city.^[12] The population density was 2,090.2 people per square mile (806.9/km²). There were 33,798 housing units at an average density of 902.8 per square mile (348.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.6% Caucausian, 1.0% African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 4.7% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.7% of the population.

There were 31,521 households out of which 30.7% contained children under the age of 18, 54.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of single individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The mean household size was 2.46 and the mean family size was 2.96.

23.3% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. Among those 18 and older, there were 92.8 males for every 100 females.

According to a 2010 Census estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $85,146, and the median income for a family was $100,932.^[13] Males had a median income of $54,826 versus $39,415 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,863. About 3.4% of families and 5.9% of the population fell below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Current estimates[link]

According to estimates made by the CBRE Demographic Report in 2005, an estimated average household income for Carlsbad neighborhoods (92008, 92009, 92011) were $106,459, $108,364, and $111,483, respectively.

Politics[link]

In the state legislature Carlsbad is located in the 38th Senate District, represented by Republican Mark Wyland, and in the 74th Assembly District, represented by Republican Martin Garrick. Federally, Carlsbad is located in California's 50th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +3^[14] and is represented by Republican Brian Bilbray.

Carlsbad voters in 2008 approved making Carlsbad a charter city. City government is led by an elected mayor and four council members, elected at large. Mayor Claude "Bud" Lewis has been mayor since 1986 and on the council since 1970. Carlsbad has no term limits. Other council members that year include Matt Hall, Mark Packard, Ann Kulchin and Julie Nygaard, a former councilwoman who was appointed in 2007 to replace Norine Sigafoose, who resigned, for personal reasons, with 18 months left in her term. Nygaard was appointed with the promise that she would not seek re-election. In the fall of 2008 Kulchin announced she would seek an eighth four-year term. Also in the race, for Kulchin's seat and the open seat vacated by Nygaard, were publisher and veteran journalist Thomas K. Arnold, police sergeant Keith Blackburn, and print shop owner Farrah Douglas, a city planning commissioner. They were joined by college student Evan Delaney Rodgers and retired Marine Glenn Bernard. Bernard has run for office in Carlsbad before. With support from the public labor unions, Kulchin and Blackburn won. Blackburn set a new record for campaign expenditures, pouring nearly $100,000 into his successful campaign. Douglas finished third, and Arnold came in fourth. Glenn and Rodgers came in fifth and last, respectively. It should be noted that Rodgers vowed to spend less than $100 of her own money on the campaign and succeeded. Both Glenn and Rodgers vowed right from the start not to use plastic campaign signs for ecological reasons.^{[citation needed]}

When Mayor Bud Lewis, who had been in office since 1986, stepped down at the completion of his last four-year term in 2010, Carlsbad witnessed a heated battle pitting Matt Hall, a longtime city councilman, against fellow city councilman Keith Blackburn. Hall made pension reform the core issue of his campaign while Blackburn was supported by both the police and firefighter unions. Hall ultimately won by a significant margin, 46.5% to 40.7%, even though Blackburn had far more campaign signs and mailers, many of them funded by the unions.^[15] The council race for 2010 was won by incumbent Mark Packard^[16] and planning commissioner Farrah Douglas, who had run in 2008 but narrowly lost. Jon Wantz, a newcomer to Carlsbad politics, and frequent council candidate Bill Jubb also ran.^[17]

Economy[link]

The GEO Group maintains its Western Regional Office in Carlsbad.^[18]

Top employers[link]

According to the city's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,^[19] the top manufacturing employers in the city are:

The top non-manufacturing employers in the city are:

Notable corporate headquarters[link]

• Aptera Motors, 300mpg vehicle startup
• Arkeia Software, network backup solutions
• Atticus Clothing, Apparel
• AutoClaims Direct, Insurance claims technology firm
• California Pacific Airlines, a planned airline^[20]
• Callaway Golf Company, Golf equipment and apparel manufacturer
• Cobra Golf, Golf equipment and apparel manufacturer
• Fallen Footwear, Shoe company
• Gemological Institute of America, Headquarters
• Hay House, new age publisher
• Hot Dog on a Stick, restaurants
• Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, restaurant
• Jazzercise, International dance fitness program
• Jenny Craig, Inc., Weight management
• K2 Sports, Winter sports equipment
• Life Technologies, Biotechnology
• Macbeth Footwear, apparel
• MaxLinear, Semiconductors
• No Fear, apparel
• Osiris Shoes, Shoe company
• PC Power & Cooling, PC power supply manufacturer
• Razer USA Ltd, Computer peripherals manufacturer
• Reef, Apparel
• Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, Quick serve restaurants
• Sierra Wireless, Research and development office, CDMA and EVDO products
• TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company, Golf equipment and apparel manufacturer
• Upper Deck, Sports and entertainment trading card manufacturer^[21][22]
• ViaSat, Inc, Satellite communications

Schools[link]

School Districts

• Carlsbad Unified School District
• Encinitas Union School District-for Elementary schools in South Carlsbad
• San Dieguito Union High School District-for Junior High and High schools in South Carlsbad
• San Marcos Unified School District-for schools in southeast Carlsbad

Public High

• Carlsbad High School
• La Costa Canyon High School

Public Intermediate

• Calavera Hills Middle School
• Valley Middle School
• Aviara Oaks Middle School

Public Interlevel

• Carlsbad Seaside Academy (Independent Study)

Public Elementary

• Aviara Oaks Elementary School
• Buena Vista Elementary School
• Calavera Hills Elementary School
• Carlsbad Seaside Academy (K-6 Alternative Education)
• Hope Elementary School
• Jefferson Elementary School
• Kelly Elementary School
• Magnolia Elementary School
• Pacific Rim Elementary School
• Poinsettia Elementary School
• El Camino Creek Elementary School
• La Costa Heights Elementary School
• Mission Estancia Elementary School
• Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School

Private Schools

• Army and Navy Academy: Military Prep
• Pacific Ridge School
• St. Patrick School
• Montessori Arts and Sciences School
• Beautiful Saviour Lutheran Elementary School
• The Academy by the Sea: Camp Pacific
• Palisades Point Christian Academy

Public libraries[link]

• Carlsbad City Library
• Georgina Cole Library

Library Learning Center

Sister cities[link]

Carlsbad has two sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:

• Futtsu, Japan
• Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

Attractions[link]

• Legoland California
• K1 Speed
• Museum of Making Music

Maritime

• Agua Hedionda Lagoon
• Batiquitos Lagoon
• Buena Vista Lagoon

Notable former and current residents[link]

• Frank Alesia, character actor and television director^[23]
• Marcus Allen, college and professional football star
• Michael Austinmoore, of alternative rock band VAST
• Brian P. Bilbray, U.S. Congressman
• Ron Blair, bassist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
• Adam Brody, American film and television actor; played Seth Cohen on The O.C.
• Chad Butler, drummer for Switchfoot
• Leo Carrillo, actor, cartoonist, conservationist and preservationist, and owner of Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad^[24]
• Brandon Chillar, linebacker for the Green Bay Packers
• Jim Cochran, pioneering organic strawberry farmer.
• Jonathan Compas, center for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• S.E. Cupp, journalist and political commentator
• David Díaz,Caldecott winning illustrator/author
• Rob Dyrdek, professional skateboarder and television personality lived in Carlsbad during the filming of Rob and Big
• Jon Foreman, lead singer of alternative band Switchfoot
• Tim Foreman, brother of Jon Foreman and bassist for Switchfoot
• Ryan Gallant, professional skateboarder
• Troy_Glaus, Baseball player
• LeRoy Grannis,^[25] surfing photographer; LeRoy Grannis: Surf Photography of the 1960s and 1970s
• Ryan Guy, football player for St. Patricks Athletic in the Republic of Ireland.
• Tony Hawk: former resident; now lives in nearby Encinitas.
• Michellie Jones, Pro Triathlete, 2006 Ironman World Champion, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist
• Rod Laver, former world #1 Australian tennis player, retired in La Costa.^[26]
• Sal Masekela,^[27] son of musician Hugh Masekela. CHS graduate. TV host for Winter X Games on ESPN.
• Gregory R Nelson Sr., cofounder of DonJoy, Inc., present chairman and CEO of United Orthopedic Group
• Emily O'Brien,^[28] The Young and the Restless actress; 2003 graduate CHS
• Ron Packard, U.S. Congressman
• Jean Peters, movie actress and wife of Howard Hughes
• John Pugsley, libertarian political activist
• Bridget Regan, actress known for her role as Kahlan Amnell on Legend of the Seeker
• Boris Said, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver
• Brian Simo, NASCAR Nationwide Series race car driver
• Staciana Stitts, 2000 Summer Olympics Gold Medalist swimmer; graduate CHS
• Victor Villaseñor, bestselling author
• Sadie West, pornographic actress, 2010 AVN Award nominee – Best New Starlet Award
• Shaun White, professional snowboarder, skateboarder, and Winter Olympics Gold Medalist; current resident of nearby Rancho Santa Fe.

References[link]

External links[link]

San Diego County portal

• City of Carlsbad · Official website.
• Carlsbad City Library
• Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
• Carlsbad Historical Society

v t e Municipalities and communities of San Diego County, California, United States County seat: San Diego Cities Carlsbad Chula Vista Coronado Del Mar El Cajon Encinitas Escondido Imperial Beach La Mesa Lemon Grove National City Oceanside Poway San Diego San Marcos Santee Solana Beach Vista CDPs Alpine Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Bostonia Boulevard Campo Camp Pendleton North Camp Pendleton South Casa de Oro-Mount Helix Crest Descanso Eucalyptus Hills Fairbanks Ranch Fallbrook Granite Hills Harbison Canyon Hidden Meadows Jacumba Jamul Julian La Presa Lake San Marcos Lakeside Mount Laguna Pine Valley Potrero Rainbow Ramona Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe San Diego Country Estates Spring Valley Valley Center Winter Gardens Unincorporated communities 4S Ranch Ballena Banner De Luz De Luz Heights Dulzura Elfin Forest Four Corners Guatay Hellhole Palms Jesmond Dene Lincoln Acres Ocotillo Wells Olivenhain Pala Pauma Valley Pine Hills Ranchita Rincon San Luis Rey Santa Ysabel Shelter Valley Tecate Warner Springs Indian reservations Barona Reservation Campo Indian Reservation Capitan Grande Reservation Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation Inaja and Cosmit Reservation Jamul Indian Village La Posta Reservation Manzanita Reservation Mesa Grande Reservation Pala Indian Reservation San Pasqual Reservation Santa Ysabel Reservation Sycuan Band Reservation Viejas Reservation

v t e Mayors of cities with populations exceeding 100,000 in California     Antonio Villaraigosa (Los Angeles) Jerry Sanders (San Diego) Chuck Reed (San Jose) Edwin M. Lee (San Francisco) Ashley Swearengin (Fresno) Kevin Johnson (Sacramento) Bob Foster (Long Beach) Jean Quan (Oakland) Harvey Hall (Bakersfield) Tom Tait (Anaheim) Miguel A. Pulido (Santa Ana) Ronald O. Loveridge (Riverside) Ann Johnston (Stockton) Cheryl Cox (Chula Vista) Gus Morrison (Fremont) Sukhee Kang (Irvine) Pat Morris (San Bernardino) Jim Ridenour (Modesto) Thomas E. Holden (Oxnard) Acquanetta Warren (Fontana) William H. Batey II (Moreno Valley)* John Drayman (Glendale) Don Hansen (Huntington Beach)* Bob Kellar (Santa Clarita)* William Dalton (Garden Grove) Susan Gorin (Santa Rosa)* Jim Wood (Oceanside) Donald Kurth (Rancho Cucamonga) Paul S. Leon (Ontario) R. Rex Parris (Lancaster) Pat Hume (Elk Grove) James C. Ledford Jr. (Palmdale) Stan Skipworth (Corona)* Dennis Donohue (Salinas) Elliot Rothman (Pomona) Frank Scotto (Torrance) Michael Sweeney (Hayward) Sam Abed (Escondido) Tony Spitaleri (Sunnyvale) Bill Bogaard (Pasadena) Carolyn Cavecche (Orange) F. Richard Jones (Fullerton)* Jacqui Irwin (Thousand Oaks)* Jesus Gamboa (Visalia) Paul Miller (Simi Valley) William D. Shinn (Concord)* Gina Garbolino (Roseville) Jamie L. Matthews (Santa Clara) Osby Davis (Vallejo) Rudy Cabriales (Victorville) Ernest Gutierrez (El Monte) Tom Bates (Berkeley) Rick Trejo (Downey)* Eric R. Bever (Costa Mesa)* James T. Butts, Jr. (Inglewood) Christy Weir (Ventura) Shelley Sanderson (West Covina)* Cheri Kelley (Norwalk)* Matt Hall (Carlsbad) Harry T. Price (Fairfield) Gayle McLaughlin (Richmond) Kelly Bennett (Murrieta) David Golonski (Burbank) Jim Davis (Antioch) Carol L. Klatt (Daly City) Jeffery Comerchero (Temecula) Larry Lavagnino (Santa Maria) ^* Mayor selected from city council Other states AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

State of California Flag Seal Nickname(s): The Golden State Motto(s): Eureka[1] Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English (only) 57.6% Spanish 28.2%[2] Demonym Californian Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area Area  Ranked 3rd in the U.S.  - Total 163,696 sq mi (423,970 km2)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4.7  - Latitude 32° 32′ N to 42° N  - Longitude 114° 8′ W to 124° 26′ W Population  Ranked 1st in the U.S.  - Total 37,691,912 (2011 est)[3]  - Density 242/sq mi  (93.3/km2) Ranked 11th in the U.S.  - Median household income  US$61,021 (9th) Elevation    - Highest point Mount Whitney[4][5][6][7] 14,505 ft (4421.0 m)  - Mean 2,900 ft  (880 m)  - Lowest point Badwater Basin in Death Valley[5][6] −282[8] ft (-86.0 m) Before statehood California Republic Admission to Union  September 9, 1850 (31st) Governor Jerry Brown (D) Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom (D)[9] Legislature California State Legislature  - Upper house California State Senate  - Lower house California State Assembly U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D) Barbara Boxer (D) U.S. House delegation 34 Democrats, 19 Republicans (list) Time zone Pacific: UTC -8/-7 Abbreviations CA Calif. US-CA Website www.ca.gov California State symbols The Flag of California. The Seal of California. Animate insignia Bird(s) California Quail Fish Golden Trout Flower(s) California Poppy Grass Purple Needlegrass Insect California Dogface Butterfly Mammal(s) California grizzly bear (State Animal )[1] Reptile Desert Tortoise Tree California Redwood Inanimate insignia Beverage Wine Colors Blue & Gold Dance West Coast Swing Fossil Sabre-toothed cat Gemstone Benitoite Mineral Native Gold Rock Serpentine Soil San Joaquin Song(s) "I Love You, California" Tartan California State Tartan Route marker(s) State Quarter Released in 2005 Lists of United States state insignia

California (pronounced ⁱ/kælɨˈfɔrnjə/) is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state,^[10] and the third most extensive (after Alaska and Texas). It is home to the nation's second- and sixth-largest census statistical areas (Los Angeles Metropolitan Area and San Francisco Bay Area), and eight of the nation's fifty most populated cities (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach and Oakland).^[11] The capital city is Sacramento.

California's diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west, to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east – from the Redwood–Douglas-fir forests of the northwest, to the Mojave Desert areas in the southeast. The center of the state is dominated by Central Valley, a major agricultural area. California contains both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States (Mount Whitney and Death Valley), and has the third-longest coastline of all states (after Alaska and Florida). Earthquakes are a common occurrence due to the state's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire: about 37,000 are recorded annually.^[12]