California Regions

Copyright: California State Parks An orange field of California poppies

Attractions - From the Gold Country to the San Francisco Bay Area, from the Central Coast to San Diego County, these regions are home to State Parks, National Parks, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, National Recreation Areas, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas and much more.

Recreation - California is an outdoor recreation paradise. The state's size and tremendous diversity create an array of outdoor recreation opportunities that may be unmatched in North America. Due to the temperate climate throughout much of the state, these activities are often available year round. Some of the most popular activities available include hiking, backpacking, fishing, swimming, surfing, windsurfing, boating, kayaking, rafting, sailing, surfing, mountain climbing, camping, scenic driving, mountain biking, riding motorcycles and ATVs, bird-watching, and wildlife viewing. Winter brings deep snow to the mountains and opportunities for world class downhill skiing and snowboarding, as well as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Climate - Thanks to California's generally mild climate, many recreation areas are accessible year round. Summer temperatures range from 100+ in the desert and Sacramento and Central Valleys, to a cool and often foggy 50 in San Francisco. The mildest weather statewide occurs in fall. Rain begins in late autumn and continues through winter in most areas. Winter brings heavy snow at higher elevations, particularly in the Sierra Nevada and other mountain ranges. Desert areas remain warm and coastal areas often experience mild temperatures during winter months.

Location - California lies along the west coast of the United States. The state has been divided into 12 regions.