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Maps of the California regions are helpful if you're going to travel around northern or southern California. In addition to helping you locate roads, highways, cities, counties and fun things to do in California, they'll help you see what each region has to offer.
Based on our experience... Using Google Maps is fine for making plans at home or in the hotel room, but when you're out on the California highways or backroads... and your laptop dies, there's no WIFI or your GPS doesn't work... a backup paper map is priceless!
The 12 California Regions: For purposes of travel and tourism, the California has been divided into 12 different regions. The boundaries of the regions were largely determined by county boundaries or by natural features such as deserts, mountains or bays. Checkout the California map below to see where each region is located within the state. In addition, we've provided maps for each region and summarized the distinguishing characteristics, the counties and major cities of each region.
Free Printable California Region Maps: We've provided free printable road maps of each region in both Southern California and Northern California (see links to download below). These maps will show you where to find California National Parks, California State Parks, historic sites, recreation areas, lakes and so forth -- and will give you ideas of fun things to do in California.
To Purchase California Road Maps: Depending on your travel plans, you may want to buy specific California maps, such as: a southern California map; a northern California map; maps of the California north coast, central coast, high sierra, California deserts, etc. You can CLICK HERE to buy or to search for the exact maps you want from an inventory of thousands of titles. The cost of the books is only 2-4 gallons of gas... so we always find them to be well worth the price. Getting lost can burn-up a lot of gas! For your convenience, we've also highlighted four of our favorite map books below.
Another resource we recommend is MAPS.com (click link below). They have a great selection of California road maps and California city maps. Our visitors will receive a discount of 5% off ALL orders and 10% off large orders.
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Map of California Regions
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Central Coast Map, Counties & Cities - Small towns, agriculture, golden rolling hills and many lovely coastal locations define this tranquil region.
 Click for printable California Central Coast Map
Counties: Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito
Cities: Monterey, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura: Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Hollister, Prunedale, Moss Landing, Castroville, Marina, San Juan Bautista, Seaside, Carmel, Gonzales, Soledad, Pacific Grove, Lucia, Greenfield, Jolon, King City, San Ardo, San Lucas, San Miguel, Paso Robles, San Simeon, Cambria, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Santa Margarita, Shandon, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Buellton, Los Alamos, Goleta, Solvang, Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Point Mugu, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Newbury Park, Oak View, Moorpark, Camarillo, Cuyama
Central Valley Map, Counties & Cities - This region is California's main agricultural region. The many rivers, lakes and reservoirs make this a great place for water recreation and camping.
Click for printable California Central Valley Map
Counties: Portions of Glenn, Colusa, Yolo, Solano, San Joaquin, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera
Cities: Fairfield, Davis, Stockton, Fresno, Visalia: Hamilton City, Orland, Willows, Butte City, Elk Creek, Alder Springs, Maxwell, Colusa, Princeton, Yuba City, Live Oak, Marysville, Olivehurst, Wheatland, Williamsburg, Arbuckle, Dunnigan, Esparto, Capay, Woodland, Winters, Davis, West Sacramento, Clarksburg, Hood, Courtland, Dixon, Vacaville, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Lodi, Galt, Lockeford, Linden, Stockton, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Antioch, Byron, French Camp, Lathrop, Manteca, Ripon, Oakdale, Knights Ferry, Waterford, Riverbank, Modesto, Tracy, Snelling, Turlock, Newman, Livingston, Patterson, Wesley, Atwater, Winton, Planada, Merced, Chowchilla, Aubury, Friant, Clovis, Dos Palos, Madera, Firebaugh, Mendota, San Joaquin, Kingsburg, Kerman, Easton, Coalinga, Huron, Lemore, Hanford, Visalia, Porterville, Exeter, Tipton, Tulare, California Hot Springs, Bakersfield, McKittrick, Tehachapi, Mojave, Gorman, Lebec, Maricopa, Buttonwillow, Arvin, Wasco, Alpaugh, Ford City, Springville, Dinuba, Lindsay, Reedley
Deserts Map, Counties & Cities - In addition to being hot and dry, the ecologically fragile desert region is know for its colorful geological formations, spring wildflowers, mile-high peaks and endangered species.
Click for printable California Deserts Map
Counties: Portions of Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo
Cities: Barstow, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Needles: El Centro, Stovepipe Wells, Keeler, Olancha, Panamint Springs, Furnace Creek, Death Valley Junction, China Lake, Ridgecrest, Trona, Shoshone, Tecopa Hot Springs, Baker, Fort Irwin, Goldstone, Johannesburg, California City, Mojave, Rosamond, Edwards, Boron, Barstow, Hinkley, Daggett, Ludlow, Amboy, Needles, Essex, Big River, Earp, Vidal, Blythe, Ripley, Palo Verde, Picacho, Winterhaven, Calexico, El Centro, Calipatria, Westmorland, Brawley, Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Morongo Valley, Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Ocotillo, Imperial, Holtville, Palm Desert, Coachella, Salton City, Borrego Springs, Indio
Gold Country Map Counties & Cities - As the name implies, this region has many historic reminders of the California gold rush. Visiting the Gold Country will give you a fascinating look-back into an important era in the history of California.
Click for printable California Gold Country Map
Counties: Portions of Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yuba, El Dorado, Sacramento, Fresno, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador, Placer, Sutter
Cities: Nevada City, Auburn, Sacramento, Placerville, Sonora: Calpine, Sattley, Loyalton, Sierraville, Sierra City, Nevada City, Grass Valley, Rough & Ready, Alta, Colfax, Penn Valley, Weimar, Foresthill, Applegate, Meadow Vista, Bowman, Auburn, Roseville, Georgetown, North Highlands, Rocklin, Coloma, Placerville, Pollock Pines, Camino, Diamond Springs, Somerset, Citrus Heights, Florin, Elk Grove, Plymouth , Drytown, Amador, Volcano, Jackson, San Andreas, Pioneer, Vallecito, La Grange, Coulterville, Hornitos, Catheys Valley, Coarsegold, Raymond, North Folk, O'Neals and Raymond
High Sierra Map, Counties & Cities - Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Forest are three of the gems in this spectacularly beautiful region. It's an outdoor-lover's paradise.
Click for printable California High Sierra Map
Counties: Portions of Inyo, Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Yuba, Alpine, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Alpine
Cities: Truckee, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, Bishop: Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Tahoe City, Northstar, Soda Springs, South Lake Tahoe, Myers, Kyburz, Pollock Pines, Kit Carson, Markleeville, Walker, Bear Valley, Arnold, Pinecrest, Mi-wuk Village, Bridgeport, Bodie, Lee Vining, June Lake, Benton, Bishop, Tom's Place, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite Village, El Portal, Mariposa, Wawona, Fish Camp, Big Pine, Huntington Lake, Oakhurst, Awahnee, Shaver Lake, Independence, Lone Pine, Grant Grove, Cedar Grove, Giant Forest, Kernville, Weldon, Lake Isabella, Bodfish, Twain Harte and Isabella
Inland Empire Map, Counties & Cities - This eclectic area is not very well known. You'll find rolling grassy hills, a 3,350' high lake, citrus groves, high desert and a high-altitude forest wilderness area.
Click for printable Inland Empire Map
Counties: Portions of Riverside, San Bernardino
Cities: San Bernardino, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Riverside: Temecula, Adelanto, Oro Grande, Apple Valley, Lucerne Valley, Banning, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Fawnskin, Hesperia, Victorville, Wrightwood, Crestline, Green Valley Lake, San Bernardino, Banning, Beaumont, Redlands, Calimesa, Yucaipa, Cherry Valley, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Loma Linda, Grand Terrace, Upland, Ontario, Mira Loma, Glen Avon, Los Serranos, Norco, Corona, Rubidoux, Riverside, Woodcrest, Morena Valley, Perris, Sun City, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, Aguanga, Cahuilla, Idyllwild, San Jacinto, Hemet, Terra Cotta
Los Angeles County Map & Cities - This area is known for its diversity. In addition to the well-known beaches and the glamour of Hollywood, it also includes the Santa Monica Mountains wilderness (located within the city limits of Los Angeles), historic sites and breathtaking views.
Click for printable Los Angeles County Map
Cities: Los Angeles, Hollywood, Malibu, Pasadena: Santa Monica, Gorman, Quartz Hill, Lancaster, Palmdale, Pearblossom, Acton, Castaic, Valencia, Santa Clarita, Newhall, Sylmar, San Fernando, Tujunga, Pacoima, Burbank, Pasadena, San Dimas, Pomona, West Covina, Glendale, Arcadia, Alhambra, El Monte, Pomona, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Malibu, Marina Del Rey, El Segundo, Torrance, Carson, Long Beach, Venice Beach, Lakewood, Norwalk, Downey, Whittier, San Pedro, Torrance, Hawthorne, Compton, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Pico Rivera, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Encino, Industry, and Baldwin Park
North Coast Map, Counties & Cities - This is the least developed and most rugged region in the state. It is characterized by redwood forests, rocky bluffs along the shoreline and lots of wildlife.
Click for printable California North Coast Map
Counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Lake
Cities: Crescent City, Arcata, Eureka, Mendocino, Santa Rosa: Smith River, Gasquet, Crescent City, Klamath, Requa, Orleans, Orick, Weitchpec, Hoopa, Willow Creek, Trinidad,, McKinleyville, Arcata, Blue Lake, Bayside, Eureka, Samoa, Loleta, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, Rohnerville, Bridgeville, Scotia, Recrest, Weott, Miranda, Phillipsville, Myers Flat, Honeydew, Shelter Cove, Redway, Garberville, Benbow, Piercy, Legget, Covelo, Laytonville, Westport, Cleone, Fort Bragg, Caspar, Mendocino, Willits, Redwood Valley, Upper Lake, Lucerne, Clearlake Oaks, Lear Lake, Lower Lake, Lakeport, Calpella, Ukiah, Hopland, Elk, Philo, Boonville, Kelseyville, Cobb, Cloverdale, Middletown, Geyserville, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Glen Ellen, Sonoma, Petaluma, Sebastopol, Bodega, Bodega Bay, Jenner and Sea Ranch, Gualala, Point Area, Guerneville
Orange County Map & Cities - 42 miles of coastline and a year round temperate climate make this region a beach-lover's paradise. It's also noted for nature preserves, wooded canyons and old-fashioned beach towns.
Click for printable Orange County Map
Cities: Santa Ana, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim: Huntington Beach, La Habra, Yorba Linda, Brea, Fullerton, Anaheim, Orange, Villa Park, Anaheim Hills, Placentia, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Westminster, Santa Ana, Cypress, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Stanton, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Balboa Island, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo, San Juan Hot Springs, Lake Forest, Trabuco Canyon, Corona Del Mar, Tustin, Villa Park, El Modena and Orange
San Diego County Map & Cities - San Diego is the "yachting capital of California." Life here revolves around the beaches.
Click for printable San Diego County Map
Cities: San Diego, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon: Fallbrook, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Pala, Pauma Valley, Warner Springs, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas, Solana Beach, La Jolla, Del Mar, Coronado, Imperial Beach, San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Alpine, Pine Valley, Jacumba, Campo, San Ysidro, Julian, Escondido, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Vista, San Marcos, La Costa, Lakeside, Santee, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, Indian Springs, Dulzura, and Poway
San Francisco Bay Area Map, Counties & Cities - Redwood forests, elephant seals, Monarch butterflies, historic lighthouses, oak-studded hillsides and spectacular views -- as well as the world-class city of San Francisco -- are all a part of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Click for printable San Francisco Bay Area Map
Counties: San Francisco, Marin, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara
Cities: San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Napa, San Jose: Calistoga, St Helena, Yountville, Napa, Vallejo, Concord, Bernicia, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Clayton, Lafayette, Novato, Point Reyes, Olema, Tomales, Inverness, Stinson Beach, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Richmond, Pinole, Hercules, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Orinda, Oakland, Berkeley, Danville, San Ramon, Alameda, San Leandro, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Emeryville, Dublin, Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton, Fremont, Union City, Daly City, Pacifica, San Francisco, Burlingame, Foster City, Millbrae, San Gregorio, San Mateo, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Davenport, Half Moon Bay, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Felton, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Aptos, Watsonville, Los Gatos, San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Menlo Park, Sunnyvale and Mountain View
Shasta Cascade Map, Counties & Cities - The northernmost region in California, Shasta Cascade includes sleeping volcanoes, ancient lava flows, cold water springs, granite spires and lots of wildlife.
Click for printable Shasta Cascade Map
Counties: Portions of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, Tehama, Plumas, Butte, Glenn, Trinity
Cities: Redding, Chico, Quincy, Mt. Shasta, Anders: Happy Camp, Seiad Valley, Horse Creek, Klamath River, Hornbrook, Yreka, Montague, Scott Bar, Somes Bar, Greenview, Grenada, Gazelle, Etna, Sawyers Bar, Callahan, Forks of Salmon, Mount Hebron, Doris, Macdoel, Tule Lake, Newell, Edgewood, Weed, Alturas, Willow Ranch, Fort Bidwell, Cedarville, Canby, Likely, Bartle, Ponderosa, MacArthur, McCloud, Mt Shasta, Dunsmuir, Coffee Creek, Burney, Hat Creek, Old Station, Lake Head, Helena, Weaverville, Redding, Mad River, Ruth, Junction City, Hayfork, Platina, Anderson, Red Bluff, Corning, Los Molinos, Vina, Chico, Gridley, Biggs, Oroville, Berry Creek, Paradise, Quincy, Portola, Chilcoot, Susanville, Westwood, Crescent Mills, Taylorsville, Ravendale, Johnstonville, Paynes Creek, Cottonwood, Palermo and Oroville
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We love "Tours on Tape" and audio books like the one below! They enrich the experience by pointing out "hidden treasures" and telling fascinating background stories!
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Give it your best shot! Right or wrong... you're entered in our Prize Drawing for cool travel stuff! Add us to your Favorites, so you can enter again every week! It's fun and you might get lucky! Learn more and find answers on the Fun Facts Quiz page.
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