A Map of the U.S. state California

California Facts

  • U.S. State: California
  • Abbreviation: CA
  • Joined the USA: September 9th, 1850 (31st State)
  • Located: West Coast of the United States
  • Capital City: Sacramento, CA
  • Most Populated City: Los Angeles, CA

31 California Facts for Kids

  1. California is a state in the United States of America.
  2. California is the western region of the United States.
  3. California became a U.S. state on Monday, September 9th, 1850.
  4. California was the 31st state to join the United States.
  5. The U.S. state of California covers 163,696 square miles.
  6. California is the 3rd largest state by area in the United States.
  7. In 2019, the population of California was estimated to be 39,510,000 residents by the U.S. Census Bureau.
  8. In 2019, California was the most populated state in the United States.
  9. A person who is from or lives in California is called a Californian.
  10. The capital city of California is Sacramento.
  11. The three most populated cities in California are Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose.
  12. The largest city by population in California is Los Angeles.
  13. The largest metropolitan area in California is the Greater Los Angeles area.
  14. The U.S. state of California has 58 counties.
  15. The most populated county in California is Los Angeles County with 10+ million residents (2019, U.S. Census Bureau).
  16. The largest county by area in California is San Bernardino County with 20,062 square miles.
  17. The highest elevation point in California is Mount Whitney with a summit at 14,505 feet above sea level.
  18. The lowest elevation point in California is the Badwater Basin at 279 feet below sea level.
  19. The average precipitation (rain and snow) in California is 22.97 inches.
  20. California is the 40th wettest state by precipitation (rain and snow) in the United States.
  21. The average temperature in California is 61.17 °F.
  22. The warmest temperature ever recorded in California was 134 °F on July 10th, 1913.
  23. The coldest temperature ever recorded in California was -45 °F on January 20th, 1937.
  24. A few natural disasters that can affect California are earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and wildfires.
  25. California is in one time zone, Pacific Time Zone (PT).
  26. The USPS abbreviation for California is CA.
  27. The first European to explore California was Iberian explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo.
  28. The official state flower of California is the golden poppy.
  29. The official state tree of California is the California redwoods.
  30. The official state bird of California is the California valley quail.
  31. The official state fish of California is the California golden trout.

More U.S. State Facts

Additional Resources on California