California County Map

California County Maps

California is a whole different animal when it comes to counties. This state has 58 of ’em, and they’re about as diverse as you can get. I’d expect more than 58 counties, given its size and population. But Californians can be modest folks too.

California Counties

Los Angeles County is the largest county in terms of population. It’s not just big. It’s massive. We’re talking more people than most states, crammed into an area that includes glitzy Hollywood, gritty downtown LA, and everything in between. On the flip side, there’s Alpine County, nestled high in the Sierra Nevada. With fewer than 2,000 folks, it’s California’s least populous county. No big cities here. It’s just pristine wilderness with tons of elbow room.

San Bernardino County takes the cake for size. It’s bigger than nine states, if you can believe it. From the Mojave Desert to the San Bernardino Mountains, this county has it all. Death Valley, the lowest point in North America? Yeah, that’s here too. Now, shrink that down to postage stamp size and you’ve got San Francisco County. It might be tiny, but it has iconic bridges, steep hills, and an island prison.

The county names in California often have Native American origins, Spanish influence, geographical features, and notable historical figures. For example, Yolo County comes from a Native American word. Yep, it doesn’t stand for “You Only Live Once”. While San Diego County honors a Spanish saint, Sutter County is named after a prominent settler.

California’s counties have some larger-than-life stories. You’ve got Napa County with its world-class wines. Humboldt County is where the redwoods touch the sky. Finally, Lake County is named for its geographical features. Yep, water. And what’s the oldest county in California? San Diego was established back in 1850 when California first became a state. Talk about getting in on the ground floor.