This partiallist of city nicknames in California compiles thealiases,sobriquets,mottos andslogans thatcities inCalifornia are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to locals, outsiders or theirtourism boards orchambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.[1] Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth"[2] are also believed to have economic value.[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure,[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.[2]
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
City of Angels[9][63] – based partially on the literal translation of the city's original historical full name from theSpanish language -- "The City of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels".
^Alameda, here we come - California island townArchived 2008-02-17 at theWayback Machine,Sunset (magazine), August 2001. "Much of what makes Alameda, an island with a picturesque perch off Oakland's flank in San Francisco Bay, so unusual is the way it balances connection with isolation. It lies within easy reach of major urban hubs – the bay, the San Francisco skyline, and the East Bay hills are all in view. Even so, the "Island City" seems a world apart."
^Antioch - A Total CommunityArchived 2007-07-14 at theWayback Machine, accessed April 5, 2007. "The waters in the Antioch area are some of the prime striped bass and sturgeon fishing waters. As the "Gateway to the Delta", Antioch will continue as a refuge for boaters."
^Welcome to the Auburn Endurance Capital Web Site!, accessed April 5, 2007. "2003, the Auburn City Council passed an official measure proclaiming Auburn as the Endurance Capital of the World. Auburn is home to some of the most challenging and historic endurance events on the planet."
^Relocating to BakersfieldArchived 2007-09-29 at theWayback Machine, Green Country. Accessed June 2, 2007. "Bakersfield has become known as "California's Country Music Capital" with the emergence of musicians like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens."
^Hemphill, W. G. (June 4, 1964). "This & That -- Friendliest City In The West".Palo Verde Valley Times.
^ABout Buena ParkArchived 2007-12-27 at theWayback Machine,Buena Park, California. Accessed May 17, 2007. "Known as the "Center of the Southland," Buena Park is a City with a distinct heritage undergoing an exciting revitalization in business, residential, and commercial projects."
^A Brief History of ClovisArchived 2008-02-15 at theWayback Machine, City of Clovis. Accessed June 2, 2007. "Located in the northeast quadrant of the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area, Clovis is situated in the midst of the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley. Since its incorporation in 1912, Clovis has been the 'Gateway to the Sierra.'"
^abYour City: Coachella,The Desert Sun. Accessed June 2, 2007. "The "City of Eternal Sunshine – Gateway to the Salton Sea" is largely a young, rural and family oriented area of the desert."
^HistoryArchived 2007-09-29 at theWayback Machine, City of Compton. Accessed June 2, 2007. "The City of Compton is known as the "Hub City" because of its unique position in almost the exact geographical canter of Los Angeles County."
^ab"Central Marin Police Authority Consolidation Summary": "Over the past three years the Twin Cities Police Authority and the San Anselmo Police Department have been collaboratively working together toward Police Consolidation through the sharing of services." Accessdate December 9, 2015
^" The melting pot boils over.",The Economist, October 13, 1990. Accessed June 2, 2007. "Daly City outside San Francisco, once a mostly white, blue-collar town, is now called "Little Manila" because of its large Filipino population."
^Fitch, Mike."Growing Pains: Thirty Years in the History of Davis"Archived 2012-07-22 at theWayback Machine Chapter Ten: The Political Culture of Davis,Davis, California. "Another of the city's critics was a railroad executive who couldn't hide his annoyance when officials asked his company in the early 1990s to contribute up to $1,000 for a planning project the city was undertaking next to the railroad tracks. "This letter is tantamount to railroad robbery. However, since we are forced to live with the People's Republic of Davis, we will accede to your demands in the interest of the commune welfare," the executive wrote in response, enclosing a check for $500."
^"Lessons from the Big Raisin,"Monterey County Herald, December 23, 2009; "A Nickname Would Give Fresno and Identity,"Fresno Bee, December 27, 1993; many others
^"Thousands will head downtown for FresYes Fest this weekend. How to best enjoy the party,"Fresno Bee, March 22, 2023; "Retailer says 'yes' to Fresno's appeal - Hollister Co., ex-Fresnan sell clothing with a positive twist on the city's name."Fresno Bee, May 7, 2004; many others
^"Our Inglewood Moment,"Los Angeles Times, January 13, 2015 (and subsequent letter on January 16); "Inglewood Wages War With Studios,"Los Angeles Times, February 18, 1992; others
^"The sad demise of Brooks Brothers,"The Spectator (UK), April 23, 2022; "John Mayer's love letter to El Lay yacht rock is more than just easy nostalgia,"Los Angeles Times, July 15, 2021; innumerable others
^Grant, Rachel."Different stars in Tinseltown",Financial Times, March 9, 2007, accessed April 12, 2007. "With shows such as Red Eye and an important LA artist retrospective last year at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Tinseltown is finally gaining international artistic recognition."
^Marysville's Golden History, accessed April 12, 2007. "Those that survive are a constant reminder of Marysville's golden history and proof that Marysville is still the ‘Gateway to the Gold Fields’."
^Merced Conference & Visitor's BureauArchived 2020-05-18 at theWayback Machine, accessed April 12, 2007. "As the "Gateway to Yosemite," Merced offers the traveler an abundance of recreational facilities and a short drive or ride into Yosemite National Park."
^"'It's part of our history.' Merced community unites to restore historic Laura Fountain",Merced Sun-Star, February 12, 2022; "Sarah Lim: Historical Society Calendar celebrates Merced's 150th anniversary,"Merced Sun-Star, December 26, 2021; others
^"Marijuana is mainstream but weed tourism isn't booming. Here's why,"Washington Post, April 20, 2023; "What's going on in the Modesto region? A lot, here's a look,"Modesto Bee, April 18, 2019; many others
^Monterey, CaliforniaArchived 2010-08-06 at theWayback Machine, accessed April 12, 2007. "Many California "firsts" occurred in Monterey. These include California's first theater, brick house, publicly funded school, public building, public library, and printing press. Because of this, some have dubbed Monterey 'the cradle of history.'"
^Fry, Hannah (August 1, 2019)."This California town wants to be a 2nd Amendment 'sanctuary city' for guns and ammo".Los Angeles Times. RetrievedAugust 1, 2019.When cannabis began to emerge as a booming business in the state several years ago, Needles seized the opportunity. Marijuana has been a lifeline for the town. . . . At the Wagon Wheel, the city's oldest restaurant, a souvenir shop displays license plates with the city's unofficial nickname — Weedles —and glasses adorned with marijuana leaves and pot puns.
^About OakdaleArchived 2008-05-09 at theWayback Machine, accessed April 12, 2007. "The Saddle Club started putting on rodeos in the spring, and the city became known as the "Cowboy Capital of the World"."
^Oakland: Geography and Climate, City-Data website. "Oakland has earned the nickname "bright side of the Bay" because of its sunny skies and moderate year-round climate."
^Oakland: Story of a City, by Beth Bagwell (1982; Presidio Press;ISBN0-89141-146-1).[1] "From about 1860 until the turn of the century, Oakland claimed the title of "the Athens of the Pacific" because of its schools." (page 99)
^Oakland (Postcard History), by Annalee Allen (2005; Arcadia Publishing;ISBN978-0-7385-3014-7).[2] "A Chevrolet plant opened, attracting various automotive parts manufacturers to establish themselves as well, thus earning Oakland the nickname 'Detroit of the West.'" (page 58)
^McClymonds Students Study to Rejuvenate ParkArchived 2008-02-13 at theWayback Machine, by Cecily Burt, fromOakland Tribune, Tuesday, May 4, 2004; archived on City of Oakland website (accessed January 6, 2007). "They talked about Oakland's nickname, 'Oak Town,' and the lack of remaining leafy specimens that made the city famous."
^"Bump City".The Oakland Standard. RetrievedOctober 1, 2020."Common nickname from the 1970s which led to the naming of John Kirch's book of essays and poems about Oakland"
^Judge weighs lawyer's lawsuit: Plan to redevelop downtown challenged, by Will Oremus,Redwood City Daily News. Quote page 7, paragraph #3, '... for a city that has been saddled with the moniker "Deadwood City" in the past.'
^"CCR song 'Tombstone Shadow' inspired by bad psychic in San Bernardino,"Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, May 3, 2023; "Fairy tales can come true, they can happen to you, if you drive the freeway, looking at 'brag tags' in L.A.," Jack Smith column inLos Angeles Times, April 22, 1986; innumerable others
^Leo, Peter."'America's finest city' takes a fall",Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 6, 2005, accessed April 12, 2007. "Which brings us to less-humble San Diego. It had the nerve to tout itself as "America's Finest City."... This would seem to present an opportunity for Tampa, which bills itself as "America's Next Greatest City."
^San Francisco Public Library (March 29, 2005)."PPIE: The City That Knows How".Amusing America. San Francisco Public Library, Online Exhibitions. Archived fromthe original on October 18, 2007. RetrievedJune 14, 2008.
^Many tourists refer to San Francisco as "Frisco", a name popularized through songs like(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay andSweet Little Sixteen. However, locals discourage this use and prefer the nicknameThe City by the Bay. Samuel D. Cohen writes that many credit "Friscophobia" to newspaper columnistHerb Caen, whose first book, published in 1953, was "Don't Call it Frisco." Caen was considered by many to be the recognized authority on what was, and what was not, beneath the city's dignity, and to him, Frisco was intolerable.Cohen, Sam (September 11, 1997)."Locals Know best: only tourists call it 'Frisco'".Golden Gater Online. San Francisco State University. Archived fromthe original on November 23, 1997. RetrievedJuly 13, 2008.
^"Bankers Must Be Alert to Issues Raised by Activists,"Thw American Banker. August 4, 1982; "Rent Curb Backers Lose in Calif. City,"Washington Post, April 16, 1983; many others
