List of city nicknames in California

This partial list of city nicknames in California compiles the aliases, sobriquets, mottos and slogans that cities in California are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to locals, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers 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.

Nicknames by city

A

B

People's Park in Berkeley was a center of 1960s counterculture activity remembered in the sobriquet "The People's Republic of Berkeley."

C

Castroville's nickname celebrates its status as a producer of artichokes.

D

Dinuba, Fallbrook, and Selma have nicknames that celebrate the production of raisins.

F

G

Garlic ice cream is given away at the annual Garlic Festival in Gilroy, nicknamed Garlic Capital of the World.

H

I

L

M

N

O

  • Oakdale – Cowboy Capital of the World[63]
  • Oakland
    • Bright Side of the Bay[64]
    • Bump City
    • The Town
    • God's Country [65]
    • Athens of the Pacific [66]
    • Detroit of the West (historical)[67]
    • Oaktown[68]
    • O-Town[69]
  • Oxnard
    • Lima Bean Capital of the World[21]
    • Strawberry Capital of the World[70]

P

Close-up view of one of the flower-bedecked floats in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, which calls itself the City of Roses.

R

S

Solvang's architecture reflects the Danish heritage celebrated by its nickname, Danish capital of America.

T

V

W

Y

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Muench, David (December 1993). "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts" (PDF). University of Wisconsin Extension. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 9, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2007.
  2. 1 2 Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :), MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
  3. ↑ Alameda, here we come - California island town Archived 2008-02-17 at the Wayback 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."
  4. ↑ Antioch - A Total Community, 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."
  5. ↑ "About Arcadia". City of Arcadia. Archived from the original on August 29, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  6. ↑ 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."
  7. ↑ Relocating to Bakersfield, 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."
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Snibbe, Kurt (February 5, 2018). "Test your knowledge of nicknames for states and California cities". The Orange County Register. Retrieved 5 March 2018 – via Napa Valley Register.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 U.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008
  10. ↑ Foldvary, Fred E. "The People's Republic of Berkeley" Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine., The Progress Report. Accessed May 17, 2007.
  11. ↑ Cockrell, Cathy. "The ‘Athens of the West’ - Latest Chronicle of UC edition highlights history of campus arts and culture", UCBerkeley News, October 20, 2004.
  12. ↑ Yosemite Wrangler Wins Mule Days World Championships Archived 2008-02-17 at the Wayback Machine., Business Wire, June 30, 2000
  13. ↑ Hemphill, W. G. (1964-06-04). "This & That -- Friendliest City In The West". Palo Verde Valley Times.
  14. ↑ ABout Buena Park Archived 2007-12-27 at the Wayback 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."
  15. ↑ "Burbank, Ca. – Media Capital of the World". Travel America. April 20, 2007.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Claims to Fame - Agriculture, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  17. ↑ Visit Carlsbad website, accessed December 9, 2015.
  18. 1 2 Motto ought to be boffo, Irvine World News, February 22, 2004.
  19. ↑ "San Fernando's Open Secret: Porn Biz Has Migrated To What Some Call 'San Pornando Valley'", CBS News, November 25, 2002. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  20. 1 2 " City of Roses City of Trees - Chico, California" Archived 2008-01-12 at the Wayback Machine., CaliforniaBeautiful.com, March 17, 2007. Accessed May 17, 2007.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 The World Capital of Whatever, The New York Times by Harold Faber, September 12, 1993.
  22. ↑ Welcome to the Official Website for the City of Chino: About the City Archived 2007-12-27 at the Wayback Machine., Chino, California. Accessed May 17, 2007. "The City's motto, "Where Everything Grows" originally referred to this agricultural beginning."
  23. ↑ A Brief History of Clovis Archived 2008-02-15 at the Wayback 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.'"
  24. 1 2 Your 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."
  25. 1 2 Colma, California
  26. ↑ History Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback 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."
  27. ↑ Welcome to Corona - The Circle City Archived 2008-01-12 at the Wayback Machine., City of Corona. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  28. ↑ CrownCity.com area businesses website
  29. 1 2 "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
  30. ↑ John L. Mitchell, Four Classics to Hit the Boards: 'Heart of Screenland' to Stage Theater in Park, Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1987. "Culver City may be known as the 'Heart of Screenland,' but live theater will take center stage there..."
  31. ↑ Gateway to the Peninsula: History of Daly City, California Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine.. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  32. ↑ " 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."
  33. ↑ US News & World Report Archived 2013-07-12 at the Wayback Machine.
  34. ↑ OpenWorld.gov
  35. ↑ Fitch, Mike. "Growing Pains: Thirty Years in the History of Davis" Archived 2012-07-22 at the Wayback 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."
  36. ↑ Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
  37. ↑ Raibert, Andrea. "Garden Grove: City of 'youth and ambition' is culturally diverse, celebrating 50 years of hometown pride" Archived 2008-02-13 at the Wayback Machine., Orange County Register, November 8, 2006. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  38. ↑ Mendoza, Raymond (July 10, 2014). "Fountain Valley, a nice place to live". Orange County Register. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  39. ↑ Barry Popik, Big Strawberry, February 16, 2006
  40. ↑ Greetings From America's Secret Capitals, Time (magazine), July 13, 1998.
  41. ↑ Glendale: The Jewel City (PDF), Glendale, California. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  42. ↑ City of Glendora website
  43. ↑ http://www.cagenweb.com/cpl/sbgoleta.htm
  44. ↑ City of Hawthorne website, accessed September 22, 2016
  45. ↑ City of Hayward website, accessed November 20, 2011
  46. ↑ City of Hercules website. Accessed October 29, 2008.
  47. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  48. ↑ The 12 Zins of Lodi Archived 2008-03-13 at the Wayback Machine., accessed March 13, 2010.
  49. 1 2 3 Claims to Fame - Plants, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  50. 1 2 Chad Greene, From 'Iowa By The Sea' To 'International City': A Look At Long Beach's Changing Demographics With Former Advanced Planning Officer, Long Beach Business Journal, January 17, 2006
  51. ↑ Take Two (June 21, 2013). "'Angel Town': The City of LA's long lost official song". Southern California Public Radio. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  52. ↑ Queen City, Time (magazine), January 30, 1928, accessed April 13, 1928.
  53. ↑ Due to earthquakes; a nickname shared with San Francisco, for similar reasons.
  54. ↑ 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."
  55. ↑ "Membership Directory and Community Guide" (PDF). Madera District Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-04.
  56. ↑ 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’."
  57. ↑ Merced Conference & Visitor's Bureau, 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."
  58. ↑ City of Milpitas | About Milpitas Archived 2009-03-06 at the Wayback Machine., accessed March 16, 2009.
  59. ↑ Welcome to Modesto - the city of "Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health." Archived 2007-12-27 at the Wayback Machine., accessed April 12, 2007.
  60. ↑ Monterey, California, 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.'"
  61. ↑ Claims to Fame - Animals, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  62. ↑ Norwalk Citizen Forum Was 'Worth Every Nickel,' Mayor Says, Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1989
  63. ↑ About Oakdale, 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"."
  64. ↑ 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."
  65. ↑ Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga: A Strange and Terrible Saga, by Hunter S Thompson (1966; Random House Publishing; ISBN 0-345-41008-4). "...some were in jail, others had quit and many of the best specimens had gone north to Oakland--or "God's Country," as some of them called it--where Sonny Barger called the shots..." (page 42)
  66. ↑ Oakland: Story of a City, by Beth Bagwell (1982; Presidio Press; ISBN 0-89141-146-1). "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)
  67. ↑ Oakland (Postcard History), by Annalee Allen (2005; Arcadia Publishing; ISBN 978-0-7385-3014-7). "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)
  68. ↑ McClymonds Students Study to Rejuvenate Park Archived 2008-02-13 at the Wayback Machine., by Cecily Burt, from Oakland 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."
  69. ↑ For Keyshia Cole, it's good to be back in the Bay Area Archived 2008-02-20 at the Wayback Machine., by Jim Harrington, Oakland Tribune, April 25, 2007, retrieved October 16, 2007
  70. ↑ John Serrao, Is the Strawberry the Future of American Agriculture?, Nutrition Wonderland website, accessed January 8, 2010
  71. ↑ , accessed July 21, 2015
  72. ↑ , accessed July 21, 2015
  73. ↑ Claims to Fame - Weather, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  74. ↑ Pasadena Facts, City of Pasadena website
  75. ↑ City of El Paso Robles Planning Commission Agenda, Jan. 28, 2014, accessed December 9, 2015
  76. 1 2 Claims to Fame - Favorites, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  77. ↑ Local History: Redwood City, CA Archived 2008-01-20 at the Wayback Machine.
  78. ↑ 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.'
  79. ↑ Levy, Joan (July 3, 2006). "What happened to the Fourth of July Rodeo?". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
  80. ↑ City of Richmond FY 2008-2009 Budget (appears on title page), accessed June 20, 2010
  81. ↑
  82. ↑ Riverside dubbed "City of Arts & Innovation" Archived 2010-05-19 at the Wayback Machine., City of Riverside, press release, June 25, 2009
  83. ↑ City of Riverside; Urban Forestry Policy Manual, Riverside Public Works Department, November, 2007, page 5. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  84. ↑ http://farmtoforkcapital.com
  85. 1 2 Barry Popik, Big Tomato, April 02, 2005
  86. ↑ Sacramento Camellia City
  87. ↑ Sacramento River City Archived 2008-01-11 at the Wayback Machine. website
  88. ↑ Sacramento Earns High Marks as 'Green' Leader Archived 2007-10-25 at the Wayback Machine., article from Sacramento Business Journal, July 2, 2007. "The River City joined Minneapolis and Tallahassee, Fla., as ... runners-up."
  89. ↑ Used in names of Sactown Magazine and Sactown.com portal website
  90. ↑ City Profile Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine., City of San Carlos website, accessed June 4, 2011
  91. ↑ 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."
  92. ↑ Fikes, Bradley. "Science & Technology: Silicon Beach". North County Times. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  93. ↑ "CommNexus 'Silicon Beach' Map". Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  94. ↑ Caen, Herb (1949). Baghdad-by-the-Bay. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-89174-047-6. LC F869.S3 C12.
  95. ↑ "San Francisco, "the Paris of the West": SFist". 2014-06-22. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  96. ↑ San Francisco Public Library (2005-03-29). "PPIE: The City That Knows How". Amusing America. San Francisco Public Library, Online Exhibitions. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  97. ↑ James Sullivan (October 14, 2003). "Frisco, that once-verboten term for the city by the bay, is making a comeback among the young and hip. Herb Caen is spinning at warp speed". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 3, 2004. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
  98. ↑ Many tourists refer to San Francisco as "Frisco", a name popularized through songs like (Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay and Sweet Little Sixteen. However, locals discourage this use and prefer the nickname The City by the Bay. Samuel D. Cohen writes that many credit "Friscophobia" to newspaper columnist Herb 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 (1997-09-11). "Locals Know best: only tourists call it 'Frisco'". Golden Gater Online. San Francisco State University. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  99. ↑ "Proclamations and History". www.emperornorton.org. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  100. ↑ "The Exposition City San Francisco. 1912. - David Rumsey Historical Map Collection". www.davidrumsey.com. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  101. ↑ "Map of San Francisco Showing Principal Streets and Places of Interest - David Rumsey Historical Map Collection". www.davidrumsey.com. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  102. ↑ Farewell to Frisco, say hello to San Fran
  103. ↑ {{https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-of-the-nicknames-that-people-use-for-Silicon-Valley}}
  104. ↑ http://kfox.com/nicknames-san-jose/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  105. ↑ https://calisphere.org/item/ark:/13030/kt896nc9zv/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  106. ↑ "Does San Jose Deserve the Nickname 'Man Jose'?". KQED News. 2016-12-29. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  107. ↑ San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, accessed July 11, 2007. "Experience the SLO Life".
  108. ↑ http://www.ci.san-pablo.ca.us/
  109. ↑ , accessed 19 Oct 2015.
  110. ↑ New York Times article on Santa Barbara
  111. ↑ Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
  112. ↑ The Real Surf City? It's Santa Cruz, says Magazine by Steve Marble, The LA Times, June 16, 2009
  113. 1 2 Santa Monica Tries to Curb Charity to Homeless by Kit R. Roane, The New York Times, September 16, 1996
  114. ↑ "Santa Monica Finds Its Generosity Has Limits After Vagrant Attack". The New York Times. August 20, 1990. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  115. ↑ Claims to Fame - Ethnic Groups, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  116. ↑ Claims to Fame - Business, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  117. ↑ City of Sunnyvale website Archived 2008-09-21 at the Wayback Machine., accessed September 5, 2008
  118. ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/23/business/la-fi-0920-awesometown-20100920
  119. ↑ Miller, Joanna M. (November 30, 1992). "Red Harvest : This Year's Poinsettia Crop Is the Best in Recent Years, Local Growers Say". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 May 2016. In 1926, at the urging of the Chamber of Commerce, the city changed its nickname from the Palm City to the Poinsettia City, a title to which the city clings today.
  120. ↑ Visalia Chamber of Commerce
  121. 1 2 Willits Chamber of Commerce
  122. ↑ Claims to Fame - Energy, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  123. ↑ "Welcome to Yorba Linda, CA - "Land of Gracious Living" (text on city welcome sign), photograph on Waymarking.com website, accessed January 8, 2010
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