35 Songs About California, from California Dreamin' to California Love

What is the most famous song about California?

"California Dreamin'" by The Mamas and the Papas is the most famous song about California, written about longing for the West Coast during a cold New York winter. "Hotel California" by the Eagles is the classic rock pick, and "California Love" by 2Pac and Dr. Dre is the West Coast hip-hop anthem.

60s songs about California

1. "Surfin' U.S.A.", The Beach Boys: a roll call of famous surf spots.
2. "California Sun", The Rivieras: a garage rock party song.
3. "California Girls", The Beach Boys: the sunny classic.
4. "California Dreamin'", The Mamas and the Papas: homesick for the sunshine.
5. "Mendocino", Sir Douglas Quintet: a Tex-Mex rock hit named after the coastal town.
6. "Lodi", Creedence Clearwater Revival: a musician stuck in a small Central Valley town.

70s songs about California

7. "California", Joni Mitchell: homesick for California while traveling in Europe.
8. "Going to California", Led Zeppelin: a gentle acoustic song about heading west.
9. "It Never Rains in Southern California", Albert Hammond: the hard side of chasing fame.
10. "Ventura Highway", America: a breezy song about the open road.
11. "San Diego Serenade", Tom Waits: a tender piano ballad.
12. "Hotel California", Eagles: a dark story about the excess of 70s Los Angeles.
13. "California Über Alles", Dead Kennedys: a punk satire of California politics.

Songs about Los Angeles

14. "L.A. Woman", The Doors: a bluesy drive through the city.
15. "Hollywood Nights", Bob Seger: a Midwestern guy swept up in Hollywood.
16. "Los Angeles", X: the title track of the classic LA punk album.
17. "Walking in L.A.", Missing Persons: a new wave joke about the city's car culture.
18. "I Love L.A.", Randy Newman: played after every Dodgers and Lakers win.
19. "Free Fallin'", Tom Petty: a portrait of the San Fernando Valley.
20. "Under the Bridge", Red Hot Chili Peppers: Anthony Kiedis on loneliness in LA.
21. "Santa Monica", Everclear: a 90s rock song about escaping to the beach.
22. "Beverly Hills", Weezer: a tongue-in-cheek look at the rich and famous.
23. "Party in the U.S.A.", Miley Cyrus: a newcomer landing in Los Angeles.
24. "Malibu", Miley Cyrus: a sweet love song set on the coast.

Songs about San Francisco

25. "I Left My Heart in San Francisco", Tony Bennett: the city's signature song.
26. "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)", Scott McKenzie: the anthem of the 1967 Summer of Love.
27. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay", Otis Redding: written on a houseboat in Sausalito.
28. "Do You Know the Way to San Jose", Dionne Warwick: a Bacharach and David classic.

West Coast hip-hop songs about California

29. "Going Back to Cali", LL Cool J: a New Yorker's cool take on the West Coast.
30. "Straight Outta Compton", N.W.A.: the song that put Compton on the map.
31. "California Love", 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman: the West Coast anthem.

Modern songs about California

32. "Californication", Red Hot Chili Peppers: the dark side of the Hollywood dream.
33. "California", Phantom Planet: the theme song of The O.C.
34. "Dani California", Red Hot Chili Peppers: the life story of a restless young woman.
35. "California Gurls", Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg: a West Coast answer to "Empire State of Mind".

Why are there so many songs about California?

California has always been a place people dream about. Gold Rush miners, Dust Bowl families and would-be movie stars all headed west looking for a better life, and Woody Guthrie sang about those migrants in the 1930s. Los Angeles became the home of the music industry, surf rock turned the beaches into a lifestyle and hip-hop gave the West Coast its own sound.

The story behind California Dreamin'

John and Michelle Phillips wrote "California Dreamin'" during a freezing New York winter in the early 60s, when Michelle was homesick for California. The Mamas and the Papas released it in late 1965, and it became one of the defining songs of the decade. It still tops lists of the best songs about the Golden State.

Songs for a California road trip

For a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, start with "Ventura Highway" and "California Dreamin'", add "Surfin' U.S.A." for the beach towns and "Free Fallin'" as you reach Los Angeles. Time "Going to California" for the sunset over the ocean. See our road trip songs and songs about summer for more.

Songs for moving to California

For someone leaving home for the West Coast, "Going to California", "Party in the U.S.A." and "California" by Phantom Planet make an upbeat send-off. See our songs about moving for more.

California songs for a wedding

For a California beach or vineyard wedding, "California Girls" and "Malibu" are fun choices for the reception, and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" is a mellow pick for cocktail hour by the water.

More songs about American cities

For the other coast, see our songs about New York, for the Midwest, our songs about Chicago, and for the islands, our songs about Hawaii.

A song about your California story

A personalized song can tell the story of a couple who met in San Francisco, a family that moved to Los Angeles or a friend heading to college in San Diego, with their names and favorite places in the lyrics. It makes a great farewell, anniversary or birthday gift.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, rock, hip-hop and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three places or memories from your California story.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Turn your Golden State memories into a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.