This map is courtesy of http://gocalifornia.about.com/bl_ca_st_map.htm

Roll your cursor over the map to read about various regions.

The Central Valley; it falls within the rainshadow of the Coastal Ranges. The Sierra Nevadas, the largest watershed in the US. Masses of air coming in off the ocean strike these mountains and produce nearly all of the rainwater that flows into California from within the state. The Sierra Nevadas, the largest watershed in the US. Masses of air coming in off the ocean strike these mountains and produce nearly all of the rainwater that flows into California from within the state. The Coastal Ranges. The Coastal Ranges. The Coastal Ranges. Mount Shasta. The Inyo Mountains. Between them and the Sierra Nevadas runs the Owens Valley. Death Valley. The Mojave Desert. The Salton Sea, a product of runoff from the Colorado River. The White Mountains. The Little San Bernardino Mountains. The Colorado Desert. Edge of the Colorado River. Edge of the Colorado River. Edge of the Colorado River. Edge of the Colorado River. Old Woman Mountains. Whipple Mountains. Granite Mountains. Chocolate Mountains. Peninsular Ranges. Cascade Range. Cascade Range. Klamath Mountains. Modoc Plateau. San Francisco. Santa Barbara. Left to right: San Miguel Island, Santa Rosa Island, Santa Cruz Island, and Anacapa Island. Monterey. Los Angeles. San Diego. Tehachapes; these separate Northern and Southern California. Point Conception. Santa Catalina Island. Santa Nicolas Island. San Clemente Island. Ventura. Santa Barbara Island. Lake Tahoe. Santa Cruz.