Editing California (section)

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of California}}
[[File:SJ skyline at night horizontal.jpg|thumb|right|280px|[[Silicon Valley]] is the largest [[List of technology centers|tech hub]] in the world and home to [[Big Tech]] companies like [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], [[Alphabet Inc.|Alphabet]], [[Meta Platforms, Inc.|Meta]], [[Nvidia Corporation|Nvidia]], [[Intel Corporation|Intel]], [[HP Inc.|HP]], [[Netflix, Inc.]], [[Uber Technologies, Inc.|Uber]], and many more.]]
California's economy ranks among the largest in the world. {{as of|2024}}, the [[gross state product]] (GSP) is $4.0{{spaces}}[[1000000000000 (number)|trillion]] ($102,500 per capita), the [[List of U.S. states and territories by GDP|largest of any U.S. state]].<ref name="GDPByState">{{cite web |title=GDP by State |url=https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-state |website=GDP by State &#124; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) |publisher=Bureau of Economic Analysis |access-date=10 April 2022}}</ref> California is responsible for one seventh of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).<ref name="gdp">{{Cite web |title=GDP by State |website=Bureau of Economic Analysis |url=https://bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_state/qgdpstate_newsrelease.htm |access-date=May 18, 2018}}</ref> {{as of|2025}}, California's nominal GDP is larger than all but four countries.<ref name=":1" /> In terms of [[purchasing power parity]] (PPP),<ref name="8large">{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2010 |title=Calif. retains economy that would be 8th largest |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9JS1MLO0.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206151318/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9JS1MLO0.htm |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=September 2, 2012 |website=Bloomberg BusinessWeek}}</ref> it is larger than all but eight countries.<ref name="worldbank2012">{{Cite web |title=GDP, PPP (current international $) |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD?order=wbapi_data_value_2012+wbapi_data_value+wbapi_data_value-last&sort=desc |access-date=June 14, 2014 |publisher=World Bank, International Comparison Program database}}</ref> California's economy is larger than [[Economy of Africa|Africa]] and [[Economy of Australia|Australia]] and is almost as large as [[Economy of South America|South America]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2019 |title=GDP, current prices |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPD@WEO/OEMDC/ADVEC/WEOWORLD |access-date=January 22, 2020 |website=World Economic Outlook |publisher=International Monetary Fund}}</ref> The state recorded total, non-farm employment of 16,677,800<ref name="bls.gov" /> {{As of|2021|09|lc=y}} among 966,224 employer establishments.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: California|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/CA|url-status=live|access-date=December 6, 2021|website=www.census.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201115306/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/CA |archive-date=December 1, 2017 }}.</ref> As of 2024, California is home to 57 of the [[Fortune 500|''Fortune'' 500]] companies, the [[List of U.S. states by number of Fortune 500 companies|highest number of any U.S. state]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burleigh |first=Emma |date=2024-06-04 |title=California beats out Texas and New York as home to the most Fortune 500 companies |url=https://fortune.com/2024/06/04/fortune-500-california-most-companies/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:The port of Long Beach 2 by Don Ramey Logan.jpg|thumb|left|The combined [[Port of Los Angeles]]-[[Port of Long Beach]] is the largest port in the U.S. by import volume and one of the [[List of busiest container ports|busiest ports in the world]].]]
As the largest and second-largest U.S. ports respectively, the [[Port of Los Angeles]] and the [[Port of Long Beach]] in Southern California collectively play a pivotal role in the global supply chain, together hauling in about 40% of all imports to the United States by [[Twenty-foot equivalent units|TEU]] volume.<ref name="Karlamangla"/> The [[Port of Oakland]] and [[Port of Hueneme]] are the 10th and 26th largest seaports in the U.S., respectively, by number of TEUs handled.<ref name=Burnson>Patrick Burnson, [https://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/top_30_u.s._ports_trade_tensions_determine_where_cargo_goes_next Top 30 U.S. Ports 2019: Trade tensions determine where cargo goes next], ''Logistics Management'' (May 10, 2019).</ref>

The five largest sectors of employment in California are trade, transportation, and utilities; government; professional and business services; education and health services; and leisure and hospitality. In output, the five largest sectors are financial services, followed by trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; government; and manufacturing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 CalFacts |url=http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2011/calfacts/calfacts_010511.aspx |access-date=April 22, 2011 |publisher=Lao.ca.gov}}</ref> California has an [[California unemployment statistics|unemployment]] rate of 3.9% {{as of|2022|9|lc=y}}.<ref name="bls.gov">{{Cite web|title=California Economy at a Glance|url=https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/california.htm|url-status=live|access-date=December 6, 2021|website=bls.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121114732/http://www.bls.gov:80/regions/west/california.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2014 }}</ref>

California's economy is dependent on trade and international related commerce accounts for about one-quarter of the state's economy, and representing 7% of their GDP; California's biggest trade partner is Mexico. In 2008, California exported $144{{spaces}}billion worth of goods, up from $134{{spaces}}billion in 2007 and $127{{spaces}}billion in 2006.<ref name="Cal Trade Statistics 2008">{{Cite web |title=Trade Statistics |url=http://www.calchamber.com/international/trade/pages/tradestatistics.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209095504/http://www.calchamber.com/international/trade/pages/tradestatistics.aspx |archive-date=February 9, 2010 |access-date=January 29, 2010 |publisher=California Chamber of Commerce}}</ref> Vehicles, computers and electronic products are California's top exports, accounting for 42 percent of all the state's exports in 2008; over 50 car companies operate in California, such as [[Tesla, Inc.|Tesla]] and [[Mazda]].<ref name="Cal Trade Statistics 2008" />

=== Agriculture ===
{{main|Agriculture in California}}
{{further|Strawberry cultivation in California|Production of peaches in California|Walnuts in California}}
{{see also|California nut crimes}}
[[File:Autumn in Napa Valley vineyards.jpg|right|thumb|[[California wine|California vineyards]] in [[Wine Country]]. The [[Agriculture in California|agricultural industry in California]] is the largest [[Agriculture in the United States|in the U.S.]]]]

Agriculture is an important sector in California's economy. According to the [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] in 2011, the three largest California agricultural products by value were [[California dairy industry|milk and cream]], shelled [[Almond cultivation in California|almonds]], and [[Grape cultivation in California|grapes]].<ref name="Jason Gibson-2012"/> Farming-related sales more than quadrupled over the past three decades, from $7.3{{spaces}}billion in 1974 to nearly $31{{spaces}}billion in 2004.<ref name="Cal Facts 2006 State Economy">{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2007 |title=Cal Facts 2006 State Economy |url=http://www.lao.ca.gov/2006/cal_facts/2006_calfacts_econ.htm |access-date=January 29, 2010 |publisher=Legislative Analyst's Office of California}}</ref> This increase has occurred despite a 15 percent decline in acreage devoted to farming during the period, and water supply suffering from chronic instability. Factors contributing to the growth in sales-per-acre include more intensive use of active farmlands and technological improvements in crop production.<ref name="Cal Facts 2006 State Economy" /> In 2008, California's 81,500 farms and ranches generated $36.2{{spaces}}billion products revenue.<ref name="California Agricultural Production Statistics 2009–2010">{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=California Agricultural Production Statistics 2009–2010 |url=http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/ |access-date=October 5, 2010 |publisher=cdfa.ca.gov (California Department of Food and Agriculture)}}</ref> In 2011, that number grew to $43.5{{spaces}}billion products revenue.<ref name="California Agricultural Production Statistics 2011">{{Cite web |date=2013 |title=California Agricultural Production Statistics 2011 |url=http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/ |access-date=May 18, 2013 |publisher=cdfa.ca.gov (California Department of Food and Agriculture)}}</ref> The agriculture sector accounts for two percent of the state's GDP and employs around three percent of its total workforce.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Venton |first=Danielle |date=June 5, 2015 |title=A Better Way for California to Water Its Farms |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/06/farming-and-drought/ |access-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref>

=== Income ===
{{See also|California locations by per capita income}}
[[File:Sleeping Beauty Castle 2019.jpg|thumb|left|California is the most visited state in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-popular-us-states-for-tourism-2014-10|title=A Detailed Look At How Americans Travel Within The US|first=Jennifer|last=Polland|website=Business Insider}}</ref> [[Disneyland]] in [[Anaheim]] is a major tourist destination, with 16.9 million annual visits in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://aecom.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/reports/AECOM-Theme-Index-2022.pdf |title = TEA/AECOM 2022 Global Attractions Attendance Report |date = 2023 |access-date = August 16, 2023 }}</ref>]]
[[List of U.S. states by GDP per capita|Per capita GDP]] in 2021 was $85,546, ranking fourth in the nation. [[California locations by per capita income|Per capita income]] varies widely by geographic region and profession.<ref name="BEA State Personal Income 2006">{{Cite press release |title=State Personal Income 2006 |date=March 27, 2007 |publisher=[[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] |url=https://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2007/spi0307.htm |access-date=January 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704133957/http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2007/spi0307.htm |archive-date=July 4, 2007}}</ref> The Central Valley is the most impoverished, with [[migrant worker|migrant farm workers]] making less than [[minimum wage]]. According to a 2005 report by the [[Congressional Research Service]], the [[San Joaquin Valley]] was characterized as one of the most economically depressed regions in the United States, on par with the region of [[Appalachia]].<ref name="CRS San Joaquin Valley">{{Cite web |last=Cowan |first=Tadlock |date=December 12, 2005 |title=California's San Joaquin Valley: A Region in Transition |url=http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/links/CRS%20San%20Joaquin%20Valley%20Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324221541/http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/links/CRS%20San%20Joaquin%20Valley%20Report.pdf |archive-date=March 24, 2009 |access-date=January 29, 2010 |publisher=Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress |page=2}}</ref>

Using the supplemental poverty measure, California has a [[Poverty in the United States|poverty rate]] of 23.5%, the highest of any state in the country.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berlinger |first=Joshua |date=November 12, 2012 |title=A New Poverty Calculation Yields Some Surprising Results |work=[[Business Insider]] |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/new-census-data-on-poverty-rates-yields-some-pretty-shocking-results-2012-11 |access-date=October 7, 2013}}</ref> However, using the official measure the poverty rate was only 13.3% as of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: United States |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/US |access-date=August 2, 2019 |website=www.census.gov}}</ref> Many coastal cities include some of the wealthiest per-capita areas in the United States. The high-technology sectors in Northern California, specifically [[Silicon Valley]], in [[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara]] and [[San Mateo County, California|San Mateo counties]], have emerged from the economic downturn caused by the [[dot-com bubble|dot-com bust]].

In 2019, there were 1,042,027 millionaire households in the state, more than any other state in the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=May |first=Patrick |title=How many millionaires do we have in California? Hint: It's a big number |url=https://www.chicoer.com/2019/02/05/how-many-millionaires-do-we-have-in-california-hint-its-a-big-number/ |access-date=May 3, 2020 |website=Enterprise Record|date=February 5, 2019 }}</ref> In 2010, California residents were ranked first among the states with the best average credit score of 754.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bukszpan |first=Daniel |date=March 29, 2012 |title=States With the Best Credit Scores |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/03/29/States-With-the-Best-Credit-Scores.html |website=Cnbc.com}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:USA-World Nominal GDP.PNG|If California was an independent country, its gross domestic product (nominal) would rank [[List of U.S. states and territories by GDP|fifth in the world]] (2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=5. Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2016/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=69&pr.y=15&sy=2018&ey=2018&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C672%2C914%2C946%2C612%2C137%2C614%2C546%2C311%2C962%2C213%2C674%2C911%2C676%2C193%2C548%2C122%2C556%2C912%2C678%2C313%2C181%2C419%2C867%2C513%2C682%2C316%2C684%2C913%2C273%2C124%2C868%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C624%2C692%2C522%2C694%2C622%2C142%2C156%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C565%2C228%2C283%2C924%2C853%2C233%2C288%2C632%2C293%2C636%2C566%2C634%2C964%2C238%2C182%2C662%2C359%2C960%2C453%2C423%2C968%2C935%2C922%2C128%2C714%2C611%2C862%2C321%2C135%2C243%2C716%2C248%2C456%2C469%2C722%2C253%2C942%2C642%2C718%2C643%2C724%2C939%2C576%2C644%2C936%2C819%2C961%2C172%2C813%2C132%2C199%2C646%2C733%2C648%2C184%2C915%2C524%2C134%2C361%2C652%2C362%2C174%2C364%2C328%2C732%2C258%2C366%2C656%2C734%2C654%2C144%2C336%2C146%2C263%2C463%2C268%2C528%2C532%2C923%2C944%2C738%2C176%2C578%2C534%2C537%2C536%2C742%2C429%2C866%2C433%2C369%2C178%2C744%2C436%2C186%2C136%2C925%2C343%2C869%2C158%2C746%2C439%2C926%2C916%2C466%2C664%2C112%2C826%2C111%2C542%2C298%2C967%2C927%2C443%2C846%2C917%2C299%2C544%2C582%2C941%2C474%2C446%2C754%2C666%2C698%2C668&s=NGDPD&grp=0&a= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323111307/https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2016/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=69&pr.y=15&sy=2018&ey=2018&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C672%2C914%2C946%2C612%2C137%2C614%2C546%2C311%2C962%2C213%2C674%2C911%2C676%2C193%2C548%2C122%2C556%2C912%2C678%2C313%2C181%2C419%2C867%2C513%2C682%2C316%2C684%2C913%2C273%2C124%2C868%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C624%2C692%2C522%2C694%2C622%2C142%2C156%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C565%2C228%2C283%2C924%2C853%2C233%2C288%2C632%2C293%2C636%2C566%2C634%2C964%2C238%2C182%2C662%2C359%2C960%2C453%2C423%2C968%2C935%2C922%2C128%2C714%2C611%2C862%2C321%2C135%2C243%2C716%2C248%2C456%2C469%2C722%2C253%2C942%2C642%2C718%2C643%2C724%2C939%2C576%2C644%2C936%2C819%2C961%2C172%2C813%2C132%2C199%2C646%2C733%2C648%2C184%2C915%2C524%2C134%2C361%2C652%2C362%2C174%2C364%2C328%2C732%2C258%2C366%2C656%2C734%2C654%2C144%2C336%2C146%2C263%2C463%2C268%2C528%2C532%2C923%2C944%2C738%2C176%2C578%2C534%2C537%2C536%2C742%2C429%2C866%2C433%2C369%2C178%2C744%2C436%2C186%2C136%2C925%2C343%2C869%2C158%2C746%2C439%2C926%2C916%2C466%2C664%2C112%2C826%2C111%2C542%2C298%2C967%2C927%2C443%2C846%2C917%2C299%2C544%2C582%2C941%2C474%2C446%2C754%2C666%2C698%2C668&s=NGDPD&grp=0&a= |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |access-date=December 15, 2018}}</ref>
File:California counties by GDP 2021.png|California counties by GDP (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=GDP by county in 2021|url=https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/lagdp1222.pdf}}</ref>
</gallery>

===State finances===
{{Main|California state finances|2008–12 California budget crisis}}
[[File:California economic regions map (labeled and colored).svg|thumb|upright=.8|[[economic regions of California|California economic regions]]]]
State spending increased from $56{{spaces}}billion in 1998 to $127{{spaces}}billion in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nunes |first=Devin |date=January 10, 2009 |title=California's Gold Rush Has Been Reversed |page=A9 |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123154816733469917 |access-date=January 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-budget-idUSTRE7095FB20110110 |title=California's Brown proposes "painful" budget cuts |last=Christie |first=Jim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015211702/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/10/us-california-budget-idUSTRE7095FB20110110 |archive-date=October 15, 2015 |url-status=live |website=Reuters |date=January 10, 2011}}</ref> California has the third highest per capita spending on welfare among the states, as well as the highest spending on welfare at $6.67{{spaces}}billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Michael Gardner |date=July 28, 2012 |title=Is California the welfare capital?: Delving into why California has such a disproportionate share of the nation's recipients |work=U-T San Diego |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/28/welfare-capital-of-the-us/?page=1#article |access-date=August 6, 2012}}</ref> In January 2011, California's total debt was at least $265{{spaces}}billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/How-much-does-California-owe-2478624.php |title=How much does California owe? |last=Nation |first=Joe |website=[[Sfgate.com]] |date=January 19, 2011}}</ref> On June 27, 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed a balanced budget (no deficit) for the state, its first in decades; however, the state's debt remains at $132{{spaces}}billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Gov-Brown-proudly-signs-balanced-state-budget-4628307.php |title=Gov. Brown proudly signs balanced state budget |last=Buchanan |first=Wyatt |website=[[Sfgate.com]] |date=June 27, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=California's current debt load: $132 billion |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2013/09/06/californias-current-debt-load-132.html}}</ref>

With the passage of [[California Proposition 30 (2012)|Proposition 30 in 2012]] and [[2016 California Proposition 55|Proposition 55 in 2016]], California now levies a 13.3% maximum marginal [[income tax]] rate with ten [[tax bracket]]s, ranging from 1% at the bottom tax bracket of $0 annual individual income to 13.3% for annual individual income over $1,000,000 (though the top brackets are only temporary until Proposition 55 expires at the end of 2030). While Proposition 30 also enacted a minimum [[sales taxes in the United States#California|state sales tax]] of 7.5%, this sales tax increase was not extended by Proposition 55 and reverted to a previous minimum state sales tax rate of 7.25% in 2017. Local governments can and do levy additional sales taxes in addition to this minimum rate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=California Proposition 30, Sales and Income Tax Increase (2012) |url=http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_30,_Sales_and_Income_Tax_Increase_(2012)#cite_note-taxfoundation_states-6 |access-date=January 16, 2013 |publisher=Ballotpedia}}</ref>

All [[real property]] is taxable annually. Property tax increases are capped at 2% annually or the rate of inflation (whichever is lower), per [[California Proposition 13 (1978)|Proposition 13]].

===Energy===
{{Main|Energy in California}}
{{further|Solar power in California|Wind power in California}}
{{see also|History of oil in California through 1930|Plug-in electric vehicles in California}}
[[File:Moss Landing Power Plant p1270026.jpg|thumb|left|[[Moss Landing Power Plant]], located on the coast of [[Monterey Bay]]]]
Because it is the most populous state in the United States, California is one of the country's largest users of energy. The state has extensive hydro-electric energy generation facilities, however, moving water is the single largest energy use in the state. Also, due to high energy rates, conservation mandates, mild weather in the largest population centers and strong [[environmental movement]], its ''per capita'' energy use is one of the smallest of any state in the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mufson |first=Steven |date=February 17, 2007 |title=In Energy Conservation, Calif. Sees Light |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/16/AR2007021602274.html |access-date=February 28, 2010}}</ref> Due to the high electricity demand, California imports more electricity than any other state, primarily hydroelectric power from states in the Pacific Northwest (via [[Path 15]] and [[Path 66]]) and coal- and natural gas-fired production from the desert Southwest via [[Path 46]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2011 |title=California—U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) |url=http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229175513/http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA |archive-date=December 29, 2010 |access-date=October 28, 2011 |publisher=Tonto.eia.doe.gov}}</ref>

The [[California oil and gas industry|state's crude oil and natural gas deposits]] are located in the Central Valley and [[Offshore oil and gas in California|along the coast]], including the large [[Midway-Sunset Oil Field]]. Natural gas-fired [[List of power stations in California|power plants]] typically account for more than one-half of state electricity generation.

[[File:Ho 000155 170593 515241 4578 (35974057893) (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Ivanpah Solar Power Facility]], located in the [[Mojave Desert]]]]

As a result of the state's strong environmental movement, California has some of the most aggressive [[Renewable energy in California|renewable energy]] goals in the United States. The Clean Energy, Jobs and Affordability Act of 2022 commits the state to running its operations on clean, renewable energy resources by 2035, and SB 1203 also requires the state to achieve net-zero operations for all agencies. Currently, several [[Solar power in California|solar power plants]] such as the [[Solar Energy Generating Systems]] facility are located in the [[Mojave Desert]]. [[Wind power in California|California's wind farms]] include [[Altamont Pass Wind Farm|Altamont Pass]], [[San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm|San Gorgonio Pass]], and [[Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm|Tehachapi Pass]]. The Tehachapi area is also where the [[Tehachapi Energy Storage Project]] is located.<ref name="International2">{{Cite web |last=Edison International |title=SCE Unveils Largest Battery Energy Storage Project in North America |url=https://newsroom.edison.com/releases/sce-unveils-largest-battery-energy-storage-project-in-north-america |access-date=May 10, 2020 |website=Edison International}}</ref> Several dams across the state provide [[Hydroelectricity|hydro-electric power]]. It would be possible to convert the total supply to 100% renewable energy, including heating, cooling and mobility, by 2050.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Jacobson | first1=Mark Z. |authorlink1=Mark Z. Jacobson | last2=Delucchi | first2=Mark A. | last3=Ingraffea | first3=Anthony R. | last4=Howarth | first4=Robert W. | last5=Bazouin | first5=Guillaume | last6=Bridgeland | first6=Brett | last7=Burkart | first7=Karl | last8=Chang | first8=Martin | last9=Chowdhury | first9=Navid | last10=Cook | first10=Roy | last11=Escher | first11=Giulia | last12=Galka | first12=Mike | last13=Han | first13=Liyang | last14=Heavey | first14=Christa | last15=Hernandez | first15=Angelica | last16=Jacobson | first16=Daniel F. | last17=Jacobson | first17=Dionna S. | last18=Miranda | first18=Brian | last19=Novotny | first19=Gavin | last20=Pellat | first20=Marie | last21=Quach | first21=Patrick | last22=Romano | first22=Andrea | last23=Stewart | first23=Daniel | last24=Vogel | first24=Laura | last25=Wang | first25=Sherry | last26=Wang | first26=Hara | last27=Willman | first27=Lindsay | last28=Yeskoo | first28=Tim | title=A roadmap for repowering California for all purposes with wind, water, and sunlight | journal=Energy | volume=73 | date=2014 | doi=10.1016/j.energy.2014.06.099 | pages=875–889| bibcode=2014Ene....73..875J |display-authors=1}}</ref>

California has one major [[nuclear power]] plant ([[Diablo Canyon Power Plant|Diablo Canyon]]) in operation. The [[San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station|San Onofre nuclear plant]] was shut down in 2013. More than 1,700{{spaces}}tons of [[radioactive waste]] are stored at San Onofre,<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 28, 2018 |title=How a nuclear stalemate left radioactive waste stranded on a California beach |work=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/28/17765538/san-onofre-nuclear-generating-station-radioactive-spent-fuel-waste-yucca-mountain}}</ref> and sit on the coast where there is a record of past [[tsunami]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Kate |date=November 19, 2019 |title=Opinion: California's San Onofre nuclear plant is a Chernobyl waiting to happen |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-11-19/san-onofre-nuclear-plant-waste-radioactive}}</ref> Voters [[Anti-nuclear movement in California|banned the approval of new nuclear power plants]] since the late 1970s because of concerns over [[High-level radioactive waste management|radioactive waste disposal]].<ref name="Doyle 2009">{{Cite news |last=Doyle |first=Jim |date=March 9, 2009 |title=Nuclear power industry sees opening for revival |page=A-1 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/08/MN3H16ANEN.DTL |access-date=January 29, 2010}}</ref>{{refn|Minnesota also has a moratorium on construction of nuclear power plants, which has been in place since 1994.<ref name="Minnesota Nuclear Moratorium">{{cite news |last1=Richert |first1=Catharine |last2=Brown |first2=Gretchen |title=Why nuclear energy is a political minefield in Minnesota |url=https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/11/13/why-nuclear-energy-is-a-political-minefield-in-minnesota |access-date=26 March 2024 |work=MPR News |date=13 November 2023}}</ref>|group="note"}} Several cities such as Oakland, [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]] and [[Davis, California|Davis]] have declared themselves as [[nuclear-free zone]]s.

===Transportation===
{{Main|Transportation in California}}
{{see also|History of rail transportation in California}}
[[File:GoldenGateBridge-001.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Golden Gate Bridge]] in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]], is one of the most famous bridges in the world.]]

====Highways====
California's vast terrain is connected by [[California Freeway and Expressway System|an extensive system]] of [[controlled-access highways]] ('freeways'), [[limited-access road]]s ('expressways'), and [[State highways in California|highways]]. California is known for its [[car culture]], giving California's cities a reputation for severe [[traffic congestion]]. Construction and maintenance of state roads and statewide transportation planning are primarily the responsibility of the [[California Department of Transportation]], nicknamed "Caltrans". The rapidly growing population of the state is straining all of its transportation networks, and California has some of the worst roads in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mieszkowski |first=Katharine |date=September 2, 2010 |title=California Is Tops in Worst Roads—Pulse of the Bay |url=http://www.baycitizen.org/blogs/pulse-of-the-bay/read-while-you-are-waiting-traffic-clear |access-date=April 22, 2011 |publisher=The Bay Citizen |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722041103/http://www.baycitizen.org/blogs/pulse-of-the-bay/read-while-you-are-waiting-traffic-clear/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 9, 2007 |title=A bridge too far gone |newspaper=The Economist |url=http://www.economist.com/node/9621456}}</ref> The [[Reason Foundation]]'s 19th Annual Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems ranked California's highways the third-worst of any state, with Alaska second, and Rhode Island first.<ref>{{Cite web |title=19th Annual Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems (1984–2008) |url=http://reason.org/files/19th_annual_highway_report.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://reason.org/files/19th_annual_highway_report.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |website=Reason.org}}</ref>

[[File:San Francisco Bay Ferry Hydrus May 2017 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[San Francisco Bay Ferry]] is a public [[water taxi]] system in the [[Bay Area]].]]

The state has been a pioneer in road construction. One of the state's more visible landmarks, the [[Golden Gate Bridge]], was the [[List of longest suspension bridge spans|longest suspension bridge main span]] in the world at {{convert|4200|ft|m}} between 1937 (when it opened) and 1964. With its orange paint and panoramic views of the bay, this highway bridge is a popular tourist attraction and also accommodates pedestrians and bicyclists. The [[San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge]] (often abbreviated the "Bay Bridge"), completed in 1936, transports about 280,000 vehicles per day on two-decks. Its two sections meet at [[Yerba Buena Island]] through the world's largest diameter transportation bore tunnel, at {{convert|76|ft}} wide by {{convert|58|ft}} high.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The San Francisco—Oakland Bay Bridge Facts at a glance |url=http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/tollbridge/SFOBB/Sfobbfacts.html |access-date=April 5, 2012 |publisher=[[California Department of Transportation]]}}</ref> The [[Arroyo Seco Parkway]], connecting Los Angeles and [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]], opened in 1940 as the first freeway in the Western United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pool |first=Bob |date=June 25, 2010 |title=Pasadena Freeway getting a new look and a new name |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jun-25-la-me-parkway-20100625-story.html |access-date=April 5, 2012}}</ref> It was later extended south to the [[Four Level Interchange]] in downtown Los Angeles, regarded as the first [[stack interchange]] ever built.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2011 |title=L.A.'s Famous Four-Level Freeway Interchange, 'The Stack', Turns 58 |url=http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/history/la-as-subject/navigating-the-stack-the-four-level-turns-58.html |access-date=April 5, 2012 |publisher=[[KCET]]}}</ref>

The [[California Highway Patrol]] is the largest statewide police agency in the United States in employment with more than 10,000 employees. They are responsible for providing any police-sanctioned service to anyone on California's state-maintained highways and on state property.

By the end of 2021, 30,610,058 people in California held a [[California Department of Motor Vehicles]]-issued [[driver's license]]s or [[Identity documents in the United States|state identification card]], and there were 36,229,205 [[Vehicle registration|registered vehicles]], including 25,643,076 automobiles, 853,368 motorcycles, 8,981,787 trucks and trailers, and 121,716 miscellaneous vehicles (including historical vehicles and farm equipment).<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=State of California—Department of Motor Vehicles|title=Statistics for Publication, January through December 2021|url=https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/department-of-motor-vehicles-statistics-pdf/}}</ref>

====Air travel====
[[File:TheThemeBuildingLosAngeles (cropped2).jpg|thumb|left|[[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles Intl. Airport]] (LAX) is the [[World's busiest airports by passenger traffic|4th busiest airport in the world]].]]
[[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX), [[World's busiest airports by passenger traffic|the 4th busiest airport in the world in 2018]], and [[San Francisco International Airport]] (SFO), [[World's busiest airports by passenger traffic|the 25th busiest airport in the world in 2018]], are major hubs for trans-Pacific and transcontinental traffic. There are about a dozen important commercial airports and many more [[general aviation]] [[List of airports in California|airports]] throughout the state.

====Railroads====
[[File:Pacific Surfliner @ San Clemente CA..jpg|thumb|right|[[Amtrak California]]'s ''[[Pacific Surfliner]]'' in [[San Clemente, California|San Clemente]], on the [[Orange Coast]]]]
[[Inter-city rail]] travel is provided by [[Amtrak California]]; the three routes, the ''[[Capitol Corridor]]'', ''[[Pacific Surfliner]]'', and ''[[San Joaquin (train)|San Joaquin]]'', are funded by Caltrans. These services are the busiest intercity rail lines in the United States outside the [[Northeast Corridor]] and ridership is continuing to set records. The routes are becoming increasingly popular over flying, especially on the LAX-SFO route.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cabanatuan |first=Michael |date=January 8, 2011 |title=Calif. Amtrak ridership rising on state trains |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/05/BAMU1GU16Q.DTL}}</ref> Integrated [[Rapid transit|subway]] and [[light rail]] networks are found in Los Angeles ([[Los Angeles Metro Rail]]) and San Francisco ([[Muni Metro]]). Light rail systems are also found in San Jose ([[VTA light rail]]), San Diego ([[San Diego Trolley]]), Sacramento ([[SacRT light rail]]), and Northern San Diego County ([[Sprinter (rail service)|Sprinter]]). Furthermore, [[commuter rail]] networks serve the San Francisco Bay Area ([[Altamont Corridor Express]], [[Bay Area Rapid Transit]], [[Caltrain]], [[Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit]]), Greater Los Angeles ([[Metrolink (California)|Metrolink]]), and San Diego County ([[Coaster (rail service)|Coaster]]).

The [[California High-Speed Rail Authority]] was authorized in 1996 by the state legislature to plan a [[California High-Speed Rail]] system to put before the voters. The plan they devised, [[2008 California Proposition 1A]], connecting all the major population centers in the state, was approved by the voters at the November 2008 general election.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cabanatuan |first=Michael |date=August 17, 2010 |title=Plan for high-speed rail system released |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/08/BAV6140IK5.DTL}}</ref> The first phase of construction was begun in 2015, and the first segment {{convert|171|mi}} long, is planned to be put into operation by the end of 2030. Planning and work on the rest of the system is continuing, with funding for completing it is an ongoing issue.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 Project Update Report |url=https://hsr.ca.gov/about/project-update-reports/2023-project-update-report/ |publisher=California High-Speed Rail Authority |access-date=September 6, 2023}}</ref> California's 2023 integrated passenger rail master plan includes a high speed rail system.<ref>[https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/rail-mass-transportation/documents/california-state-rail-plan/20230309-casrp-public-dor-guidance.pdf"California State Rail Modernization Plan 2023 Draft"]''Caltrans'' March 2023</ref>

====Busses====
Nearly all counties operate [[bus]] lines, and many cities operate their own city bus lines as well. Intercity bus travel is provided by [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]], [[Megabus (North America)|Megabus]], and [[Amtrak Thruway]].

===Water===
{{Main|Water in California}}
[[File:Aerial view of Shasta Dam and Shasta Lake (2019).jpg|thumb|left|[[Lake Shasta]], in the [[Shasta Cascade]] region, is California's largest reservoir.]]
California's interconnected water system is the world's largest, managing over {{convert|40000000|acre.ft|km3|lk=in}} of water per year, centered on six main systems of aqueducts and infrastructure projects.<ref>Hundley, N. (2001). The great thirst: Californians and water. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press.</ref> Water use and conservation in California is a politically divisive issue, as the state experiences periodic droughts and has to balance the demands of its large agricultural and urban sectors, especially in the arid southern portion of the state. The state's widespread redistribution of water also invites the frequent scorn of environmentalists.

The [[California Water Wars]], a conflict between Los Angeles and the Owens Valley over water rights, is one of the most well-known examples of the struggle to secure adequate water supplies.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reisner, Marc |title=Cadillac Desert: The American West and its Disappearing Water |date=1993 |publisher=Penguin}}</ref> Former California Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] said: {{blockquote|We've been in crisis for quite some time because we're now 38{{spaces}}million people and not anymore 18{{spaces}}million people like we were in the late 60s. So it developed into a battle between environmentalists and farmers and between the south and the north and between rural and urban. And everyone has been fighting for the last four decades about water.<ref>"[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-california-is-running-dry/ Why California Is Running Dry]". CBS News. December 27, 2009.</ref>}}