California has been inspiring musicians for decades. Some songs portray it as a paradise, filled with beaches, sunshine, and endless coastline. Others focus on Hollywood, heartbreak, or the realization that the California dream isn’t always what it seems. Musicians of all different genres have used the Golden State in their music, from The Beach Boys to Tupac. Here are eight of the best songs about California.
1. California Dreamin’ — The Mamas & the Papas
This song is mainly about longing for California. “California Dreamin'” follows someone stuck in cold winter weather while dreaming about warm and sunny California. John and Michelle Phillips wrote it while living in New York, which explains the authenticity of the lyrics. The desire to escape the chilly city feels convincing. The Mamas & the Papas released their famous version in 1965, and it was one of the most popular songs of the decade.
2. California Love — 2Pac Featuring Dr. Dre
While “California Dreamin'” is about yearning to get back to California, “California Love” is about celebrating once you’re there. 2Pac and Dr. Dre specifically name different parts of the state, from Los Angeles and Long Beach in SoCal to Oakland and Sacramento in the north. The song was released in 1995 just after 2Pac was released from prison, and it became one of the biggest hits of his career. Its music video became famous for turning California into a post-apocalyptic world. Decades later, it’s still on every California party playlist and is one of the most recognizable West Coast hip-hop songs ever made.
3. Hotel California — Eagles
As far as songs connected to specific states go, “Hotel California” is probably one of the most famous. However, instead of simply celebrating the state, it uses a mysterious California hotel as a symbol of L.A.’s darker aspects. The narrator arrives at a beautiful but unsettling hotel where everything starts to feel ominous. Don Henley has said that the hotel is a metaphor for excess and the darker side of the American dream. Since then, there have been endless additional theories about what the hotel is actually supposed to represent. Whatever explanation you prefer, the song’s incredible guitar solo and eerie vibe have made it a classic.
4. California Girls — The Beach Boys
No band is more closely tied to the old-school California lifestyle than The Beach Boys. “California Girls” is basically a celebration of summertime in California: the sunshine, beaches, and the women who live there. Released in 1965, it became one more huge hit for the iconic group. The song describes an idealized version of California, but that’s part of its charm. It’s basically constant cheer and happiness. It will make you smile even if you’re listening in the middle of winter.
5. Going to California — Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin depicts a quieter version of California in “Going to California.” Musically, instead of heavy guitars, the song uses acoustic guitar and mandolin. Robert Plant sings about leaving a troubled life behind and heading to the West Coast in search of something better. California is described as a place where someone can start over. It’s dreamy and hopeful, with just enough realism to keep it from being overly sentimental.
6. California — Phantom Planet
Millennials who watched The O.C. in the 2000s probably can’t hear “California” without thinking of the teen drama’s opening credits. Phantom Planet originally released the song in 2002, but it reached a larger audience after being chosen as the theme song for The O.C. The lyrics perfectly matched a show filled with beaches, while the moodiness was well suited for a drama about SoCal’s elite. “California” is an incredibly catchy road-trip song for anyone heading west.
7. I Love L.A. — Randy Newman
Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” manages to celebrate Los Angeles while also making fun of it. The song names particular freeways, neighborhoods, and some of the less glamorous parts of the city. And of course, no true California song would be complete without a mention of palm trees and sunshine. Newman’s upbeat chorus makes it sound like a love letter to the city, but there is plenty of sarcasm just beneath the surface. The song became somewhat of an anthem and is sung at sporting events around L.A.
8. Free Fallin’ — Tom Petty
“Free Fallin'” didn’t have to put California in its title to make Los Angeles a huge part of the song. Tom Petty mentions Reseda, Ventura Boulevard, Mulholland, and the San Fernando Valley while telling the story of a man who knows he hasn’t treated a woman particularly well. Those specific locations make the song special to anyone who has ever lived in LA. It’s part breakup song, part Los Angeles road-trip song.