<Table> <Tr> <Th> Rank </Th> <Th> City </Th> <Th> Population </Th> <Th> County </Th> <Th> Image </Th> <Th> Description </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Los Angeles </Td> <Td> 3,971,883 </Td> <Td> Los Angeles </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Los Angeles is one of the world 's centers of media , business , and international trade . It is the second most - populous city in the United States . It is also the home to renowned institutions covering a broad range of educational and professional fields , and it is one of the most substantial economic engines of the United States . Los Angeles ( and its Hollywood district ) leads the world in producing entertainment such as motion pictures , television , and recorded music . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Diego </Td> <Td> 1,394,928 </Td> <Td> San Diego </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Diego sits in the extreme south of California on the border with Mexico . The city has miles of beaches and a number of U.S. military facilities as well as the world 's busiest land border crossing . It is known as `` the birthplace of California '' since it was the first European landfall and the first European settlement in present - day California . The city 's economy largely relies on US defense and military - related industries , tourism , and some international trade . It is home to a number of institutions of higher learning , including the University of California , San Diego , the University of San Diego , San Diego State University , NewSchool of Architecture + Design , and Point Loma Nazarene University . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Jose </Td> <Td> 1,026,908 </Td> <Td> Santa Clara </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Jose was founded on November 29 , 1777 , as one of the first towns in the Spanish colony of Nueva California , which later became Alta California . The town of San Jose served 1849 -- 1851 as the first state capital , when California gained statehood in 1850 . After more than 150 years as an agricultural center , San Jose grew due to demand for housing from soldiers returning from World War II , as well as the city 's aggressive expansion policy during the 1950s and 1960s as it annexed large portions of land area which helped increase its population . By the 1990s , San Jose 's location within the then - booming local technology industry earned the city the nickname Capital of Silicon Valley , and it hosts several prominent technology companies including Adobe Systems and Cisco Systems . San Jose is home to the National Hockey League 's San Jose Sharks in addition to Major League Soccer 's San Jose Earthquakes , as well as San Jose State University . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Francisco </Td> <Td> 864,816 </Td> <Td> San Francisco </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Francisco is a popular international tourist destination renowned for its beauty , cosmopolitan flair , steep rolling hills , and eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture . The city is surrounded by water on three sides and has many famous landmarks , such as the Golden Gate Bridge , Alcatraz Island , Palace of Fine Arts , the cable cars and streetcars , Coit Tower , and Chinatown . The city is well known for its left - wing politics and its diverse population , including large and long - established Asian American and LGBT communities . It is the most densely populated major city in California and is the second most densely populated major city in the United States , only after New York City . It is also the only consolidated city - county in the state of California . San Francisco is also home to the largest social media , technology , and biotech industries in the world . The City is also ranked the most expensive city in the United States and stands third in the world . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Fresno </Td> <Td> 520,052 </Td> <Td> Fresno </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Fresno is at the heart of the San Joaquin Valley , a leading agricultural area of the United States and the world . Fresno is the closest major city to Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park . Fresno is the largest inland city in California . It is the home of California State University , Fresno . Fresno is also noted for its large Hmong and Armenian - American communities . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> Sacramento </Td> <Td> 490,712 </Td> <Td> Sacramento </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Sacramento has been the state capital of California since 1854 . Once the state
<Table> <Tr> <Th> Rank </Th> <Th> City </Th> <Th> Population </Th> <Th> County </Th> <Th> Image </Th> <Th> Description </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Los Angeles </Td> <Td> 3,971,883 </Td> <Td> Los Angeles </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Los Angeles is one of the world 's centers of media , business , and international trade . It is the second most - populous city in the United States . It is also the home to renowned institutions covering a broad range of educational and professional fields , and it is one of the most substantial economic engines of the United States . Los Angeles ( and its Hollywood district ) leads the world in producing entertainment such as motion pictures , television , and recorded music . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Diego </Td> <Td> 1,394,928 </Td> <Td> San Diego </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Diego sits in the extreme south of California on the border with Mexico . The city has miles of beaches and a number of U.S. military facilities as well as the world 's busiest land border crossing . It is known as `` the birthplace of California '' since it was the first European landfall and the first European settlement in present - day California . The city 's economy largely relies on US defense and military - related industries , tourism , and some international trade . It is home to a number of institutions of higher learning , including the University of California , San Diego , the University of San Diego , San Diego State University , NewSchool of Architecture + Design , and Point Loma Nazarene University . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Jose </Td> <Td> 1,026,908 </Td> <Td> Santa Clara </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Jose was founded on November 29 , 1777 , as one of the first towns in the Spanish colony of Nueva California , which later became Alta California . The town of San Jose served 1849 -- 1851 as the first state capital , when California gained statehood in 1850 . After more than 150 years as an agricultural center , San Jose grew due to demand for housing from soldiers returning from World War II , as well as the city 's aggressive expansion policy during the 1950s and 1960s as it annexed large portions of land area which helped increase its population . By the 1990s , San Jose 's location within the then - booming local technology industry earned the city the nickname Capital of Silicon Valley , and it hosts several prominent technology companies including Adobe Systems and Cisco Systems . San Jose is home to the National Hockey League 's San Jose Sharks in addition to Major League Soccer 's San Jose Earthquakes , as well as San Jose State University . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Francisco </Td> <Td> 864,816 </Td> <Td> San Francisco </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> San Francisco is a popular international tourist destination renowned for its beauty , cosmopolitan flair , steep rolling hills , and eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture . The city is surrounded by water on three sides and has many famous landmarks , such as the Golden Gate Bridge , Alcatraz Island , Palace of Fine Arts , the cable cars and streetcars , Coit Tower , and Chinatown . The city is well known for its left - wing politics and its diverse population , including large and long - established Asian American and LGBT communities . It is the most densely populated major city in California and is the second most densely populated major city in the United States , only after New York City . It is also the only consolidated city - county in the state of California . San Francisco is also home to the largest social media , technology , and biotech industries in the world . The City is also ranked the most expensive city in the United States and stands third in the world . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Fresno </Td> <Td> 520,052 </Td> <Td> Fresno </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Fresno is at the heart of the San Joaquin Valley , a leading agricultural area of the United States and the world . Fresno is the closest major city to Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park . Fresno is the largest inland city in California . It is the home of California State University , Fresno . Fresno is also noted for its large Hmong and Armenian - American communities . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> Sacramento </Td> <Td> 490,712 </Td> <Td> Sacramento </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Sacramento has been the state capital of California since 1854 . Once the state
what are the 4 largest cities in california
what are the 4 largest cities in california
Los Angeles San Diego San Jose San Francisco
Los Angeles San Diego San Jose San Francisco