List of city nicknames in California

This partial list of city nicknames in California compiles the aliases, sobriquets, mottos and slogans that cities in California are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to locals, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.[1] Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth"[2] are also believed to have economic value.[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure,[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.[2]

Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.

Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Top of Page – See also – References – External links

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See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts", December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :), MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
  3. ^ Alameda, here we come - California island town, Sunset (magazine), August 2001. "Much of what makes Alameda, an island with a picturesque perch off Oakland's flank in San Francisco Bay, so unusual is the way it balances connection with isolation. It lies within easy reach of major urban hubs--the bay, the San Francisco skyline, and the East Bay hills are all in view. Even so, the "Island City" seems a world apart."
  4. ^ Antioch - A Total Community, accessed April 5, 2007. "The waters in the Antioch area are some of the prime striped bass and sturgeon fishing waters. As the "Gateway to the Delta", Antioch will continue as a refuge for boaters."
  5. ^ Welcome to the Auburn Endurance Capital Web Site!, accessed April 5, 2007. "2003, the Auburn City Council passed an official measure proclaiming Auburn as the Endurance Capital of the World. Auburn is home to some of the most challenging and historic endurance events on the planet."
  6. ^ Relocating to Bakersfield, Green Country. Accessed June 2, 2007. "Bakersfield has become known as "California's Country Music Capital" with the emergence of musicians like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens."
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t U.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008
  8. ^ Foldvary, Fred E. "The People's Republic of Berkeley", The Progress Report. Accessed May 17, 2007.
  9. ^ Cockrell, Cathy. "The ‘Athens of the West’ - Latest Chronicle of UC edition highlights history of campus arts and culture", UCBerkeley News, October 20, 2004.
  10. ^ Yosemite Wrangler Wins Mule Days World Championships, Business Wire, June 30, 2000
  11. ^ ABout Buena Park, Buena Park, California. Accessed May 17, 2007. "Known as the "Center of the Southland," Buena Park is a City with a distinct heritage undergoing an exciting revitalization in business, residential, and commercial projects."
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Claims to Fame - Agriculture, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  13. ^ a b Motto ought to be boffo, Irvine World News, February 22, 2004.
  14. ^ "San Fernando's Open Secret: Porn Biz Has Migrated To What Some Call 'San Pornando Valley'", CBS News, November 25, 2002. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  15. ^ a b " City of Roses City of Trees - Chico, California", CaliforniaBeautiful.com, March 17, 2007. Accessed May 17, 2007.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n The World Capital of Whatever, The New York Times by Harold Faber, September 12, 1993.
  17. ^ Welcome to the Official Website for the City of Chino: About the City, Chino, California. Accessed May 17, 2007. "The City’s motto, “Where Everything Grows” originally referred to this agricultural beginning."
  18. ^ A Brief History of Clovis, City of Clovis. Accessed June 2, 2007. "Located in the northeast quadrant of the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area, Clovis is situated in the midst of the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley. Since its incorporation in 1912, Clovis has been the 'Gateway to the Sierra.'"
  19. ^ a b Your City: Coachella, The Desert Sun. Accessed June 2, 2007. "The "City of Eternal Sunshine - Gateway to the Salton Sea" is largely a young, rural and family oriented area of the desert."
  20. ^ a b c d Colma, California
  21. ^ History, City of Compton. Accessed June 2, 2007. "The City of Compton is known as the “Hub City” because of its unique position in almost the exact geographical canter of Los Angeles County."
  22. ^ Welcome to Corona - The Circle City, City of Corona. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  23. ^ John L. Mitchell, Four Classics to Hit the Boards: 'Heart of Screenland' to Stage Theater in Park, Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1987. "Culver City may be known as the 'Heart of Screenland,' but live theater will take center stage there..."
  24. ^ Gateway to the Peninsula: History of Daly City, California. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  25. ^ " The melting pot boils over.", The Economist, October 13, 1990. Accessed June 2, 2007. "Daly City outside San Francisco, once a mostly white, blue-collar town, is now called "Little Manila" because of its large Filipino population."
  26. ^ Fitch, Mike. "Growing Pains: Thirty Years in the History of Davis" Chapter Ten: The Political Culture of Davis, Davis, California. "Another of the city's critics was a railroad executive who couldn't hide his annoyance when officials asked his company in the early 1990s to contribute up to $1,000 for a planning project the city was undertaking next to the railroad tracks. "This letter is tantamount to railroad robbery. However, since we are forced to live with the People's Republic of Davis, we will accede to your demands in the interest of the commune welfare," the executive wrote in response, enclosing a check for $500."
  27. ^ Raibert, Andrea. "Garden Grove: City of 'youth and ambition' is culturally diverse, celebrating 50 years of hometown pride", Orange County Register, November 8, 2006. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  28. ^ Barry Popik, Big Strawberry, February 16, 2006
  29. ^ Greetings From America's Secret Capitals, Time (magazine), July 13, 1998.
  30. ^ Glendale: The Jewel City (PDF), Glendale, California. Accessed June 2, 2007.
  31. ^ http://www.cagenweb.com/cpl/sbgoleta.htm
  32. ^ City of Hayward website, accessed November 20, 2011
  33. ^ City of Hercules website. Accessed October 29, 2008.
  34. ^ The 12 Zins of Lodi, accessed March 13, 2010.
  35. ^ a b c Claims to Fame - Plants, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  36. ^ a b Chad Greene, From ‘Iowa By The Sea’ To ‘International City’: A Look At Long Beach’s Changing Demographics With Former Advanced Planning Officer, Long Beach Business Journal, January 17, 2006
  37. ^ Queen City, Time (magazine), January 30, 1928, accessed April 13, 1928.
  38. ^ Grant, Rachel. "Different stars in Tinseltown", Financial Times, March 9, 2007, accessed April 12, 2007. "With shows such as Red Eye and an important LA artist retrospective last year at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Tinseltown is finally gaining international artistic recognition."
  39. ^ The Gorch "The Best Show on WFMU", June 5, 2007
  40. ^ Marysville’s Golden History, accessed April 12, 2007. "Those that survive are a constant reminder of Marysville’s golden history and proof that Marysville is still the ‘Gateway to the Gold Fields’."
  41. ^ Merced Conference & Visitor's Bureau, accessed April 12, 2007. "As the "Gateway to Yosemite," Merced offers the traveler an abundance of recreational facilities and a short drive or ride into Yosemite National Park."
  42. ^ City of Milpitas | About Milpitas, accessed March 16, 2009.
  43. ^ Welcome to Modesto - the city of "Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health.", accessed April 12, 2007.
  44. ^ Monterey, California, accessed April 12, 2007. "Many California "firsts" occurred in Monterey. These include California's first theater, brick house, publicly funded school, public building, public library, and printing press. Because of this, some have dubbed Monterey 'the cradle of history.'"
  45. ^ Claims to Fame - Animals, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  46. ^ Norwalk Citizen Forum Was 'Worth Every Nickel,' Mayor Says, Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1989
  47. ^ About Oakdale, accessed April 12, 2007. "The Saddle Club started putting on rodeos in the spring, and the city became known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World”."
  48. ^ McClymonds Students Study to Rejuvenate Park, by Cecily Burt, from Oakland Tribune, Tuesday, May 4, 2004; archived on City of Oakland website (accessed January 6, 2007). "They talked about Oakland's nickname, 'Oak Town,' and the lack of remaining leafy specimens that made the city famous."
  49. ^ Oakland: Geography and Climate, City-Data website. "Oakland has earned the nickname "bright side of the Bay" because of its sunny skies and moderate year-round climate."
  50. ^ For Keyshia Cole, it's good to be back in the Bay Area, by Jim Harrington, Oakland Tribune, April 25, 2007, retrieved October 16, 2007
  51. ^ Oakland (Postcard History), by Annalee Allen (2005; Arcadia Publishing; ISBN 978-0738530147).[1] "A Chevrolet plant opened, attracting various automotive parts manufacturers to establish themselves as well, thus earning Oakland the nickname 'Detroit of the West.'" (page 58)
  52. ^ John Serrao, Is the Strawberry the Future of American Agriculture?, Nutrition Wonderland website, accessed January 8, 2010
  53. ^ Claims to Fame - Weather, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  54. ^ Pasadena Facts, City of Pasadena website
  55. ^ a b Claims to Fame - Favorites, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  56. ^ Local History: Redwood City, CA
  57. ^ Judge weighs lawyer's lawsuit: Plan to redevelop downtown challenged, by Will Oremus, Redwood City Daily News. Quote page 7, paragraph #3, '... for a city that has been saddled with the moniker "Deadwood City" in the past.'
  58. ^ Levy, Joan (July 3, 2006). "What happened to the Fourth of July Rodeo?". San Mateo Daily Journal. http://smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?type=lnews&id=60858. Retrieved 2007-10-21. 
  59. ^ City of Richmond FY 2008-2009 Budget (appears on title page), accessed June 20, 2010
  60. ^ Riverside dubbed “City of Arts & Innovation", City of Riverside, press release, June 25, 2009
  61. ^ City of Riverside; Urban Forestry Policy Manual, Riverside Public Works Department, November, 2007, page 5. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  62. ^ a b Barry Popik, Big Tomato, April 02, 2005
  63. ^ Sacramento Camellia City
  64. ^ Sacramento River City website
  65. ^ Sacramento Earns High Marks as 'Green' Leader, article from Sacramento Business Journal, July 2, 2007. "The River City joined Minneapolis and Tallahassee, Fla., as ... runners-up."
  66. ^ Used in names of Sactown Magazine and Sactown.com portal website
  67. ^ City Profile, City of San Carlos website, accessed June 4, 2011
  68. ^ Leo, Peter. "'America's finest city' takes a fall", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 6, 2005, accessed April 12, 2007. "Which brings us to less-humble San Diego. It had the nerve to tout itself as "America's Finest City."... This would seem to present an opportunity for Tampa, which bills itself as "America's Next Greatest City."
  69. ^ Fikes, Bradley. "Science & Technology: Silicon Beach". North County Times. http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/12/11/news/columnists/silicon_beach/20_56_0412_10_05.txt. Retrieved 2007-08-17. 
  70. ^ "CommNexus 'Silicon Beach' Map". http://www.commnexus.org/map/. Retrieved 2007-08-17. 
  71. ^ Caen, Herb (1949). Baghdad-by-the-Bay. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0891740476. LC F869.S3 C12. 
  72. ^ San Francisco Public Library (2005-03-29). "PPIE: The City That Knows How". Amusing America. San Francisco Public Library, Online Exhibitions. http://sfpl.lib.ca.us/news/onlineexhibits/amusing/ppie.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-14. 
  73. ^ Herb Caen (October 14, 2003). Frisco, that once-verboten term for the city by the bay, is making a comeback among the young and hip.. San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/10/14/DD67721.DTL. Retrieved 2007-12-24 
  74. ^ Many tourists refer to San Francisco as "Frisco", a name popularized through songs like Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay and Sweet Little Sixteen. However, locals discourage this use and prefer the nickname The City by the Bay. Samuel D. Cohen writes that many credit "Friscophobia" to newspaper columnist Herb Caen, whose first book, published in 1953, was "Don't Call it Frisco." Caen was considered by many to be the recognized authority on what was, and what was not, beneath the city's dignity, and to him, Frisco was intolerable. Cohen, Sam (1997-09-11). "Locals Know best: only tourists call it 'Frisco'". Golden Gater Online. San Francisco State University. http://www.journalism.sfsu.edu/www/pubs/gater/fall97/sept11/Frisco.html. Retrieved 2008-07-13. 
  75. ^ Barry Popik, Smoky City, barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005
  76. ^ San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, accessed July 11, 2007. "Experience the SLO Life".
  77. ^ New York Times article on Santa Barbara
  78. ^ The Real Surf City? It's Santa Cruz, says Magazine by Steve Marble, The LA Times, June 16, 2009
  79. ^ a b c Santa Monica Tries to Curb Charity to Homeless by Kit R. Roane, The New York Times, September 16, 1996
  80. ^ Claims to Fame - Ethnic Groups, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  81. ^ Claims to Fame - Business, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  82. ^ City of Sunnyvale website, accessed September 5, 2008
  83. ^ a b Willits Chamber of Commerce
  84. ^ Claims to Fame - Energy, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  85. ^ "Welcome to Yorba Linda, CA - "Land of Gracious Living" (text on city welcome sign), photograph on Waymarking.com website, accessed January 8, 2010

External links