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.
Nicknames by city
edit
A
edit- Alameda – The Island City[3]
- Anaheim
- Duck Capital of the World (after the Anaheim Ducks)
- Ducktown
- The Heart of the City
- Antioch – Gateway to the Delta[4]
- Arcadia – Community of Homes[5]
- Azusa – "Everything from A to Z in the U.S.A."
- Auburn – Endurance Capital of The World[6]
B
edit- Bakersfield
- Berkeley
- Bishop – Mule Packer Capital of the World[12][8]
- Blythe – Friendliest City In The West[13]
- Buena Park – Center of the Southland[14]
- Burbank – Media Capital of the World[15][8]
C
edit- Campbell – The Orchard City[16]
- Carlsbad – Village by the sea[17]
- Castroville – Artichoke Center of the World[16][18][8]
- Chatsworth – San Pornando[19]
- Chico
- Clovis – Gateway to the Sierra[23]
- Coachella
- Colma (founded as a necropolis in 1924)[25]
- The City of the Silent[25]
- Compton – The Hub City[26]
- Corning – Olive City[16][8]
- Corona – The Circle City[27][8]
- Coronado – The Crown City[28][8]
- Corte Madera – The Twin City (with Larkspur)[29]
- Costa Mesa
- Costa Mexico
- Culver City – Heart of Screenland[30]
D
editF
edit- Fallbrook
- Forestville – Poison Oak Capital of the World[9][8]
- Fountain Valley – "A nice place to live"[38]
- Fresno
G
edit- Garden Grove
- Big Strawberry[41]
- Garbage Grove
- Gilroy – Garlic Capital of the World[16][42][8]
- Glendale – The Jewel City[43]
- Glendora – The Pride of the Foothills[44]
- Goleta – The Good Land[45]
- Greenfield – Broccoli Capital of the World[21]
- Gridley – Kiwi Fruit Capital of the World[16]
H
edit- Half Moon Bay – Pumpkin Capital[16]
- Hawthorne – City of Good Neighbors[46]
- Hayward
- Heart of the Bay[47]
- The Haystack
- Hercules – The Dynamic City on the Bay[48]
- Holtville – The Carrot Capital of the World[16]
- Huntington Beach
I
edit
K
edit- Koreatown, Los Angeles, CA
- K-Town
- Crazy Town
L
edit- La Crescenta-Montrose – The Balcony of Southern California[51]
- La Habra – Guadalahabra[52]
- La Mesa
- Jewel of the Hills[16]
- Larkspur – The Twin City (with Corte Madera)[29]
- Linden – Cherry Capital of the World[16]
- Livingston – Sweet Potato Capitol of the World[16]
- Lodi
- Lompoc – Flower Seed Capital of the World[54][8]
- Long Beach
- Los Angeles
- Entertainment Capital of the World
- L.A.
- El Lay[56]
- The Angels (literal Spanish translation)
- Angeltown[57]
- The Big Orange[9]
- City of Angels[9][58] – based partially on the literal translation of the city's original historical full name from the Spanish language -- "The City of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels".
- City of Flowers and Sunshine[18]
- La-La Land[9]
- Shaky Town[59]
- Tinseltown[60] (specifically applies to Hollywood[9])
- City of Champions (used in 2020 after the Lakers and Dodgers championships just 16 days apart)[61][62]
- Tehrangeles or little Persia
M
edit- Manteca – Lard City
- Marysville – Gateway to the Gold Fields[63]
- McCloud – Blackberry Capital of the World[16][21][8]
- Mendota – Cantaloupe Center of the World[64]
- Merced
- Milpitas – Crossroads of Silicon Valley[67]
- Modesto
- Monterey – The Cradle of History[70]
N
editO
editP
edit- Pacific Grove
- Pacifica – Fog Capital of California[87][8]
- Palm Springs – Golf Capital of the World[21][8]
- Pasadena
- Paso Robles
- The Pass of the Oaks[89]
- Pearsonville – Hubcap Capital of the World[90]
- Perris
- Placerville – Old Hangtown[9]
- Poway – The City In The Country[9]
R
edit- Redwood City
- Reedley – The World's Fruit Basket[16]
- Richmond
- City of Pride and Purpose[94]
- The Rich
- Ripon – City of Almonds[95]
- Riverside
S
edit- Sacramento
- Salinas
- San Bernardino – San Berdoo[103]
- San Carlos – City of Good Living[104]
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Baghdad by the Bay[9][106]
- Bip City
- The Paris of the West[107]
- The City[9]
- The City by the Bay[9]
- The City That Knows How (archaic)[9][108]
- Everybody's Favorite City[9]
- Fog City[9]
- Frisco (locally disparaged)[109][110][111]
- The Exposition City (archaic)[112]
- The Ideal Convention City (archaic)[113]
- The Golden Gate City[9]
- San Fran (locally disparaged)[114]
- San Jose
- San Leandro – The 'Dro[117]
- San Luis Obispo
- San Pablo
- City of New Directions[120]
- Where?
- San Quentin – Bastille by the Bay[121]
- Sanger – Christmas Tree City[16]
- Santa Ana – The Golden City[122]
- Santa Barbara – The American Riviera[123]
- Santa Catalina Island – The Island of Romance[124]
- Santa Cruz – (The real) Surf City, USA[125]
- Santa Monica
- Santa Paula – Citrus Capital of the World[16]
- Selma – Raisin Capital of the World[16][21]
- Smith River – Lily Growing Capital of the World[54]
- Solvang – Danish capital of America[129]
- South San Francisco – The Industrial City, South City[130]
- Stockton
- Sunnyvale – The Heart of Silicon Valley[132]
T
editV
edit- Vacaville – Cowtown[133]
- Valencia – Awesometown[134]
- Vallejo – Valley Joe
- Ventura – Poinsettia City (formerly Palm City)[135]
- Visalia
W
edit- Wasco – Rose Growing Capital of the World[54]
- Watsonville – Strawberry Capital of the World[16][21]
- Willits
- Willow Creek – Bigfoot Capital of the World[90][8]
Y
edit- Yorba Linda – Land of Gracious Living[140]
- Yuba City – Prune Capital[16]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Muench, David (December 1993). "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts" (PDF). University of Wisconsin Extension. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 9, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2007.
- ^ a b Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :) Archived 2008-05-21 at the Wayback Machine, MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
- ^ Alameda, here we come - California island town Archived 2008-02-17 at the Wayback Machine, 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."
- ^ Antioch - A Total Community Archived 2007-07-14 at the Wayback Machine, 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."
- ^ "About Arcadia". City of Arcadia. Archived from the original on August 29, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
- ^ 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."
- ^ Relocating to Bakersfield Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine, 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."
- ^ 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 aa ab ac Snibbe, Kurt (February 5, 2018). "Test your knowledge of nicknames for states and California cities". The Orange County Register. Retrieved 5 March 2018 – via Napa Valley Register.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v U.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008
- ^ Foldvary, Fred E. "The People's Republic of Berkeley" Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, The Progress Report. Accessed May 17, 2007.
- ^ Cockrell, Cathy. "The ‘Athens of the West’ - Latest Chronicle of UC edition highlights history of campus arts and culture", UCBerkeley News, October 20, 2004.
- ^ Yosemite Wrangler Wins Mule Days World Championships Archived 2008-02-17 at the Wayback Machine, Business Wire, June 30, 2000
- ^ Hemphill, W. G. (1964-06-04). "This & That -- Friendliest City In The West". Palo Verde Valley Times.
- ^ ABout Buena Park Archived 2007-12-27 at the Wayback Machine, 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."
- ^ "Burbank, Ca. – Media Capital of the World". Travel America. April 20, 2007. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Claims to Fame - Agriculture, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ Visit Carlsbad website, accessed December 9, 2015.
- ^ a b Motto ought to be boffo, Irvine World News, February 22, 2004.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b " City of Roses City of Trees - Chico, California" Archived 2008-01-12 at the Wayback Machine, CaliforniaBeautiful.com, March 17, 2007. Accessed May 17, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Faber, Harold (1993-09-12). "The World Capital of Whatever". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
- ^ Welcome to the Official Website for the City of Chino: About the City Archived 2007-12-27 at the Wayback Machine, Chino, California. Accessed May 17, 2007. "The City's motto, "Where Everything Grows" originally referred to this agricultural beginning."
- ^ A Brief History of Clovis Archived 2008-02-15 at the Wayback Machine, 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.'"
- ^ 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."
- ^ a b Colma, California
- ^ History Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine, 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."
- ^ Welcome to Corona - The Circle City Archived 2008-01-12 at the Wayback Machine, City of Corona. Accessed June 2, 2007.
- ^ CrownCity.com area businesses website
- ^ a b "Central Marin Police Authority Consolidation Summary": "Over the past three years the Twin Cities Police Authority and the San Anselmo Police Department have been collaboratively working together toward Police Consolidation through the sharing of services." Accessdate December 9, 2015
- ^ 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..."
- ^ Gateway to the Peninsula: History of Daly City, California Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed June 2, 2007.
- ^ " 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."
- ^ US News & World Report Archived 2013-07-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ OpenWorld.gov
- ^ Fitch, Mike. "Growing Pains: Thirty Years in the History of Davis" Archived 2012-07-22 at the Wayback Machine 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."
- ^ Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
- ^ Raibert, Andrea. "Garden Grove: City of 'youth and ambition' is culturally diverse, celebrating 50 years of hometown pride" Archived 2008-02-13 at the Wayback Machine, Orange County Register, November 8, 2006. Accessed June 2, 2007.
- ^ Mendoza, Raymond (July 10, 2014). "Fountain Valley, a nice place to live". Orange County Register. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
- ^ "Lessons from the Big Raisin," Monterey County Herald, December 23, 2009; "A Nickname Would Give Fresno and Identity," Fresno Bee, December 27, 1993; many others
- ^ "Thousands will head downtown for FresYes Fest this weekend. How to best enjoy the party," Fresno Bee, March 22, 2023; "Retailer says 'yes' to Fresno's appeal - Hollister Co., ex-Fresnan sell clothing with a positive twist on the city's name." Fresno Bee, May 7, 2004; many others
- ^ Barry Popik, Big Strawberry, February 16, 2006
- ^ Greetings From America's Secret Capitals, Time (magazine), July 13, 1998.
- ^ Glendale: The Jewel City Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine (PDF), Glendale, California. Accessed June 2, 2007.
- ^ City of Glendora website
- ^ "Cagenweb-com - californiagambling.info".
- ^ City of Hawthorne website Archived 2016-11-23 at the Wayback Machine, accessed September 22, 2016
- ^ City of Hayward website, accessed November 20, 2011
- ^ City of Hercules website. Accessed October 29, 2008.
- ^ "City of Inglewood : Departments". Archived from the original on 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ "Our Inglewood Moment," Los Angeles Times, January 13, 2015 (and subsequent letter on January 16); "Inglewood Wages War With Studios," Los Angeles Times, February 18, 1992; others
- ^ "Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce". Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ^ Arellano, Gustavo (July 6, 2009). "Anacrime, Stabba Ana, Guadalahabra and Other Wonderful OC City Slurs". OC Weekly. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ^ The 12 Zins of Lodi Archived 2008-03-13 at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 13, 2010.
- ^ a b c Claims to Fame - Plants Archived 2007-12-17 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ 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 Archived 2016-12-24 at the Wayback Machine, Long Beach Business Journal, January 17, 2006
- ^ "The sad demise of Brooks Brothers," The Spectator (UK), April 23, 2022; "John Mayer's love letter to El Lay yacht rock is more than just easy nostalgia," Los Angeles Times, July 15, 2021; innumerable others
- ^ Take Two (June 21, 2013). "'Angel Town': The City of LA's long lost official song". Southern California Public Radio. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
- ^ Queen City, Time (magazine), January 30, 1928, accessed April 13, 1928.
- ^ Due to earthquakes; a nickname shared with San Francisco, for similar reasons.
- ^ 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."
- ^ Carras, Christi (2020-10-28). "LeBron James and other celebs cheer the Dodgers: 'LA is the city of CHAMPIONS'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ Carroll, Rory (2020-10-29). "Los Angeles parades on hold in the 'City of Champions'". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ 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’."
- ^ Marcum, Diana (2019-08-20). "Gay shopkeeper stands his ground in a Central Valley town, carving out space for others". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
- ^ Merced Conference & Visitor's Bureau Archived 2020-05-18 at the Wayback Machine, 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."
- ^ "'It's part of our history.' Merced community unites to restore historic Laura Fountain", Merced Sun-Star, February 12, 2022; "Sarah Lim: Historical Society Calendar celebrates Merced's 150th anniversary," Merced Sun-Star, December 26, 2021; others
- ^ City of Milpitas | About Milpitas Archived 2009-03-06 at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 16, 2009.
- ^ Welcome to Modesto - the city of "Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health." Archived 2007-12-27 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 12, 2007.
- ^ "Marijuana is mainstream but weed tourism isn't booming. Here's why," Washington Post, April 20, 2023; "What's going on in the Modesto region? A lot, here's a look," Modesto Bee, April 18, 2019; many others
- ^ Monterey, California Archived 2010-08-06 at the Wayback Machine, 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.'"
- ^ Fry, Hannah (August 1, 2019). "This California town wants to be a 2nd Amendment 'sanctuary city' for guns and ammo". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
When cannabis began to emerge as a booming business in the state several years ago, Needles seized the opportunity. Marijuana has been a lifeline for the town. . . . At the Wagon Wheel, the city's oldest restaurant, a souvenir shop displays license plates with the city's unofficial nickname — Weedles —and glasses adorned with marijuana leaves and pot puns.
- ^ Claims to Fame - Animals Archived 2011-11-06 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ Norwalk Citizen Forum Was 'Worth Every Nickel,' Mayor Says, Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1989
- ^ About Oakdale Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine, 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"."
- ^ 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."
- ^ Oakland: Story of a City, by Beth Bagwell (1982; Presidio Press; ISBN 0-89141-146-1).[1] "From about 1860 until the turn of the century, Oakland claimed the title of "the Athens of the Pacific" because of its schools." (page 99)
- ^ Oakland (Postcard History), by Annalee Allen (2005; Arcadia Publishing; ISBN 978-0-7385-3014-7).[2] "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)
- ^ McClymonds Students Study to Rejuvenate Park Archived 2008-02-13 at the Wayback Machine, 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."
- ^ For Keyshia Cole, it's good to be back in the Bay Area Archived 2008-02-20 at the Wayback Machine, by Jim Harrington, Oakland Tribune, April 25, 2007, retrieved October 16, 2007
- ^ Spears, Marc J. (2017-11-24). "Warriors to show Oakland some love with debut of 'The Town' jerseys". Andscape. Retrieved 2020-10-01.Historical name modernized by local rap artists to differentiate from San Francisco moniker 'The City' and widely popularized by the Golden State Warriors in 2019
- ^ "Bump City". The Oakland Standard. Retrieved 2020-10-01."Common nickname from the 1970s which led to the naming of John Kirch's book of essays and poems about Oakland"
- ^ {{Cite web|title=City of Dope |url=https://genius.com/Too-short-city-of-dope-lyrics
- ^ "Visit Ojai - City of Ojai". 26 July 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-07-26. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ John Serrao, Is the Strawberry the Future of American Agriculture? Archived 2009-11-26 at the Wayback Machine, Nutrition Wonderland website, accessed January 8, 2010
- ^ "Monarch Butterflies | Top Attractions | Pacific Grove Official Visitors Guide". www.pacificgrove.org. Archived from the original on December 26, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ^ "Prehistoric Pacific Grove: "America"s Last Hometown" was inhabited at least 7,150 years ago". www.montereyherald.com. 5 October 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ^ Claims to Fame - Weather Archived 2011-10-07 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ Pasadena Facts, City of Pasadena website
- ^ City of El Paso Robles Planning Commission Agenda, Jan. 28, 2014, accessed December 9, 2015
- ^ a b Claims to Fame - Favorites Archived 2008-01-16 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ Local History: Redwood City, CA Archived 2008-01-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 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.'
- ^ Levy, Joan (July 3, 2006). "What happened to the Fourth of July Rodeo?". San Mateo Daily Journal. Archived from the original on 2009-07-22. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
- ^ City of Richmond FY 2008-2009 Budget (appears on title page), accessed June 20, 2010
- ^ "Home". cityofripon.org.
- ^ Riverside dubbed "City of Arts & Innovation" Archived 2010-05-19 at the Wayback Machine, City of Riverside, press release, June 25, 2009
- ^ City of Riverside; Urban Forestry Policy Manual, Riverside Public Works Department, November, 2007, page 5. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ a b Barry Popik, Big Tomato, April 02, 2005
- ^ Sacramento Camellia City
- ^ Sacramento River City Archived 2008-01-11 at the Wayback Machine website
- ^ Sacramento Earns High Marks as 'Green' Leader Archived 2007-10-25 at the Wayback Machine, article from Sacramento Business Journal, July 2, 2007. "The River City joined Minneapolis and Tallahassee, Fla., as ... runners-up."
- ^ Used in names of Sactown Magazine and Sactown.com Archived 2018-01-17 at the Wayback Machine portal website
- ^ "CCR song 'Tombstone Shadow' inspired by bad psychic in San Bernardino," Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, May 3, 2023; "Fairy tales can come true, they can happen to you, if you drive the freeway, looking at 'brag tags' in L.A.," Jack Smith column in Los Angeles Times, April 22, 1986; innumerable others
- ^ City Profile Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, City of San Carlos website, accessed June 4, 2011
- ^ 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."
- ^ Caen, Herb (1949). Baghdad-by-the-Bay. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-89174-047-6. LC F869.S3 C12.
- ^ "San Francisco, "the Paris of the West": SFist". 2014-06-22. Archived from the original on 2014-06-22. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
- ^ San Francisco Public Library (2005-03-29). "PPIE: The City That Knows How". Amusing America. San Francisco Public Library, Online Exhibitions. Archived from the original on 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ^ James Sullivan (October 14, 2003). "Frisco, that once-verboten term for the city by the bay, is making a comeback among the young and hip. Herb Caen is spinning at warp speed". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 3, 2004. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 1997-11-23. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ "Proclamations and History". www.emperornorton.org. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
- ^ "The Exposition City San Francisco. 1912. - David Rumsey Historical Map Collection". www.davidrumsey.com. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
- ^ "Map of San Francisco Showing Principal Streets and Places of Interest - David Rumsey Historical Map Collection". www.davidrumsey.com. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
- ^ Farewell to Frisco, say hello to San Fran
- ^ Jackson, Chris (2018-01-27). "Nicknames for San Jose". kfox.com. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
- ^ "San Jose Garden City Brochure, 1915". 1915.
- ^ Article on San Leandro
- ^ San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, accessed July 11, 2007. "Experience the SLO Life".
- ^ "Oprah's Happiest City in America". Oprah.com.
- ^ "San Pablo, CA - Official Website | Official Website".
- ^ "Geocaching - the Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site". www.geocaching.com. Retrieved 19 Oct 2015.
- ^ "Santa Ana, California (U.S.)". www.crwflags.com.
- ^ New York Times article on Santa Barbara
- ^ Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
- ^ The Real Surf City? It's Santa Cruz, says Magazine by Steve Marble, The Los Angeles Times, June 16, 2009
- ^ a b Santa Monica Tries to Curb Charity to Homeless by Kit R. Roane, The New York Times, September 16, 1996
- ^ "Bankers Must Be Alert to Issues Raised by Activists," Thw American Banker. August 4, 1982; "Rent Curb Backers Lose in Calif. City," Washington Post, April 16, 1983; many others
- ^ "Santa Monica Finds Its Generosity Has Limits After Vagrant Attack". The New York Times. August 20, 1990. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
- ^ Claims to Fame - Ethnic Groups Archived 2007-12-17 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ Claims to Fame - Business Archived 2017-07-13 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Stockton, California Facts and Fun Information | Visit Stockton". Visit Stockton. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- ^ City of Sunnyvale website Archived 2008-09-21 at the Wayback Machine, accessed September 5, 2008
- ^ "Vacaville's History | Vacaville, CA". www.ci.vacaville.ca.us. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
- ^ "'Awesometown' ad campaign spurs buzz for Valencia". Los Angeles Times. 2010-09-23.
- ^ Miller, Joanna M. (November 30, 1992). "Red Harvest : This Year's Poinsettia Crop Is the Best in Recent Years, Local Growers Say". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
In 1926, at the urging of the Chamber of Commerce, the city changed its nickname from the Palm City to the Poinsettia City, a title to which the city clings today.
- ^ a b Visalia Chamber of Commerce
- ^ "Editorial: Recreation has become a Visalia priority", Visalia Times-Delta, April 1, 2009
- ^ a b Willits Chamber of Commerce
- ^ Claims to Fame - Energy Archived 2017-04-20 at the Wayback Machine, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ "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
edit- a list of American and a few Canadian nicknames
- U.S. cities list