This September, California marks 175 years of statehood, but its story stretches far beyond 1850. Long before statehood, towns—and civilizations—flourished across the region.
Indigenous peoples like the Chumash, Cahuilla, and Kumeyaay have lived in California for tens of thousands of years, shaping the land and its legacy.
By the 1530s, Spanish explorers had arrived, but it wasn’t until the 1700s that they began building missions and settlements, according to the Library of Congress. The U.S. would later claim the territory in 1848 through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War. Just two years later, on Sept. 9, 1850, California officially became the 31st state.
So, what’s the oldest city in California?
San Diego: Where California began
While Indigenous communities like the Kumeyaay lived in the area for millennia, San Diego became the first Spanish settlement in California with the founding of Mission San Diego de Alcalá in 1769, according to SanDiego.org. That moment marked the beginning of California’s colonial chapter.
Today, San Diego is a vibrant city of 1.3 million residents and the birthplace of cultural icons like Adam Driver, Tony Hawk, and Ted Danson.
Explore Old Town San Diego
Visitors to San Diego can walk through history at Old Town State Historic Park, created in 1968 by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The park features preserved homes from the 1800s—before the city shifted its downtown closer to the harbor.
Landmarks like the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, La Casa de Estudillo, and the San Diego Mission offer a glimpse into California’s earliest days.
San Jose: California’s first incorporated city
Though San Diego was California’s first settled city, San Jose holds the title of California’s first incorporated city, according to California State Parks. This milestone came shortly after California was admitted as the 31st state of the United States in September 1850. At the time, San Jose had already been serving as the state’s capital (from 1849 to 1852) and was a key trade depot for the nearby goldfields
An incorporated city is a municipality that has been officially formed and recognized by the state government through a legal process known as incorporation. This status grants the city a formal government structure—typically including a mayor, city council, and administrative departments—and the authority to enact local laws, collect taxes, and provide public services such as police, fire protection, and sanitation.
Incorporation also gives a city the legal identity needed to enter into contracts, own property, and sue or be sued. It marks the transition from a loosely organized settlement or community to a self-governing entity with defined boundaries and responsibilities.
What are California’s 10 oldest cities?
Whether you’re a history buff or a curious traveler, these California cities have the longest history in the Golden State.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What are the oldest cities in California? See the list
Reporting by Ernesto Centeno Araujo, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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