California is a U. S. state.
California ( [ kælᵻˈfɔːrnjə , _ - ni.ə ] , ) is the most populous state in the United States and the third most extensive by area . The Central Valley is a large , flat valley that dominates the geographical center of the U.S. state of California . Los Angeles ( [ lɒs_ˈændʒəlᵻs ] , Spanish for `` The Angels '' ; [ los ˈaŋxeles ] ) , officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L.A. , is the cultural , financial , and commercial center of Southern California . San Bernardino County , officially the County of San Bernardino , is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California .