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 , a major agricultural area , dominates the state 's center . The Central Valley is a large , flat valley that dominates the geographical center of the U.S. state of California . Sacramento ( [ ˌsækrəˈmɛntoʊ ] [ sakɾaˈmento ] ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the seat of Sacramento County .