California is a state in the Western United States. It is bordered by Nevada to the east, Arizona to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Oregon to the north, and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. With over 39.5 million residents across a total area of approximately 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2), it is the most populous and the third-largest U.S. state by area. It is also the most populated subnational entity in North America and the 34th most populous in the world. The Greater Los Angeles area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nation's second and fifth most populous urban regions respectively, with the former having more than 18.7 million residents and the latter having over 9.6 million.
Sacramento is the state's capital, while Los Angeles is the most populous city in the state and the second most populous city in the country (after New York City). Los Angeles County is the country's most populous, while San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the country. San Francisco, which is both a city and county, is the second most densely populated major city in the country (after New York City) and the fifth most densely populated county in the country, behind four of New York City's five boroughs.
California Free State
Home of the first and most successful Anarch Revolt in North America, the California Free State had its genesis in Los Angeles. However, the tide of revolt soon swept up and down the state, and today all of the Redwood State is either independent or contested. San Francisco in particular is a contested city, but the war there is more political than overt. Deals are made in clubs and boardrooms as the Camarilla attempts to purchase, rather than conquer, the City by the Bay.
The rest of the state is less than safe for most Kindred. While the freedom from Camarilla strictures can be exhilarating at first, the lack of structure provides room for bully-gangs of Brujah and Gangrel (most of whom, ironically, wander in groups reminiscent of Sabbat packs) to pick off visitors and immigrants.
Vampire: The Masquerade
Beginning in the 19th century, southern California drew large numbers of young vampires, especially those sympathetic to the Anarch Movement. In 1944, with the Camarilla distracted by the war in Europe, Jeremy MacNeill instigated the Second Anarch Revolt in Los Angeles and ousted the city's Prince. The revolt spread through much of southern California, which was dubbed the Anarch Free State.
In 1998, the Quincunx began the Great Leap Outward by attacking cities all along the California coast. The newly acquired territory was dubbed the New Promise Mandarinate. The Mandarinate is headquartered in San Francisco, while in Los Angeles an uneasy stalemate has been reached among the kuei-jin, the Anarchs, the Camarilla and opportunistic Sabbat from Mexico.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse
The Sept of the Western Eye is located in Muir Woods National Park near San Francisco.
The Sept of the Towering Giants is located in the Sierra Nevada and is in view of two giant spirits: Grandfather Redwood and Old Man Mountain. Old Man Mountain is described as having 'a white peak that reaches almost to the sun' and is probably referring to Mount Whitney.
The Sept of the Sheltering Spirit is located on the Channel Island, Santa Cruz, and it's cave opening can only be seen via another island (San Miguel) during sunlit hours.
The Sept of the Pointing Stars is located in the eastern Sierra Nevada and describes a lake with salty waters and eerie spires that is 60 miles across, which is referring to Mono Lake.
The Sept of the Proud Warrior is located in the Mojave Desert. The "Proud Warrior" is the Joshua Tree.
The Horrid Hole Pit is located near Barker Ranch, Death Valley.
Changeling: The Dreaming
California is largely contiguous with the Kingdom of Pacifica, one of the kingdoms that make up Concordia.
Demon: The Fallen
Lucifer settled in Hollywood in 1933, and several Earthbound were attracted to the area in pursuit of him. In 1999, large numbers of escaped demons came to Los Angeles, either hoping to join forces with Lucifer or exact revenge on him.
