California, Maryland
California is a community of 13,136 people in St. Mary's County, Maryland.
Why visit California
Townapedia lists 15 museums and landmarks, 21 parks and trails, 100 places to eat, 17 places to stay and 4 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Drum Point Light, R/C Lexington Exchange Movies 12, Calvert Marine Museum and J. C. Lore Oyster House.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 88°F; January lows average 30°F.
Weather in California
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About California
California is a census-designated place and community in St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,857 at the 2010 census, an increase of 27.4% from the 2000 census. There are department stores and numerous shopping centers situated along Maryland Highway 235 ("Three Notch Road"). Maryland Route 4 crosses Highway 235 in California, providing access to the narrow Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge and the popular weekend resort town of Solomons on its opposite side.
From the Wikipedia article California, Maryland (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do4
Drum Point Light
Lighthouse · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Lighthouse in Maryland, United States
Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge
Bridge · 2.3 mi
Bridge in Maryland, United States crossing the Patuxent River near its mouth between Calvert County and St. Mary's County
Museums and landmarks15
Calvert Marine Museum
Museum · 2.8 mi
Public museum in Maryland, USA
14200 South Solomons Island Road, Solomons
J. C. Lore Oyster House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
United States historic place
14430 South Solomons Island Road, Solomons
closed
Cecil's Mill Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.0 mi
Historic district in Maryland, United States
Mattapany
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
Archeological site of 17th-century plantation and principal dwelling of Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore
Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
Museum · 2.1 mi
22100 Three Notch Road
Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Resurrection Manor
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Historic house in Maryland, United States
St. Richard's Manor
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Building in Maryland, United States
_just_north_of_Maryland_State_Route_237_(Chancellors_Run_Road)_and_Maple_Road_in_California,_Saint_Mary%27s_County,_Maryland.jpg){kind=link}
_just_south_of_Maryland_State_Route_237_(Chancellors_Run_Road)_and_Maple_Road_in_California,_Saint_Mary%27s_County,_Maryland.jpg){kind=link}
_near_Three_Notch_Road_(Maryland_State_Route_235)_in_California,_St._Mary%27s_County,_Maryland.jpg){kind=link}
_just_south_of_Maryland_State_Route_235_(Three_Notch_Road)_in_California,_St._Mary%27s_County,_Maryland.jpg){kind=link}
William B. Tennison
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Chesapeake Bay bugeye built in 1899 and converted to an oyster buy-boat in 1906-07
United States Colored Troops Memorial Monument
Monument and historic site · 3.4 mi
American Civil War memorial in Maryland, United States
3 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds21
Town Creek Park
Park
2.5 acre park dedicated in 1971. Picnic Tables, Playground, and Lighted Tennis Courts.
5750 King Drive, Lexington Park
Chancellors Run Regional Park
Park · 2.1 mi
21905 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills
9 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes100
Outback Steakhouse
Restaurant · American, Steak · 2.5 mi
23415 Three Notch Road, California
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Bubbles Bzzz
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 3.1 mi
46921 South Shangri la Drive, Lexington Park
Tu-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:30-19:00; Su 10:00-18:00
Cold Stone Creamery
Ice cream · Ice Cream · 1.7 mi
44980 Saint Andrews Church Road, California
Mo-Th 12:00-21:00; Fr-Su 12:00-21:30
Crumbl Cookies
Restaurant · Cookie · 1.7 mi
45000 Saint Andrews Church Road, California
Mo-Sa 08:00-22:00
Island Hideaway
Restaurant · Seafood · 2.5 mi
14556 South Solomons Island Road, Solomons
Su-Th 16:00-19:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-20:00
Ledo Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza, Pasta · 2.7 mi
21911 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park
Mo-Th,Su 11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-22:00
Pizza Hut
Restaurant · Pizza · 3.0 mi
21600 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park
Su-Th 10:00-24:00, Fr,Sa 10:00-01:00
Plaza Tolteca
Restaurant · Mexican · 0.4 mi
22769 Three Notch Road, California
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:30; Su 11:00-21:00
Red Robin
Restaurant · Burger · 1.0 mi
45305 Abell House Lane, California
Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00
88 more on the map.
History
California, Maryland, was named after the state of California before 1897. The exact origins of the name are unknown; however, one story is that a family from the state moved to the area, using materials from their home state to build their new house, called the “California Farmstead.” Eventually, the name stuck.
The community has been growing with the spread of population from the older adjacent community of Lexington Park and the growth in both technology-related and defense-related jobs at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
Historically rooted in farming and fishing along the Chesapeake Bay, the area has experienced a decades-long economic transformation. Employment is now largely concentrated at St. Mary's College of Maryland, in addition to the aforementioned Patuxent River Naval Air Station. The area has also seen a growing population of long-distance commuters to Washington, D.C.
From the History section of California, Maryland on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay17
Fairfield Inn Lexington Park Patuxent River Naval Air Station
Motel and hotel · 2.2 mi
22119 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park
Home2 Suites by Hilton Lexington Park Patuxent River NAS, MD
Motel and hotel · 2.3 mi
46058 Valley Drive, Lexington Park
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Lexington Park Patuxent River Naval Air Station
Motel and hotel · 1.1 mi
22520 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park
Quality Inn Solomons - Beacon Marina
Motel and hotel · 2.9 mi
255 Lore Road, Solomons
Churches and places of worship27
St. Andrew's Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
Saint Peter's Episcopal Church
Church · Episcopal · 2.5 mi
14590 South Solomons Island Road, Solomons
Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church
Church · Catholic · 2.6 mi
14400 South Solomons Island Road, Solomons
St. Nicholas Chapel
Church · Catholic · 3.2 mi
22145 Arnold Circle, Patuxent River
Islamic Center of Lexington Park
Place of worship · 1.0 mi
46118 Thompson Court, Lexington Park
Shopping24
Gas and EV charging13
Schools, colleges and libraries30
George Washington Carver Elementary
School · 3.3 mi
46155 Carver School Blvd, Great Mills
Green Holly Elementary School
School · 0.6 mi
46060 Millstone Landing Rd, Lexington Park
Healthcare8
MedStar Shah Medical Group at Wildewood Medical Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.5 mi
23415 Three Notch Road, California
Solomons Medical Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.8 mi
14090 Hg Trueman Road, Solomons
Map of California
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45°F | 30°F | 2.9 in | 3.9 in |
| Feb | 48°F | 31°F | 2.8 in | 6.0 in |
| Mar | 55°F | 38°F | 4.0 in | 1.3 in |
| Apr | 65°F | 47°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 74°F | 58°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 84°F | 68°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 88°F | 73°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 86°F | 71°F | 4.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 80°F | 65°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 69°F | 53°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 59°F | 43°F | 3.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 50°F | 34°F | 3.5 in | 1.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Solomons (3 mi away), rain and snow from Patuxent River Nas 72404, NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
St. Mary's County has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2021-02-04: Tropical Storm Isaias (Hurricane)
- 2020-03-26: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2012-11-20: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
- 2012-10-28: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Saint Mary's County Regional Airport (LTW) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 3 miles away.
- Wildewood 3 mi west, about 5 min by car
- Solomons 3 mi northeast, about 5 min by car
- Drum Point 4 mi northeast, about 6 min by car
- Lexington Park 4 mi southeast, about 7 min by car
- Lusby 5 mi northeast, about 9 min by car
- Chesapeake Ranch Estates 6 mi northeast, about 10 min by car
- Leonardtown 8 mi west, about 13 min by car
- Piney Point 10 mi south, about 17 min by car
- Calvert Beach 12 mi north, about 19 min by car
- Golden Beach 18 mi northwest, about 28 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- A Nissan car dealership in California, Maryland 02, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Nissan car dealership in California, Maryland 01, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- 2019-10-04 15 24 15 View south along Maryland State Route 235 (Three Notch Road) just north of Maryland State Route 237 (Chancellors Run Road) and Maple Road in California, Saint Mary's County..., Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2019-10-04 14 17 34 View north along Maryland State Route 235 (Three Notch Road) just south of Maryland State Route 237 (Chancellors Run Road) and Maple Road in California, Saint Mary's County..., Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2016-05-18 09 10 48 View south along Chancellors Run Road (Maryland State Route 237) near Three Notch Road (Maryland State Route 235) in California, St. Mary's County, Maryland, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2020-05-23 14 29 30 View north along Maryland State Route 237 (Chancellors Run Road) just south of Maryland State Route 235 (Three Notch Road) in California, St. Mary's County, Maryland, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2020-05-23 14 14 37 View south along Maryland State Route 237 (Chancellors Run Road) at Amber Drive in California, St. Mary's County, Maryland, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- SAIC office building in California, Maryland, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in California, Maryland 01, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in California, Maryland 02, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in California, Maryland 03, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- An Olive Garden restaurant in California, Maryland 02, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- An Olive Garden restaurant in California, Maryland, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- An Olive Garden restaurant in California, Maryland 03, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- An Olive Garden restaurant in California, Maryland 04, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- Texas Roadhouse restaurant in California, Maryland, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- Lore South Dec 08, Pubdog at en.wikipedia, Public domain
- Drum Point Lighthouse, Sampsonsimpson20, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St Andrews Church Jul 09, Pubdog ( talk ), Public domain
- Drum Point Light Dec 08, Pubdog ( talk ), Public domain
- Cecils Mill Historic District Mill Jul 09, Pubdog ( talk ), Public domain
- Resurrection Manor, HABS photographer, Public domain
- Tennison Above Dec 08, Pubdog at en.wikipedia, Public domain
- ISS042-E-117474 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS022-E-36738 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS011-E-10842 - View of Virginia, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS048-E-72200 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS030-E-144173 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS037-E-25804 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS042-E-117475 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS065-E-50735 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS061-E-109724 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS065-E-50736 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS065-E-328091 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS061-E-100770 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS017-E-6799 - View of Washington, D.C., Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS056-E-162431 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS022-E-32542 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS065-E-56317 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- V-22 Osprey flies over Lexington Park, U.S. Navy photo by Vernon Pugh, Public domain
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