California Cultural Districts


California Cultural Districts are cultural districts that are officially designated by the state of California. The program began in 2015 and is organized by the California Arts Council as a means to support local art, boost tourism, and preserve historic sites. The selection process is highly competitive and attracts applicants from across California.
As of December 2025, there are 17 active California Cultural Districts and 10 have been announced for January 1, 2026.

List of Cultural Districts

In 2017, the first 14 California Cultural Districts were announced. In December 2025, an additional 10 cultural districts were announced for January 1, 2026.
NameCityCountyDesignation date
Balboa Park Cultural DistrictSan DiegoSan Diego2017
Barrio Logan Cultural DistrictSan DiegoSan Diego2017
The BLVD Cultural DistrictLancasterLos Angeles2017
The Calle 24 Latino Cultural DistrictSan FranciscoSan Francico2017
Downtown San Rafael Arts DistrictSan RafaelMarin2017
Eureka Cultural Arts DistrictEurekaHumboldt2017
Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural DistrictGrass Valley and Nevada CityNevada2017
Little TokyoLos AngelesLos Angeles2017
Oceanside Cultural DistrictOceansideSan Diego2017
Redding Cultural DistrictReddingShasta2017
Rotten City-Emeryville Cultural Arts DistrictEmeryvilleAlameda2017
San Pedro Arts & Cultural DistrictLos AngelesLos Angeles2017
SOMA PilipinasSan FranciscoSan Francisco2017
Truckee Cultural DistrictTruckeeNevada2017
American Indian Cultural DistrictSan FranciscoSan FrancicoJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030
The Arts and Culture DistrictRiversideRiversideJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030
Arts District Liberty StationSan DiegoSan DiegoJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030
Black Arts Movement Business DistrictOaklandAlamedaJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030
Dos Rios Arts and Culture DistrictModestoStanislausJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030
Downtown Merced Cultural DistrictMercedMercedJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030
Downtown Oxnard Cultural DistrictOxnardVenturaJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030
Historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural DistrictLos AngelesLos AngelesJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030
San Jose JapantownSan JoseSanta ClaraJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030
Watsonville Cultural DistrictWatsonvilleSanta CruzJanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030