California Biomes Map

When it comes to biomes in California, it’s a state of sharp contrasts. Our map highlights coastal zones, valleys, deserts, and mountain biomes. See how many types of biomes fit inside one state.

Map Information

State of California
California Biomes Map
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On the Map

Our table below displays the biome area and percent for California.

Biomes	Area (Square Miles)	Percent
Deserts & Xeric Shrublands	45840	29.0
Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands & Scrub	43746	27.7
Temperate Conifer Forests	50526	32.0
Temperate Grasslands, Savannas & Shrublands	17950	11.4

Our table below displays the ecoregion area and percent for California.

Ecoregions	Area (Square Miles)	Percent
California Central Valley grasslands	17950	11.4
California coastal sage and chaparral	8059	5.1
California interior chaparral and woodlands	27758	17.6
California montane chaparral and woodlands	6116	3.9
Central-Southern Cascades Forests	5367	3.4
Eastern Cascades forests	6819	4.3
Great Basin montane forests	437	0.3
Great Basin shrub steppe	4451	2.8
Klamath-Siskiyou forests	12656	8.0
Mojave desert	28848	18.3
Northern California coastal forests	5122	3.2
Santa Lucia Montane Chaparral & Woodlands	1813	1.1
Sierra Nevada forests	20125	12.7
Snake-Columbia shrub steppe	1530	1.0
Sonoran desert	11011	7.0