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Is California safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
California 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 4 November 2026
75
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime68/100FairCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment65/100FairCautiously optimistic
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health82Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-30T16:55:54Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-11-02T12:39:42.5763342-05:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
60 / 100 (Cautiously optimistic)
60
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
4k residents
94
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile violent crime rates are lower than the national average, opportunistic robberies can occur in urban areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded tourist spots and public transport in major cities.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Cautiously optimistic
65/100
Reported feel60Cautiously optimistic
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
While official data suggests crime is at historic lows, traveler sentiment indicates a need for vigilance, particularly regarding property crime in urban areas.
California is generally safe for visitors, but requires increased caution due to property crime and specific regional risks.
While California boasts a strong safety index and low rates of violent crime, travelers should be aware of prevalent property crime, particularly vehicle break-ins in major urban centers. Border areas and specific neighborhoods may present elevated risks.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Hundreds fell ill across the U.S. due to diarrhea-causing cyclosporiasis, with Californians advised on what to know.— Los Angeles Times
- Jun 2026California mobilized for a safe and successful FIFA World Cup 2026.— California State Portal | CA.gov
- Jun 2026California continued its aggressive fight against organized retail theft, recovering nearly $260 million in stolen merchandise.— California State Portal | CA.gov
- Apr 2022Santa Monica was labeled as one of the most unsafe cities in California.— CBS News
Common scams
- Distraction thefts in crowded tourist areas
- Smash-and-grab vehicle break-ins
Full briefing
California is generally safe for visitors, with official advisories recommending normal security precautions or exercising increased caution. The state's crime rates are reported to be at historic lows, with homicide rates lower than the national average. However, travelers should remain aware of prevalent property crime, particularly vehicle break-ins, which are described as extremely common in cities like San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles.
Areas near the California-Mexico border warrant specific caution. Visitors are advised to be aware of Customs and Border Patrol checkpoints, avoid unofficial trails, and not pick up hitchhikers. Travelers should also be mindful of natural hazards such as wildfires, earthquakes, and powerful rip currents along the coast, and take appropriate safety measures.
While the dossier indicates crime is declining, some sources mention specific cities or neighborhoods that require more attention. For instance, Santa Monica was labeled as one of the most unsafe cities in California in April 2022. Travelers should stay alert in crowded tourist areas and on public transport to avoid pickpocketing and distraction scams. Always keep valuables out of sight in parked vehicles.
Was this California, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 California districts for visitors: 2 safer, 6 needing caution. See them plotted on the California safety map.
San Francisco (Downtown/Union Square)cautionHigh risk of pickpocketing and petty theft in crowded tourist areas.
Los Angeles (Hollywood)cautionBe aware of petty crime and scams, especially in tourist-heavy zones.
Oakland (Downtown)cautionElevated risk of property crime and vehicle break-ins.
Santa MonicacautionLabeled as one of the more unsafe cities in California; exercise vigilance.
Central Valley Cities (e.g., Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno)cautionPotential for gang activity and associated crime.
Northern Coastal Cities (e.g., Eureka)cautionOngoing issues with drug activity and property crime.
Desert AreassaferGenerally safe, but requires preparedness for extreme heat and carrying water.
National and State ParkssaferSafe when following park guidelines; consult staff for specific area safety.
07 · After Dark
Is California safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
While violent crime rates are lower than the national average, opportunistic robberies can occur in urban areas.
After dark, be most careful around San Francisco (Downtown/Union Square), Los Angeles (Hollywood), Oakland (Downtown), Santa Monica. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
California safety FAQ (2026)
Is California safe right now (2026)?
California is generally safe for visitors, but requires increased caution due to property crime and specific regional risks. While California boasts a strong safety index and low rates of violent crime, travelers should be aware of prevalent property crime, particularly vehicle break-ins in major urban centers. Border areas and specific neighborhoods may present elevated risks. (Assessed 4 November 2026.)
Is California safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this California report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of California should tourists avoid?
Specific urban neighborhoods known for high crime rates (consult local sources for current lists); Unofficial trails near the California-Mexico border. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in California (2026)?
- Distraction thefts in crowded tourist areas
- Smash-and-grab vehicle break-ins
How does California compare with other places in United States (2026)?
California ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 75/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this california safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: california.json (CC BY 4.0).