While by no means an exhaustive list of every California county/city that features cannabis industry jobs, these are among the places that have become most strongly associated with cannabis jobs in California and why.
Los Angeles County, CA
Los Angeles County offers diverse roles in cultivation, retail, and product development, particularly in large cities like Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica, and Covina. Its vast market size drives unique innovations in cannabis-infused products.
San Diego County, CA
San Diego and Chula Vista are hubs for cutting-edge cannabis biotechnology, with numerous opportunities in research and scientific analysis, supported by the region’s strong biotech sector.
Orange County, CA
The cannabis industry in notable cities like Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Irvine focuses on premium retail experiences and boutique dispensaries, catering to an affluent clientele with a variety of high-end products.
Riverside County, CA
Riverside County, including Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, and Coachella, is known for large-scale cultivation and festivals that integrate cannabis culture, capitalizing on vast land availability and a tourism-friendly environment.
San Bernardino County, CA
Located in the Inland Empire and including notable cities such as San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Adelanto, Victorville, and Fontana, San Bernardino County is particularly focused on wholesale markets and distribution and is critical for logistics and supply chain operations within California’s cannabis industry.
Santa Clara County, CA
Centered in San Jose, the cannabis sector here leverages Silicon Valley’s technological advancements for innovation in cultivation technology and consumer electronics related to cannabis use.
Alameda County, CA
In California’s East Bay, cities like Oakland, Berkeley, and Fremont are pioneers in cannabis legalization advocacy, with a strong focus on social equity programs and community-based dispensaries that emphasize local and sustainable practices.
Sacramento County, CA
Sacramento, being the state capital, offers numerous opportunities in cannabis policy, advocacy, and governmental liaison roles, alongside traditional cultivation and retail jobs in cities like Elk Grove and Folsom.
Contra Costa County, CA
Located in California’s East Bay, including the cities of Concord, Richmond, and Antioch, Contra Costa’s local cannabis industry focuses on artisanal and organic cannabis products, with an emphasis on sustainable and community-oriented business practices.
Fresno County, CA
Located in the agricultural powerhouse of the San Joaquin Valley, cities like Fresno and Clovis support robust agricultural operations for cannabis, focusing on mass production and efficiency.
Kern County, CA
Located in the fertile San Joaquin Valley, the cities of Bakersfield and Delano focus on the agricultural and industrial aspects of cannabis production, benefiting from vast agricultural lands suitable for large-scale cultivation.
San Francisco County, CA
San Francisco leverages its iconic cultural status to offer boutique cannabis experiences, including luxury consumption lounges and gourmet edible productions, integrated within the urban lifestyle.
Ventura County, CA
With a focus on horticulture, Ventura County, including the cities of Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Simi Valley integrates advanced agricultural techniques to produce high-quality cannabis flower, serving both local and state markets.
San Joaquin County, CA
Similar to other farming communities in the San Joaquin Valley, the cities of Stockton, Tracy and Lodi feature expansive cultivation facilities due to the availability of agricultural land, with a focus on innovative farming techniques and cost-effective production strategies.
Sonoma County, CA
Aside from being one of Northern California’s largest processing and distribution hubs, connecting Northern agricultural communities with large consumer markets in the San Francisco Bay Area, the city of Santa Rosa integrates wine country tourism with artisanal organic cannabis production, offering premium farm-to-table cannabis experiences to tourists worldwide.
Santa Barbara County, CA
Also combining cannabis with high tourism, the cities of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc offer employment in boutique dispensaries, as well as in cultivation facilities that capitalize on the favorable Mediterranean climate.
Monterey County, CA
Benefiting from the region’s rich agricultural resources and expertise, the local cannabis industry of Monterey, Salinas, and Seaside is known for its efficient and technologically advanced cannabis cultivation operations.
San Luis Obispo County, CA
San Luis Obispo emphasizes community-oriented retail experiences and local cultivation, catering to both local consumers and visitors with a focus on small-scale, sustainable practices.
Merced County, CA
Yet another agricultural community in California’s San Joaquin Valley, Merced focuses on volume and affordability, with opportunities in both cultivation and agricultural technology development.
Mendocino County, CA
Part of the legendary Emerald Triangle, Mendocino is renowned for some of the most sought-after cannabis strains in the world, with deep expertise in organic cultivation.
Humboldt County, CA
Also part of the Emerald Triangle, including notable cities like Eureka and Arcata, Humboldt County is famous for its generational knowledge and commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly cannabis farming practices, setting industry standards for quality and sustainability.
