Renowned Golden State cities delivered in beautiful detail for simmers to explore!
Called the “Golden State” due to its Gold Rush of the mid-19th century, fields of golden poppies, and reputation for boundless prospects, California is renowned for its beauty and diversity. City Update 13 celebrates California in the Microsoft Flight Simulator World by adding breathtaking detail to 18 urban regions across this renowned state. The update includes some of the state’s most spectacular and notable locations, from its capital of Sacramento in the north, to San Diego at its south. Microsoft and partners created each of the 18 areas of interest (AOIs) using TIN (triangulated irregular network) surface texturing to provide Flight Simulator pilots with stunning vistas during flights over these remarkable cities.
From north to south, City Update 13: California offers:
Sacramento
Established in 1848 in the heart of California’s Great Central Valley, Sacramento is surrounded by broad swaths of verdant agriculture fields crisscrossed by canals and rivers. It is home to several notable sights, including the California State Capitol and Capitol Park, Tower Bridge, and The Ziggurat building.
San Francisco Bay Area
Cities in the update include San Rafael, Novato, Oakland, San Francisco, Fremont, and San Jose.
Nestled between Mount Tamalpais (“Mount Tam”) and San Francisco Bay, San Rafael is known for its beautiful architecture and natural setting in Marin County, part of the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Situated on the northwestern shore of San Pablo Bay near the wine country regions of Sonoma and Napa Valleys, Novato is renowned as a center of scientific research and biopharmaceutical innovation.
Oakland, located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay area, is home to Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, and the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge.
San Francisco is home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks, including the Transamerica Pyramid, the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Fremont is located on the southeastern shore of the San Francisco Bay and is known for the Old Mission San Jose, an important Spanish mission that was founded in 1797.
A vital part of the Silicon Valley technology region, San Jose is the most populous city in the South Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area and the third most populous city in California. It is home to several renowned landmarks including San Jose City Hall, The 88, and Bank of Italy Building.
Key Cities of the San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley composes the southern portion of California’s Great Central Valley and is known for its agricultural opulence. The region includes the cities of Modesto, Fresno, and Visalia.
Modesto is world renowned as the setting for the film American Graffiti and its proximity to Yosemite National Park. It is home to several notable landmarks, including the Modesto Arch, McHenry Mansion, and the Gallo Center for the Arts.
Fresno (from the Spanish word for “ash tree”) is known as the heart of the San Joaquin Valley agriculture industry as Fresno County is consistently ranked the top agriculture producing county in the United States by economic output. Notable sights in Fresno include the Old Fresno Water Tower and the Kearney Mansion.
Visalia is notable as the gateway to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, two renowned natural areas in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. Landmarks in Visalia include the Palace Hotel and Fox Theater.
Cities of California’s Central Coast
The update includes Santa Maria and Santa Barbara, both key cities in California’s Central Coast, an area known for its mediterranean climate, dramatic Pacific coastline, and beautiful vineyard-adorned hillsides.
Santa Maria is known for its vineyards of cool-climate grapes, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah, gorgeous coastal views, and Santa Maria-style barbecue (beef tri-tip slow cooked over coast live oak). Landmarks include the Santa Maria Museum of Flight and the La Purisima Mission.
Santa Barbara’s stunning mountainous coastline, Mediterranean climate, and Spanish-style architecture have earned the area the nickname “The American Riviera.” Landmarks include Old Mission Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf, and Santa Barbara Harbor.
Greater Los Angeles
Greater Los Angeles is the most populous metropolitan area in California and the second most populous in the United States after the New York metropolitan area. The region is characterized by natural, cultural, economic, and architectural diversity, fascinating history, and beautiful landmarks. Cities highlighted include Santa Clarita, Glendale, Los Angeles, Inglewood, Long Beach, Anaheim, and Irvine.
Located in northern Los Angeles County, Santa Clarita is renowned as a location for numerous movies and television shows, earning it the nickname “Hollywood North.” Landmarks include Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio.
Located just north of Downtown Los Angeles, Glendale is known for its wide variety of retail shopping and animation studios. Notable locations include the Museum of Neon Art, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, and the Alex Theater.
Los Angeles, the second largest city by population in the United States, is home to numerous internationally acclaimed landmarks. Some of the most notable include Griffith Observatory, Walt Disney Concert Hall, U.S. Bank Tower, and Wilshire Grand Center.
Located adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport, Inglewood hosts several major professional sporting and entertainment events each year at Kia Forum, SoFi Stadium, and Intuit Dome, all located within its city limits.
Located on the Pacific Ocean’s San Pedro Bay, Long Beach is a major economic hub due to the area’s petroleum industry and the Port of Long Beach (the second busiest in the United States, behind the Port of Los Angeles). Major sights in Long Beach include the ocean liner RMS Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the Shoreline Gateway Tower.
The Anaheim region is home to Disneyland, one of the world’s most visited theme parks, and Knott’s Berry Farm, known for its roller coasters and multi-themed areas.
Located in central Orange County, Irvine is a major center for several industries, including real estate development and technology. It is home to the Irvine Spectrum Center and Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.
San Diego
Boasting a stunning skyline and Mediterranean climate, San Diego is internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The second most populous city in California, San Diego is a major center for several industries as well as the U.S. military. Notable landmarks include the USS Midway Museum, One America Plaza, and the Coronado Bridge.
City Update 13: California is available FREE to all owners of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Ensure that you have the latest simulator version installed (1.39.9.0 for MSFS2020 / 1.6.34.0 for MSFS2024 / 1.6.34.0 for MSFS2024 on Windows PC – Steam as of 01/28/2026), download City Update 13, and bask in the sights of the Golden State!
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