Bret Harte is a census-designated place (CDP) in Stanislaus County, California, United States.

It is named for the American poet and short story writer, Bret Harte, best known for his writings about the California Gold Rush.

[2] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2), all of it land.

2,389 people (46.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,763 people (53.6%) lived in rental housing units.

There were 1,250 housing units at an average density of 2,224.2 per square mile (858.8/km2).

The racial makeup of the CDP was 40.34% White, 1.14% African American, 1.92% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 50.71% from other races, and 5.25% from two or more races.

In the California State Legislature, Bret Harte is in the 12th Senate District, represented by Republican Shannon Grove, and the 21st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Diane Papan.

[21] In the United States House of Representatives, Bret Harte is in California's 10th congressional district, represented by Democrat Mark DeSaulnier.