The city was renamed to California on January 25, 1847, for the territory on the West Coast that was just then drawing attention due to progress of the overland railroad.

The Weekly California News printed its first edition on September 18, 1858, and is Moniteau County's oldest established business still in operation.

In December 2007, due to funding cuts for public schools, the city of California took over control of the swimming pool.

The Missouri River Runner Amtrak service runs through California but does not make stops in the city.

These include Burgers' Smokehouse, which cures and processes hams, turkeys, and other speciality meats for shipment all over the world; Honeysuckle White, a division of Cargill Inc., which produces poultry; Tana Wire Marker, which produces the brightly colored balls affixed to electrical wires to warn aircraft of their presence; Arkansas Valley Feather, which processes and markets feather products; Racker's Manufacturing (steel fabrication); Mo-Wood (cabinets and wood products); and California Manufacturing (coats and jackets).

[17] Located at 201 North High Street in downtown California, the Cultural Heritage Center served as the old post office.

Today, it houses the Moniteau County Historical Society, museum, information center, gift shop, and genealogical library.

The carriage house and stable, with a room for the coachman, are still standing on the property, which takes up an entire city block.

[18] Located at 312 North High Street in downtown California, the Finke Opera House/Ritz Theatre was built in 1885.

The theater was named to the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in the area of entertainment and recreation in 2004.

The two-story brick building was California's only opera house and theater and therefore was the main entertainment center for the community.

While it was the opera house, the building was home to stage shows, plays, musical and school performances.

The opera house/theatre was recently renovated by California Progress, Inc., along with the adjacent Finke Building, to save this historical landmark.

[20] Located at 401-407 North High Street in downtown California, the Gray-Wood Buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 for their architectural significance.

Built in 1869, they consist of a complex of four storefronts, constructed of brick with a stone foundation and a flat roof.

The semicircular front portico and the square mounted abaci on top of the brick columns resemble those of the former State Capitol built in 1840.

The building was purchased by California Progress, Inc. in 1995 and restored to preserve a historical landmark in the community.

[citation needed] Built in 1982, Old California City Hall and Fire Station is a two-story, Italianate style red brick building that serves as a historic city hall and fire station.

It has two one-story brick additions and features decorative brickwork at the roof line, arched window and door openings and an ornamental cast iron balcony.

[citation needed] Loran Creech, a nationally renowned watercolorist and Best of Missouri Hands juried artist, calls California home.

Creech's work has been featured in galleries all across the U.S.[25] The Finke Theatre hosts regular performances throughout the year.

The Cultural Heritage Center houses several wall murals depicting area history.

[26] The city is also home to a semi-private nine-hole golf course,[27] Double X Speedway (featuring street stocks, winged sprints, and hobby stocks races May–September), and the California Shooter's Club[28] (which has shotgun and archery ranges).

Also located in California are an airport (used for recreational flying), a 10-lane bowling alley, a roller rink, a dance studio, and some gyms.

Events at the fair include the tractor pull, demolition derby, Tuff Truck competition, figure 8 race, horse show, battle of the bands, Miss Moniteau County Queen contest, baby show, and rodeo.

This annual event is held during the first full week of August at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds.