The plant is native to chaparral and woodlands and the Sierra Nevada foothills, and can survive drought, though it grows most abundantly in moist soils near water sources.

The five smooth petals and sepals have a bowl-like bloom, semi-inferior ovaries, and compound veiny and hairy leaves.

[4][6][7] Rosa californica competes with other vegetation in moist environments because of its lateral spreading rhizomes (horizontally-spreading underground roots) and above-ground, thorny stems.

[8] Hard, dry internal seeds can be extracted by hand from mature, bright red hips.

R. californica's fruits also persist on thickets through the forage-scarce winter,[5] serving as food for bugs, birds, and hoofed mammals like deer and elk.

"[4] Some indigenous California tribes eat R. californica's hips raw and use the stems and fibers for crafts like coiled baskets, jewelry, and decoration.

Because the rose hips remain on the plant throughout the winter, they provide food for wildlife during times when little forage is available.