The largest cities in the region (over 50,000 population), from most to least populous, are Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, Stockton, Modesto, Elk Grove, Salinas, Visalia, Clovis, Merced, Santa Cruz, Turlock, Madera, Lodi, Tulare, Porterville, Hanford and Delano.

Over time, droughts and wildfires have increased in frequency and become less seasonal and more year-round, further straining the region's water security.

Some divide the state by lines of latitude making northern, central and southern sections.

California State University, Monterey Bay opened on the site of the former Fort Ord army base in 1994.

Interstate 5 and State Route 99 are the primary highways in the San Joaquin Valley.

In Central California, the system will have stations in Merced, Madera, Fresno, and the Kings–Tulare area.

Planning is underway to extend the initial line to San Francisco/San Jose and Los Angeles.

Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway operate mainline freight through the region in the Central Valley.