[3] It grows in many types of habitats, including oak woodlands, valley grassland, chaparral, and sometimes disturbed areas.

Solidago californica is a rhizomatous perennial herb producing a hairy stem up to 1.5 metres (5 ft) tall.

The lance-shaped leaves are up to 14 cm (5+1⁄2 in) long near the base of the plant, and smaller farther up.

[4] The inflorescence is a narrow, often one-sided series or cluster of many flower heads.

[4] This species is host to the following insect induced galls: external link to gallformers Data related to Solidago californica at Wikispecies