"California" is a pop song written by Rick Nowels, Billy Steinberg and Maria Vidal, produced by David Tickle for American singer Belinda Carlisle's sixth studio album, A Woman and a Man (1996). It was released in February 1997, by Chrysalis Records, as the album's fourth single in the UK and the third single in Australia as a CD single. The accompanying music video was directed by Philippe Gautier.
British magazine Music Week rated the song three out of five, adding, "This cool, smooth ditty is quite a grower, although the production seems a little too stark."