If you are in the market for a California VPN then you have come to the right place. We have spent time on reviewing and compiling a list of all the VPNs with IP addresses in LA and San Diego so you can pick your new favorite from our list. There is an overwhelming choice of VPNs for use in the state of California, making it easy to choose the best one for your particular needs.
Whether you’re traveling through Californian cities or live in-state, you need the best VPN protection. Here’s everything you need to know below.
Whether you are living or traveling in the state of California, we recommend installing a VPN. VPNs are the only way to ensure complete privacy online and keep your identity and online activity hidden from prying eyes.
The best VPNs will reroute your private internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel of servers so that the websites you visit, your ISP (Internet Service Provider), cybercriminals, and the US government will be unable to view what you are up to online.
Moreover, with a VPN for California, you can spoof your IP address to make it seem as though you are in California or elsewhere in the world.
Simultaneous connections / Users: | 6 |
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OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Boxee Box, Chromecast, ChromeOS, FireOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Roku, Windows |
Streaming: | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouSee, DR TV, Disney+, Plex, Kodi, NBC, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, TV Player, HBO Go, HBO Max, Apple TV |
Browser Extentions: | Firefox, Safari, Chrome |
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NordVPN is an excellent all-around VPN service that offers VPN server locations in 3 Californian cities. Subscribers can expect an impressive user experience, torrenting support, excellent streaming performance, and super fast server connections.
With NordVPN, California users are covered by military-grade AES-256 bit encryption and a range of advanced privacy features, including Onion over VPN to reroute your data connection through the anonymous Tor network for an additional layer of privacy.
NordVPN also boasts a range of obfuscated servers to mask the fact that you are using a VPN connection useful in places that do not typically support VPN use, such as universities. There is a reliable integrated kill switch to protect your internet traffic data if the VPN connection drops for any reason, and Nord also comes with complete DNS leak protection.
The VPN service has even undergone multiple independent security audits to provide evidence for its no-logging claims. You can rest assured that the VPN will never monitor, log, or misuse private user information.
Connection speeds are excellent on California servers, especially if you use the NordLynx protocol. There is impressive unblocking performance, and NordVPN can access many major US streaming websites, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and more.
NordVPN’s desktop apps are powerful and well-designed and easy enough for even a beginner user to navigate. However, the mobile versions can be somewhat difficult to use on smaller hand-held devices due to the map-based interface. There is support for a decent range of devices and operating systems; unfortunately, users are limited to just 6 simultaneous connections, which is somewhat disappointing considering the higher subscription price.
NordVPN is not bad value for money, with subscription prices starting at $3.49 a month if you are ready to commit to a longer-term two-year plan. Like most other VPN services, prices rise significantly if you opt for the freedom of a rolling monthly contract at an eye-watering $11.95 a month. The VPN service also comes with a decent range of payment options, including support for credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies for anonymous payments.
Overall, Nord is a great California VPN option and comes with excellent customer support in the form of a 24/7 live chat. There is also a comprehensive knowledge base with a wealth of information on the website should you run into any technical issues with the service.
Simultaneous connections / Users: | Unlimited |
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OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
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Surfshark is a feature-laden choice for a California VPN that comes at an extremely affordable price. As long as you are happy to commit to a 2-year plan, Surfshark is one of the market’s cheapest VPNs. It also comes with a generous unlimited connections policy, meaning that you get even more value for money.
Surfshark operates on military-grade AES-256 bit encryption as standard. There is a range of advanced security features, including MultiHop, enabling you to reroute your internet traffic through more than one server location for an additional layer of privacy.
Surfshark also comes with a useful split tunneling feature that allows you to separate your torrenting and browsing connections if you need to. There is an ad-blocker and a reliable integrated kill switch to ensure your activity is protected even if the VPN fails for any reason.
When it comes to data logging, Surfshark is impressive. It is based in the British Virgin Islands, a location that enjoys excellent data privacy laws, which means that the provider is not obligated to store or release user information upon request by the government. The company also completed an independent security audit of its browser extensions in 2018, which is reassuring.
Connection speeds are fast, especially on the WireGuard protocol. Even on a long-distance VPN server connection, Surfshark achieves decent speed sufficient for streaming and gaming in high-definition or even 4K.
Surfshark is an excellent choice for streaming fans in California. It successfully accesses a host of content on streaming websites, including US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more across all of its California VPN server locations.
The Surfshark apps are simple and well-designed, making them a great option for beginner users, and there are unlimited simultaneous connections per plan, meaning you can use the VPN on all your devices at once.
Customer service is reliable with Surfshark, with a range of troubleshooting articles and a 24/7 live chat option. The articles in the help sections are not as comprehensive as those offered by some other services, but they should be sufficient for most users. Fortunately, the live chat is helpful and is manned by knowledgeable operators to ensure you receive useful advice.
Surfshark’s shorter-term subscription plans are relatively expensive; however, if you sign up for two years with the VPN, you will get first-rate internet privacy protection for an unrivaled price of just $2.49 a month. The provider regularly offers discounts and deals too so that you may get it for an even lower price.
Simultaneous connections / Users: | 7 |
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OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Roku, Windows, Xbox 360 |
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CyberGhost is a popular VPN service that makes a great choice whether you live or travel in California. It comes with dedicated streaming tools, impressive performance, and powerful desktop clients, making it one of the best VPNs on the market.
CyberGhost customers will enjoy 256-bit AES encryption and support for a wide range of secure protocols. Although the provider has not yet been independently audited, CyberGhost makes some positive statements about data logging. Its apps appear to be completely secure, and CyberGhost offers a reassuring transparency policy, which is much more than many services offer.
CyberGhost achieved excellent speeds on United States connections, making it a reliable option for streaming and gaming in high-definition. It is a decent choice for overcoming geo-restrictions on a list of streaming services; however, it does struggle to access BBC iPlayer, which is disappointing for those that want to access UK content from the US.
It is not a bad choice for torrenters either, as although not every VPN server location is optimized for P2P-sharing, there is an extensive list to choose from. There is a range of helpful torrenting features, including the option to enable an automatic VPN connection when you launch a torrenting client.
CyberGhost’s desktop apps are excellent and come with a host of powerful features to suit all customers. There is excellent customer support with a comprehensive knowledgebase and a 24/7 live-chat that helpful operators man.
Subscription prices start at an extremely affordable $3.50 a month if you commit to a longer subscription plan. There is a generous 45-day refund policy across all of CyberGhost’s long-term plans, meaning that you can test the service fully and request a refund if you are not completely happy. However, monthly plans are relatively expensive and only come with a 14-day guarantee.
Simultaneous connections / Users: | Unlimited |
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OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, FireOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
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IPVanish is a powerful California VPN option that offers completely private internet access, impressive streaming support, and a zero-logging policy.
IPVanish provides impressive US connection speeds no matter your location. This makes it a great California VPN choice since users living in-state can enjoy a fast connection, as can subscribers living out of state who connect to a California-based server.
IPVanish offers excellent streaming support to access Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and Sling TV. IPVanish VPN also offers full torrenting support making it a great choice for P2P users who want anonymity online when torrenting in California.
This California VPN option from IPVanish comes with a range of easy-to-use clients that offer quick access to servers to ensure complete online privacy within a few clicks. It’s a great option for VPN novices who are using the software for the first time.
IPVanish subscription prices start at $2.33 a month for the first year of the one-year plan, and this price rises to $3.49 a month each year thereafter. There is wide protocol support, a decent VPN server network, including 120 servers in California.
Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
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OS support: | Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
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ExpressVPN is arguably the best VPN on the market in [year] and is an excellent California VPN option too. There is an extensive network of over 3,000 servers with 3 California VPN servers, first-rate security and privacy features, an independently audited no-logs policy, and impressive streaming performance.
ExpressVPN provides completely private internet access thanks to military-grade AES 256 bit encryption combined with a 4096-bit RSA certificate. There is support for a list of first-rate security protocols too. The VPN provider also offers Perfect Forward Secrecy technology, ensuring that none of your previous VPN sessions could be linked to your current one.
Express’s entire server network operates on RAM-only or TrustedServer memory, which is much more secure than traditional hard-drive storage. This means that none of your private online data is ever stored by the service to ensure complete online privacy.
There is an excellent no-logging policy, which renowned security company PricewaterhouseCoopers have independently audited to back up its strong privacy claims.
Connection speeds are impressive across the ExpressVPN server network, making it a great choice for streamers, gamers, and torrenters. The service successfully unblocks content on almost every streaming site, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, and more. P2P shares will be protected, thanks to complete torrenting support across Express’s server network.
When it comes to functionality, ExpressVPN offers support for a wide range of devices and operating systems. There is a dedicated Wi-Fi router client, MediaStreamer support for gaming consoles and smart TVs, Linux app, and more. Disappointingly, users are limited to just 5 simultaneous connections, significantly less than many other VPN providers offer.
Despite the above, there is excellent customer support in written articles and a 24/7 live chat. If you run into any difficulties while using the VPN, there is help on hand every hour of the day.
Prices for ExpressVPN start at $6.67 a month if you sign up for 12 months in advance. As with most VPNs, the freedom of a rolling monthly contract comes with a premium subscription price- an eye-watering $12.95 a month. However, there is a 30-day refund policy, which allows you to test the product for a month and request a full refund if you are not entirely happy, no questions asked.
Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
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OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
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Hotspot Shield is a super-fast VPN service that offers a range of simple, easy-to-use clients, a decent server network, and access to geo-restricted social media and streaming sites.
Hotspot Shield operates the Catapult Hydra protocol, which is great news for streaming fans in California. Hydra provides breakneck connection speeds, meaning you can stream US Netflix in HD.
Unfortunately, Hotspot Shield logs slightly more information than other VPNs, which is somewhat concerning. Moreover, the provider is based in the US, meaning it follows US jurisdiction regarding data logging. Still, it does appear that the provider cannot use any stored data to link customers to their online activity.
Customer support is standard with a knowledgebase available on the website as well as a reliable live-chat. All plans are covered with a generous 45-day refund policy for additional peace of mind.
Hotspot Shield is relatively pricey when it comes to short-term plans, at $12.99 on its monthly rolling contract. As with most VPNs, the price drops significantly if you commit for longer. On the 3-year plan, you can get the VPN for California for just $2.99 a month, which is excellent value for money.
VPNs are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. They allow you to access the internet safely and securely from anywhere in the world. But which California VPN is best for you?
We tested several California VPNs to see which was fastest and had the best server coverage. We were very impressed with all of the providers we tested, but our top pick was NordVPN. Below you can find screenshots of the servers locations available on NordVPN and Surfshark.
There are a number of big cities you can get IPs from. This includes Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Long Beach.
You can expect anywhere from 20MB/s to 200MB/s with a California VPN.
At PrivacySharks we review VPNs all day long. We have listed the best VPNs for California on this page and you can read all about them.
Before you buy a VPN you need to check if it meets the criteria you have. Does it work for all your devices? Does it have a kill-switch or split-tunneling?
Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids.
I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
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