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This page lists all 309 city jails in California. You can browse by county below, search for specific facilities, or navigate to related pages.
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About City Jails in California
Understanding city jails in the California
Welcome to the most complete and up-to-date directory of city jails in California. This page lists every active city jail facility operating across California, giving families, attorneys, bail bondsmen, and the general public fast, reliable access to local jail information. Whether you need to locate a recently arrested loved one, find contact details for a specific facility, or simply understand how the city jail system works in California, everything you need is available right here.
City Jail vs. Prison: What's the Difference?
City jails serve a very different function from state or federal prisons:
- City Jails: Locally operated facilities that hold individuals for short periods — typically those who have just been arrested, are awaiting trial, are unable to make bail, or are serving sentences of less than one year.
- County Jails: Similar to city jails but operated at the county level, serving a larger geographic area.
- State Prisons: Operated by California's Department of Corrections for felony offenses with sentences longer than one year.
- Federal Prisons: Operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons for federal crimes.
If you're unsure where your loved one is held, use our free US inmate locator tool to search across all facility types at once.
How to Find Someone in a City Jail
When a loved one is arrested and taken to a city jail in California, finding out exactly where they are being held is the first priority. Because city jails are locally operated, there is no single centralized database — which is exactly why this directory exists. Browse the list below, click on the relevant facility, and use the inmate search feature to locate your loved one quickly.
Booking & Intake Process
The booking process includes fingerprinting, photographing, health screening, and search of belongings. This can take a few hours to most of a day. During this period, the person is generally not accessible by phone or visitors.
Getting Bail
Bail is set by a judge at an arraignment, typically within 24-72 hours of arrest. A licensed bail bondsman can post bail on your behalf for a non-refundable fee of 10-15% of the total bail amount.
Hiring a Lawyer
Securing qualified legal representation as early as possible is critical. A criminal defense attorney can attend bail hearings, negotiate with prosecutors, and begin building a defense strategy from day one.
Calling an Inmate
Most city jails use third-party phone providers with outbound-only calls. Your number must be registered and a prepaid account set up. Read our calling guide for step-by-step instructions.
Sending Money
Inmates can receive money via online transfers, kiosk deposits, or money orders. Funds go to their commissary account for food, hygiene products, and phone credits. Click any facility for specific deposit methods.
Visitation
Visitation policies vary by facility. Some offer in-person visits while others use video only. Always check the specific facility's rules, visiting hours, and pre-approval requirements before making the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
City Jails by County in California
View facilities organized by county
Filter City Jails by County
California has City Jails spread across dozens of counties, and finding the right one quickly can be challenging without the right tools. Use the county list below to instantly narrow results and view only the City Jails in a specific county within California. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to locate someone who was recently arrested in a specific area, or if you are planning a visit and need to find the closest facility to your location.
All City Jails in California
Complete listing of city jails
Browse Every City Jails in California
The full list of city jails in California is displayed below. Each entry includes the jail's name, city, county, address, and contact information. City jails are locally operated facilities typically managed by municipal law enforcement agencies such as city police departments or local sheriff's offices. They primarily house individuals who have been recently arrested, are awaiting arraignment or bail hearings, or are serving short-term sentences.
| Facility Name | County | Action |
|---|---|---|
|
Campbell Jail
70 North First St, Campbell, CA 95008
|
Santa Clara | View Details |
|
Gilroy Jail
7301 Hanna St, Gilroy, CA 95020
|
Santa Clara | View Details |
|
Milpitas Jail
1275 North Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035
|
Santa Clara | View Details |
|
Morgan Hill Jail
16200 Vineyard Blvd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
|
Santa Clara | View Details |
|
Mountain View Jail
1000 Villa St, Mountain View, CA 94041
|
Santa Clara | View Details |
|
Palo Alto Jail
275 Forest Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
|
Santa Clara | View Details |
|
San Jose Detention Facility
210 West Mission St, San Jose, CA 95110
|
Santa Clara | View Details |
|
Capitola Jail
422 Capitola Ave, Capitola, CA 95010
|
Santa Cruz | View Details |
|
Santa Cruz Jail
155 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
|
Santa Cruz | View Details |
|
Watsonville Jail
215 Union St, Watsonville, CA 95076
|
Santa Cruz | View Details |
|
Gulf Breeze Jail
311 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, CA 32561
|
Santa Rosa | View Details |
|
Anderson Jail
2220 North St, Anderson, CA 96007
|
Shasta | View Details |
|
Redding City Jail
1313 California St, Redding, CA 96001
|
Shasta | View Details |
|
Etna Jail
448 Main St, Etna, CA 96027
|
Siskiyou | View Details |
|
Mount Shasta Jail
303 North Mount Shasta Blvd, Mount Shasta, CA 96067
|
Siskiyou | View Details |
|
Tulelake Jail
470 C St, Tulelake, CA 96134
|
Siskiyou | View Details |
|
Yreka Jail
412 West Miner St, Yreka, CA 96097
|
Siskiyou | View Details |
|
Benicia Jail
200 East L St, Benicia, CA 94510
|
Solano | View Details |
|
Dixon Jail
201 West A St, Dixon, CA 95620
|
Solano | View Details |
|
Fairfield Jail
1000 Webster St, Fairfield, CA 94533
|
Solano | View Details |
|
Rio Vista Jail
One Main St, Rio Vista, CA 94571
|
Solano | View Details |
|
Suisun Jail
701 Civic Center Blvd, Suisun City, CA 94585
|
Solano | View Details |
|
Vacaville Jail
660 Merchant St, Vacaville, CA 95688
|
Solano | View Details |
|
Cloverdale Jail
112 Broad St, Cloverdale, CA 95425
|
Sonoma | View Details |
|
Cotati Jail
203 West Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA 94931
|
Sonoma | View Details |
City Jails in Other States
Browse city jails in other states
Explore City Jails in Other States
Looking for city jails beyond California? We've got you covered. Use the state selectors below to instantly switch to a full directory of city jails in any other US state. Whether you need to look up facilities in a neighboring state or search across the country, our nationwide directory makes it simple to find the information you need in just a few clicks.