PLSS🇺🇸 United States
PLSS land descriptions in California
California is a PLSS state surveyed from three principal meridians: Mount Diablo, San Bernardino, and Humboldt. The governing meridian matters because the same township and range repeat off each.
What to know about California
- Northern and central California survey from the Mount Diablo Meridian; the far north uses the Humboldt Meridian; the south uses the San Bernardino Meridian.
- Always confirm the meridian. Township 1 North, Range 1 East exists off all three.
Example descriptions
Each opens a decoded parcel with a map, coordinates and a plain-English breakdown.
Learn the terms
Last reviewed June 2026. General information about survey systems — not legal, title, or survey advice.
Sources: US BLM — Cadastral Survey (PLSS), BLM / GLO — Principal Meridians and Base Lines (map).