California

State Poet Laureate 

In 2001, California established a state poet laureate position, most recently held by Lee Herrick, who was appointed to a two-year term in 2022. 



City and County Poets Laureate 


Sonoma County 

In 2022, Elizabeth Herron was named the poet laureate of Sonoma County. 


Orange County 

In 2024, Gustavo Hernandez was appointed the poet laureate of Orange County, California. He will serve through 2026.


Nevada County

In 2021, Kristen Casey was appointed the poet laureate of Nevada County, California. Casey will serve a two-year term.


San Matteo County

In 2019, Jorge Argueta became the poet laureate of San Mateo County, California. Argueta will serve through December 31, 2024. 


Santa Barbara

Melinda Palacio serves as poet laureate of Santa Barbara from 2023 to 2025. 


Santa Clara County

In 2022, Tshaka Campbell was appointed the poet laureate of Santa Clara County, California. Campbell will serve a two-year term.


Altadena

In 2022, Peter J. Harris and Carla Sameth were chosen as co-poets laureate of Altadena. They will serve a two year term. 


Davis 

In 2021, Julia Levine was appointed the poet laureate of Davis, California. 


Eureka 

In 2021, Wil Gibson was appointed poet laureate of Eureka. Gibson will serve a one-year term.


Fresno

In 2021, Megan Anderson Bohigian was named poet laureate of Fresno, California. Bohigian will serve a two-year term.


Fairfield

In 2022, Suzanne Bruce was appointed the poet laureate of Fairfield, California. Bruce will serve a two-year term. 


Glendale

In 2023, Raffi Joe Wartanian was appointed the inaugural poet laureate of Glendale. 


Los Angeles 

In 2021, Lynne Thompson was appointed the poet laureate of Los Angeles and will serve a two-year term.


Malibu 

In 2023, Nathan Hassall became the poet laureate of Malibu, California. Hassall will serve a two-year term from 2023-2025.


Monterey County

In 2024, Rachelle Escamilla was named the poet of Monterey County. Escamilla will serve through 2025. 


Pacifica

In 2022, Toni Mirosevich was named the poet laureate of Pacifica. 


Sacramento 

In 2020, Andru Defeye was named poet laureate of Sacramento, California. Defeye will serve a two-year term.


San Diego 

Dr. Jason Magabo Perez was appointed the second poet laureate of San Diego. Perez will serve through 2024. 


San Francisco

Tongo Eisen-Martin was appointed the poet laureate of San Francisco in 2021 and will serve a two-year term. 


Watsonville 

In 2022, Robert Gómez was appointed the inaugural poet laureate of Watsonville and will serve a two-year term. 


West Hollywood

Jen Cheng will serve as poet laureate of West Hollywood from 2023-2026. 


Mendocino County 

In 2024, Devreaux Baker was appointed poet laureate of Mendocino County.


Santa Monica

In 2024, Anne Carmack was appointed the inaugural poet laureate of Santa Monica. 


Modesto

In 2024, Angela Drew was appointed the poet laureate of Modesto.