California is an inner-suburb of Derby

Derby

Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...

 to the south west of the city in between the A516 (Uttoxeter New Road) and A5250 (Burton Road). Though the name frequently appears on Ordnance Survey maps, it is seldom if ever used amongst locals who prefer to refer to the area as 'Stocky' (short for Stockbrook Park which is situated here).

The area is home to Bemrose Community School

Bemrose Community School

Bemrose Community School is a mixed comprehensive school in Derby in the East Midlands of England for children aged eleven to eighteen. It was founded in 1989 on the site of the former Bemrose School....

 and some of the halls of residence for the University of Derby

University of Derby

The University of Derby is a university in the city of Derby, England. The main site is on Kedleston Road, Allestree in the north-west of Derby close to the A38 opposite Markeaton Park...

. There are two playing field

Playing field

A playing field is a field used for playing sports or games. They are generally outdoors, but many large structures exist to enclose playing fields from bad weather. Generally, playing fields are wide expanses of grass, dirt or sand without many obstructions...

s nearby; Stockbrook Park and Rykneld Recreation Ground ('The Rec'). Many of the houses in the area are red brick terraces and there are many pubs nearby including the Great Northern, the Junction Tavern, the Rowditch and the Bedford Arms.

Towards the south of the area is neighbouring Rowditch district which is home to a large student population. Whilst many of the nearby inner-suburbs of Derby including the West End

West End of Derby

The West End of Derby, England is an inner city area in the city of Derby, between Kedleston and Ashbourne Roads. It was previously an area of heavy industry, most notably Britannia Mill and Leaper Street Mill. Today, it houses a large number of the student population at the University of Derby...

 and Morley Estate

Morley, Derbyshire

Morley is a civil parish within the area of Erewash Borough Council in the English county of Derbyshire, north of Derby It is on the eastern side of Morley Moor, with Morley Smithy to the north. The parish church of St Matthew stands near the Tithe Barn and dovecote of Morley Hall...

 have undergone recent gentrification

Gentrification

Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...

, California has largely retained its traditional character.