This is a list of past and current municipal poets laureate serving towns, counties, and cities in California.
Cities
Alameda
Mary Rudge (2002–2014) Julia Park Tracey (2014–2017) Cathy Dana and Gene Kahane (2017–2020) Kimi Sugioka (2020– )
Albany Christina Hutchins (2008–2012) Toby Bielawski (2012–2016) Rebecca Black (2016–2020) "Albany names resident as new poetry ambassador," East Bay Times. September 28, 2016. Accessed October 15, 2019.
Altadena
Jean Burden (appt. 1976) Ralph Lane (2006–2008) Marcia Thompson (2008–2010) Alene Terzian (2010–2012) Linda Dove (2012–2014) Thelma T. Reyna (2014–2016) Elline Lipkin (2016–2018) Hazel Clayton Harrison and Teresa Mei Chuc (2018–2020) Jessica Abughattas and Khadija Anderson (2020–2022) Peter J. Harris and Carla R. Sameth (2022–2024) Lester Graves Lennon and Sehba Sarwar (2024–2026)
Anaheim Grant Heir (2018–2020) Wendy Van Camp (2022–2024) Camille Hernandez (2024-)
Antioch
Jose "Cordon Concepts" Cordón (2024– )
Belmont
Tanuja Wakefield (2014-2018) Jacki Rigoni (2018-2021) Monica Korde (2021–2024)
Benicia
Joel Fallon (2006–2008) Robert Shelby (2008–2010) Ronna Leon (2010–2012) Lois Requist (2012–2014) Don Peery (2014–2016) Johanna Ely (2016–2018) Tom Stanton (2018–2020) Mary Susan Gast (2020–2023) Katrina "Kathy" Monroe (2024–2026) David Hakim (2026-2028)
Berkeley
Julia Vinograd [recognised officially as Berkeley's unofficial poet laureate in 2004] Rafael Jesús González (2017–2023) Aya de León (2024–2025)
Brentwood
Diane Lando (inaugural; 2006–2008) Kati Short (2010–2021) Mary Jane Barnes
Compton
Elmo Bridges (appt. 1983)
Crockett
Ruth Blakeney (inaugural; 2006)
Culver City
Dr. Janet Hoult (2015–2017)
Cupertino
David Denny (2011–2013) Jennifer Swanton Brown (2013–2015) Amanda Williamsen (2016) Ann Muto (2016–2017) Kaecey McCormick (2018–2020) Jing Jing Yang (2020–2022) Keiko O'Leary (2023–2024)
Danville
Nancy Fraze (2008–2011) Lea Kagel (2011–2013)
Davis
Allegra Silberstein (2010-–2012) Eve West Bessier (2012-–2014) Dr. Andy Jones (2014-–2018) James Lee Jobe (2018-–2021) Julia B. Levine (2022-–2024) Mercedes Ibáñez (2024–2026)
Dublin
Ronnie Holland (2008–2010) James Moorehead (2021–2024) Richard Deets (2025— )
East Palo Alto
Kalamu Chaché (1983– )
El Cerrito Maw Shein Win (2016–2018) Danielle “Dani” Gabriel (2018–2020)"Danielle 'Dani' Gabriel Is El Cerrito’s 2nd Poet Laureate," Oakland News Now. Aug 22, 2018. Updated Dec 29, 2018. Accessed Oct 15, 2019. Eevelyn Mitchell (2021–2023)"El Cerrito Poet Laureate Eevelyn Mitchell " by Christy Price, Post Group News. July 2, 2021. Accessed January 17, 2023. Tess Taylor (2024–2026)
El Segundo
Hope Anita Smith (2022–2023)
Emeryville
Janell Moon (2010–2012) Sarah Kobrinsky (2013–2015)
Encinitas
Trish Dugger (2005)
Escalon
Jonathon "Jonnie" Cabello (2024– )
Eureka
David Holper (2019–2021) Wil Gibson (2021–2022)
Fairfield Juanita J. Martin (2010–2012) Bonnie DiMichele (2020–2022) Suzanne Bruce (2022–2024) Michael J. Wyly (2025–2027)
Fresno James Pablo Tyner Contreras (2013–2015) Lee Herrick (2015–2017) S. Bryan Medina (2017–2019) Marisol Baca (2019–2021) Megan Anderson Bohigian (2021–2023) Joseph Rios (2023–2025) Aideed Medina (2025–)
Glendale
Raffi Joe Wartanian (2023– )
Hayward
Bruce Roberts (2015–2024) Leticia Guzman (2024–present)
Lafayette/Orinda
Amy Glynn (2018–2020)
Laguna Beach
Kate Buckley (2017–2018) Karen Wood (2018–2019)
Lathrop
Jose Garcia Martin (Inaugural; 2025– )
Livermore Connie Post (2005–2009) Cher Wollard (2009–2013) Kevin Gunn (2013–2017) Cynthia Patton (2017–2022) Peggy Schimmelman (2022–2026) Faith Alpher (2026–present)
Lodi
Nancy Gonzalez St. Clair (2023– )
Los Angeles Eloise Klein Healy (2012–2014) Luis J. Rodriguez (2014–2017) Robin Coste Lewis (2017–2019) Lynne Thompson (2021–2022)
Pacific Palisades
Michelle Bitting (appointed in 2012)
Sunland-Tujunga
Marlene Hitt (inaugural, 1999–2000) Katerina Canyon (2000–2004) Joe DeCenzo (2004–2006) Ursula Gibson (2006–2008) Damien Stednitz (2008–2010) Maja Trochimczyk (2010–2012) Dorothy Skiles (2012–2014) Elsa Frausto (2014–2017) Pamela Shea (2017–2019)
Los Gatos
Jen Siraganian (2021–2023) William Ward Butler (2024–2027)
Malibu
Ricardo Means Ybarra (2017–2019) Ellen Reich (2019–2020) Dr. John Struloeff (2020–2021) Ann Buxie (2021–2023) Nathan Hassall (2023–2025)
Manteca
Tara Rico (2024– )
Merced
Joyce Dale (inaugural; 2025– )
Modesto
Jeannette Gould Maino (1994–1996) Arlene Silva Mattos (1996–2000) Debee Loyd (2000–2004) Sam Pierstoff (2004–2008) Ed Bearden (2008–2012) Gillian Wegener (2012–2016) Stella Beratlis (2016–2020) Salvatore Salerno (2020–2024) Angela Drew (2024– )
National City
Rubia Miller (1970)
Nevada City
James Parnell Powers (c. 1896)
Oakland
Ayodele Nzinga (2021– )
Ojai
Joan Raymund (inaugural, 2003)
Pacifica
Rod Clark (2003-2013) Dorsetta Hale (2014-2017) Camincha Benvenutto (2018-2021) Toni Mirosevich (2022– )
Palm Desert
Lori Davis (2023– )
Palm Springs
C. Ronald Ellis (c. 1975)
Pleasanton
Charlene Villella (1999–2000) Jim Ott (2001–2003) Kirk Ridgeway (2003–2005) Cynthia Bryant (2005–2007) Martha Meltzer (2007–2009) Deborah Grossman (2009–2011) Cynthia Bryant (2011–2012) Sandra Harrison Kay (2013–2015)
Point Arena
Fionna Perkins (tenure ended upon her death in 2013) Blake More (2021– )
Pomona
David Judah Oliver (2020–2021) Ceasar Avelar (2023– )
Rancho Mirage
Dorothea Bisbas (2011– )
Richmond Dwayne Parish (2012–2014)Three poets laureate selected to represent Richmond over next two years . The Richmond Standard. July 14, 2014. Accessed May 11, 2016. Lincoln Bergman (2014–2016) (concurrent) Donté Clark (2014–2016) (concurrent) Brenda Quintanilla (2014–2016) (concurrent) Daniel Ari (2017–2019) (concurrent) Ciera-Jevai Gordon (2017–2019) (concurrent) Rob Lipton (2017–2019) (concurrent) David Flores (2021–2023) Stephen Sharpe (2023– )
Sacramento Dennis Schmitz and Viola Weinberg (2000–2002)"Dennis Schmitz dies at 82 – the author and professor was Sacramento’s first poet laureate" by Vincent Moleski, Sacramento Bee. 18 Sept. 2018. Accessed 18 Jan. 2020. (concurrent) José Montoya (2002–2004) Julia Connor (2005–2009) Bob Stanley (2009–2012) Jeff Knorr (2012–2015) Indigo Moor (2017–2019) Andru Defeye (2020–2024)
Salinas
James B. Golden (2014–2018)
San Diego
Ron Salisbury (2020–2021) Jason Magabo Perez (2023–2024) Paola Capó-García (2025- )
San Francisco
Lawrence Ferlinghetti (inaugural; 1998–2000) Janice Mirikitani (2000–2002) Devorah Major (2002–2004) Jack Hirschman (2006–2008) Diane di Prima (2009–2011) Alejandro Murguía (2012–2015) Kim Shuck (2017–2021) Tongo Eisen-Martin (2021–2024) Genny Lim (2024– )
San Juan Capistrano
Red Steagall (Cowboy Poet Laureate, 1992– )
San Ramon
Patricia Perry (2006–2009) Elaine Betts (2010–2012) Kathy Moore (2012–2018) Jenyth Jo (2018–2024) Jaz Sufi (2024–2026)
Santa Barbara
Barry Spacks (inaugural; 2005–2007)"Poet Barry Spacks Dies" By Matt Kettmann, Santa Barbara Independent Jan 29, 2014 https://www.independent.com/2014/01/29/poet-barry-spacks-dies/ Perie Longo (2007–2009) David Starkey (2009–2011) Paul Willis (2011–2013) Chryss Yost (2013–2015) Sojourner Kincaid Rolle (2015–2017) Enid Osborn (2017–2019) Laure-Anne Bosselaar (2019–2021)"New Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Laure-Anne Bosselaar" by Nancy Rodriguez, Santa Barbara Independent April 1, 2019 https://www.independent.com/2019/04/01/new-santa-barbara-poet-laureate-laure-anne-bosselaar/ Emma Trelles (2021–2023)"Emma Trelles to Become City of Santa Barbara's Next Poet Laureate" Santa Barbara Independent April 05, 2021 https://www.independent.com/2021/04/05/emma-trelles-to-become-city-of-santa-barbaras-next-poet-laureate/ Melinda Palacio (2023–2025) George Yatchisin (2025–2027)
Santa Monica
Anne Carmack (2024– )
South Pasadena
Ron Koertge (2018– )
Stockton
Tama Brisbane (2015–2023) JazMarie LaTour (2023– )
Suisun City
David "50th Excalibur" Camper (2023– )
Ukiah
Armand Brint (2001–2004) Linda Noel (2004–2006) David Smith-Ferri (2006–2009) Theresa Whitehill (2009–2011) Dan Barte (2012–2014) Jabez Churchill (2014–2016) Michael Riedell (2016–2018) Roberta Werdinger (2018–2020) Melissa Eleftherion Carr (2021–2023)
Vallejo
Genea Brice (2015–2017) D. L. Lang (2017–2019) Jeremy Snyder (2020–2023) Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann (concurrent, 2024–2025) Erik Manuel Soto (2026-2027)
Venice
Philomene Long (2005–2007)
Watsonville
Robert "Bob" Gómez (2022–2024) Victoria Bañales (2025–2027)
West Hollywood
Steven Reigns (2014–2016) Kim Dower (2016–2018) Charles Flowers (2018–2020) Brian Sonia-Wallace (2020–2023) Jen Cheng (2023–2026)
Yucca Valley
June LeMert Paxton (c. 1940s)
Counties
Amador County
Kat Everitt (2018–2020) Deja Douglas (2020–2022) Margaret Lewis (2023–2025)
Calaveras County
Conrad Levasseur (2020–2022) Linda Toren (2022–2024)
El Dorado County
Taylor Graham (2016–2018) Suzanne Roberts (2018–2020) Lara Gularte (2021–2023) Stephen Meadows (2023–2025)
Humboldt County
Jim Dodge Jerry Martien
Kern County Don Thompson (2016–2019) Matthew Woodman (2019–2024) Samuel Rain Benjamin (2024–present)
Lake County Jim Lyle (1998–2002) James BlueWolf (2002–2004) Carolyn Wing Greenlee (2004–2006) Sandra Wade (2006–2008) Mary McMillan (2008–2010) Russell Gonzaga (2010–2012) Elaine Watt (2012–2014) Casey Carney (2014–2016) Julie Adams (2016–2018) Richard Schmidt (2018–2020) Georgina Marie Guardado (2020–2024) Brenda Yeager (2024–2026)
Lassen County
Violet Stout (inaugural; 1991)
Marin County Albert Flynn DeSilver (2008–2010) Lyn Follett (2010–2013) Joe Zaccardi (2013–2015) Prartho Sereno (2015–2017) Rebecca Foust (2017–2019) Terry Lucas (2019–2021) Francesca Bell (2023–2025)
Mendocino County
Devreaux Baker (2024– )
Monterey County
Daniel B. Summerhill (2022–2023) Rachelle Escamilla (2024–2025)
Napa County Dorothy Lee Hansen (inaugural; 2002–2004) Beclee Wilson (2015–2017) Jeremy Benson (2017–2021) Marianne Lyon (2021–2023) Aisha Rivera (2023–2025)
Nevada County Molly Fisk (2017–2019) Chris Olander (2019–2021) Kirsten Casey (2022–2024) Karen Terrey (2025– )
Orange County
Dr. Natalie J. Graham (2021–2023) Gustavo Hernandez (2024–2026)
San Luis Obispo County
Ray Clark Dickson (1999) Glenna Luschei (2000) Hernan Castellano-Giron (2001) Anne Candelaria (2002) Kevin Patrick Sullivan (2003) Michael McLaughlin (2004) Jane Elsdon (2005) Gloria L. Velasquez (2006) Rosemary Wilvert (2007) Dian Sousa (2008) James Cushing (2009-2010) Bonnie Young (2011-2012) Jerry Douglas Smith (2013-2014) Marguerite Costigan (2015-2016) Jeanie Greensfelder (2017-2018) Ivan BrownOtter (2019) Kevin Clark (2019-2022) Caleb Nichols (2025– )
San Mateo County Caroline Goodwin (2014–2016) Lisa Rosenberg (2017–2018) Aileen Cassinetto (2019–2022) Jorge Argueta (2023–2024) Antonio López (2025– )
Santa Clara County Nils Peterson (2009–2011) Sally Ashton (2011–2013) David Perez (2014–2015) Arlene Biala (2016–2017) Mike McGee (2018–2019) Janice Sapigao (2020–2021) Tshaka Campbell (2022–2023) Yosimar Reyes (2024–2025)
Santa Cruz County
Gary Young (2010–2011) David Swanger (2012–2013) Ellen Bass (2014–2015) Robert Sward (2016–2018) Danusha Laméris (2018–2020) David Sullivan (2021–2022) Farnaz Fatemi (2023–2024) Nancy Miller Gomez (2025–2026)
Sonoma County
Don Emblen (2000-2001) David Bromige (2002-2003) Terry Ehret (2004–2006) Geri Digiorno (2006-2007) Mike Tuggle (2008-2009) Gwynn O'Gara (2010–2011) Bill Vartnaw (2012–2013) Katherine Hastings (2014–2016) Iris Dunkle (2017–2018) Maya Khosla (2018–2020) Phyllis Meshulam (2020–2022) Elizabeth C. Herron (2022–2024) Dave Seter (2024–2026)
Sutter County/Yuba County
Jonathan Kinsman (2014–2018)