Best VPNs for California: Get a Californian IP from anywhere

Want online privacy in California? We recommend the best VPNs for California so you can encrypt your data and use the internet securely.

If you live in California, then you are protected by some of America’s strongest consumer data protection laws. However, you may not be aware that US ISPs are permitted to track everything you do, and even to sell this data to third parties.

Your data can be tracked by WiFi networks, ISPs, government agencies, and even hackers skulking around on public WiFi. In spite of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the best way to protect your online privacy in California is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN for California encrypts your data and lets you connect to a VPN server anywhere you choose. By connecting to a server in California, you can get a valid IP address there. This is perfect if you are abroad or in another state and want to access California-based internet services or TV streams. 

Getting a California IP address can let you enjoy the privacy safeguards granted to Californians, even when living in another state. When you access online services like Facebook and Google through a Californian IP address, they assume you are in California. Those services must adhere to CCPA regulations, enhancing your privacy.

Using a VPN to get an IP address in California, gives you access to home streaming services like Hulu, HBO Max, and Netflix US while on vacation. Moreover, it ensures you never have to worry about sports blackouts when California-based teams, such as the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Dodgers, or the San Francisco Giants play home games.

In this guide, we explain how to use a VPN to gain online privacy and recommend the best California VPNs. These VPNs are perfect both for people living in California and those who are elsewhere seeking a Californian IP address.

Whether you're in California and want to encrypt your internet to prevent local networks, ISPs, and government agencies from tracking your web visits and metadata, or if you're located elsewhere and need a California IP address, the recommended VPNs below are perfect for the job.

The best VPNs for California:

1. NordVPN: The top choice for California residents. Has more than 6,000 servers, including options in three Californian cities. Works with Netflix US, ESPN, Hulu, and more. Many advanced features, including an automatic kill switch, Double VPN, and strong encryption. 24/7 customer support and a strict no-logs policy. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The best value VPN for California. Servers in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections. User-friendly apps and round-the-clock customer support. Has a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, and super fast WireGuard protocol.
3. ExpressVPN: A well-known VPN brand with 3,000+ servers in 105+ countries, including three cities in California (LA, San Francisco, Santa Monica). Known for its fast Lightway protocol that effortlessly streams US Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, and other US services. Offers strong security features and 24/7 live chat support.
4. CyberGhost: Perfect for beginners. More than 10,000 servers across 100+ countries, including 200+ in California. Works to access state-level TV platforms like KCET, KTLA 5, KRON 4, KPIX 5, KPBS, CBSN Los Angeles, etc. Delivers high-speed connections and prioritizes privacy with a strict no-logs policy. Offers 24/7 customer support.
5. IPVanish: Has servers in more US states than just about any other VPN. This includes 120+ servers in California. It provides WireGuard connections with great speeds for streaming. Allows an unlimited number of simultaneous device connections. Has a kill switch, strong encryption, and obfuscation.
6. PrivateVPN: Best VPN for torrenting in California thanks to its port forwarding feature. Offers fast servers in Los Angeles. Excels at accessing services like Netflix and Disney+. User-friendly apps and live chat support. Enforces a strict no-logs policy and is based in Sweden.
7. Atlas VPN: Offers servers in over 40 countries. No limit on the number of simultaneous connections, meaning you can share your account with friends and family. Comes with split tunneling included. Provides 24/7 live chat support.

Summary Table

At BleepingComputer, we put user privacy and data security first. All our recommendations are secure VPNs with reliable apps, strong encryption, and excellent privacy policies. In addition to meeting our security prerequisites, all the services in this guide also have servers in California. You can see the main criteria we used to choose VPNs for California below:

• Servers in California that are fast for streaming, gaming, and making video calls.
• A global server network to access foreign services in the US.
• Works to stream Netflix US, Hulu, and foreign services like BBC iPlayer.
• Strong security features, including solid encryption and a kill switch.
• A no-logs policy to protect your privacy at all times.
• 24/7 live chat support and setup guides.
• User-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party.

Later in this guide, we will explain our VPN testing and selection process further. For now, you can learn more about each of the best VPNs for California. 

The best VPNs with a Californian IP address

You can use the summaries below to differentiate between each of the best VPNs for California. All of these VPNs have servers in California, and they are all highly secure and reliable. However, they have various differences and price points, so read the summaries below for more details. 

NordVPN is our favorite VPN both for people living in California and those elsewhere trying to get a Californian IP address. It easily lets you access Californian TV streams and services like Spectrum News 1, KTLA 5, KCBS-TV, and KQED, which are available exclusively in California. You can stream blackout games on services like ESPN and FOX Sports.

NordVPN's high-speed connections are also ideal for streaming on platforms like Hulu, HBO Max, and Netflix – perfect if you need to go on vacation and want to appear to be back home.

It provides strong encryption to maintain your security and privacy while at home, in the office, traveling, or using public WiFi in California. It has a strict no-logs policy and has undergone a third-party audit covering its apps, policies, and servers to bolster its security. Its diskless servers can be remotely wiped of any user data.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firestick devices. These apps include DNS leak protection, a kill switch, obfuscated servers, split tunneling, Meshnet, ad blocking, and tracker prevention. Those looking for advanced settings will enjoy its Double VPN and Tor over VPN features.

Nord lets you connect to over 6,000 servers spanning 61+ countries, including servers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose. It also works to access popular international services such as the UK's BBC iPlayer. 

Thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol, NordVPN offers exceptional speeds that are perfect for downloading torrents privately in California. Gaming and streaming in HD are also no issue. 24/7 live chat support is there to help.

BEST VPN FOR CALIFORNIA: NordVPN is the best VPN to get a Californian IP address from abroad or in other US states. Works to access state-level TV in California, or other regional Californian websites and search results. Works with US Netflix. Strong security features and a no-logging policy. Has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark is a market-leading VPN based in the British Virgin Islands. It comes with a ton of excellent features at an incredible price point. Reliable servers reside in over 100 countries, including 23+ US cities and two locations in California.

No matter where you are in the world, you can easily access region-locked services like Netflix and HBO Max without any restrictions. It works to bypass blackout NFL, NBA, and NHL games and to watch regional Californian TV networks from other states. The VPN employs the super-fast WireGuard protocol, which makes it ideal for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. 

Despite being cheap, it lets you connect all your devices simultaneously, so you can share your account with friends and family. User-friendly apps are available for a range of devices. 24/7 live chat support allows anybody to ask questions and get help with using the VPN on their particular device.

In addition to a no-logs policy, Surfshark has a comprehensive range of security features, including robust 256-bit encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, and a reliable kill switch. Surfshark's MultiHop feature lets you connect to two locations in sequence for added protection. If you wish to use Surfshark with your router, it can be manually configured.

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR CALIFORNIA: Surfshark offers the cheapest reliable option for getting privacy in California. It has a large offering of servers across the US, including multiple options in California. Easy to use and represents exceptional value for money. Allows unlimited connections with a single account. No-logging policy and robust encryption. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is a well-known, privacy-oriented VPN service headquartered in the British Virgin Islands. This is a great place for a privacy service to be based due to the lack of mandatory data retention directives or invasive surveillance agencies. 

An ExpressVPN subscription provides access to user-friendly applications compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. These apps can be installed and used on up to eight devices simultaneously, which is usually enough protection for most families and power users. The apps come with a kill switch, obfuscated OpenVPN, split tunneling, and a complimentary Smart DNS service known as MediaStreamer.

Servers are available in 105+ countries, including servers within California. It easily works to access Netflix US and other popular US services, as well as Californian platforms exclusive to the state. 

ExpressVPN has a no-log policy and comes with a range of protocol options, including the proprietary Lightway protocol, designed for optimal speed. It’s an excellent choice for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

OUTSTANDING ALL-ROUNDER: ExpressVPN is a reliable VPN that offers fast connections. Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android offer a kill switch and obfuscation. Works with popular American streaming services, including Netflix and Hulu. 24/7 live chat support. 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try it on your own devices.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost is great if you are new to VPNs and want something easy to navigate. The service is based in Romania, which puts it well out of reach of invasive jurisdictions with mandatory data retention laws and overreaching surveillance agencies. It has a reliable no-logs policy and provides robust encryption to keep your activities secure whether you use it at home, at work, or on public WiFi.

CyberGhost's extensive network offers fantastic speeds and it consists of more than 10,000 RAM-only servers in 100+ countries, including California. This allows it to avoid server congestion, and provide consistency throughout its network and for all of its subscribers. To make things even easier, CyberGhost clearly labels its streaming servers by country and streaming platform. It is easy to find a server that works with the service you are interested in. 

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Those apps provide a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and ad blocking. This gives you everything you need to prevent ISP snooping and to protect yourself on public WiFi. CyberGhost allows up to seven simultaneous connections per account.

This VPN works to access popular US platforms like Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+. It also allows torrenting, though it is missing advanced features such as port forwarding and split tunneling. You can compare it to any of our other recommendations using its lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee. 

EXPANSIVE NETWORK: CyberGhost offers a huge network of over 10,000 servers in 100+ countries. It has over 1,200 servers in 11+ US cities, including two locations in California. Works with Netflix and other popular US services. 24/7 live chat support. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

IPVanish is headquartered in California, and it has a massive US presence stretching across 21+ different US cities. These include 80+ servers in Los Angeles and 40+ servers in San Jose that grant you Californian IP addresses.

With IPVanish, you will get exceptional and consistent speeds, alongside unlimited bandwidth. This is thanks to its Tier-1 network of proprietary servers. When you sign up for IPVanish there are no connection limits, which means you are free to share your VPN with all your family.

IPVanish strictly adheres to a zero-logs policy, so it refrains from collecting any of your browsing history. This is particularly important due to it being based in the US, where it could potentially be served a warrant that asks it to provide user data.

Your internet traffic is secured using 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. The VPN also comes with obfuscation and split tunneling. 24/7 support is available if you have any issues or questions.

IPVanish caters to a wide range of users by offering user-friendly applications for various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Manual setup is available for Linux and VPN-compatible routers.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS: IPVanish is great if you own many devices or want a VPN you can share with a large household. 80+ servers in Los Angeles. Zero-logs policy and robust AES encryption. Superb speeds for streaming and works with Netflix. Test it with your streaming subscriptions using its 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full IPVanish review.

PrivateVPN is a smaller VPN provider headquartered in Sweden. It was initially launched with the backing of hacktivists, and, true to its name, maintains a firm commitment to privacy. Its server network spans 63+ countries, including servers in 11+ US cities. You can get an IP address in California by connecting to its servers in Los Angeles. 

In our tests, those servers worked to stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and various other US streaming services. Admittedly, this VPN is the slowest recommendation on this list, but it can still stream in HD without buffering.

PrivateVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, equipped with essential features such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation (stealth), and 256-bit AES encryption. The service adheres to a strict no-logging policy. 

While WireGuard is supported, it requires the use of the third-party WireGuard client, as it's not yet integrated into the official apps. Hopefully, this will change in the future. PrivateVPN is particularly good for Californians who want to torrent thanks to its port forwarding feature. It offers superb value for money, starting at under $2 per month.

STRONG ON PRIVACY: PrivateVPN has servers located in 63+ countries, including servers in Los Angeles. Works to access Hulu, Netflix, ESPN+, Prime Video, HBO Max, and many other popular US services. Port forwarding for improved torrenting. Allows 10 simultaneous connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Atlas VPN is a superb option for California residents and visitors alike. It provides access to a vast network of over 1,000 servers spanning nearly 50 countries worldwide. Connect to a server in Los Angeles from another state to gain access to regional Californian services or privacy protections.

In our tests, Atlas VPN provided seamless access to popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. This smooth streaming experience is made possible thanks to the WireGuard protocol.

In terms of security, Atlas VPN utilizes robust encryption, a dependable kill switch, and effective DNS leak protection to ensure your privacy remains intact. A solid no-logs policy ensures it would never have any data to hand over if the authorities came knocking with a warrant.

With user-friendly applications available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, Atlas VPN offers a comprehensive privacy and security solution, designed to meet the needs of Californian users. Round-the-clock live chat support assists whenever you need it, and you can test it yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

FAST FOR STREAMING: Atlas VPN offers fast connections at a low cost. It works with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and regional Californian services. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Malware filtering and ad blocking for added protection. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Atlas VPN.

California IP VPN – testing methodology

A VPN serves as a privacy tool above all else. We only recommend VPNs that adequately protect your data.

To find suitable VPNs, our rigorous evaluation process focuses on encryption, IP and DNS leak tests, privacy policies, access to various streaming services, and download speed.

The VPNs featured in this guide offer high-speed servers in California. These allow you to access Californian CCPA privacy protections or regional services when traveling elsewhere.

Our recommendations are suitable for anybody in California who wants to encrypt their connection to prevent local networks, ISPs, and government snoops from tracking their activities.

Below, we've highlighted some of the criteria we considered when recommending VPNs for use in California:

• VPN servers in California: Our top selections provide you with a Californian IP address from anywhere in the world, granting access to California-based game servers, streams, online banking, CCPA protections, and more.
• Global server network: These VPNs offer access to secure IP addresses in a wide array of global locations, simplifying access to popular international services whether you're in California or traveling.
• High-speed Tier-1 network: These providers guarantee optimal internet speeds, ensuring a seamless experience when streaming, torrenting, gaming, and private video calls. The WireGuard protocol, or proprietary protocols, further enhances connection speeds.
• Stringent no-logging policy: Our recommended VPNs uphold a strict commitment to a no-logs policy, safeguarding the confidentiality of your online activities both now and in the future.
• Feature-rich apps: We exclusively recommend VPNs equipped with a comprehensive suite of robust security and privacy features, including a kill switch, obfuscation, MultiHop, split tunneling, and more.
• Compatibility with Californian streaming platforms: With our recommendations, you can effortlessly connect to servers in California to watch regional TV broadcasts on ESPN, FOX, and local networks like NBC, CBS, ABC, and more. The same goes for many US streaming sites.
• Affordable and reliable: We focus on trustworthy VPNs that offer strong security at an affordable price. You get decent value for money, while still getting all the important privacy features you would expect from a leading VPN.  
• Robust encryption: Our VPN recommendations all employ either 256-bit AES encryption for OpenVPN or ChaCha20 for WireGuard. The encryption guarantees the confidentiality of your data, enhancing privacy and data security whether you're at home, in the office, or on public WiFi networks. The VPN connection must improve online security and digital privacy for the average user.

In addition to the features mentioned above, our top three recommendations must also have completed a full third-party audit of their service. This ensures that the VPN apps and servers are completely free of vulnerabilities and that you can trust the VPN's privacy policies to work as they claim. 

Our top three recommendations must also have diskless servers. By running the VPN server in RAM instead of a hard disk, the VPN company can erase the contents of a server simply by pulling the plug or rebooting.

How to get an IP address in California using a VPN

Using a VPN to get an IP address in California is extremely straightforward as long as you stick to one of the VPNs recommended in this guide. We tested the market to find the most secure VPNs with servers in Los Angeles and other Californian cities. If you are new to VPNs, we explain how to use one to change your IP address below:

1. Pick a VPN with servers in California. We suggest NordVPN for its top-tier security, fast speeds, and server presence across California and throughout the rest of the United States. Alternatively, consider Surfshark, which offers exceptional value for money, or ExpressVPN, a versatile choice with useful privacy features.
2. Purchase a subscription for your chosen VPN service. To ensure you receive the best deal, use the links in this guide, which include coupon codes for the lowest available price.
3. Download the VPN application onto your various devices. Our recommended VPNs offer dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firestick, enabling you to secure a Californian IP address on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops, as well as other devices like smart TVs or compatible VPN routers.
4. Open the VPN app on your device and log in using the credentials you created during the sign-up process. 
5. Locate a server in California from the list and start the connection. Our recommendations usually have servers in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and possibly other cities in California. If you have any confusion finding a server in California, simply contact the VPN’s live chat support to find out which server is the best option for you. 

You may need to clear your cookies to ensure the VPN works properly. Cookies left by websites and streaming platforms can conflict with your VPN, but once they have been cleared (or you use incognito) you will be able to continue.

California VPN FAQs

Can I use a free VPN to get an IP address in California?

No. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reliable free VPNs that offer free servers in California. You can use a few reliable free VPNs to get a free IP address in the US, but these are not guaranteed to be in California specifically.

Although many free VPNs are available in app stores, steer clear of the majority of them. Many free VPNs come with questionable privacy policies that permit them to monitor users, collect data, and share information with third parties. Instead of protecting online privacy, these free VPNs compromise your data further.

Research has revealed that free VPNs often lack encryption, suffer from IP and DNS leaks, contain severe vulnerabilities in their apps and servers, and sometimes carry spyware within their applications. Using these unreliable VPNs poses a significant risk to your data and the security of your devices.

If you want to use a VPN for free, we strongly recommend sticking to reputable providers. A few premium VPNs offer a limited free plan that allows users to test their service. This free plan will have slower connections compared to the paid version and deliberately restricts access to services like Netflix to encourage you to upgrade to a premium plan. They cannot specify the location where you want an IP address, which is necessary to get an IP address in California. 

You can try any of the recommended VPNs for California on this page risk-free for at least 30 days using their money-back guarantee. This allows you to compare VPNs, or to check the difference between a free service and what is available with a paid plan.

Can I watch Californian TV streams with a VPN?

Yes. When you connect to a VPN server in California, you get a valid IP address there. This allows you to access regional broadcasts on services like ESPN, FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC, and more. It also allows you to access streams by local broadcasters such as KTLA 5, KPIX 5 (CBS San Francisco), KABC 7 (ABC7), KTTV Fox 11, KCET (PBS SoCal), KQED, Spectrum News 1, and SFGovTV. 

You can use a VPN to stream any of these TV platforms at work or on school campus WiFi. If you are in California, and your employer is blocking access to streaming platforms, game servers, social media, Twitch. Discord, Reddit, or anything else, then you can use a VPN to bypass these restrictions with complete privacy.

Why should I use a VPN in California?

Using a VPN can stop third-party tracking, protect you against hackers, prevent government surveillance, and allow you to access regional or censored content. 

By connecting to a VPN server in California, you can unlock websites and content from all across the United States, including those exclusive to California. You could even use a VPN to enjoy additional privacy protections thanks to the California Consumer Protection Act.

The US is a member of the Five Eyes alliance and is well known for widespread surveillance of its citizens. This is yet another reason to use a VPN. It is also important to remember that the US has made it legal for ISPs to retain data indefinitely, and to use that data for profit. This could allow US authorities like the NSA to gather your data from ISPs (via warrants and gag orders) and also means that ISPs could potentially be selling your data without your knowledge.

VPNs with no-logs policies ensure that even if US authorities seek access to your data, such as your browsing history, then the VPN will have nothing to disclose because it doesn’t store any identifying user logs.

Is it legal to use a VPN to get an IP address in California?

Yes. In the US it is perfectly legal to use a VPN. You are free to subscribe to, install, and use a VPN as long as you do not use it to conceal online harms or criminal activities such as hacking, cyberbullying, cyberharassment, spamming, data theft, etc. Using a VPN to get an IP address in California is legal in all US states. 

VPNs are legitimate tools that provide privacy, security, and the ability to access region-locked content. However, the legality of how you use a VPN and what you do with the IP address it provides can vary depending on your location and the specific activities you engage in.  

VPN regulations can vary around the world, so if you are outside of America you should check local laws to ensure that using a VPN to access US services is legal. In most countries, using a VPN to stream Netflix or access other platforms is legal, but there are exceptions. Nothing in this guide should be taken as legal advice.

Can I use a VPN to play online poker in California?

In California, it is illegal to play real money poker, so gambling sites will prevent users with California IP addresses from placing bets. You can change your IP address to that of another state with a VPN.

Remember that gambling online from California could be against the bookie’s Terms of Service, and could lead to winnings being frozen or confiscated. Nothing in this guide should be taken as legal advice.

In which California cities can I get an IP address?

The VPNs we have recommended for California provide access to IP addresses in the following cities:

• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• San Jose
• Santa Monica

Each VPN differs, so check each summary if you require an IP address in one of those specific locations.