Girls, Girls, Girls by Mötley Crüe
I contribute to these types of threads because it’s a mental recall exercise, which is enjoyable to me and to others. Anybody can go to Wiki and be bored. Added benefit: one also gets to mock people who have posted things already mentioned.
This is worth a word or two as it also applies to Sunset Grill. And to the flip side of simply listing songs that have CA in their name.
It has to do with the rather common misunderstandings I see on this site between the literal, left-brain dominated folks and the metaphorical, right-brain dominated folks.
Left brain: Hey. No specific naming of CA. Doesn’t belong!
Right brain: Don’tcha see a metaphor when it’s right in front of your face?
As in The Last Resort and Hotel California, in Sunset Grill Mr. Henley is using places in California which once represented glamor and desirability and their subsequent decay to illustrate what he sees as a gradual decay in society in general.
Sunset Boulevard was one of the places my generation took a stand to, um, get to stay out late without supervision and smoke dope. Now, down at the metaphorical Sunset Grill all you see is the working girls going by, the basket cases mumbling. But we’re all still down there so who knows if we’ll ever get out.
Not written in stone so it’s just my interpretation. But I think it’s a little more interesting than a list and provides a good historical argument for my case. 
I think I’m too late to edit but I meant to preface my last post with a reminder of the OP’s request for songs with historical references to CA.
The ever-popular nitpick: every version I see says “I’m bound for Alabama…”
This one is somewhat obscure: California Earthquake performed by Mama Cass on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (and written by John Hartford).
Even the Beatles got in on the action: Blue Jay Way
Gah! You’re right, of course. The syllables got me. Perhaps I can make up for it:
Breakfast in America, Supertramp
“California” by Phantom Planet.
Most well known as the theme song for “The O.C.” but another fun fact about Phantom Planet is that Jason Schwartzman (“Rushmore”) was their drummer when this song was recorded but left the band when his acting career began really taking off.
“Coming into Los Angeles”- Arlo Guthrie
“Time Spent in Los Angeles” - Dawes
“California Gurls” - Katy Perry
“California Love” - 2Pac w/ Dr. Dre
Tom Waits, especially from his early period
San Diego Serenade
29 Dollars
Heartattack & Vine
also, several songs on “Nighthawks at the Diner” namecheck very specific locations in Los Angeles: Sunset & Alvarado, Ivar Theater, Burrito King, etc.)
One more and I’ll stop posting… (sorry)
Walking in Los Angeles by Kate Micucci (highly recommended)
LA River by HoneyHoney
(Don’t Ya Go to) Goleta by Camper Van Beethoven
California Soul by Marlena Shaw
Sausalito Summernightby Diesel
Hollywood by Codeine Velvet Club
You know, someone should really make a Wikipedia page with all these songs about California.
A California earthquake is also mentioned in Black Oak Arkansas’s “The Big One’s Still Coming” (not on the Wikipedia list, so nyah nyah Moriah).
Just thought of another:
Argh. one more and I’m done for real this time.
Kalifornia by Fatboy Slim, (it’s a superficial namecheck, but I think it lives up/down to a lot of folks’ perception of the state (Los Angeles, at least) — especially with this video
Kudos to Revolution Blues mentioned above. Neil mentions California a lot.
Here’s Neil’s L.A.
I don’t even have to click on it, but I will anyway, just as soon as I submit this.
(insert applause here)
Strictly it’s not really about California, but on the “Encores” album Jimmy Buffett talks about cruising down the 101 north of Ventura with his daughter as he is strumming before he starts the lyrics. Makes me miss my hometown every time I hear it.
I don’t know how I forgot Los Angeles by Frank Black
Warren Zevon
