Miss California USA

Miss California USA
Formation1952
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersSanta Monica
LocationCalifornia
MembersMiss USA
Official language
English
Key people
Kristen Bradford
WebsiteOfficial website

Miss California USA is the beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state of California in the Miss USA pageant, and the name of the title held by that winner. The pageant is directed by Crown Diva Productions.

California's most successful placements were in 1959, 1966, 1975, 1983, 1992, and 2011, when Terry Huntingdon, Maria Remenyi, Summer Bartholomew, Julie Hayek, Shannon Marketic, and Alyssa Campanella, respectively, were crowned Miss USA.

The current Miss California USA is Acacia McBride of Calabasas, who was crowned on July 12, 2026, at The Grand Hyatt Indian Wells in Indian Wells. McBride will represent California at Miss USA 2026.

History

The Miss California USA Pageant was produced by Carolee Munger. Prior to Ms. Munger, Guyrex Productions held the franchise for a number of years and produced successful televised pageants with over 100 participants. Before Guyrex, the pageant was produced by Dr. Leanord Stallcup, who took over the directorship after Faye Smith successfully led the way through the 1970s and 1980s. Also was produced by Top 10 Productions, Inc. based in San Diego. Top 10 was led by Pam Wilson and Alex Kuty, who have been involved in pageant and fashion production for many years. Top 10 took over for K2 Productions in 2013. K2 had a number of controversies but during its 9 years producing the pageant, it managed to be the top placing state at Miss USA, growing the entry numbers to the largest state pageant in the history of Miss USA and doing the first live television airing in over 10 years. In the beginning, K2 Productions was directed by former Miss Teen USA 1995, Keylee Sue Sanders and Keith Lewis. K2 Productions was later directed by Lewis and briefly co-produced by Miss USA 1995, Shanna Moakler. From 2018 until 2021, Chrisley Productions held the franchise alongside Miss Florida USA under directed by the Chrisley family. In October 2021, Kristen Bradford of Crown Diva Productions took over the directorship for California pageants.

In 2009, Carrie Prejean was forced to resign after placing 1st runner-up at Miss USA 2009 after a controversy developed regarding the answer she gave to her final interview question at the national pageant. Pageant organizers claimed she was fired due to contractual violations.

California has produced a Miss USA every decade (except the 2000s) and is ranked second highest among states in terms of placements, after Texas.

Shauna Gambill, who won the Miss Teen USA crown in 1994, is the only Miss California USA who has previously held the Miss California Teen USA title. As Miss California USA in 1998, Gambill placed 1st Runner-Up to Shawnae Jebbia of Massachusetts. Three Miss California USA titleholders have also competed in the Miss America pageant while two were former winners of the Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant.

Results summary

California holds a record of 54 placements at Miss USA, second overall behind Texas and ahead of South Carolina.

Awards

Winners

Color key
Year Name Hometown Age Local Title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes
2026 Acacia McBride Calabasas 28 Miss Calabasas Top 20 Miss Photogenic
2025 Kylie Chang Cupertino 21 Miss Golden State
2024 Samantha Ramos Santa Monica 24 Miss Santa Monica Top 20
2023 Tianna Clark Perris 27 Miss Perris
2022 Tiffany Johnson Lancaster 26 Miss Lancaster Top 16
2021 Sabrina Lewis Berkeley 23 Miss Berkeley
2020 Allyshia Gupta Los Angeles 25 Miss Los Angeles Top 10
2019 Erica Dann San Francisco 27 Miss San Francisco
2018 Kelley Johnson Los Angeles 24 Miss Redondo Beach Top 10
2017 India Williams Lafayette 20 Miss Santa Monica
2016 Nadia Mejia Diamond Bar 20 Miss Corona Del Mar Top 5
2015 Natasha Martinez Chino Hills 23 Miss Santa Anita Park
2014 Cassandra Kunze San Diego 20 Miss Beverly Hills Top 10 Miss Photogenic
2013 Mabelynn Capeluj[citation needed] 21 Miss Greater San Diego Top 15
2012 Natalie Pack Palos Verdes 22 Miss Hoag Hospital
2011 Katie Blair Los Angeles 23 Miss Laurel Canyon did not compete
Alyssa Campanella Los Angeles 20 Miss Hillsbourough Miss USA 2011
2010 Nicole Johnson Westlake Village 24 Miss Sherwood Top 10
2009 Tami Farrell Los Angeles 25 Miss Malibu did not compete
Carrie Prejean San Diego 21 Miss La Jolla 1st Runner-Up
2008 Raquel Beezley Barstow 21 Miss Barstow Top 15
2007 Meagan Tandy Fontana 21 Miss Inland Empire 3rd Runner-Up
2006 Tamiko Nash Los Angeles 26 Miss North Los Angeles 1st Runner-Up
2005 Brittany Hogan Escondido 20 Miss City of San Diego
2004 Ellen Chapman San Jose 22 Miss San Francisco-Bay Area
2003 Candice Sanders La Habre 26 Miss Greater Los Angeles
2002 Tarah Peters San Diego 21 Miss Greater San Diego Top 12
2001 Jennifer Jean Glover Castro Valley 21 Miss Bay City
2000 Rebekah Ann Keller Lakewood 25 Miss Greater Lakewood
1999 Angelique Sue Breaux San Diego 21 Miss Vista 2nd Runner-Up
1998 Shauna Gene Gambill Acton 21 Miss Acton 1st Runner-Up
1997 Alisa Marie Kimble Lake Elsinore 27 Miss Lake Elsinore
1996 Shauna Lyn Searles Grant Tustin 26 Miss Tustin
  • Previously Miss California USA 1992, after Shannon Marketic was crowned Miss USA 1992
1995 Deana Avila Laguna Niguel 24 Miss Laguna Niguel
1994 Toay Lynn Foster Oxnard 19 Miss Tulare County
1993 Jane Olvera Reedley 24 Miss Central Valley Top 12
1992 Shauna Lyn Searles Grant Tustin 22 Miss Sacramento Valley did not compete
  • Originally top 6 in Miss California USA, assumed the title when Shannon Marketic was crowned Miss USA
  • Later went on to win Miss California USA 1996
Shannon LaRhea Marketic Malibu 21 Miss West Los Angeles Miss USA 1992 Miss Photogenic
1991 Diane Lynn Schock Fontana 24 Miss Claremont 2nd runner-up
1990 Cynthia Lee "Cyndie" Nelson Gilroy 22 Miss Gilroy
1989 Christina Marie Faust Westlake Village 23 Miss San Fernando Valley Top 10
  • 1st runner-up at Miss California USA 1987
  • 2nd runner-up at Miss California USA 1988
1988 Diana Rosa Rodriguez Magaña Rancho Palos Verdes 22 Miss Los Angeles County 1st runner-up
1987 Lori Lynn Dickerson Lodi 20 Miss San Joaquin County Miss Congeniality
1986 Kelly Elizabeth Parsons Chatsworth 22 Miss Northridge 4th runner-up
1985 Zina Ponder Long Beach 22 Miss Long Beach
1984 Theresa L. Ring San Diego 21 Miss Greater San Diego 1987 Star Search spokesmodel
1983 Julie Lynne Hayek Westwood 22 Miss Westwood Miss USA 1983
1982 Suzanne Paulette Dewames Thousand Oaks 19 Miss Ventura County
1981 Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Kerby Westlake Village 18 Miss Las Virgenes 3rd runner-up Miss Photogenic
Miss Congeniality
1980 Kari Susanne Lloyd Thousand Oaks 19 Miss Woodland Hills
1979 Linda Marie Fogarty Fullerton 19 Miss Fullerton Top 12
1978 Donna Lynn Adrain Anaheim 21 Miss Anaheim Top 12
1977 Pamela Lynn "Pam" Gergely San Rafael 19 Miss Marin County 3rd runner-up
1976 Joan Marie "Joni" Pennock Northridge 19 Miss Los Angeles County Top 12
  • 6th runner-up at Miss California USA 1975
1975 Summer Robin Bartholomew Merced 23 Miss Merced County Miss USA 1975
1974 Gayle Andrea Gorrell Temple City 20 Miss Friendly El Monte-South El Monte 3rd runner-up
1973 Carol Marie Herrema Artesia 19 Miss Artesia-Cerritos Top 12
1972 Kim Christina Hobson San Mateo 20 Miss San Francisco 2nd runner-up
1971 Karin Dawn Klingler Morrell Newcastle 19 Miss Auburn Top 12
1970 Linda Lee Hall Van Nuys 21 Miss Los Angeles Top 15
  • 3rd runner-up at Miss California USA 1969
1969 Troas Kaye Hayes Sacramento 22 Miss Metropolitan Sacramento 4th runner-up
1968 Suzanne Fromm Riverside 19 Top 15 Best State Costume
Top 15 Best in Swimsuit
Sharon McFarland Apple Valley 18 did not compete
  • Resigned from the title
1967 Susan Ellen "Sue" Bradley Tustin 19 1st runner-up
1966 Maria Judith Remenyi El Cerrito 20 Miss USA 1966 Miss Photogenic
1965 Kathryn Lee "Kathy" Hage Santa Monica 18 Miss Santa Monica Top 15
1964 Jeanne Elaine Venables Carmichael 24 Miss Carmichael Miss Congeniality
1963 Francine Cheryl Herack Encino 19 Miss Hollywood 4th runner-up
1962 Marilyn Ann Tindall Hollywood 21 Miss Los Angeles 3rd runner-up
1961 Pamela Ray Stettler San Rafael 18 Miss San Rafael 1st runner-up
1960 Teri Jean Janssen Los Angeles 17 Miss Los Angeles Top 15
1959 Terry Lynn Huntingdon Mount Shasta 19 Miss Mount Shasta Miss USA 1959
1958 Donna Kay Brooks North Hollywood 18 Miss San Fernando Valley Top 15
1957 Peggy Jacobson Downey 18 Miss Rosemead Top 15
1956 Shirlee Colleen Garner Witty Wilmington 20 Miss Catalina
1955 Donna Ellamae Schurr Garden Grove 18 Miss Santa Ana 3rd runner-up
1954 Sandra Lea Constance Torrance 18 Miss Hollywood Top 20
1953 Marcella LaDyne Roulette Inglewood 21 Miss Inglewood Top 20
1952 Gloria Jane Maxwell Los Angeles 20

Notes

  1. ↑ Blair was originally the first runner-up, but inherited the title of Miss California USA 2011 when Alyssa Campanella was crowned Miss USA 2011. The two titles cannot be held simultaneously.
  2. ↑ Farrell was originally the first runner-up, but inherited the title of Miss California USA 2009 when Carrie Prejean was dethroned during her reign.
  3. ↑ Prejean was dethroned by the Miss California USA Organization and did not complete her reign.
  4. ↑ Age at the time of crowning

References

  1. ↑ "Carrie Prejean stripped of Miss California title". Today. 11 June 2009.
  2. ↑ McKinley, Jesse (10 June 2009). "Donald Trump Fires Miss California". The New York Times.
  3. ↑ "Miss California USA Tiffany Johnson shares her success beyond the glamour". Rolling Out Magazine. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  4. ↑ Harding, Todd (December 4, 2017). "Former Miss Colorado Wins Miss California USA Pageant". K99 News.
  5. ↑ Udell, Erin (2 January 2018). "Former Windsor resident mocked by 'The View' co-host named Miss California". The Coloradoan.
  6. ↑ Taylor, Evelyn (17 January 2017). "Miss California: LMU Junior Represents Santa Monica and Takes Coveted Crown". Westside Today. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  7. ↑ Gore, Leada (6 June 2016). "'Rico Suave's' daughter: Miss California is Nadia Mejia, daughter of '90s pop star Gerardo". AL.com.
  8. ↑ Gruszecki, Debra (9 January 2012). "Miss California USA crowned". The Desert Sun.
  9. ↑ "Glitz, glamour, gowns". The Desert Sun. November 22, 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  10. ↑ "Who Is Michael Phelps' Wife? All About Nicole Johnson". People. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Page 354". The Los Angeles Times. 8 September 1996. p. 354. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Leach, Jill (5 October 1995). "Tustin woman named Miss California USA". The Tustin News. p. 8. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 Barkas, Sherry (4 March 1992). "Former queen named Miss California USA". The Orangevale News. p. 1. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Miss California USA winners crowned". The Press Democrat. 5 September 1994. p. 15. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Flora, Charles (8 September 1993). "Oxnard woman wins state title". Ventura County Star. p. 3. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Reedley woman wins pageant". The Fresno Bee. 25 October 1992. p. 26. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Fresno County, Clovis 'misses' begin reigns". The Fresno Bee. 11 April 1990. p. 3. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "L.A. woman title winner in pageant". Redding Record Searchlight. 1 September 1991. p. 9. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ Bates, Michael (9 February 1992). "Miss USA had quit pageants after error". The San Bernardino County Sun. p. 15. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "Rightful teen queen receives crown after month". The Arizona Republic. 11 May 1989. p. 15. Retrieved 21 October 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Fontana woman wins pageant". Thousand Oaks Star. 26 November 1990. p. 3. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Miss Kansas crowned Miss USA". North County Times. 24 February 1991. p. 8. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ Torres, Tim (18 August 1989). "SCENE: New Miss California USA local lady". Free Lance. p. 17. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ Meggett, Linda (1 August 1988). "Surprise, surprise for queen". The Desert Sun. p. 3. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. 1 2 Clemmons, C.J. (31 August 1987). "Miss L.A. County lands in driver's seat". The Desert Sun. p. 3. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ "Lodi woman named Miss California". Thousand Oaks Star. 29 October 1986. p. 17. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ "Personal Mention". Houston Chronicle. 1987-02-13.
  28. 1 2 3 "A look at Miss USA". The Ledger. Lakeland, United States. May 12, 1985. p. 10E. Retrieved June 16, 2026 – via Google News Archive.
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  30. ↑ Berreyesa, Gina (9 January 1983). "Julie Hayek becomes Miss California USA: A crown for Miss Westwood". Camarillo Star. p. 2. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ "Would-be dentist wears a crown". Philadelphia Daily News. May 13, 1983. Retrieved 4 November 2010. Miss California, Julie Lynne Hayek, a green-eyed student model who wants to be a dentist, was crowned Miss USA last night.
  32. ↑ "Westwood woman crowned". The Daily Breeze. 10 January 1983. p. 5. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ Large, Karen (14 January 1982). "Oaks woman crowned Miss California U.S.A." Thousand Oaks Star. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. 1 2 Large, Karen (16 January 1981). "Her crowning glory: Agoura High student keeps Miss California USA title in area". Thousand Oaks Star. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ Carter Coates, Diana (28 June 1985). "lifestyle: NEW MISS CALIFORNIA CROWNED: Scholarship Awarded To Miss SLO County At Pageant". Times-Press-Recorder. p. 19. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ↑ "Agoura woman comes just short of Miss U.S.A. crown". Thousand Oaks Star. 22 May 1981. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ "Miss California is familiar Conejo face". Thousand Oaks Star. 6 April 1980. p. 3. Retrieved 18 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ↑ "Fullerton coed Miss Cal-Universe". Free Lance. 7 February 1979. p. 9. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ "Dancer wins Miss USA". The Press Democrat. 1 May 1979. p. 6. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ Heffler, Robin (19 March 1978). "59 Share Hopes, Dreams; Only One Can Wear Crown". The Los Angeles Times. p. 20. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ "Queen LaJean Among Top 15 in State Beauty Pageant". Vacaville Reporter. 16 February 1977. p. 3. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ↑ "To Represent State". Turlock Journal. 26 February 1976. p. 12. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ "Miss Minnesota Is Miss U.S.A." Santa Cruz Sentinel. 16 May 1976. p. 4. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. 1 2 "Mercedian Takes State Crown". Merced Sun-Star. 14 February 1975. p. 1. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ "People in the news: Finnish model new Miss Universe". Merced Sun-Star. 20 July 1975. p. 1. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ↑ "Orange Show queen wins statewide title". The San Bernardino County Sun. 25 November 1973. p. 8. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ↑ "Page 6". Daily News-Post. 16 December 1972. p. 6. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ↑ "18-Year-Old Girl Is Chosen 1973's Miss California". Enterprise-Record. 12 August 1972. p. 6. Retrieved June 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ↑ "San Mateo Queen". The Modesto Bee. 15 August 1971. p. 2. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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  53. 1 2 "21-Year-Old Sacramento Beauty Is 'Miss California'". Independent. 23 June 1968. p. 65. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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  55. ↑ Metz, Leonard (13 February 1968). "Citrus Queen Wins State Beauty Title". The San Bernardino County Sun. p. 2. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ↑ "Washington U. Coed Winner Of Crown as Miss USA 1968". The San Bernardino County Sun. 19 May 1968. p. 42. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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  60. ↑ "Beau Admits Asking Miss USA To Wed Him". The Sacramento Bee. 22 May 1967. p. 13. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  61. ↑ "Bay Girl New Miss USA". The San Francisco Examiner. 22 May 1966. p. 1. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ↑ "Miss California Among Miss U.S.A. Finalists". Ventura County Star. 20 May 1966. p. 13. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  63. ↑ "Miss California". Colusa Sun-Herald. 17 May 1965. p. 6. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  64. ↑ "Carmichael Girl Is Miss California". Progress-Bulletin. 20 June 1964. p. 16. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  65. ↑ "Hollywood Beauty Takes State Title". The Hollywood Citizen-News. 22 June 1963. p. 2. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  66. ↑ "Granddaughter of Redlander Miss California". Redlands Daily Facts. 23 June 1962. p. 1. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  67. ↑ "Miss Louisiana Wins Miss USA Title". Martinez News-Gazette. 14 July 1961. p. 7. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  68. 1 2 "FAIREST OF THE FAIR". The Sacramento Bee. 20 June 1960. p. 12. Retrieved 17 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  69. ↑ Ryon, Art (28 June 1959). "Mt. Shasta Girl Wins Miss California Title: Terry Lynn Huntingdon, 19, to Represent State in Miss Universe Contest in July". The Los Angeles Times. p. 2. Retrieved 16 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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  75. ↑ "DONNA SCHURR WINS FOURTH: Miss Vermont Captures Title of Miss United States, Competes Tonight for Coveted Miss Universe Crown". Anaheim Bulletin. 21 July 1955. p. 1. Retrieved 16 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  76. ↑ "Torrance Girl, 18, Crowned as 1954 'Miss California'". The Daily Breeze. 30 June 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 16 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  77. ↑ "Inglewood Girl Wins Beauty Title". Redwood City Tribune. 4 July 1953. p. 2. Retrieved 16 August 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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