If you’re wondering where the most dangerous cities in Southern California are located — especially after dark — you’ll want to take a look at this list of cities where crime appears to thrive when the sun goes down. This list of the worst cities in Southern California was compiled by gddlaw.com based on three factors: crime rate, police presence, and community risk factors such as poverty and unemployment. (Editor’s note: Although the report from gddlaw.com was posted in 2016, not much has changed since.) You might be surprised to see a few unexpected cities on this list. We know we were! What areas do you think are among the worst places to live in Southern California?

11. Oceanside
Oceanside, CA, USA
flickr/tommy.chang
Located in San Diego County, this oceanside town isn't just one of the most dangerous cities in Southern California. It is ranked as the 31st most dangerous city in the entire state and the 11th most dangerous in Southern California. You'll definitely want to be aware of your surroundings after dark.
10. El Cajon
El Cajon, CA, USA
yelp/jeremy g.
Also located in San Diego County, El Cajon receives low marks for its community risk factors that lead to crime. Poverty and homelessness are just a sample of the issues that make El Cajon a prime area for crime-related activities.
9. Anaheim
Anaheim, CA, USA
wikimedia
Anaheim may be home to Disneyland, which is considered the happiest place on earth and part of what makes living in Southern California so great. But there is a darker side to Anaheim, where high crime stats make this place unsafe at night in certain parts of the city.
8. Rialto
Rialto, CA, USA
flickr/jeffery scism
Located in San Bernardino County, the small town of Rialto comes in at number eight due to its high community risk factors that lead to crime, including poverty, homelessness, and unemployment.
7. Santa Ana
Santa Ana, CA, USA
flickr/chris jepsen
Santa Ana shows up on this list due to ranking quite high in community risk factors including poverty and unemployment. These factors lead to a much greater risk for crime in the city, making it one of the worst places to live in Southern California.

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6. Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA, USA
flickr/thomas hawk
For such a big city, it might surprise you that Los Angeles isn't higher up on this list. Thankfully, Los Angeles has made quite an investment in its police force, which has helped keep crime at a lower rate than you might expect. Unfortunately, its danger factor still puts this city in the top 10.
5. Long Beach
Long Beach, CA, USA
flickr/drewbroni
You may be surprised to see Long Beach on the list, but violence and property crimes have spiked in recent years. According to Press-Telegram, violent crimes had increased by 20% in Long Beach in 2015.
4. Riverside
Riverside, CA, USA
flickr/ken lund
Sorry, Riverside. We know you've cleaned up your act in many areas of the city, but you still come in at number four on this list due to higher crime rates in comparison to other cities in Southern California.
3. Inglewood
Inglewood, CA, USA
wikimedia commons
Placing in the top three of the most dangerous places in Southern California is Inglewood. Although this city has increased its police protection over time, high crime rates in Inglewood are what put this city on the list.
2. Pomona
Pomona, CA, USA
flickr/the marmot
With homicide up by 70% from previous years in Pomona, it's no wonder this city shows up at number two on the list of most dangerous cities in Southern California.
1. San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA, USA
flickr/raymond shobe
Coming in at number one is San Bernardino. Contributing factors include having one of the highest crime rates in Southern California combined with the city's low investment in police protection.

We bet there were a few spots you didn’t expect to show up on this list of the most dangerous cities in Southern California. And were you also shocked by some locations that were absent? How would you answer if asked, “Is Southern California safe?” Tell us!

So, now that we’ve looked at the most dangerous cities in Southern California, let’s switch gears and examine the safest cities in Southern California. And to learn more sobering facts about Southern California, you should take a look at the 10 drunkest cities in Southern California.

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Most Dangerous Places In Southern California

Melissa M. | May 28, 2021

What are the safest cities in Southern California?

According to Safewise, some of the safest cities in Southern California are Rancho Santa Margarita, Moorpark, Rancho Palos Verdes, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo. These are all in the top 10 of the safest cities in California list with violent crime rates under 1 out of 1,000 people and low property crime rates.  

What is it like living in Southern California?

Life in Southern California can be quite pleasant. Between the near-perfect year-round weather, world-renowned restaurants, beach, mountains, deserts, recreation, amusement parks, big cities and charming small towns, and so much more, it’s no wonder why the region is one of the most desired places to live in the country. However, it can be quite expensive to live here. The cost of living is incredibly high especially when it comes to housing, gas prices, and other factors. But sometimes the good outweighs the negative aspects. Read how living In Southern California  ruins you for life. 

What are some scary places in Southern California?

Scary places come in all forms. If you like to explore haunted or abandoned locales, Southern California has plenty of those! The small city of Ojai is home to a few scary places. At the Nordhoff Cemetery, some have seen the ghostly apparition of a dog, the Ojai Valley Inn has a resident ghost, and an apparition has been seen along Creek Road. Ojai is just one of many places in the region with paranormal activity. Check out our guide to haunted Southern California for more. 

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