• An earthquake estimated at 6.8–7.0 on the Richter scale hits the Bay Area, with an epicenter in the East Bay. It causes significant damage throughout the region, and comes to be known as the "Great San Francisco Earthquake". (damage in the Haywards area pictured, right)
• The Convent of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (pictured, right) in Oakland is established by members of the Sisters of the Holy Names from Canada
• The University of California (logo pictured, left) is established in Berkeley, along with the first campus in the system, the University of California, Berkeley
• Santa Rosa in Sonoma County is incorporated
• Vallejo in Solano County is incorporated
• Bret Harte begins publishing the Overland Monthly in San Francisco
• The Guittard Chocolate Company is founded in San Francisco