Contains photographs and postcards depicting views of specific locations, structures, people, events, and general subjects relating to many cities and towns, and every county in California except San Francisco which is collected separately. Each listing represents a file containing from one to more than fifty images. Some files may include a small number of non-photographic reproductions and prints.

Includes general views of cities and towns (Sacramento, Sonora, Los Angeles, etc.) and historic communities located therein (Chinese fishing village in Monterey, etc.). General files under counties contain scenes of unincorporated areas or places that are identified only by the county. Includes images of types of establishments (Stanford University libraries, etc.), specific buildings and structures (Hearst Mining Building, University of California, Berkeley or Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, etc.), as well as photographs of well known events such as fires or earthquakes (Santa Rosa or San Jose, 1906, etc.) and local celebrations, fairs and parades, etc. (Vallejo's 1893 Veteran Volunteer Fire Department Parade, etc.). Images included here complement those found under topics listed in the General Subjects Photography Collection.