Best Credit Cards in California
Top 10 cards ranked for CA spending patterns · Updated April 2026
High dining and travel spending, premium gas prices, and a vibrant food scene make California ideal for multi-category rewards cards.
Dining
+25%
vs national avg
Groceries
+10%
vs national avg
Travel
+30%
vs national avg
Gas
+30%
vs national avg
Top 10 Cards for California Residents
Chase · $99/yr · 26x IHG hotels, 5x travel/dining/gas, 3x everything else
+$1557
net/year
American Express · $150/yr · 12x Hilton, 6x restaurants/supermarkets/gas, 3x everything else
+$1410
net/year
American Express · $0/yr · 7x Hilton, 5x restaurants/supermarkets/gas, 3x everything else
+$1371
net/year
Chase · $95/yr · 5x travel via Chase, 3x dining, 2x other travel, 1x everything else
+$996
net/year
Chase · $95/yr · 6x Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x groceries/gas/dining, 2x everything else
+$969
net/year
Chase · $550/yr · 10x hotels via Chase, 5x flights via Chase, 3x dining, 1x everything else
+$676
net/year
Chase · $0/yr · 5% travel via Chase, 3% dining & drugstores, 1.5% everything else
+$668
net/year
American Express · $250/yr · 4x restaurants & groceries, 3x flights, 1x everything else
+$647
net/year
American Express · $95/yr · 6% groceries & streaming, 3% transit & gas, 1% everything else
+$603
net/year
Citi · $95/yr · 3x flights, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets & gas, 1x everything else
+$589
net/year