[Verse 1]
She lived at the end of a little dirt road
In a house where secrets go untold
Barefoot in a cotton dress
Dark hair in a tangled mess
And a head full of crazy dreams
She said

[Chorus]
I'm going to California
A place where the sun always shines
I'm going to California
And I'm leaving everything behind

[Verse 2]
You can't help but feel a little bit touched
When your daddy loves you a little too much
You can wish on four leaf clovers
But all the fields have been plowed over
And there's nothing left to do but fly away
She said

[Chorus]
I'm going to California
A place where the sun always shines
I'm going to California
And I'm leaving everything behind
[Bridge]
Stars burn like candles on that two-lane highway
She made her wish, and disappeared on her 18th birthday
And she said

[Chorus]
I'm going to California
A place where the sun always shines
I'm going to California
And I'm leaving everything behind
I'm going to California
And I'm leaving everything behind

[Outro]
Oh California
I'm going to California
Oh California
Leaving it all behind
California