Southern California

Southern California, abbreviated as SoCal, is a Smash region located in the United States. "SoCal" is generally defined to include the southern half of the state of California, centered on the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas. It deliberately excludes Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, as the state's large size has resulted in the development of largely separate Smash scenes in its two halves.

Since the inception of competitive Melee, Southern California has been home to one of the largest and most active Smash scenes. This can be attributed to the huge population of the Los Angeles area, as well as its prominent air hub and heavy usage of the automobile facilitating transportation to tournaments. SoCal has long been considered the strongest Melee in the world, home to both, one of the strongest and most iconic players of the pre-Brawl era, and , one of the Five Gods. The region is also known as one of the strongest Smash 4 regions, and was considered the second-strongest Brawl region in the United States (after the Tristate Area) during the game's competitive lifetime. Fueled by its large population, SoCal is home to some of the U.S.'s largest tournament activity, hosting both frequent locals and large nationals. It is one of the two strongest regions for Project M as well (the other being the Tristate Area), having numerous national threats.

Globally ranked players
These SoCal players are ranked on SSB64 League's 2018 64 League Rankings. These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
 * 61st on the 2016 64 League Rankings.
 * 33rd on the 2016 64 League Rankings.
 * 44th on the 2016 64 League Rankings.
 * 53rd on the 2016 64 League Rankings.
 * Tournament organizer for the series. 46th on the 2016 64 League Rankings.

Globally ranked players
These SoCal players were ranked on the SSBMRank 2022. These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
 * 20th on the 2018 MPGR.
 * 46th on the 2016 SSBMRank.
 * Known as a top in the pre-Brawl era, ranking 10th on the RetroSSBMRank 2005.
 * One of the best Ice Climbers players of all time. Ranked 8th on the RetroSSBMRank 2011.
 * One of the best Samus players of all time. 8th on the RetroSSBMRank 2008.
 * Considered the best player in the world from 2003-2006, earning him the nickname "The King of Smash".
 * 25th on the 2017 SSBMRank.
 * 2nd on the RetroSSBMRank 2001-2003
 * 54th on the 2018 MPGR.
 * 8th on the 2015 SSBMRank and 2016 SSBMRank.
 * 88th on the 2019 MPGR.

Globally ranked players
The following players were ranked on CLASH Tournaments' 2014 SSBBRank. These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
 * Known as one of the best players in United States when he was active in Brawl's early days. 2nd on the RetroSSBBRank 2008.
 * The best Wario player in the world in Brawl's early days. RetroSSBBRank 2009.

Globally ranked players
These SoCal players are ranked on Panda Global Rankings 100. These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
 * The best Luigi player in the world prior to patch 1.1.1. Ranked 36th on the PGR v1.
 * Ranked 29th on the PGR v1.
 * Ranked 50th on the PGR v1.

Other notable players

 * One of the two best Shulk players in the world.

Globally ranked players
These players are ranked on the UltRank 2022/OrionRank 2022. These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
 * One of the best Wolf players in 2021. 63rd on the OrionRank Ultimate: Eclipse.
 * The best Luigi player in the world. 14th on the OrionRank Ultimate: Eclipse. Currently banned.
 * One of the two best Shulk players in the early metagame. 36th on the Fall 2019 PGRU.
 * One of the two best Sheik players in the world, as well as one of the best Pichu players in the early metagame. 9th on the Spring 2019 PGRU.

Other notable players

 * One of the best Peach players in the United States.
 * One of the best Peach players in the United States.

Globally ranked players
These players were ranked on the PMRank 2022. These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
 * 27th on the PMRank 2016.
 * 42nd on the PMRank 2016.
 * The best Zero Suit Samus player in the world. 8th on the PMRank 2018.
 * 42nd on the PMRank 2019.
 * The best Lucario player in the world prior to becoming inactive. 15th on the PMRank 2016.
 * Formerly ranked 38th on the PMRank 2016.
 * One of the best Ness players in the world. 38th on the PMRank 2018.
 * The best Ivysaur player in the world prior to becoming inactive. 26th on the PMRank 2016.
 * 35th on the PMRank 2019.
 * 30th on the PMRank 2019.
 * One of the best Captain Falcon players in the world. 25th on the PMRank 2016.

Other notable players

 * The best active Zelda player in the world.
 * One of the best Ganondorf players in the world.
 * The best Kirby player in the world.
 * The best Kirby player in the world.
 * The best Kirby player in the world.