City Update 13 Maps California’s Cities in Ms Flight Simulator

Table of Content

Microsoft has released City Update 13: California for Microsoft Flight Simulator, focusing on high-fidelity urban scenery across the state. The package enhances 18 areas of interest with TIN (triangulated irregular network) surface texturing to sharpen skylines, landmarks, and terrain. The coverage stretches from the capital in the north down to the southern border, aiming to improve visual clarity for VFR flights and urban approaches. The update is free for all existing owners and is tied to specific simulator builds as of January 28, 2026.

What's in the Update

City Update 13 concentrates on California’s most recognizable metro areas. Microsoft and its partners applied TIN data to enrich building forms, bridges, waterfronts, and topography, delivering more accurate silhouettes and landmark prominence when flying low and slow or passing over dense corridors. The studio lists 18 AOIs included in this drop.

Coverage by Region

Sacramento

• Sacramento – Central Valley hub featuring the State Capitol area, Tower Bridge, and distinctive riverside architecture.

San Francisco Bay Area

• San Rafael – North Bay city between Mount Tamalpais and the bay, noted for its historic architecture.
• Novato – North Bay community near Sonoma and Napa, with a strong research and biopharma presence.
• Oakland – East Bay center including Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, and the Bay Bridge corridor.
• San Francisco – Landmark-heavy skyline with the Transamerica Pyramid, Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and Alcatraz.
• Fremont – Southeast Bay city anchored by Old Mission San Jose (founded in 1797).
• San Jose – The South Bay’s most populous city, featuring City Hall, The 88, and the Bank of Italy Building.

San Joaquin Valley

• Modesto – Known from American Graffiti and as a gateway toward Yosemite; includes the Modesto Arch and McHenry Mansion.
• Fresno – Agricultural center with the Old Fresno Water Tower and Kearney Mansion.
• Visalia – Gateway to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; includes the Palace Hotel and Fox Theater.

Central Coast

• Santa Maria – Coastal city recognized for cool-climate vineyards and the Santa Maria Museum of Flight.
• Santa Barbara – “American Riviera” setting with Old Mission Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf, and the harbor district.

Greater Los Angeles

• Santa Clarita – Northern L.A. County locale with Vasquez Rocks, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Melody Ranch studio sites.
• Glendale – Adjacent to Downtown L.A., featuring the Museum of Neon Art, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, and the Alex Theater.
• Los Angeles – Major skyline highlights include Griffith Observatory, Walt Disney Concert Hall, U.S. Bank Tower, and Wilshire Grand Center.
• Inglewood – Home to Kia Forum, SoFi Stadium, and Intuit Dome, near LAX.
• Long Beach – Port city with the RMS Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, and Shoreline Gateway Tower.
• Anaheim – Region featuring Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.
• Irvine – Orange County tech and business hub, including Irvine Spectrum Center and Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

San Diego

• San Diego – Southern anchor with the USS Midway Museum, One America Plaza, and the Coronado Bridge.

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Requirements and Availability

The update is free for existing Microsoft Flight Simulator owners. Ensure the simulator is on the latest build, then download City Update 13 from the in-sim content management interface.

Required Versions

As of January 28, 2026, the following simulator versions are listed as current for the update:

Official Trailer

Microsoft published an overview trailer alongside the release. Watch it here:

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Why It Matters for Simmers

Sharper urban detail across 18 California locations means improved VFR landmarks, more convincing coastal and valley approaches, and better skyline readability for navigation. If you frequent West Coast routes, this update adds immediate visual value without changing your flight plans – install the patch, load into a favorite airport, and evaluate the upgraded cityscapes on your next hop.