Danthonia californica is distributed disjunctively in both American continents. In North America it is found in Mexico and along the west coasts states north to British Columbia, thence eastward to Saskatchewan, Colorado and New Mexico. In South America the species is found in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Uruguay. The plant requires moist soils, and thus is found in coastal prairies, outer coastal mountain ranges and other habitats supporting such soil moisture.
With a common name of California oatgrass, this densely tufted species can reach a height of 80 centimeters. It is a palatable grass supporting wild ungulates as well as livestock diets.
On coastal prairies common native grass associates are
Nasella pulchra and
Elymus glaucus.
