| | Thousands of homes are threatened across the region |
Fierce winds are fanning at least 16 fires that have razed land from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border.
The blazes have left one person dead and destroyed at least 1,300 homes and businesses, say officials.
President George W Bush will visit the state on Thursday, after declaring a state of emergency in seven counties.
A White House spokeswoman said Mr Bush, whose administration was accused of a sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast two years ago, wanted to "witness first-hand" the crisis.
Up to 300,000 acres (120,000 hectares) of land have been scorched - an area bigger than New York City.
Heat and wind
On Tuesday, 6,000 firefighters were struggling to contain the flames, which are being fuelled by hot 70mph (113km/h) winds.
Officials have warned the heat and wind levels are not likely to abate for 24 hours.
About 513,000 people in San Diego County have received a mandatory evacuation order, officials said.
A man died in the San Diego area at the weekend after ignoring warnings to evacuate, officials say.
| | It was like Armageddon - it looked like the end of the world Mitch Mendler San Diego firefighter |
Thousands of residents sought shelter at fairgrounds, schools and community centres.
The largest gathering - of up to 10,000 evacuees - was at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders told people to "stay at home, stay off the freeways" so fire crews and evacuees could keep moving.
Red Cross workers and 1,500 National Guardsmen have been brought in to help firefighters.
The coastal area is home to many celebrities, including actor Mel Gibson, rock star Sting and singer Barbra Streisand.
After visiting charred homes in Malibu, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said it was a "tragic time" for California.
"I think that the most we need now is the weather to change, because we have those really strong winds that throw the flames and send the flames to other areas and then it starts another fire and another fire," he told reporters.
Landmark lost
The ground is tinder-dry after a record summer heat wave.
In San Diego county, ambulances and school buses were used to move hundreds of people from hospitals, nursing homes and prisons threatened by advancing flames.
San Diego Fire Captain Lisa Blake said local firefighters lacked the resources to save all the homes at risk.
One San Diego firefighter, Mitch Mendler, said: "It was like Armageddon. It looked like the end of the world."
The fire in Malibu is thought to have been caused by a power cable that ignited after being blown over in heavy wind.
Among the buildings destroyed in the town of 13,000 residents were the famous Castle Kashan home and a Presbyterian church.
The emergency evoked memories of the blazes that tore through Southern California four years ago, killing 22 people and destroying more than 3,600 homes.
1. Harris fire: 22,000 acres consumed, 5% contained.
2. Rice fire: 1,500 acres burned in San Diego county, 50 houses destroyed
3. Witch fire: 145,000 acres in San Diego County. Some 500 houses and 100 businesses destroyed. 36,000 residents in Ramona evacuated
4. Buckweed fire: 35,000 acres. Mandatory evacuation order of 15,000 local residents in place.
5. Magic fire: 1,200 acres burned, moving towards Ventura but not currently threatening any structures.
6. Ranch fire: 41,000 acres burned, 10% contained. Local evacuation orders in place.
7. Canyon fire: 3,800 acres consumed. 600 houses threatened, some 1,700 firefighters deployed.
8. Slide fire: 1,500 acres burned, 20 houses destroyed and 400 threatened.
9. Santiago fire: 15,200 acres burned, 30% contained. Some 3,000 houses threatened in local area.
Sources: Cal Fire, US National Interagency Fire Center
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