Sorry for getting back so late, as I have just returned from vacation. Here are the responses I received from the nice folks who helped me out...and a special thanks to Margaret Gooding who went out of her way to help me out. THANKS MARGARET! Original question: Can anyone tell me where I can find free data for Southern California? I have road data, and also have downloaded various census data (boundary lines) but that just doesn't cut it for viewing at this close a scale. I need to see more data in the view. My need is for developing a school project that will show different data layers at a 1"=300' scale. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Alexander Gray suggested www.geocomm.com and Tim Maguire & Humberto Perotto suggested www.geographynetwork.com Also Kevin Smith provided some very useful information: 1"=300' scale is going to be pretty tough to find. Two sources that should be able to provide you with at least 1:24000 will be the USGS and CDMG websites. The USGS will have DRGs and DLGs at 1:24000 for free. The DLGs are great but a little tricky to download and get into ArcView (their website has a detailed description of how to do it and free utilities you can download). I'm sorry but I don't have their direct links to their webpages handy. Other sources would be local county offices (development and planning types - should have zoning, land use, etc.). Other possible locations are universities (search the larger ones) for data. I think I remember seeing some stuff available from USC (try their earthquake center/seismology department and geography). From Mike Mayhak: Free data at 1"=300' may be tough, but try this site, which has dozens of links for California data (Scroll down past the Northern Calif. section to get other California links): http://www.pacificsites.com/~cbrooks/gis1.shtml Also, though again probably not to the scale you want, the GIS Data Depot at the GeoCommunity site (www.gisdatadepot.com or www.geocomm.com) is always a good place to start looking for free downloads. From Jeff Hamilton: You might try the Southern California Association of Governments. They've produced some data. You might try the local jurisdiction of your project. They might have data for free if it is for a non-profit use. That said, you may have to create the data or pay for it. GIS data has a high value. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Thanks to all, your input is much appreciated! John Tobin GIS player