1996 California Golden Bears football team

The 1996 California Golden Bears football team was an American football team that represented the University of California, Berkeley in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their only year under head coach Steve Mariucci, the Golden Bears compiled a 6–6 record (3–5 in Pac-10, fifth), and were outscored by their opponents 407 to 382.

The team's statistical leaders included Pat Barnes with 3,499 passing yards, Brandon Willis with 701 rushing yards, and Bobby Shaw with 888 receiving yards.