If you live in an area with warm winters, the deep red and purple Gallicas won't do for you, though I understand some of the old Gallica hybrids will grow and bloom in those conditions. I don't know if there are any good candidates among the Hybrid Perpetuals and Bourbons. But there are fine reds among the Chinas, which are officially Old Garden Roses. 'Sanguinea', 'Cramoisi Supérieur', 'Louis Philippe', come to mind. It will be helpful if you describe your climate. California is very variable and a rose that will thrive in one part of the state can be diseased and miserable in a different zone.
Melissa

Cramoisi Superieur, Louis Philippe, Arethusa (apricot), Martha Gonzalez, Maggie (deep pink), Perle d' Or, Reve d' Or, Crepuscule, many more. Why don't you check out the catalogues or sites of Antique Rose Emporium or Chamblees? Possibly other nurseries too since you are in California.

Sammy

Chinas and Teas will both work for you. Since Vintage Gardens, the largest supplier if OGR, is in N. CA, go to their website and take a look: www.vintagegardens.com

Slater's Crimson China is one of the first good red roses. It's been in Chinese gardens for probably over 1,000 years, but the Europeans didn't learn of it until the 1700's. It was probably the first true red roses they'd ever seen (since the old "red" roses of Europe nearly always have some, or a lot of, purple in them).

It's a semi-tropical rose, so it grows best in a climate with summer heat. If I tried to grow it I'm pretty sure it would only sulk, until a severe winter came along and killed it.

If you live in a climate where Hybrid Perpetuals will do well Général Jacqueminot is the ancestor from which all modern red roses derive their crimson red flowers.

From what I gather from reading here there are also lots of tea roses that are peach, apricot, or yellow.

You are in Southern California, yes? (Not South Carolina or Southern Canada?)

Even so, the Sunset zones were developed to help us distinguish the various plant zones within the Western states. California, in particular, varies wildly within just a few miles.

Where I am located, near the SoCal coast, Hybrid Perpetuals are "iffy" at best -- and the red-to-dark-red HPs are very, very difficult, suffering often and early from powdery mildew and rust. Bourbons aren't the best either.
But I can grow Teas and Chinas, and among their ranks you will find some wonderful choices.
The red Chinas: Louis Phillipe, Cramoisi Superieur, White Pearl In Red Dragon's Mouth, Sanguinea, "Emmie Gray" -- these are among the best in my garden.
Southern Californians almost universally should grow Gloire des Rosomanes (Ragged Robin) a trouble-free, generous, fragrant rose with a handsome habit.

And among the Teas, as York says, you'll find all the colors of a Southern California sunset.

If you are, instead, living in some of SoCal's inland valleys, where the air is drier and hotter, and fungal disease is less common, you can find a whole range of colors among the Hybrid Perpetuals, and even some of the Bourbons.

Jeri

I live on the coast near San Francisco with little winter chill but am happily growing Rosa gallica Officinalis with big beautiful red blooms.

Once blooming but too beautiful and historical to ignore if you can grow it.

Diane

Diane, you can in NoCal near the coast.
In SoCal, along the coast, you are in the bannana belt.
Literally.
You can grow fruiting bananas, but not blooming Gallicas.

Jeri

Diane, how do Alba roses do for you?

My climate is hot in the summer, reaching 115 degrees. Its not humid at all. Winters are mild. We do not get alot of rain. I think my zone is 9. Do any of the reds mentioned stand tall or do most of them nod? I am excited to look them up and see what they look like. Thanks again!

I grow Marie Nabonnand, but I bought it as Noella Nabonnand. There is some confusion about what is in commerce now. They are very similar roses but mine has the Damask fragrance. It's a climber - and a slow one. The red color is hard to capture. It always comes out pink, but my flowers are actually red. It's very pretty.

General Gallieni - Tea - has some yellow mixed in. Mine is still quite young & hasn't bloomed much.

General Schablikine - Tea - can have a lot of red on the outer petals for a red/pink mix or give a brick red appearance.

Enchantress - Tea - Magenta & silver, not red but not a pastel tea

Souv de Francois Gaulain - Tea - same as Enchantress

Meteor - Noisette - I don't grow it but have admired it.

Sherry

You can grow Hybrid Perpetuals where you live. Here they get a lot of blackspot. My favorite deep red ones are Souvenir du Dr. Jamain and Mme Victor Verdier. Reine des Violettes is a lovely violet one if you can grow it.

Yes, in your situation, I would look at the Hybrid Perpetuals, and I would DEFINITELY talk to Cliff Orent, at Euro-Desert.
Cliff will understand your conditions, and can advise you -- he is located in Morongo Valley, and has gardened in Palm Springs.

I am confident that you can grow Polyanthas, and if your water use is not restricted, you can probably do well with Hybrid Musks.

I suspect you must also get some winter chill, so you may be able to grow some of the old once-bloomers.

Chinas may not stand up to your heat, and SOME of the Teas won't like it. But they will go dormant in the summer, and bloom for you in spring and Fall, and probably well into winter.

Tea Noisettes might be worth a fling, too.

Jeri