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22 Fun and Interesting Facts About California

22 Fun and Interesting Facts About California


How a lot have you learnt about California? For most individuals, their California data begins and ends with Hollywood in Los Angeles and the sunny seashores of Southern California however there may be a lot extra to California than Disney and film stars. If you’re planning a visit to the Golden State take a look at these enjoyable info about California.

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Route 66 Ends in Santa Monica California

California Fun Facts

People from all walks of life stay on this sunny state, from farmers to tech gurus, and celebrities to entrepreneurs. These are a few of our favourite fascinating info about California to organize on your travels. (or simply impress your folks on trivia night time). Keep studying to be taught extra.

1. What’s in a Name?

Many theories declare that the origin of the identify California is claimed to have come from the Spanish novel “Las Sergas de Esplandián” by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo, which was printed in 1510. The novel tells the story of a legendary island known as California.

When Spanish explorers arrived within the sixteenth century, they’re stated to have been reminded of the fictional island and named the area after it.

However, one other concept states that it’s from the Indigenous phrase “Kali-fon,” which suggests “high hill” or “mountain.” This concept is supported by the truth that many Native Americans within the area, together with the Chumash and Tongva, had phrases much like “Kali-fon” of their languages.

Regardless of its origin, the identify “California” has come to be intently related to the American West and is now synonymous with the state of California.

2. The California Grizzly Bear

facts about california grizzly bear
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There aren’t any grizzly bears in California

If you’re taking. a have a look at the California flag you will notice that it contains a grizzly bear. You could discover that odd since there aren’t any grizzly bears in California. Sadly grizzly bears had been tracked and hunted after the California Gold Rush introduced the next inhabitants to the realm and the final bear was shot in 1922. But the grizzly bear was as soon as thriving in California and has been the official state animal since 1954.

3. California State Flag

california historical facts state flag
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The grizzly bear on California’s flag represents the power of the state however there may be extra to the story. The Bear Flag was created in the course of the Bear Flag Revolt in June 1846, when a bunch of American settlers and adventurers seized management of the Mexican garrison at Sonoma. The rebels then raised a makeshift flag that includes a bear and a star, which turned often known as the Bear Flag, and declared the institution of the California Republic.

California Republic lasted for under 25 days earlier than it was introduced beneath American management when US troops took over Sacramento and Sonoma. The Bear Flag itself turned a logo of California and the American West, and it’s nonetheless featured on the state flag of California at present.

4. probably the most populous state within the United States

california facts california population
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So it’s apparent from a look that California is huge, however how huge is it actually, population-wise? California is house to nearly 40 million folks. If that quantity sounds mind-boggling, it ought to. That’s the biggest inhabitants of any state, and it’s about 10 million greater than the subsequent second largest (Texas). It’s about one-eighth of the whole US inhabitants. 

California has extra folks than most international locations. Most of the state’s inhabitants is in Los Angeles County which alone has 9.9 million folks. Other populous areas embody Central Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. California has extra folks than our personal nation of Canada which solely has 37.59 Million folks. Wow!

5. An Abundance of National Parks

california facts Death Valley National Park
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Many folks consider California as a bustling state that’s comprised solely of dense cities and seashores. While it’s true that among the extra well-liked and well-known cities, like San Francisco and Los Angeles, are on that dense and sunny coast, there’s additionally a ton of wildlife. 

California has probably the most nationwide parks out of any state. They have 9! This signifies that you’ll don’t have any scarcity of mountain climbing and tenting spots and you’ll be able to see every kind of cool animals and crops. California has an abundance of distinctive pure options. It’s the right state for anybody who likes to placed on their mountain climbing boots and get out onto the paths. 

6. Find Your Fortune

fun california facts fortune cookie
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What’s your favourite a part of your Chinese take-out meal? If it’s the famed fortune cookie, you’re not alone. Even these of us who don’t love the style of fortune cookies love snapping them open to be taught our fates (and fortunate numbers). Who doesn’t love an interactive meal? 

Did you understand that these cookies didn’t come to us from China? They had been truly created in California. There’s some dispute as to the precise origin of those cookies. Some folks declare that they had been created by Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles. Others say that they had been created to revitalize Chinatown in San Francisco. Others nonetheless declare that the primary particular person to serve fortune cookies was a Japanese immigrant! 

Regardless of which of those theories is true, the fortune cookie involves us from sunny California. Next time you crack open your fortune, consider the Golden State! 

7. It’s Earthquake Territory 

interesting california facts earthquakes
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It’s no secret that California has its justifiable share of earthquakes. People have been speaking about “The Big One” for ages, warning coastal Californians that they might be at risk of an enormous shake. When will it occur? Who is aware of. Will it occur in any respect? Who is aware of!

What we do know is that California has over 500 fault traces. Fault traces are what set off earthquakes. Most earthquakes are small, however the final massive one occurred in 2019 (in order that they’re not rare). 

Californians are comfy with earthquakes, so tiny shakes gained’t even cross their radar. If you make the transfer, although, just remember to’re prepared for the subsequent huge quake! 

8. The Biggest Trees

california fun facts general sherman tree
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So they’ve the largest quakes, however did you additionally know that they’ve the largest timber? Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are house to the biggest timber on this planet. It is in Kings Canyon National Park that you just’ll discover the biggest grove of Sequoia timber however Sequoia National Park has the largest singular tree. The world’s largest tree is called (sure, named) after civil basic William Tecumseh Sherman aka General Sherman.

This large sequoia tree is 52,000 cubic toes by quantity and it’s over 100 ft in circumference at its base. The General Sherman Tree is taken into account the biggest by quantity because the world’s largest residing tree. It’s exhausting to think about what this implies, however you want to see it for your self. Go take a look at the forest and get able to really feel small. 

beautiful national parks in photos sequoia national park
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California can also be house to the world’s tallest tree. The Hyperion stands at a whopping 379.7 toes tall however sadly, you’ll be able to not get close to it. After years of over-tourism (because of social media) inflicting injury to the realm, the federal government has closed off entry to the tree, and anybody that breaks the regulation to attempt to get near it could possibly face jail time or a $5000 high quality. You may see Sequoias in Mariposa Grove of Yosemite National Park.

Speaking of timber, it might make sense that the sequoias are the official tree, however it’s the California redwood tree.

9. Silicon Valley

california facts silicon valley in san jose
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California has one of many largest economies on this planet and a whole lot of that wealth could be present in Silicon Valley. The San Francisco Bay Area is house to Silicon Valley, which is named the worldwide hub for expertise and innovation. However, San Francisco and Oakland aren’t formally part of Silicon Valley. The cities that make up this tech nook of the world are San Jose, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, Mountainview, and Redwood City.

10. Feeling Inventive? 

california fun facts barbie inventions
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California is the birthplace of the invention. By this, we imply that there are such a lot of issues that originated in California. The web itself was born in California in 1969. California is the house of skateboards, Barbie dolls, arcade video games, and McDonald’s. The oldest working McDonald’s restaurant on this planet is situated in Downey, California. It was opened in 1953 and is now a museum. You see and use issues every single day that was invented in California. 

11. More Than Fun In the Sun 

facts about California beaches
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When you consider California’s nature scene you consider the rugged panorama of the west coast and world-class seashores. The coastal panorama conjures visions of individuals curler skating down the Venice Beach boardwalk, surfers catching an ocean wave and households lounging on the seaside. But is California all about summer time enjoyable? Not in any respect. 

California is an extremely various state. Sure, you’ll be able to surf and swim in California, however you may also hike via dense forests, climb tall mountains, and even ski or snowboard. This alone makes it an amazing place for a highway journey.

California is sort of like a complete world in a single state. There are balmy seashores and frozen glaciers and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You could be within the desert or in a lush forest or by the lake. Regardless of your supreme local weather, California can sustain with what you’re searching for.  And right here’s slightly enjoyable reality, The Palisade Glacier within the Sierra Nevada Mountains is the southernmost glacier within the United States.

12. A Moving Landmark

facts about california cable cars
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Do you understand these traditional cable automobiles in San Francisco? You’ve seen them in motion pictures and commercials, and even on that household favourite sitcom, Full House. These cable automobiles make up the primary “moving landmark” within the United States. They’re a transparent illustration of town and have been formally designated a shifting nationwide historic landmark. Plus they’re the one old-school cable automobiles that also operate at present. Plus, its cable automobile system is the final operated by hand cable automobile system on this planet.

13. The Golden Gate Bridge Isn’t Actually Golden

california facts golden gate bridge
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The Golden Gate Bridge is without doubt one of the most recognizable symbols of the Golden State spanning San Francisco Bay, however it’s not truly gold. It was painted “International Orange” to assist it stand out within the fog.

14. San Francisco has a Crooked Street

things to do in san francisco lombard street
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San Francisco truly has loads happening on the subject of cool info about California. For instance, do you know that it’s house to the crookedest avenue on this planet, Lombard Street? The avenue options eight hairpin turns and is a well-liked vacationer attraction.

15. San Bernardino County is Huge

The largest county in California simply so occurs to be the biggest county within the nation. San Bernardino County is greater than 20,000 sq. miles making it bigger than the complete nation of Switzerland. After digging deeper I discovered that San Bernardino County is definitely the biggest county on this planet. (The authorities web site stated so)

16. Ups and Downs

Highest Point in California Mount Whitney
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We already talked about California’s local weather range, however do you know that it’s additionally house to each the very best and lowest factors within the mainland United States? This is without doubt one of the most shocking info about California!

Located within the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain within the contiguous United States and clearly, it’s California’s highest level. It’s a whopping 14,505 toes tall! Part of it’s in Sequoia National Park, so you’ll be able to see the largest tree and the largest mountain multi function large hike when you’re up for it. Read all about it right here: 12 Things to Know Before Hiking Mount Whitney

17. Death Valley

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The lowest level within the contiguous United States is in Death Valley (which is lower than 100 miles away from Mt. Whitney). Badwater Basin, the bottom level of Death Valley, is 282 toes under sea stage. This additionally makes Death Valley the bottom nationwide park on this planet.

18. Avocado Capital of the World

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Those scrumptious avocados that we get pleasure from a lot on avocado toast most probably come from California. 90% of the nation’s avocados are produced in San Diego County. Southern California presents excellent local weather for rising avocados and they’re in season year-round. If you occur to be within the San Diego space in April, take a look at the annual avocado competition that’s held in Fallbrook. More than 70,000 avocado consultants and followers attend and showcase their culinary experience.

19. California Wine

While we’re speaking about issues that California produces. It will come as n shock to be taught that California produces 90% of wine within the United States. The wine was launched to California within the 18th century by Spanish Missionaries, however because the Gold Rush blossomed, many European settlers made their technique to the Golden State together with their love for wine. Today it has many wine areas producing world-class wines with areas like Napa and Sonoma county being probably the most well-known.

20. Hollywood Sign Wasn’t Made for Movies

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The Hollywood Sign was initially created to promote a housing growth in 1923. It was to be an upscale growth known as Hollywoodland and the signal used to have the phrase land on it. In 1949 Los Angeles Parks took over possession of the signal and eliminated the phrase land. It has since turn out to be an iconic image of the leisure business.

21. Los Angeles

Where to Stay in LA for Nightlife Downtown
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No article about California can be full with no part about Los Angeles, the middle of Hollywood. Even although many motion pictures are filmed on location as of late, extra motion pictures have been filmed in California than anyplace else. The again a lot of Los Angeles studios and the varied panorama of California have doubled for places all over the world. Plus, California nonetheless holds on to the highest spot of theatrically launched tasks within the twenty first century.

It has a thriving music scene too. In reality, the Hollywood Bowl is taken into account one of many high 10 venues within the US and it’s the largest outside Amphitheater within the nation.

22. California has an Official Ghost Town

Here’s a unusual reality, California has an offical Ghost Town. Bodie California was a thriving city in the course of the Gold Rush within the 1800s however shortly declined after the top of the Gold Rush. In 1962 it was designated a nationwide historic landmark the official state ghost city.

Fast Facts About California

Capital City – The state capital of California is Sacramento. The State Tree is the California Redwood Tree State Flower is the California Poppy The Official Motto of California is Eureka. (I like that!) California formally turned a state in 1850 California is situated on the Southwest coast of the United States and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the states of Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona with Mexico on its southern border. You’ll discover the smallest desert in North America right here, the Mojave Desert. It can also be house to the attractive Joshua Trees.

Do You Love These Facts About California? 

where to camp in california joshua tree
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These are a few of our favourite enjoyable and fascinating info about California. The state is so huge and various that you just’ll by no means run out of latest issues to be taught or discover! The Golden State has mountains, lakes, seashores, and deserts. It has Hollywood glamor and an abundance of pet canines. So what’s it lacking? You!

Do you need to see that distinction for your self? Go take a look at the Golden State! Read about Mount Whitney by Jenna of UpAndAwayMag (above photograph)



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