We bring to you 50 fun facts about California in this quick post.
California State is the third-largest state in the United States, surrounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona, and on the south by Mexico.
In 1848, the United States bought the land from Mexico, with about the same boundaries as California today.
California was never formed as a territory but was governed by a federal military authority from 1848 until statehood.
On September 9, 1850, California was admitted to the Union as the 31st state.
California is a land of amazing physical differences, from the rainy northern coast to the arid Colorado Desert in the south, and from the Mediterranean-like middle and southern littoral to the volcanic plateau of the far northeast.
Mount Whitney and Death Valley, the highest and lowest elevations in the 48 contiguous states, are both located in California.
The former is the highest point in the Sierra Nevada, one of North America’s most famous mountain ranges.
50 Fun Facts About California State
1. California’s Mount Whitney measures as the highest peak in the lower 48 states. Its most famous climb is Mount Whitney Trail to the 14,495 feet summit. Wilderness permits are required.
2. In 1925 a giant sequoia located in California’s Kings Canyon National Park was named the nation’s national Christmas tree. The tree is over 300 feet in height.
3. More turkeys are raised in California than in any other state in the United States. – Fun facts about California
4. Pacific Park, on the venerable Santa Monica Pier, re-creates the amusement parks once dotting the ocean areas along the Pacific Coast. Featured are 11 amusement rides including the 1910-vintage hand-carved merry-go-round appearing in the movie “The Sting.”
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5. Alpine County is the eighth smallest of California’s 58 counties. It has no high school, ATMs, dentists, banks, or traffic lights.
6. Fallbrook is known as the Avocado Capital of the World and hosts an annual Avocado Festival. More avocados are grown in the region than in any other county in the nation.
7. In the late 1850s, Kennedy Mine, located in Jackson, served as one of the richest gold mines in the world and the deepest mine in North America.
8. An animal called the riparian brush rabbit calls Caswell Memorial State Park (near Manteca) its home. Endemic only to the state’s park system, the critter lives in approximately 255 acres stretching along the area’s once-vast hardwood forest. – Fun facts about California
9. In Pacific Grove there is a law on the books establishing a $500 fine for molesting butterflies.
10. The largest three-day rodeo in the United States is held on the Tehama County Fairgrounds in Red Bluff.
11. Demonstrations on making toothpaste from orange by-products were popular attractions at the Los Angeles County fair in 1922. The fair is held in Pomona.
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12. Located in Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum is the largest museum of its kind in North America. – Fun facts about California
13. Several celebrities are buried at Hillside Cemetery in Culver City. Included gravesites are those of Al Jolson, George Jessel, Eddie Canter, Jack Benny, and Percy Faith.
14. California Caverns claims the distinction of being the most extensive system of caverns and passageways in the Mother Lode region of the state.
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15. Totaling nearly three million acres, San Bernardino County is the largest county in the country.
16. On Catalina Island in 1926, American author Zane Grey built a pueblo-style home on the hillside overlooking Avalon Bay. He spent much of his later life in Avalon. The home is now a hotel.
17. Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge contains the largest winter population of bald eagles in the continental United States.
18. Author Richard Dana (1851-1882) wrote the novel “Two Years Before the Mast.” He inspired the name for the beach community of Dana Point. – Fun facts about California
19. In Atwater the Castle Air Museum has the largest display of military aircraft in the state.
20. The Country Store in Baker has sold more winning California State Lottery tickets than any outlet in the state.
21. Reputed to be the most corrupt politician in Fresno County history, Vice-leader Joseph Spinney was mayor for only ten minutes.
22. The Hollywood Bowl is the world’s largest outdoor amphitheater.
23. The first person to personally receive a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood was actress Joanne Woodward. She received it in 1960. – Fun facts about California
24. Death Valley is recognized as the hottest, driest place in the United States. It isn’t uncommon for the summer temperatures to reach more than 115 degrees.
25. The first motion picture theater opened in Los Angeles on April 2, 1902.
26. Inyo National Forest is home to the bristlecone pine, the oldest living species. Some of the gnarled trees are thought to be over 4,600 years old.
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27. San Francisco Bay is considered the world’s largest landlocked harbor.
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28. Sequoia National Park contains the largest living tree. Its trunk is 102 feet in circumference.
29. Yorba Linda is home to the Richard Nixon Library. – Fun facts about California
30. The Coachella Valley is nicknamed The Date Capital of the world and The Playground of Presidents.
31. One out of every eight United States residents lives in California.
32. California is the first state to ever reach a trillion-dollar economy in gross state product.
33. California has the largest economy in the states of the union.
34. If California’s economic size were measured by itself to other countries, it would rank the 7th largest economy in the world.
35. Los Angeles is ranked the fourth-largest economy in the United States compared to other states. – Fun facts about California
36. Simi Valley is the home of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
37. It is estimated there are approximately 500,000 detectable seismic tremors in California annually.
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38. During his engagement at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, Otis Redding stayed on a houseboat in Sausalito. While there he wrote his last song and greatest hit: “The Dock of the Bay.”
39. The state motto is Eureka!, a Greek word translated “I have found it!” The motto was adopted in 1849 and alludes to the discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada.
40. California is known variously as The Land of Milk and Honey, The El Dorado State, The Golden State, and The Grape State. – Fun facts about California
41. There are more than 300,000 tons of grapes grown in California annually.
42. California produces more than 17 million gallons of wine each year.
43. The redwood is the official state tree. Some of the giant redwoods in Sequoia National Park are more than 2,000 years old.
44. The California poppy is the official state flower. The California grizzly bear (Ursus californicus) is the official state animal.
45. California holds two of the top ten most populous cities: Los Angeles and San Diego.
46. Fresno proclaims itself the Raisin Capital of the World.
47. The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are within 100 miles of one another. Mount Whitney measures 14,495 feet and Bad Water in Death Valley is 282 feet below sea level. – Fun facts about California
48. Castroville is known as the Artichoke Capital of the World. In 1947 a young woman named Norma Jean was crowned Castroville’s first Artichoke Queen. She went on to become actress Marilyn Monroe.
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Summary of Fun Facts About California
Thanks for checking out this quick collection of California state facts. Isn’t it amazing to know that California holds two of the top ten most populous cities: Los Angeles, and San Diego?
Tell us, which of these facts about California interests you the most? Let’s have your comments in the box provided below.
Even More Topics:
- 50 Interesting facts about Alaska
- 50 Interesting Connecticut facts you should know
One of the most interesting and fun California facts still has a lot of relevance today. According to Britannica, California was (once upon a time) actually its own, independent country. While it only lasted for a month, on June 14, 1846, settlers in Sonoma revolted against Mexican authorities who arrogated the region.
What is something unique in California? ›
- USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California.
- Avalon Canyon in Catalina Island, California.
- Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, California.
- Pebble Beach in Monterey, California.
- Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara, California.
- La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California.
- Muir Woods in San Francisco, California.
What’s a fun fact for the day? ›
- It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow. …
- A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
- A shrimp’s heart is in its head.
- It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
What are 3 historical facts about California? ›
1781 – The city of Los Angeles is established. 1821 – California becomes part of the country of Mexico. 1840s – Settlers begin to arrive from the east on the Oregon Trail and the California Trail. 1846 – California declares its independence from Mexico.
After the finding of extensive gold deposits in California, the California gold rush started in 1848. Commerce and economic activity in California initially centered around the vastly expanded cities of San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento as they scrambled to supply the hordes of gold miners.
What was invented in California? › Some People Don’t Know These 10 Things Came From Southern California
- Hula Hoop. niko si/flickr. …
- Egg McMuffin. Adam Kuban/flickr. …
- Barbie. Tinker*Tailor Loves Lalka/flickr. …
- WD-40. Mike Mozart/flickr. …
- California Rolls. Eric dot net/flickr. …
- Cobb Salad. toyohara/flickr. …
- French Dip Sandwich. The Bush Center/flickr. …
- The Shirley Temple.
California produces almost all of the country’s almonds, apricots, dates, figs, kiwi fruit, nectarines, olives, pistachios, prunes, and walnuts. It leads in the production of avocados, grapes, lemons, melons, peaches, plums, and strawberries.
What was California called before? ›
| California | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Before statehood | Mexican Cession unorganized territory |
| Admitted to the Union | September 9, 1850 (31st) |
| Capital | Sacramento |
48 more rows How did California gets its name? ›
1. California’s name is derived from a bestselling novel.
The story was so popular that when Spanish explorers under the command of Hernan Cortes landed on what they believed to be an island on the Pacific coast, they named it California after Montalvo’s mythical island.
What letter do Californians not say? ›
There’s this trend going around that Californians don’t pronounce the letter T in their words. So if you’re from California do write this. I’m going to put some words on the screen, I want to hear how you pronounce them.
What is California slang for very? ›
Hella can be used anywhere one might use the word “very.” That dog is hella cute. This bar is hella cool. These nachos are hella good.
What slang do Californians use? ›
| Cali slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Come up | Something of value or an opportunity that comes unexpectedly |
| Cruise | Come or leave |
| Mob | Come quickly |
| Dude | Gender neutral term of endearment |
10 more rows What is the coolest thing in California? › Top Attractions in California
- Disney California Adventure Park. 15,656. …
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. 9,373. …
- Monterey Bay Aquarium. 14,341. …
- Santa Barbara County Courthouse. 2,988. …
- 17-Mile Drive. 12,614. …
- Municipal Rose Garden. 612. …
- Aquarium of the Pacific. 3,236. Aquariums. …
- Hess Persson Estates. 1,012. Wineries & Vineyards • Art Museums.
What makes California Beautiful? ›
1. California
Because it’s insanely diverse, charmingly creative, and it has it all – from sun-kissed surf beaches and fascinating cities to picturesque vineyards, rugged mountains, soaring redwood forests, and dramatic deserts – California stands atop of my list as the most beautiful state in the US.
What are 5 weird facts? › 65 Facts So Weird You Won’t Believe They’re True
- There’s a company that turns dead bodies into an ocean reef. …
- The name “bonobo” resulted from a misspelling. …
- There is an annual Coffee Break Festival. …
- You can buy a flying bicycle. …
- Dolphins sleep with one eye open. …
- Vacuum cleaners were originally horse-drawn.
Cool Weird Facts About Humans
Some tumors can grow hair, teeth, bones, even fingernails. Your brain uses 10 watts of energy to think and does not feel pain. Your fingernails grow faster when you are cold. A typical cough is 60 mph while a sneeze is often faster than 100 mph.
Did U Know scary facts? › Scary Facts to Make Your Skin Crawl
- Humans shed skin too. Like, a lot of skin. …
- We could solve American homelessness easier than you think. On average, there are over 17,000,000 vacant homes in America at any given time. …
- Your cellphone is more disgusting than a public toilet.
What are 3 interesting facts about LA? ›
Los Angeles is the only North American city to have hosted the Olympics twice. The Los Angeles Zoo also encompasses a substantive botanical garden with a renowned collection of native plant species. Los Angeles is home to the largest historic theatre district on the National Register of Historic Places.
The original name is “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río Porciúncula” (in English, “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the River Porciúncula”), giving it both one of the longest and shortest (referring to its shortening of “LA”) place names in the world.
What is the oldest thing in California? ›
California’s Bristlecone Pines, The Oldest Living Things on Earth – Bishop Visitor Information Center.
Who lived in California first? ›
Tribes included the Karok, Maidu, Cahuilleno, Mojave, Yokuts, Pomo, Paiute, and Modoc.
Exploration. When Spanish navigator Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo became the first European to sight the region that is present-day California in 1542, there were about 130,000 Native Americans inhabiting the area.
What is California’s #1 industry? ›
In 2021, the finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing industry added the most value to California’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), at 473.16 billion chained 2012 U.S. dollars. The information industry added 398.93 billion U.S. dollars to the state GDP in that year.
Who was the first billionaire in California? ›
Samuel Brannan (March 2, 1819 – May 5, 1889) was an American settler, businessman, journalist, and prominent Mormon who founded the California Star, the first newspaper in San Francisco, California. He is considered the first to publicize the California Gold Rush and was its first millionaire.
Who is the richest person in CA? ›
Larry Page (Google) – $93 billion.
What are the 5 foods that made California famous? › 7 Foods and Drinks That Made California Famous
- Sourdough Bread. Photo: JJava Designs/Shutterstock. …
- Cioppino. We all have that dish that scrapes together the last of the contents in the refrigerator, and for the Italian fisherman of San Francisco, that was cioppino. …
- Mission Burrito. …
- Mai Tai. …
- Fortune Cookie. …
- Rocky Road. …
- Martini.
What was the first city made in California? ›
In March 1850 San Jose became the first chartered city in California, by which time it had become a bustling trade depot for the goldfields east of Sacramento.
Did California invent anything? ›
Charles Fey of San Francisco, California changed this. He created the Liberty Bell in 1899, a slot machine that used a much simpler mechanism that would do away with the slot machine attendant.
What is on California Pizza? ›
California-style pizza, a thin-crust pizza noted for its fresh, nontraditional toppings, such as chicken, peanut sauce, artichoke hearts, and goat cheese rather than the standard pepperoni and mozzarella.
Currently, accountancy has gained so much of surge in popularity. The services provided by a CA is essential in money related matters concerning even small business as well. Furthermore, CA professionals are the only person responsible for companies’ audits in India.
What do Californians call themselves? ›
People who live in California are called Californians and Californiacs.
The area of California was never organized as a territory, but was administered from 1848 to statehood by a federal military authority. California was admitted to the Union on September 9, 1850, as the 31st state.
Spanish colonization of “Alta California” began when the Presidio at San Diego, the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast, was established in 1769.
Why is California so golden? ›
“The Golden State” has long been a popular designation for California and was made the official State Nickname in 1968. It is particularly appropriate since California’s modern development can be traced back to the discovery of gold in 1848 and fields of golden poppies can be seen each spring throughout the state.
Is California a Mexican name? ›
The name “California” derives from a 16th Century romance novel written by a Spanish author named Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo.
Sighted in 1542 and named San Miguel by Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the area was renamed for the Spanish monk San Diego de Alcalá de Henares in 1602 by Sebastián Vizcaíno.
What are 5 major physical features of California? ›
Bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, Mexico to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west, its physical geography is very diverse: within its boundaries are cliffs, beaches, volcanic lava beds, fertile river valleys, waterfalls, mountains and deserts.
What’s California best known for? ›
One of the most popular destinations in all of North America, California is famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, and Hollywood. Other things unique to California are Coachella, the Wine Country, Silicon Valley, and Surf Culture, in addition to less obvious sights and cultural aspects.
What are the 3 main deserts in California? ›
The deserts in California are home to many natural features. The three distinctive deserts in California – the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Desert and the Great Basin Desert – have unique features that set them apart from other deserts in the world.
The region that was underwater in 1862 is now home to many more people than it was then — it’s home to some of California’s fastest-growing cities including Bakersfield and Sacramento. Back then, the state’s population was about 500,000, but today it’s nearly 40 million.
Who first lived in California? ›
Tribes included the Karok, Maidu, Cahuilleno, Mojave, Yokuts, Pomo, Paiute, and Modoc.
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