Celebrate CALIFORNIA

The Golden State

Big Cities, Small Towns, State Symbols, Food, Culture & More!

Small Towns

Landmarks

Parks & Rec

Culture

State Symbols

Grizzly Bear STATE ANIMAL

The grizzly bear is the official state animal of California.

Adult male grizzly bears weigh an average of - 600 pounds while female grizzly bears weigh an average of - 250 pounds

The grizzly bear became California’s official state animal in 1953

Grizzly bears have a distinct shoulder hump that gives them extra strength for & running

Grizzly bears can swim!

eating mostly

Grizzly bears during the colder months.

Golden Poppy STATE FLOWER

The golden poppy is the of California.

The golden poppy became California’s official state flower in 1903.

Bees are the main pollinators for golden poppies.

Golden poppies grow to be around 12-18 inches tall.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is home to the LARGEST golden poppy field in the state.

Golden poppies close their petals at night but reopen them in the morning sunshine.

Golden poppies are grown all over Californiafrom hillsides to highways.

Valley Quail STATE BIRD

The valley quail is the official state bird of California.

Valley quail rarely fly they mostly walk or run.

The valley quail became the official state bird of California in

Valley quail

200 quail

Valley quail are known for their “topknot” curled feathers on top of their heads!

Valley quail chicks can walk immediately after hatching!

Valley quail make a call that sounds like “CHI

Valley quail can lay up to 28 eggs

Valley quail

Coast Redwood STATE TREE

The coast redwood is one of the two official state trees of California.

The coast redwood became an official state tree of California in 1937.

The oldest known coast redwood tree is estimated to be over 2,200 years old. Coast redwoods are the TALLEST trees in the world!

Coast redwoods are grown along the Pacific coast.

Redwoods link their roots with other nearby trees to stay strong and stable.

The tallest known coast redwood is over 379 feet tall –that is taller than the Statue of Liberty!

Visit Redwood National & State Parks!

Coast redwoods are resistant to fires because of their very thick bark.

Giant Sequoia STATE TREE

The giant sequoia is one of the two official state trees of California.

The giant sequoia became an official state tree of California in 1953. tree’s bark can be . Giant sequoia trees are the LARGEST trees by volume in the world!

Giant sequoia trees thrive in snowy winters & dry summers.

Giant sequoia trees are native to California's Sierra Nevada mountains

Visit Sequoia National Park!

Giant sequoia tree roots can spread out over an entire acre!

Giant sequoia trees can live for over 3,000 years.

Surfing STATE SPORT

Surfing is the official state sport of California. Surfing became California’s official state sport in 2018. Huntington Beach is nicknamed “Surf City USA

popular in California in the early 1900s. Huntington Beach, Malibu & Santa Cruz are California’s most famous surfing spots.

Surfing is both a sport & a lifestyle.

The U.S. Open of Surfing the largest surf contest in the world is held in Huntington Beach, California every year.

Santa Cruz is often called the “Birthplace of Mainland Surfing.”

“HANG LOOSE”

Wetsuits were invented in California in the 1950s.

California has 800+ miles of beaches where surfers can catch waves all year long!

Avocados STATE FRUIT

Avocados are the official state fruit of California.

Avocados became the official state fruit of California in 2013. California is home to 50,000 acres+ of avocado orchards. There are around 3,000 California avocado growers.

90% of all avocados grown in the U.S. are grown in California!

Avocado trees can grow to be 30 feet tall Avocados trees can take anywhere from 3 to 15 years to start producing fruit.

Hass avocados are the most common variety of avocado grown in California.

Most California avocados are grown in Southern California.

Big Cities

Los Angeles BIG CITY

Los Angeles gets around 284 days of sun each year, making it one of the sunniest cities in the U.S.!

Los Angeles is the LARGEST city in California with a population of over 3.8 million people.

Los Angeles has many nicknames, including “L.A.,” “City of Angels” & “La La Land.”

Los Angeles is the 2nd LARGEST city in the U.S.

Most of the palm trees in L.A. are not native to the area.

Hollywood is a neighborhood of L.A. famous for its TV & movie production.

LA Unified is the largest school district in California with over 429,000 students.

San Diego BIG CITY

San Diego is the 2nd largest city in California with a population of over 1.3 million people.

San Diego is only 20 miles away from Mexico !

San Diego was founded in 1769 making it one of the oldest cities in California.

The worldfamous San Diego Zoo is home to over 12,000 animals!

Every year, gray whales migrate along the coast of San Diego.

San Deigo is one of the TOP avocadogrowing regions in the U.S.

San Jose BIG CITY

San Jose was the first capital city of California when California became a state in 1850.

San Jose is the 3rd largest city in California with a population of over 969,000 people

San Jose is known as the Silicon Valley” – the center of the

There are over 60 miles of biking trails in San Jose.

San Jose is home to 200+ parks

San Jose Unified has around 25,000 students

station in the U.S. started in San Jose in 1909. San Jose has one of the most diverse populations in the U.S.

San Francisco BIG CITY

San Francisco is the 4th largest city in California with a population of over 808,000 people.

San Francisco is a dogloving city with over 30 dog parks!

San Francisco is home to the Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco experiences a lot of fog, earning it the nickname “Fog Cit y. ”

San Francisco is only 7 miles by 7 miles.

San Francisco is known for its hilly streetsone of the main reasons cable cars became so popular!

San Francisco Unified has over 50,000 students.

Fresno BIG CITY

Fresno is the largest inland city in California.

Fresno is the 5th largest city in California with a population of over 545,000 people

Fresno is one of the TOP agricultural producers

In 1872, Fresno was founded as a railroad station.

Fresno County.

“Raisin Capital of the World”

Fresno is often described as being a big city but with a small-town feel.

Fresno Unified School District has around 73,000 students.

Sacramento CAPITAL CITY

Sacramento is the 6th largest city with a population of over

Sacramento was named California’s first permanent capital has been held in Sacrament o for over 150 years.

Sacramento is home to the California State Library.

Long Beach BIG CITY

Long Beach is the 7th largest city in California with a population of over 449,000 people

Long Beach is home to around five miles of sandy shoreline

Long Beach is a common resting point for birds during migration season. The Port of Long Beach is one of the BUSIEST shipping ports in the U.S.

Mary a famous retired ocean liner is one of the most popular attractions in Long Beach.

Long Beach Unified has over 64,000 students. Long Beach was originally named Wilmore City.

Oakland BIG CITY

Oakland is the 8th largest city in California with a population of over 436,000 people.

Oakland got its name because the area was originally a forest of coastal live oak trees.

“Brightside

of the Bay”

Oakland became a city of California on May 4, 1852.

Oakland is home to Lake Merritt – the first designated wildlife refuge in the U.S., established in 1870.

Lake Merritt is really a tidal lagoon, not a lake, because it salty water.

Oakland Unified has over 34,000 students.

Bakersfield BIG CITY

Bakersfield was founded in 1856 & then became a city of California in 1873.

Bakersfield is the 9th largest city in California with a population of over 417,000 people

Bakersfield is famous for the a style of country music that was created here. earned the city the nickname “Nashville West.”

Around 80% of ALL carrots grown in the U.S. are grown in Bakersfield.

Bakersfield is surrounded by farms & desert land.

Bakersfield City Schools has around 30,000 students.

Anaheim BIG CITY

Anaheim is the 10th largest city in California with a population of over 344,000 people

Anaheim first became famous for its grape vineyards & later on for its orange groves.

Anaheim is most known for being home to Disneyland. Anaheim became an official city of California

Mito, Japan is Anaheim, California's sister-city.

Santa Ana River Trail runs through Anaheim & has over 40 miles of bike paths.

City of Kindness

Anaheim ESD has around 15,000 students

”

Stockton BIG CITY

Stockton has a long history of growing asparagus & hosts an annual Asparagus Festival!

Stockton is the 11th largest city in California with a population of over 324,000 people.

Stockton was founded in 1849 during California’s Gold Rush.

Stockton’s Deepwater Channel is one of the only inland ports in California.

America City”

Stockton was named after U.S. Navy Officer Robert F. Stockton.

Stockton Unified has over 35,000 students.

The San Joaquin River runs through Stockton.

Riverside BIG CITY

Riverside was named after its location along the Santa Ana River.

Riverside is the 12th largest city in California with a population of over 323,000 people

Riverside is the birthplace of California’s citrus industry

Riverside is home to the California Citrus State Historic Park

The FIRST navel orange tree in California was planted in Riverside in the 1870s!

Riverside became an official city of California in 1883.

Riverside USD has over 40,000 students.

San Bernardino BIG CITY

San Bernardino is the 18th largest city in CA with a population of over 224,000 people.

Route 66 runs right through San Bernardino.

San Bernardino is surrounded by the San Bernardino Mountains The San Bernardino Mountains

Each year, San Bernardino hosts the National Orange Show Festival. San Bernardino became an official city of California in 1854.

San Bernardino is a part of the Inland Empire region.

San Bernardino USD has over 44,000 students.

Small Towns

Solvang SMALL TOWN

Over one million people visit Solvang every year.

Many visitors tour the town on horse drawn carriages.

Solvang is a small town in California with a population of around 6,000 people.

Solvang is commonly known as the “Danish Capital of America.” The buildings in Solvang look just like the ones you would see in Denmark. Solvang is home to five Danish windmills.

Solvang was founded in 1911.

Solvang is famous for Aebleskivers’ - little round Danish pancakes.

Solvang School has under 600 students.

Julian SMALL TOWN

Julian was founded in 1970 after a gold rush in the Cuyamaca

Julian is a small town in California with a population of around 1,500 people

Julian is most famous for its apple orchards & “Julian apple pie

climate in Julian is ideal for growing apples.

Julian hosts an annual Apple Days Festival.

Julian is a “Dark Sky Community” – a great location for star gazing.

Julian is designated as a California Historic Landmark Solvang School has around

Ojai SMALL TOWN

Ojai is a small town in California with a population of around 7,500 people

Ojai is well known for its citrus, specifically their Pixie tangerines Ojai is home to many familyowned farms. Ojai was officially incorporated as a city of California in 1921

Ojai sunsets create the “ when the Topatopa mountains

Mendocino SMALL TOWN

Mendocino is a small town in California with a population of under 1,000 people.

The sunsets over the Pacific Ocean are one of Mendocino’s biggest attraction.

Mendocino sits along Pacific Ocean cliffs & is surrounded by giant redwood forests.

Gray whales migrate past Mendocino twice a year

Mendocino was founded in 1850 as a logging town.

Mendocino is only about one square mile in size.

Mendocino USD has under 500 students.

Mendocino is known for its historic lighthouses.

Landmarks

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects San Francisco to Marin County.

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge held up by cables between towers.

The Golden Gate Bridge

The bridge was named after the strait that runs beneath it –the Golden

The Golden Gate Bridge has six car lanes & two sidewalks. round to touch up areas of the bridge & protect the steel from rust. Over 10 million people visit the Golden Gate Bridge every year.

Each day, over 100,000 vehicles drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory is a worldfamous observatory & planetarium.

The money to build the Observatory was donated by Griffith J. Griffith.

The Griffith Observatory opened in 193

An observatory is a place that uses telescopes to see & learn about

All visitors can enter the Observatory enter for FREE!

The Observatory is a Los Angeles HistoricCultural Monument.

The Griffith Observatory has put on over 100,000 planetarium shows.

The Griffith Observatory does ONLY livenarrated planetarium shows.

The Observatory is located on Mount Hollywood, in Griffith Park, Los Angeles.

Big Sur

Bixby Creek Bridge is an iconic landmark of Big Sur.

stretches miles the coast.

Big Sur is a region in central California famous for its rugged coastline.

Big Sur is known for its steep cliffs, & misty coastal views.

Highway 1 runs along Big Sur & is considered on the of the most scenic drives in the world.

Big Sur is a part of Los Padres National Forest & many state parks. There are no big cities in Big Sur, only small towns & nature.

Big Sur was named for its location, “El Sur Grande” (“The Big South”).

Big Sur is located between Carmelby-the-Sea & San Simeon, California.

Agriculture

Dairy CALIFORNIA

California is the largest dairy producing state in the U.S.

The majority of California’s dairy comes from the San Joaquin Valley region.

California is home to over 1,000 dairy farms & 1.7 MILLION dairy cows.

Holstein cows are the ones with unique black & white spots!

Most California dairy farms are family-owned.

In addition to milk, California is also the #1 producer of other dairy products including butter & ice cream.

The average California dairy cow produces around 8 gallons of milk per day.

Milk is California’s official state beverage!

Holstein cows are the most popular dairy cow breed in California.

Tomatoes CALIFORNIA

California produces 95% of all processing tomatoes in the U.S.

Processing tomatoes are the ones used to make ketchup, juice, sauces, etc.

California farmers harvest around TWO BILLION pounds of tomatoes per week.

California processing tomatoes are grown in many regions throughout the state. Processing tomatoes are usually harvested mechanically.

Around 33% of U.S. fresh tomatoes are grown in California.

Tomatoes can go from being harvested to fully processed in 6 hours!

California tomatoes grow best during the hot and dry summer months.

Rice CALIFORNIA

California produces around of all the rice grown in the U.S.

Nearly all of the California’s rice is gown in Sacramento Valley

California rice is planted in the spring & harvested in the fall.

After harvest, California’s flooded rice fields provide winter habitats for birds. California has over 500,000 acres of rice fields. Sacramento Valley’s flat land & warm weather make it a perfect location for rice farming.

Most of the rice grown in California is medium-grain, commonly used for sushi!

California rice farming began 100+ years ago.

CALIFORNIA

Grapes

Grapes have been grown in California for 200+ years. California is home to 800,000+ acres of grape vineyards.

California is the largest producer of grapes in the U.S. - growing 99% of all table grapes.

The majority of California’s table grapes are grown in San Joaquin Valley.

Around 1.8 BILLION pounds of table grapes are grown in California each year.

California grows over 80 varieties of table grapes.

California.

California grapes are harvested by hand. Most California grape vineyards are family-owned & operated.

Oranges CALIFORNIA

California grows 85% U.S. fresh-market oranges

Fresh-market oranges are oranges grown to be eaten whole, NOT processed for juice.

Oranges are California’s #1

citrus crop. California oranges are mostly grown in the Central Valley & Southern California.

Orange trees can live for over 50 years!

California is known for its Navel & Valencia varieties of oranges.

California’s “citrus boom” started in 1873 with navel oranges.

climate makes extra sweet.

California's first navel orange trees were planted in Riverside, CA.

CALIFORNIA

Strawberries

1.5+ BILLION pounds strawberries are grown in California each year.

California strawberries are harvested by hand

California produces nearly 90% of all strawberries grown in the U.S.

Santa Barbara & Ventura are California’s top strawberry producing counties.

California is home

California’s are ideal for growing strawberries.

Most of California’s strawberry fields are owned by

Dates CALIFORNIA

California grows 4 major kinds of dates: Medjool, Deglet Noor, Barhi & Zahidi.

of the U.S. date industry Medjool dates.

is where almost

There are 200+ varieties of dates grown worldwide!

Date palms, the trees that grow dates, were California dates are harvested in the fall. known as King of Dates.”

The National Date Festival is hosted every year in Indio, CA.

One date palm can grow up to 10,000 dates per season!

Garlic CALIFORNIA

Most of California’s garlic fields are found in the western part of the San Joaquin Valley.

About 90% of all commercially grown garlic in the U.S. comes from California!

Gilroy, California is nicknamed Garlic Capital of the World.”

Garlic grows underground!

California celebrates garlic every year with the

Two main types of garlic: hardneck

California garlic is often powder, flakes, oils & Garlic has been grown in California for hundreds of years.

California harvests around million pounds of garlic every year!

Olives CALIFORNIA

California produces around

Around 75% of the olives grown in California are processed into olive oil.

The other 25% of the olives grown in California are table olives – olives grown to be eaten

Hundreds of family farms make up California’s olive industry. The warm, sunny climate of California’s inland valleys is ideal for growing olives.

Olives are a type of fruit!

As olives ripen, they change colors from green à yellow-green à purple à Olive branches symbolize peace

California grows a wide variety of table olives including: Manzanillo, Sevillano, Mission and many more!

CALIFORNIA

Finger Limes

California is the only state grows finger limes on a

Finger limes are a type of citrus fruit native to

Most of California’s finger limes are grown in the Central Valley

Finger limes are filled with juice pearls

“Citrus Caviar”

of a human finger 3 inches)hence the name!

Finger limes taste similar to conventional limes with a tart, citrusy flavor.

Shanley Farms was the FIRST commercial finger lime farm in the U.S.

Shanley Farms is also the LARGEST finger lime farm in the U.S. with over 10,000 finger lime trees!

CALIFORNIA

Pomegranates

California grows 95% of all pomegranates grown in the U.S.

The majority of California’s pomegranates are grown in the San Joaquin Valley. California pomegranates are in season

California is home to around 50,000 acres of pomegranate orchards.

“NATURE’S

JEWEL”

commercially pomegranate in California. Pomegranate 12 20 feet tall.

Industry

Hollywood FILM INDUSTRY

Hollywood is known as the movie capital of the world

Hollywood is a neighborhood Los Angeles, California.

Hollywood’s very first movie studio was built in Academy Awards (Oscars) are held in Hollywood every year to celebrate the best movies & the people who made them.

Hundreds of movies are made in California every year…far more than any other state in the U.S.

California is home to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

California’s film industry employs hundreds of thousands of people –actors, costume designers, camera crews, set builders & more!

Silicon Valley TECH INDUSTRY

“Silicon chips (also called microchips or computer chips) were FIRST made in California’s Bay area which is how Silicon Valley got its name.

Silicon chips are like the brains of electronics.

Before the technology boom, Silicon Valley was fruit orchards.

“The Valley of Heart’s Delight”

MANY famous tech companies were started in Silicon Valley.

Smartphones, laptops & tablets were all invented and/or improved in Silicon Valley.

The name “Silicon Valley” was first used in the 1970s.

Parks & Rec

Yosemite NATIONAL PARK

Yosemite National Park is famous for its cliffs, waterfalls & giant sequoia trees.

Yosemite was established as a national park in 1890. The giant granite cliffs Yosemite is known for are El Capitan & Half Dome.

Over 1,450 plant species grow in Yosemite.

Around 4 MILLION people visit Yosemite each year. are the most commonly seen large animals in Yosemite.

Yosemite is home to 750 miles of hiking trails.

Yosemite Falls is one the LARGEST waterfalls in the U.S. at 2,425 feet!

Redwood

NATIONAL & STATE PARKS

Redwood National & State Parks serve to preserve & protect coast redwood trees.

Redwood National Park was established in 1968, decades after the Redwood State Parks. Redwood National & State Parks together protect nearly half of the remaining coast redwood trees in the world.

Many movies have been filmed in Redwood National & State Parks! The tallest known coast redwood tree is located in Redwood National Park.

There are 3 redwood state parks: Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast & Jedediah Smith.

Redwood National & State Parks cover over 130,000 acres of land.

Sequoia

animal species live in Sequioa National Park.

NATIONAL PARK

Sequoia National Park serves to preserve & protect giant sequoia trees.

Sequoia National Park was established is the 2nd oldest national park in the U.S.

Sequoia National Park was established in 1890.

Sequoia National Park has 800+ miles of hiking trails.

The 'Tunnel Log’ is a fallen giant sequoia tree in the park that visitors can drive through!

Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental U.S. is located in Sequoia National Park.

Death Valley NATIONAL PARK

Death Valley National Park known for being the hottest & driest national park in the U.S.

Death Valley National Park is the LARGEST national park in the continental U.S.

Death Valley became an official national park in 1994.

Death Valley

National Park is over 3.4 million acres in size. The hottest temperature recorded in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park gets almost NO RAIN.

There are sand dunes in Death Valley National Park that are over 680 feet tall.

Badwater Basin, located in Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in the U.S.

Joshua Tree

NATIONAL PARK

Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique Joshua trees & rock formations.

Joshua Tree was a national monument before becoming a national park in 1994. Joshua trees can grow up to 40 feet tall & live for hundreds of years.

Joshua trees are a type of yucca plant

Joshua Tree National Park’s famous rock formations are very popular for rock climbing.

Joshua Tree National Park covers around 800,000 acres of land.

There are two deserts within Joshua Tree National Park - the Mojave Desert & the Colorado Desert.

Culture

Skateboarding

Skateboarding was started in California in the 1950s

Los Angeles & Santa Monica birthplace of modern skateboarding

Skateboarding was invented who wanted something to do when waves were flat.

“Asphalt surfers”

The Z-Boys (Zephyr Skate Team) we the first professional skateboarders.

Venice Beach Skatepark is one of the most famous skateparks in the world.

Skateboarding is a BIG part of California’s culture & identity.

Don’t forget to wear a helmet! California is home to over 100 skateparks – more than any other state

Millions of people skateboard.

Skateboarding became an Olympic sport in 2021.

Skiing/Snowboarding

Mountain the LARGEST ski resort in California.

California is known for having some of the best ski & snowboard destinations in the U.S.

California is home to ski & snowboard resorts.

California hosted the Winter Olympics in Palisades Tahoe

California’s ski & snowboard season can last from “Shredding the gnar”

Hiking

California has the largest statepark system in the U.S. with over 280 state parks.

California is home to over 18,000 miles of hiking trails.

California’s hiking trails range from nature walks to multi-day adventures

Hiking is a great way to see wildlife in their natural habitat.

California has different hiking trails.

Some of California’s most famous hiking trails: Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, Mist Trail, Half Dome Trail, Mount Whitney Trail. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is the longest hiking trail in California.

California’s national world-famous for their scenic hikes.