On February 22nd, National California Day recognizes the Golden State.

For more than a century, Spanish missionaries settled in California. Manifest Destiny and the Mexican American War would play a pivotal role in making California a U.S. Territory. Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico sold California along with its territories north of the Rio Grande for 15 million dollars.

Only days before the treaty was signed, gold was found at Sutter’s Mill in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The gold rush of 1849 would set off an era of settlement unlike any a new territory had ever seen. On September 9, 1850, two years after the gold rush began, California became the 31st state.

While many think of sunny beaches and orange groves, California has a diverse climate. Each region boasts an opportunity for seasonal outdoor adventures. Whether surfing or downhill skiing is on the agenda, it’s sure to be found. If hiking among giant redwoods or touring historic missions is more to your liking, you’ll discover it here.

Of course, we can’t overlook Northern California’s wine country. Beautiful road trips and wine tastings along the magnificent Napa Valley or Sonoma County are a must for wine lovers.

Swimmin’ pools and movie stars, Califonia has those in large numbers. While moving pictures weren’t born in California, Hollywood sure made them flourish. By the turn of the 20th century, Hollywood built a foundation of movie studios that continued to grow and many of which still exist today.

Official California

State Capital – Sacramento
State Nickname – The Golden State
State Motto – Eureka
State Theater – Pasadena Playhouse
State Bird – California Quail
State Amphibian – California Red – Legged Frog
State Flower – California Poppy
State Animal – California Grizzly Bear
State Folk Dance – Square Dance
State Dance – West Coast Swing
State Fish – California Golden Trout
State Rock – Serpentine
State Fossil – Saber – Toothed Cat
State Mineral – Gold
State Tree – California Redwood
State Song – I Love You, California
State Gemstone – Benitoite
State Artifact – Chipped Stone Bear
State Insect – California Dogface Butterfly

NATURE – ART – HISTORY

For a complete list of California State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.parks.ca.gov and www.nps.gov. Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve – Lancaster Red Rock Canyon State Park – Cantil Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve – Guerneville California Citrus State Historic Park – Riverside California Indian Heritage Center – Sacramento Clear Lake State Park – Kelseyville Emerald Bay State Park – South Lake Tahoe Fort Tejon State Historic Park – Lebec Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park – Pine Grove Pigeon Point Light Station – Pescadero Death ValleySequoia and Kings CanyonYosemite – Sierra Nevada Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front – Richmond La Brea Tar Pits – Los Angeles Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles Exploratorium – San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay – San Francisco Alcatraz Island – San Francisco Sutters Fort – Sacramento Depot Park Museum – Sonoma Computer History Museum – Mountain View

California Flavor

California Roll
Fushion
Pho
Cobb Salad
Mission Burrito
Fish Tacos
Dim Sum
Kringle
Mochi

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William Randolph Hearst – Publisher – (April 29, 1863 – August 14, 1951)

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Julia Morgan – Architect – ( January 20, 1872 – February 2, 1957)

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Robert Frost – Poet – (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963)

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Jack London – Author – (January 12, 1876 – November 22, 1916)

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George Patton – Army Officer – (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945)

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Alice Stebbin Wells – Police Officer – (June 13, 1873 – August 17, 1957)

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Dorothy Arzner – Director – (January 3, 1897 – October 1, 1979)

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Ansel Adams – Photographer – (February 20, 1902 – April 22, 1984)

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John Steinbeck – Author – (February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968)

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Helen Wills Moody Roark – Tennis player – (October 6, 1905 – January 1, 1998)

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Ernest Gallo – Businessman – (March 18, 1909 – March 6, 2007)

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Julia Child – Chef – (August 15, 1912 – August 13, 2004)

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Richard Nixon – President – (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994)

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Iva Toguri – Radio Broadcaster – (July 4, 1916 – September 26, 2006)

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Etta James – Singer – (January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012)

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George Lucas – Filmmaker – (May 14, 1944)

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Sally Ride – Astronaut – (May 26, 1951 -July 23, 2012)

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Steve Jobs – Businessman – (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011)

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Octavia E. Butler – Author – (June 22, 1947 – February 24, 2006)

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCaliforniaDay

Take a tour of California and find something new to discover! Join us as we explore the 31st state’s history, people, and culture. Uncover hide-a-ways, mysteries and incredible landscapes. Use #NationalCaliforniaDay to share on social media.