California is a state in the Western United States.It's both beautiful and diverse, with landscapes as well as people from all over the world. Yes, there are foodies, hipsters, techies, beachgoers and ski bums in California, but that just scratches the surface. Immigrants from Asia, Mexico, Central America, and the Middle East have long sought refuge in California. It's a colorful fusion of cultures-a testament to the California Dream that inspired so many people throughout the world to make their own interpretations of it.
California is one of the most costly states to live in the United States. It also faces a number of issues, including controlling its population growth, natural disasters, restricted water supplies, and more. Where else may you go from surfing and sand to dynamic cities, sloping vineyards, towering mountains with lakes all within a half-day drive?
Take the opportunity to visit California, and you'll see why tourists from all over the world come here to see Yosemite's breathtaking granite peaks, Lake Tahoe's magnificent blue water, redwood forests and Sequoia groves, the silent desert beauties of Death Valley and Joshua Tree Parks, as well as the gorgeous rugged coast. Whether you're exploring the craggy rocky coast and churning seas of Big Sur or Mendocino in the north or soaking up the sun and year-round beach cultures of Santa Barbara or San Diego in the south, it's easy to see why so many people choose to stay.
HISTORYCalifornia was home to a number of indigenous peoples for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, and in 1769, Spain began constructing forts, settlements, and 21 California missions up and down the coast with the goal of converting the native people to Catholicism. Many of these sites - including San Luis Obispo and San Jose - subsequently became some of California's most important cities.
California was annexed by the United States in 1846, after Mexico ruled it for a quarter century and then, in 1846, the United States acquired it. With the discovery of gold in 1848, a flood of nonnatives came to California seeking their piece of the pie. As a result of this influx, many cities and towns grew rapidly overnight. San Francisco was perhaps the most prominent example since it evolved from a sleepy fishing village into one of America's major ports and trading hubs.
California was admitted to the Union as the 31st state in 1850.California's Central Valley, hundreds of miles long and ideal for growing almost anything, quickly drew even more people to start new lives in the West. The completion of America's transcontinental railroad in 1869, which connected San Francisco with the rest of the United States, ensured that California's population (and economy) continued to grow.
The 20th century witnessed the creation of Hollywood as the world's entertainment capital, the construction of the renowned Golden Gate Bridge, Silicon Valley's birth, and the invention of the Internet. California rose to become America's most populous state, becoming one of the country's key cultural, political, and financial hubs. In 2018, California's economy surpassed that of Great Britain for the first time in history.
CULTUREIt's hard to dispute California's influence on American culture.even if the state does not have its own distinct culture-as many of the state's residents would claim. The worldwide film and TV industries' enormous impact on California's global cultural imprint is perhaps the most visible example of the state's global cultural influence.Many would-be celebrities and starlets have flocked to Los Angeles since the silver screen's popularity in the early 20th century. Although Los Angeles is the second biggest city in the United States and home to a number of other industries as well as several of the country's most vibrant ethnic communities, show business still synonymous with the city. Over the past several years, Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area's technology industry have stolen the show. Only a few locations on Earth still elude Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Apple (to name a few), who have steamrolled their way into people's daily lives across the world. It's also no surprise that California, which has long welcomed immigrants and outsiders, has nurtured alternative lifestyles. California has long played a significant role in American history. (Think hippies, beatniks, the LGBT community, free speech movements, the Black Panthers and others.) In more ways than one, California has earned a reputation as the global center for innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship in today's world.
LANGUAGESpanish is commonly heard in California, both as the official language and because of the state's historically large and growing population of Mexican and Central American immigrants. In fact, Spanish is so widespread in California that certain public school districts provide Spanish immersion and/or bilingual education to their students.
WHEN TO VISIT CALIFORNIACalifornia is a stunning place to visit at any time of year. Despite the fact that much of the state has a temperate Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, there are significant variations between places. California's varied topography entails that while Los Angeles and San Diego will have pleasant, warm weather all year, other locations in the state like Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and other mountainous areas will have four distinct seasons with cold snowy winters, hot summers, and transitional spring and fall seasons. Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain are wonderful areas for skiing and other winter sports activities. Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and the vast regions of desert in the south can be extremely hot during the summer months but are wonderful for fall and spring. The farther north you journey along the Pacific Coast, the more overcast skies, colder temperatures, and more regular rain you'll encounter. Fortunately, San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles have plenty of cultural activities to keep even with rare instances of bad weather.
WORTH A VISITYosemite
Yosemite, the most popular national park in the United States, is world-famous for its stunning beauty and vast granite peaks, rushing waterfalls, and endless paths to discover.
Mendocino and the Coastal Redwoods
The Northern CA coast is a must-see area, with stunning seaside vistas and redwood forests, as well as miles of hiking and peaceful coastal settlements.
Death Valley
Death Valley National Park's spectacular desert scenery and natural features make a visit worthwhile. However, this location isn't recommended for a summer trip, as it is the hottest place on the continent during that time!
Sequoia and Kings Canyon
The Sierra Nevada and the Inyo Mountains form one of the world's grandest mountain ranges, which includes Yosemite. The two parks are adjacent to one another and attract fewer visitors than Yosemite because they contain the world's oldest and largest trees: the magnificent Sequoias.
FOOD AND DRINKDining in California is a must, and the choice and quality of food here earn it a must-see destination! The Central Valley is by far the world's most agriculturally productive region, producing much of the country's fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts. As a result, California's restaurants and food purveyors have access to some of the freshest products on the market, while its residents have high requirements when it comes to where their meals come from and how good they are. Furthermore, California's vibrant immigrant populations add a wealth of culinary options to explore, beyond the burritos, tacos, and Mexican classics many are familiar with. Next-level genuine ethnic cuisine can be found in California, including Cantonese dim sum, Salvadorean pupusas, Japanese izakaya food, Persian kabobs, Filipino lumpia soup , South Indian dosas , and Korean bibimbap.
