Destination Spotlight

9 Fun Facts About California

California – it’s inspired countless songs, movies, and shows due to its storied history and innovative spirit. Here’s 9 facts you probably didn’t know about this golden state!

1. 1. California is home to the “Avocado Capital of the World.” Every year, Fallbrook holds an avocado festival to celebrate.
   2. The Hollywood Bowl is the largest outdoor amphitheater in the United States. When it opened in 1922, it was merely a simple wooden platform with a canvas top!
   3. In 1964, San Francisco’s cable cars were named the first moving National Historic Landmark. The San Francisco cable cars are the only ones still operating in a U.S city.
   4. Wondering what the name of the world’s largest tree is? It’s General Sherman, and it lives in Sequoia National Park! At nearly 275 feet tall and a circumference of 102 feet, it’s certainly a large tree!
   5. Death Valley is the hottest, driest AND lowest National Park in the country! Despite its morbid name, due to these extremes, a great diversity of life lives within this park.
   6. Bet you know someone who lives in California! As the most populous state in the U.S., 1 in 8 residents live there!
   7. California is the birthplace of the internet. In 1969, the first ARPANET message was sent from a UCLA site. (That first message? “Lo”. He meant to say “Login” but….then the system crashed.)
   8. Thousands of visitors flock to the Golden Gate Bridge every year, but it wasn’t always so beloved. Many originally derided the design as ugly!
      
   9. Everyone knows the famous Windows wallpaper of rolling green hills on bright blue sky – but did you know it was taken in Sonoma County? (And is unedited!)

1. Ready to “rush” to California? You can learn more on our California Gold Country or West Coast STEM programs!