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!
- California is home to the “Avocado Capital of the World.” Every year, Fallbrook holds an avocado festival to celebrate.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- Bet you know someone who lives in California! As the most populous state in the U.S., 1 in 8 residents live there!
- 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.)
- 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!
- 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!)
- Ready to “rush” to California? You can learn more on our California Gold Country or West Coast STEM programs!
