February 22 - National California Day

Happy National California Day! Today we observe the 31st state to join the union back on September 9, 1850. 

  

This western U.S. state, stretches from the Mexican border along the Pacific for nearly nine hundred miles. Its terrain includes cliff-lined beaches, redwood forest, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Central Valley farmland and the Mojave Desert. 

The city of Los Angeles is the seat of the Hollywood entertainment industry. Hilly San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and cable cars. 

  

For more than a century, Spanish missionaries settle 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 fifteen 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. Two years later, 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. 

For a complete list of California State and National Parks and historic sites, please visit the websites below: 

https://www.parks.ca.gov 

https://www.nps.gov 

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 Valley Sequoia and Kings Canyon Yosemite – 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 

Be sure to check out a few of the featured sites around the state below as well: 

MUSEUMS 

Depot Park Museum – Sonoma  

Computer History Museum – Mountain View 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

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

Hidden Treasures

Heart Rock Falls – Crestline  

Forestiere Underground Gardens – Fresno  

Glass Beach– Fort Bragg  

The Last Bookstore – Los Angeles  

Civic Musical Road – Lancaster 

We also observe these famous figures born in California of whom are still recognized for their past accomplishments, heroics, talents, ingenuity and innovations: William Randolph Hearst, Julia Morgan, Robert Frost, Jack London, General George S. Patton, Alice Stebbin Wells, Dorothy Arzner, Ansel Adams, John Steinbeck, Helen Wills Moody Roark, Ernest Gallo, Julia Child, Richard M. Nixon, Iva Toguri, Etta James, George Lucas, Sally Ride, Steve Jobs and Octavia E. Butler. 

Visit the link below to see those of notable birth who were not mentioned on the list above. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_California 

Here's to The Golden State! 

#NatinoalCaliforniaDay 

@TheAcademy 

@49ers
@JellyBellyUSA
@CaliforniaRaisin 

@nichecinema