Many Americans recognize California for its sunny beaches and famous movie-star residents. However, there’s significantly more to discover about the Golden State.
California is a vast state with millions of residents, expansive national parks, and diverse industries. Its rich history has established it as one of the most recognizable places in the U.S.
While many facts about California are widely known, our sources share 17 facts that many Americans might not be aware of. These facts cover the state’s geography, history, people, and include some lesser-known details.
Let’s dive into the 17 insightful facts about California:
1. Most Populous State
California holds the title of the most populous state in the nation. It is followed by Texas and Florida. According to the U.S.
Census Bureau data cited in the sources, California is home to over 38 million residents. Additionally, Los Angeles is the second-highest populated city in the U.S., right after New York City. Approximately 3.8 million people reside in Los Angeles.
2. Largest County
San Bernardino County, located in Southern California, is the largest county in the contiguous United States.
This immense county spans over 20,000 square miles. Its territory extends from the edge of Los Angeles all the way to the state’s borders with Nevada and Arizona.
San Bernardino County is so vast that it is larger than nine U.S. states. It even surpasses the size of countries like Switzerland, Denmark, and Belgium.
3. Third Largest State
While California is indeed a huge state, it is not the largest in terms of size. In square mileage, it ranks third, trailing behind both Alaska and Texas.
The state contains over 155,000 square miles of land. California’s borders stretch for nearly 900 miles.
Driving across the state from north to south would take you approximately 15 hours. For perspective, this distance is comparable to driving from New York City to Jacksonville, Florida.
4. World’s Tallest Tree
California is home to the world’s largest living tree, a redwood known as Hyperion. Located within Redwood National Park, Hyperion measures an incredible 380 feet tall.
Despite its immense size, it is believed to be relatively young compared to other living trees, estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old.
However, tourists are no longer permitted to leave park trails to view Hyperion in person. The National Park Service made this announcement due to the damage tourists were causing to the surrounding forest ecosystem.
5. Most National Parks
California has the highest number of national parks within its borders compared to any other U.S. state. The state boasts nine national parks.
Alaska follows with the second-highest number, having eight. Notable national parks in California include Joshua Tree, Sequoia, and Yosemite.
Death Valley National Park is unique as it includes land in both California and neighboring Nevada.
6. Hottest Place on Earth
While California is often known for its warm temperatures, it is also home to the hottest place on Earth. Death Valley recorded the world’s hottest air temperature: 134 degrees in 1913.
Beyond its record-breaking heat, Death Valley is also the driest place in North America, receiving less than 2 inches of annual rainfall on average. During the summers, temperatures frequently reach 120 degrees.
7. Highest and Lowest Points
California features both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States. As mentioned, Death Valley is known for its record heat but also sits at the lowest point in the contiguous U.S., 282 feet below sea level.
Conversely, Mount Whitney, the peak of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, is the highest point in the lower 48 states, rising 14,494 feet above sea level.
8. Watermelon Snow
The high peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range contribute to another fascinating phenomenon in California: watermelon snow.
This looks like pink or reddish snow. However, it is actually algae called Chlamydomonas nivalis which contains both green and red pigments.
This type of algae thrives in cold water. The red pigment serves a purpose, protecting the algae from radiation and absorbing heat, which in turn causes the snow to melt.
9. Biologically Diverse
California stands out as having the most biological diversity of any state in the country. It is home to over 40,000 different species of plants and animals.
Nearly one-quarter of all plants found in North America exist within the state. Sadly, many plants and animals in California are classified as endangered or threatened.
10. Extinct State Animal
A unique fact about California is that its state animal became extinct around a century ago. The California grizzly bear is the only extinct animal to be featured on a state’s flag and seal.
These bears inhabited California for hundreds of thousands of years but became completely extinct in the 1920s. Despite its extinction, the state chose the California grizzly bear as its official animal in 1953.
11. Historic Cable Cars
Cable cars are an iconic symbol of San Francisco. The city’s cable cars have even been recognized as a National Historic Streetcar Landmark.
This is a rare designation, shared by only one other streetcar in operation: the St. Charles streetcar line in New Orleans.
San Francisco’s city charter contains specific rules for the operation and minimum service levels of the cable cars. The city operates two distinct types of cars across different lines.
12. Thriving Almond Industry
If you enjoy almonds, there’s a high probability they originated in California. The state is a dominant force in almond production, producing approximately 80% of the world’s almonds.
Furthermore, California supplies the entire commercial supply of almonds in the United States. The almond industry plays a vital role in the state’s economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue and supporting over 100,000 jobs statewide.
13. Agricultural Abundance
Beyond almonds, California is a major source of many dairy products, fruits, and other agricultural goods. The state grows over one-third of the vegetables consumed in the United States.
According to the state government data cited, California also produces nearly three-quarters of the fruit and nuts.
The value of California’s agricultural products recently reached $59 billion. The state’s top products include dairy, grapes, almonds, and lettuce.
14. Birthplace of the Internet
A university in California holds the distinction of being the birthplace of the internet. In October 1969, Leonard Kleinrock, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), along with some students, sent the first internet message.
Today, a plaque marking this historic event is located in Boelter Hall on the south campus of UCLA.
15. Film and TV Capital
California is widely recognized as the media production capital of the world. Many famous stars and celebrities call Hollywood home.
The film and TV industry in California provides a significant number of jobs, over 700,000. It also generates nearly $70 billion in wages for workers living in the state.
16. Southern California Earthquakes
Minor earthquakes are a common occurrence throughout the year in Southern California. Annually, this region records approximately 10,000 earthquakes.
The majority of these seismic events are small and often not even felt by people. However, about 15 to 20 earthquakes per year reach a magnitude of 4.0 or higher.
17. Eureka Motto
While most people know California as the Golden State, fewer may know its official motto. Since 1963, the state motto has been “Eureka”.
The term “Eureka” originally referred to the discovery of gold in the state. It has been featured on California’s state seal since 1849.
Alicia Richards