Many Americans recognize California for its sunny beaches and famous movie stars, but the Golden State holds much more depth.
It is an expansive state with millions of residents, vast national parks, and diverse industries, and its rich history has made it one of the most recognizable places in the U.S..
Even if you live in California, you might be surprised by some facts about its geography, history, people, and some obscure tidbits.
Here are 17 surprising facts about California:
1. Most Populous State
California holds the title of the most populous state in the nation, with over 38 million residents. It is followed by Texas and Florida in population.
Within California, Los Angeles is the second-highest populated city in the U.S., after New York City, home to around 3.8 million people.
2. Largest County
In Southern California, San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United States. It covers over 20,000 square miles, stretching from the edge of Los Angeles to the state borders with Nevada and Arizona.
This vast size means San Bernardino County is larger than nine U.S. states and also bigger than the countries of Switzerland, Denmark, and Belgium.
3. Third Largest State
While huge, California is not the largest state by size. It trails behind Alaska and Texas in square mileage. California contains over 155,000 square miles of land.
Its borders extend nearly 900 miles, and driving across the state from north to south would take approximately 15 hours, a distance comparable to driving from New York City to Jacksonville, Florida.
4. World’s Tallest Tree
California is home to Hyperion, the world’s tallest living tree, a redwood located in Redwood National Park.
Hyperion measures an astonishing 380 feet tall and is believed to be between 600 and 800 years old, which is considered relatively young for a tree of its kind.
Recently, the National Park Service prohibited people from leaving marked trails to view Hyperion in person due to damage caused by tourists to the surrounding forest ecosystem.
5. Most National Parks
With nine national parks within its borders, California has more national parks than any other U.S. state.
Alaska has the second-highest number with eight parks. 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
California is known for its warmth, but it also contains the hottest place on Earth. Death Valley recorded the world’s highest air temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit in 1913.
Death Valley is also North America’s driest place, receiving less than 2 inches of rain annually. Summer temperatures there frequently reach 120 degrees.
7. Highest and Lowest Points
Adding to its extremes, California contains both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States.
Death Valley is the lowest point, sitting 282 feet below sea level. In contrast, Mount Whitney, located in California’s Sierra Nevada 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 mountains introduce a fascinating phenomenon: watermelon snow.
This substance appears as pink or reddish snow but is actually algae. The algae, known as Chlamydomonas nivalis, thrives in cold water and contains both green and red pigments.
The red pigment helps protect the algae from radiation and absorbs heat, which can cause the snow to melt.
9. Biologically Diverse
California boasts the most biological diversity of any state in the country. It is home to over 40,000 different species of plants and animals.
Nearly a quarter of all plants found in North America exist within California’s borders. However, many of the state’s plants and animals are considered endangered or threatened.
10. Extinct State Animal
Remarkably, California’s state animal became extinct about a century ago. The California grizzly bear is the only extinct animal to appear on a state’s flag and seal.
These bears inhabited the state for hundreds of thousands of years but became completely extinct in the 1920s. The state officially chose the California grizzly bear as its animal in 1953.
11. Historic Cable Cars
San Francisco’s cable cars are an iconic symbol of the city. They hold the designation of a National Historic Streetcar Landmark, one of only two operating streetcars with this title (the other being the St. Charles streetcar line in New Orleans).
San Francisco’s city charter includes specific rules for the operation and minimum service levels of its cable cars. The city operates two types of cars on different lines.
12. Thriving Almond Industry
If you enjoy almonds, they likely originated in California. The state produces approximately 80% of the world’s almonds and all the commercial supply in the United States.
The almond industry is vital to California’s economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue and supporting over 100,000 jobs statewide.
13. Agricultural Abundance
California is a major source of dairy products, fruits, and other agricultural goods for the U.S.. The state grows over one-third of the vegetables produced in the United States.
Additionally, it produces nearly three-quarters of the nation’s fruit and nuts. The value of California’s agricultural products recently reached $59 billion, with top products including dairy, grapes, almonds, and lettuce.
14. Birthplace of the Internet
A university in California can claim its place as 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.
A plaque commemorating the birthplace of the internet is now located in Boelter Hall on the south campus of UCLA.
15. Film and TV Capital
It’s widely known that Hollywood is home to many famous stars, but California is specifically identified as the media production capital of the world.
The film and TV industry in California provides over 700,000 jobs and generates nearly $70 billion in wages for residents.
16. Southern California Earthquakes
Minor earthquakes are a common occurrence in Southern California throughout the year. This part of the state records around 10,000 earthquakes annually.
Most of these are small and often unfelt by people. However, about 15 to 20 earthquakes per year reach a magnitude of 4.0 or higher.
17. Eureka Motto
While California is known as the Golden State, its official motto is “Eureka”. This motto has been in place since 1963.
“Eureka” originally referred to the discovery of gold in the state and has appeared on California’s state seal since 1849.
Alicia Richards