1. However, San Francisco and Oakland are not officially a part of Silicon Valley. The valley has fertile and agriculturally productive farmlands that supply raisins, olives, almonds, pistachios, and other dry fruits to the global markets. Californias mountains include many of the highest peaks in the country, including Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States. California has three major deserts, the Great Basin, Colorado, and Mojave, in the states southeastern part. Those delicious avocados that we enjoy so much on avocado toast most likely come from California. The Pomo (POH-moh) lived along the northern coast and built homes using slabs With moderately cold winters, heavy snowfall, and very dry summers, the region boasts unique native vegetation. Even though many movies are filmed on location these days,more movies have been filmed in California than anywhere else. Join our mailing list for updates on hidden gems, events, and more from California's High Sierra. The back lots of Los Angeles studios and the diverse landscape of California have doubled for locations around the world. The range is growing by about a millimetre each year. California is the home of skateboards, Barbie dolls, arcade games, and McDonalds. You can be in the desert or in a lush forest or by the lake. You can also camp in California's oldest state parkthe majestic Big Basin Redwoods State Parkwhich was established in 1902. Venture off on the northern side for a maritime climate with high fog levels, or experience a desert-like climate on the eastern slopes bordering the Central Valley. You can also take a beautiful drive on the Angeles Crest Highway and venture to the Vetter Mountain Lookout, where you can take in gorgeous vistas of the Charlton-Chilao Recreation Area. Plus, California still holds on to the top spot of theatrically released projects in the 21st century. This expansive territory encompasses 17 separate ranges and offers a highly diverse climate. 26 wilderness areaslie within the Sierra Nevada. Great examples of this include Kings Canyon, Hetch Hetchy Valley, & of course, the legendary Yosemite Valley. Californias mountains include many of the highest peaks in the country, including Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States. If its the famed fortune cookie, youre not alone. Strong legs. Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States and obviously, it is Californias highest point. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are found throughout most of California. Here are the ranges you should know about and visit next. Get a glimpse of the stunning scenery to see and activities to do in the Sierra Nevada. Mount Shasta is not only a tall mountain, it is also massive in terms of pure volume. The 352 intertwining mountain ranges spanning across the state make its landscape one of the most diverse in the U.S. Does your business rank among the best in California? Did you know that these cookies didnt come to us from China? The Central Valley aquifers supply 20 percent of the nations groundwater. If you areplanning a tripto the Golden State check out these fun facts about California. 1. hiking through the Diablo Range, found in Mount Diablo State Park, world-class adventure in California's coastal mountains. The internet itself wasborn in Californiain 1969. Valleys have moderate climates, which is an added advantage for farmers. (The government website said so). Mount Whitney and Death Valley National Park have the highest and lowest points in the continental US. Here are seven interesting facts about Siskiyou County in California history that you may not have known. Shasta. When Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, they are said to have been reminded of the fictional island and named the region after it. The State Tree is the California Redwood Tree, The Official Motto of California is Eureka. Do you know those classic cable cars in San Francisco? Shasta, two extinct volcanoes that dazzle motorists on Interstate 5, which passes by the foot of Mt. Many people think of California as a bustling state thats comprised only of dense cities and beaches. The region has the least human inhabitation but is home to plant species like Joshua tree, creosote, and pear cactus. The 352 intertwining mountain ranges spanning across the state make its landscape one of the most diverse in the U.S. Admire the trees extraordinary growth forms and colors on a hike through the Schulman and Patriarch Groves. Fun Facts -Death Valley got it's name during the Gold Rush. Idaho, parts of Montana, northern California, and southeastern Alaska are also listed as parts of the Pacific Northwest in some accounts. While the east boasts the Cascade Range and the famous Sierra Nevada, the west is defined by the North America Coast Ranges stretching along Californias coastline. Here are 7 interesting facts about Mono County in California history: 1. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Many animal species are in decline, however. Who knows! Europeans did not reach the area until 1539. In 1849, prospector William B. Tappan found gold in a stream near Nevada Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner, Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. Well, you have to go back to 1776 during the Spanish colonial period in Californias history. You! Around 68% of Californias population lives in the coastal region and 80% of the states economy. It has Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco as the principal harbors that feed the economy and a significant chunk of the business population in the region. Plan a trip to the marvelous Peninsular Ranges and prepare yourself for a transcendental experience. Head to the San Bernardino National Forest to hike the Old Greybackalso known as San Gorgonio MountainSouthern Californias highest peak. The Bear Flag was created during the Bear Flag Revolt in June 1846, when a group of American settlers and adventurers seized control of the Mexican garrison at Sonoma. While its true that some of the more popular and well-known cities, like San Francisco and Los Angeles, are on that dense and sunny coast, theres also a ton of wildlife. Napa County is one of the famous wine-producing regions in California that lies to the north of San Francisco. Before reaching California, the Cascade Range makes its way through southern British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. This also makes Death Valley the lowest national park in the world. In fact, the Hollywood Bowl is considered one of the top 10 venues in the US and it is the largest outdoor Amphitheater in the country. It has two mountain ranges, the Cascade Range and the Sierra Nevada Range. Early The non-Hispanic White population, the next largest group in California, declined from 15.0 million to 13.4 million during this time, reflecting a broader national trend. Go check out the forest and get ready to feel small. Mount Whitney stands at a whopping 14,505 above sea level. The Sierra Nevada has gained many monikers over the years. People from all walks of life live in this sunny state, from farmers to tech gurus, and celebrities to entrepreneurs. The region is home to several state and national parks, including Yosemite National Park, and has played an important role in the history of California. But many plants and animals thrive. Weighing in at 2.7 MILLION pounds, standing 275 feet tall, and over 100 feet in width. TL;DR: California has four main geographical regions that differ in population, economics, wildlife and climate: the Coast, the Central Valley, the Mountains and the Desert. Lassen and Mt. You may also opt to. The Death Valley National Park is the hottest, lowest and driest national park in the country but showcases a great diversity of animal species. This does not influence our choices. Here are 7 interesting facts about Mono County in California history: 7 Interesting Facts About Mono County, California, Free Shipping on Every Order | Unconditional Lifetime Warranty | Purchase Orders Accepted | Family Owned and Operated, Fee Free Financing Available - Pay Just 25% Today - Just Choose Installment Pay At Checkout, View Earbuds and Headphones w/ Microphone, 7 Pieces Of History Near Elizabeth Town, IL, 7 Interesting Facts About Wayne County, Illinois, 7 Interesting Facts About Washington County, Illinois, 7 Interesting Facts About Warren County, Illinois. Whitney. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. The state has a glorious past of winning battles and attaining progress in the 1840s, during the Gold Rush Era. , and the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. Fault lines are what trigger earthquakes. The Sierra Nevada are home to not one or two national parks & monuments, but rather five! Mojave Desert, arid region of southeastern California and portions of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, U.S. WebFast Facts History. getaway to Lake Tahoes most underrated towns. Like the heat? The state also produces timber, cement, natural gas, and petroleum. Follow the 1,100-mile coastline for sandy beaches, cliffs, and mountains. The Transverse Mountain Ranges span west to east from the coast, passing through Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. This is one of the most surprising facts about California! Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Mark Twains words said it best about Lake Tahoe. Were not talking about humans, but rather the unique animal mountaineers of the Sierra the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep. Climate Data: Climate San Diego - California, U.S. California's two main ranges the Sierra Nevada and the Coastal Range contain 41 mountains with elevations in excess of 10,000 feet (3,050 meters). The uplift of the Sierra Nevada began around four million years ago, but the canyons & granite you see today were exposed due to glaciers. Youve seen them in movies and commercials, and even on that family favorite sitcom, Full House. The county's name is derived from the Siskiyou Mountains, which are situated along its For example, did you know that it is home to the crookedest street in the world, Lombard Street? When you do visit the High Sierra, one thing that many mistakenly say is adding an S to the end. Names such as the High Sierra or the range of light just to name a couple. When will it happen? California became a U.S. state on March 4, 1850. Tuolumne County is located in the state of California and is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. And heres a little fun fact, The Palisade Glacier in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is the southernmost glacier in the United States. The Coast Range in California spans along the coast from El Norte County to Santa Barbara County, with the San Francisco Bay dividing the mountains into the Northern and Southern Coast Ranges. 1. Its no secret that California has its fair share of earthquakes. 90% of the countrys avocados are produced in San Diego County.