California...the name conjures in the imagination stunning mountains, raging rivers, and dramatic coastal scenery. Hollywood, Disneyland, Yosemite, Redwoods, San Franciso, LA to name but a few of the many natural and man-made attractions in this huge state.
Other major features of California include Death Valley, the Mojave Desert, the San Andreas Fault, the romantic San Francisco Bay area and the majestic Sequoias.
The American River is where gold was discovered in the 1800s. Now, Sutters Fort in downtown Sacramento offers a glimpse into that illustrious past.
California has over 200 state parks and recreational areas. National Parks are Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Redwoods, Lassen Volcanic, and Sequoia. State-sponsored attractions include Gray Whale Cove State Beach, McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, Tule Elk State Reserve, and many portions of the Redwood park system.
California's Central Valley with itś huge agricultural production is the dominant part of the central portion of the state.
Southern California is home to the most important ¨image makers"in the world, and what happens in Californa often becomes the new trend for the world.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
California Travel
Saturday, March 8, 2008
California Native Americans
The Cahuilla are a tribe of Native Americans that have lived in California for more than 2,000 years. Cahuilla country covered some 2,400 square miles in the central part of Southern California.
Telling the history of Native Americans in the USA is complicated by the fact that there are few written or artistic histories, and most of the history was passed along from generation to generation through traditional stories and dances. Some of these have been lost or forgotten as disease, tribal repression, and mass migrations left their historical impact on all Native Americans.
Thankfully, many tribes are working to preserve the rich cultural histories in museums and with documents and websites.
Native American leaders
US Indian Wars
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Hollywoodland, California and the Hollywood Sign
Hollywood California's most famous landmark are huge sheet metal letters spelling "HOLLYWOOD" that sit up on the hillside several miles from downtown Hollywood. The history of this sign is very interesting as it was designed as a way to sell real estate in this area in 1923. After construction of houses in the area many neighbors asked to have the massive letters, falling into disrepair, removed. But protests from city leaders and others led to a change to "HOLLYWOOD" to advertise the burdgeoning film and TV industry of Hollywood.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Mission San Luis Rey, California
Just north of San Diego, only a short drive from the Coast Highway is the Mission San Luis Rey.
San Luis Rey was 18th in the line of old California Missions, founded by Father Lasuen in 1798.
San Luis Rey soon became the largest of all the California Missions. Father Peyri, builder of San Luis Rey, remained at the Mission for 34 years and saw it prosper.
After the mission was taken from the Padres it became a ruin but restoration has taken place in recent times and continues today. The former Glory of San Luis Rey as “King of the Missions” can still be seen today, and a tour of this California masterpiece is strongly recommended.
San Luis Rey is only about 10 minutes off Highway 101 at Newport Beach, CA. Got Kids? Promise to drop in to the In and Out Burger for a great lunch on the way back on to California Highway 101.
Kit Carson, famous pioneer scout, led Gen. Kearny’s “dragoons” and camped at San Luis Rey in December of 1846.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Crescent City Lighthouse, California
Crescent City California is one of the few American Cities to have experienced a Tsunami/Tidal Wave. 1964 brought a major sea surge to Crescent City which inundated the downtown area and killed four people.
The huge cement breakwater from which this picture was taken was built after 1964 in an effort to make subsequent destruction unlikely. It also offers great views of the lighthouse, huge waves, and giant cement dolos which help disperse the energy of the mighty pacific waves.
For more about this area see our Northern California travel pages.
