Capital City: Sacramento
California boasts an array of natural wonders with its warm sandy beaches, majestic forests, rocky oceanside cliffs, snowy mountain peaks, barren deserts and lush agriculture. Did you know California is the state with the most National Parks and Sites managed by the National Parks Services? Visit in person for a stamp in your national parks passport book, or click any link to enjoy a virtual tour where available, with the pictures and videos on the site. Explore some of California's experiences below to help you choose where you want to go or learn more about next.
Key Historical Events and Facts of California
- California Gold Rush (gold seekers increased the population from 15K to more than 100K by 1849)
- Motto: Eureka! (I found it!)
- San Francisco Earthquake and Fire April 18, 1906
- Beginning in 1769, Spanish priests built 21 missions along the coast of California.
- Lombard Street in San Francisco is known as the “crookedest street in the world.”
