California surfing is revered around the world, from the big waves at Mavericks, to the rips of San Diego and curls of Newport Beach. The history of surfing in California dates back to 1907, when Hawaiian surfer George Freeth arrived in Redondo Beach at the invitation of rail.

California () is a state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and to the south the Mexican state of Baja California. California is the most populous U.S. state. Its four largest cities are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco. The state is home to eight of the nation’s fifty largest cities. It is known for its varied climate and geography as well as its diverse population.

The area known as Alta California was colonized by the Spanish Empire beginning in the late 18th century. It and the rest of Mexico became an independent republic in 1821. In 1846 California broke away from Mexico, and after the Mexican-American War, Mexico ceded California to the United States. It became the 31st state admitted to the United States on September 9, 1850.

California is the third-largest U.S. state by land area after Alaska and Texas, and preceding Montana. Its geography ranges from the Pacific coast to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the east, to Mojave desert areas in the southeast and the Redwood-Douglas fir forests of the northwest. The center of the state is dominated by the Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world.

The California Gold Rush dramatically changed California with a large influx of people and an economic boom which caused San Francisco to grow from a tiny hamlet of tents to a world renowned boomtown in the 19th century. The early 20th century was marked by Los Angeles becoming the center of the American entertainment industry, in addition to the growth of a large tourism sector in the state. Along with California’s prosperous agricultural industry, other industries include aerospace, petroleum, and computer and information technology. If California were a separate country, it would rank amongst the ten largest economies in the world, with a GDP similar to Italy, and it would be 35th among the most populous countries.

Read the rest of the Wikipedia article

California travel surfing.

Popularity: 58% [?]

california travel tourist

Some famous California parks include Death Valley National Park with desert wilderness, Joshua Tree National Park that has a desert landscape with unique plant life, Kings Canyon National Park with large lakes, trees, canyons, Lassen Volcanic National Park that provides insight into Volcanic landscape, Redwood National and State Parks with their dense redwood forests along the coast, Sequoia National Park large trees, mountains and cliffs, Yosemite National Park with glaciated valleys etc. Each park provides a unique experience to the discerning tourist.

California Hotels also have a huge range of offers to suit all pockets and all styles. There are Bed and Breakfast options, lovely log cabins located in mountains and near lakes that let tourists experience nature first hand, and for people who are less adventurous – motels, Inns, lodges, small hotels and large super luxury hotels.

People can camp out. They can even hire motor homes to combine travel and stay. There are numerous ways to see and experience California, each great in its own way! To learn more about California Travel, visit our California directory to find more information. California travel.

Popularity: 5% [?]