Page 643 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

INTRODUCING C ALIFORNIA  641

CALIFORNIA

Impressive for both its size and its sway over modern culture, California symbolizes
the United States’ diversity and sense of prosperity. Here can be found towering
forests, high mountain peaks, deserts within half a day’s drive of ocean beaches,
and two of the world’s foremost cities, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Perceptions of California vary so greatly Califorina as exotic, while the later Gold
that some people now joke that there are Rush elevated it to a land of fortune and
two states. The first is geographic – California opportunity. Whatever the truth may be,
is the Union’s third-largest state (after such were the eulogies that created
Alaska and Texas). It claims some high Cali fornia’s colorful and seductive image.
mountain peaks such as Mount Whitney
as well as the country’s lowest expanse History
of dry land – Death Valley. Roughly one Although the Spanish first “discovered”
in every eight Americans is a Californian, California in 1542, they colonized the
making this the most populous of the area only in the 18th century. Their rule
50 states, represented by the largest was enforced through three institutions –
Congressional delegation. the mission (church), the presidio (fort),
The other California is a realm of romance, and the pueblo (town). Of these the
formed by flickering cel luloid images. Think mission was the most influential, and
“California” and pictures are immediately Franciscan friars set up 21 missions at
conjured up of bikini-clad beachcombers, approximately 30-mile (48-km) intervals
middle-class suburban families in sprawling along El Camino Real (“the Royal Road”)
ranch houses, and glamorous film stars from San Diego to Sonoma. Still, the
emerging from limousines before hordes territory remained remote until 1848
of autograph seekers. These stereotypes when Mexico ceded California to the
are perpetuated by the tourism and enter- US, and gold was found in the Sierra
tainment media, especially Hollywood. Nevada foothills. The Gold Rush of 1849
The earlier Spanish legends had glorified drew hordes of prospectors, known as

The iconic Hollywood Sign as seen from Lake Hollwood Park, Los Angeles
A vineyard in the Sonoma Valley

640-643_EW_USA.indd 641 11/3/16 11:00 AM