Interesting Facts About California State

Its name is said to have originated from a fictional island Queen in a Spanish novel popular during the 16th century.

Its official motto is Eureka!

Its capital city is Sacramento.

Its also known as The Golden State.

Interesting Facts About California State - Places

The hottest place in the United States is Death Valley National Park. In fact, summer temperatures at Death Valley National Park can climb to 120 degrees. The hottest it has ever been there was 134 degrees in the year of 1913. And in addition to being the hottest place in the US, it is also the driest place in the US.

The former US president, John F Kennedy, and his wife, Jackie, had their honeymoon at the San Ysidro Ranch. In 2009, San Ysidro Ranch was named the best hotel in America by Forbes Traveler.

Its San Bernardino county is the largest county (by area) in the US.

You can find the largest living tree at Sequoia National Park. A sequoia tree there called General Sherman is 3,500 years old.

Interesting CA city names: Happy Camp, Weed, Rough and Ready, Home Garden, Nice, Rainbow, Shingletown, Strawberry.

Interesting Facts About California State - People

More people live there than in any other US state. According to the US Census Bureau, its population was almost 38 million in 2008.

It's been said that a handful of CA driver's licenses have been issued to people with the legal name of Jesus Christ.

Interesting Facts About California State - Other Facts

The element Californium is named after the state.

Despite its name, the Golden Gate Bridge is not actually golden. The Golden Gate Bridge's actual color is known as international orange.

Interesting Facts About California State - Strange Facts

The University of California at Santa Cruz has one of the most interesting mascots ever: the banana slug.

If you find bullfighting interesting, you might consider attending the California Academy of Tauromaquia where you can learn bullfighting. This bullfighting school is located in San Diego, CA.

You can visit a Sci-Fi Monster Museum in Los Angeles and a Pez Memorabilia Museum in San Francisco.

There is a house in Corona, CA that is shaped like a shoe.

Strange law: the only fish that can be caught legally using your bare hands is the tiny grunion.

Sources:
History.com, Fun Facts About California. URL: (www.history.com/states)

US Census Bureau, Quick Facts. URL: (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06000.html)

Pashnit Tours, Fun Facts. URL: (www.pashnittours.com/funfacts.html)

San Ysidro Ranch, Luxury Hotel in Wine Country. URL: (www.sanysidroranch.com)