Great States: FreshPlans Goes to California

California became a state on September 9, 1850. Most states were U.S. territories before becoming states, but California never was. It had been part of New Spain and then belonged to Mexico. A small group of Californians  declared independence from Mexico in 1846, not realizing that the United States had declared war on Mexico a month earlier. Their independence lasted for just 25 days. At that point, the U.S. Army arrived, and peacefully took over. California was under the control of the army until the end of the war between Mexico and the United States. Things were a bit chaotic, so California was not officially welcomed as a territory.

By the time the war ended, statehood was popular in California, and the Gold Rush had not only brought many people from the United States to California, but had also made California appealing to the U.S. government. California was made a state. It is now the most populous state in the Union, and the third largest, right behind Texas and Alaska.

Rosie was born in California, Rebecca grew up there and went to college there, and Josepha lived there as an adult. We all agree that it’s a great state! The hard part is deciding our favorite parts to share with you.

Starting at the southern tip of the state, we have a special shout-out for Balboa Park. This park was set aside in 1868 as a public park and grew through the years (including its roles in international expositions) to become the cultural center of San Diego. In 1977,  it was designated a National Historic Landmark and Historic Landmark District.

Rebecca’s favorite parts are the Old Globe Theater, Old Town and the International Villages, the Natural History Museum, and of course the San Diego Zoo. She was startled to find, when we took our FreshPlans trip, that the town she grew up in, Cardiff by the Sea, is now part of Encinitas and no longer exists as its own town.

Josepha lived in Oxnard, and is especially fond of Heritage Square, a community of historic buildings there.

Oxnard is the largest town in Ventura County. We all love the Ventura Museum there.

Another favorite is the Maritime Museum. Check out FreshPlans Goes to the Maritime Museum to learn more about this wonderful place.

Art and architecture are key to California culture. The state’s early mission heritage is still visible in many communities.

Buildings in many styles can be seen all around the state.

The variety of architecture reflects the rich history of California and the broad range of materials available in different parts of the state.

It wouldn’t be California without beaches. This one is in Ventura County.

This is in Santa Barbara. Since California is very large and very biodiverse, you will see many different kinds of beaches as you explore this beautiful state.

This is the Chomphosy family in Fresno. California is a very diverse part of the United States, which is a very diverse country. This is one of the things that makes California such a great state. There are quite a few immigrants in this family, as in so many American families. Some of the people in this picture came to California from Laos. Check out FreshPlans Goes to Laos to learn more about their country. One came from Germany. Check out FreshPlans Goes to Germany to learn more about his country.