California – General info

Area:
410,000 sq km.

Population:
36.000.000 (2005).

Population density:
88 per sq km.

Capital:
Sacramento

Largest city:
Los Angeles

Nickname:
The Golden State (Der Goldene Staat)

Geography:
California is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, the Mexican state of Baja California Norte to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The Colorado River forms the border with Arizona. California has a share of several large scenic areas. The Coast Ranges are adjacent to the narrow coastal plain and are followed to the east by the California Longitudinal Valley, which is bounded to the east by the Sierra Nevada and to the north by the Cascade Range and the Klamath Mountains. The coastal area is tectonically very unstable, and earthquakes often occur here. In the southeast, California is part of the Great Basin, which includes Death Valley and the Mojave Desert.

The longest rivers in California are the Sacramento River and the San Joaquin River. Both rivers, together with their numerous tributaries, drain the Sierra Nevada, parts of the Cascade Range and the Californian Longitudinal Valley. The largest lakes include Lake Tahoe, Clear Lake, Honey Lake and Mono Lake. The highest mountain in the USA outside Alaska, Mt. Whitney at 4,418m, is located in California. At the foot of the mountain is the village of Lone Pine, where a well-known film festival takes place every year. About 170 kilometers away is the desert area of Death Valley, which got its name from the time of the first settlers on the west coast, who often had to experience the agony of heat and thirst when crossing the “Valley of Death”. There are numerous nature parks and beaches of various types. One of the most famous parks is Yosemite National Park.

Form of government:
California is governed by the Constitution of 1879. The executive branch is headed by the governor, who is elected by the people for a four-year term. He can only be re-elected once. The legislature consists of a bicameral parliament composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 40 members of the Senate are elected by the people for a four-year term, and the 80 members of the House of Representatives for a two-year term. At the federal level, California is represented by two senators and 52 representatives. In presidential elections, the state has 54 votes. Since 2003, the governor of the state has been the Austrian-born film actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who belongs to the Republican Party.

Population:
The population is about 36 million. California is the most populous state in the USA. The average population density is about 80 inhabitants per square kilometre. The proportion of whites fell from 75 percent in 1990 to 47 percent in 2000. According to the results of the most recent census, Hispanics are the second largest population group with a share of 32 percent, 12 percent are of Asian descent, and 7 percent are black. The proportion of the urban population is about 90 percent.

Education and culture:
In 1866, the first state schools were established in California. The most important university is the University of California, founded in 1868, whose institutions are spread throughout the state. It is one of the largest universities in the world. Stanford University was founded in 1891 by Leland Stanford. Some of the most visited cultural institutions include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as the J. Paul Getty Museum in Malibu, a replica of an ornate Roman mansion that houses a collection of antiques and European paintings. Also worth seeing are the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles and the Mount Palomar Observatory, which is located 80 kilometers northeast of San Diego.

Economy:
In addition to crude oil and natural gas, important raw materials include mercury, tungsten, asbestos, gravel, copper and iron ores. Agriculture and forestry are of great economic importance: California produces larger quantities of agricultural products than any other state. The most important crops include grapes, cotton, rice, wheat and maize. California accounts for about one-tenth of the total timber production in the United States, and fishing accounts for about 4 percent of the total catch in the United States. The most important fish species are swordfish, salmon, tuna and herring. Important industrial sectors include the aerospace industry as well as the computer and electronics industry.

Language:
The official language is English.

Time zone:
Pacific: UTC -8/-7

Mains voltage:
110/120 V, 60 Hz; American two-pin flat plugs. Adapter necessary.

Money – Currency:
American dollar

In California, there are three climate zones:

On the coast, temperatures are lower than in the interior due to the influence of the cool Pacific. North of San Francisco, winters are usually very rainy. San Francisco and large parts of the northern and central California coast are usually foggy and cool in summer.

In the Sierra Nevada, it can get quite hot during the day in summer: However, due to the altitude, temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Large amounts of snow fall here from November.

In the deserts, it is sunny and pleasantly warm even in winter with 20 °C and more. In the evening and at night, however, it cools down very much, as in almost all desert areas. Los Angeles and San Diego are also favoured by mild climates. The climate in San Diego is almost perfect and you can enjoy outdoor activities all year round.

The third highest temperature ever measured on earth was recorded in Death Valley in 1913 at 56.7 °C.

North of Lake Tahoe, the lowest temperature in California was recorded at -42.8 °C (1937).

A common phenomenon in California is coastal fog.

Best time to travel:

California’s peak season is clearly in summer. However, even in winter you have very mild, moderate weather from LA south. Long trousers and a jacket are still necessary. Further south in San Diego you will find the climate that is often described as perfect. The winters are also pleasantly warm here.

San Francisco’s weather is often foggy, especially in the morning hours. In summer, when it gets almost too hot further south, you will find a wonderful spring-like climate in SF.

The best time to travel is April and May as well as September and October. Not only because of the climate, but also to avoid the American travel season between Memorial Day (end of May) and Labor Day (beginning of September).

About 40 percent of all plant species in the USA are native to California.

Common tree species include the sequoia and the Douglas fir.

The oldest tree in the world, an awn pine in the Great Basin, is over 4,900 years old. The stands of the sequoia tree in the Sierra Nevada are up to 2,000 years old.

In the deserts of the southeast, indigo shrubs, various cactus and shrub species, creosote shrubs and the Joshua tree can be found.

In addition to numerous other animals, skunks and rattlesnakes live in the forests, of which there are six different species in the state.

Bears find a suitable habitat mainly in the north and in the remote mountain regions.

California was the first of about 105 Indian tribes to be settled.

Hernán Cortés marked the beginning of the Spaniards’ efforts to establish a colony in California. In 1542, the Viceroy of New Spain, Antonio de Mendoza, ordered Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo to explore the territories north of Mexico.

Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno explored the entire California coast in 1602 and 1603, but it wasn’t until 1769 that a supply port was built in San Diego. In 1776, the Spaniards founded San Francisco. When Mexico gained independence in 1821, California became a Mexican province.

In June 1846, a group of American settlers captured the city of Sonoma. On the occasion of the outbreak of the Mexican War, California declared itself independent. In 1848, Mexico ceded its claims to the territory to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

The discovery of gold by James W. Marshall in Coloma in January 1848 led to a large influx of people. On September 9, 1850, California became the 31st state to join the United States. In 1854, Sacramento became the state’s capital. The completion of the transcontinental railroad line in 1869 brought growing prosperity to the state.

Economic development was further advanced by improved railway connections. In 1890, San Francisco became the largest city on the Pacific coast and a trading center of worldwide importance.

In Los Angeles, the economic upswing reached its peak in 1887. The 1893 fall in the stock markets led to a serious economic crisis in California. A new economic upswing began before the beginning of the First World War.

After the war, the number of jobs initially fell sharply. Nevertheless, around two million immigrants poured into the state in the 1920s. By 1924, the population of Los Angeles had risen to one million. Oil production and the associated branches of production gained in importance, and in 1925 more than a fifth of the world’s oil production came from California. During this time, the film industry in Hollywood also developed.

During World War II, numerous aircraft factories and shipyards were built in California. An influx of workers led to an increase in the number of inhabitants by almost two million between 1940 and 1945.

After the war, the influx continued, and in some cases there was even a shortage of housing. Between 1950 and 1990, the state’s population tripled, and since 1962 California has been the most populous state in the USA.

In October 1989, San Francisco and in June 1992 the region east of Los Angeles were shaken by severe earthquakes. In the fall of 1993, more than a dozen bushfires ravaged Southern California, destroying over 80,000 acres of land and more than 1,000 homes.

In January 1994, Los Angeles was hit by an earthquake that reached 6.7 on the Richter scale. The damage was estimated at 15 to 30 billion US dollars.

Just as false as the prejudice that Americans only eat pizza and fast food is the claim that Californians have reinvented cooking with their “Californian cuisine”. In the cooking pots of many top restaurants in the L.A. area, you can find influences from European, Asian and Creole cuisine. The ingredients usually come fresh from the fertile fruit and vegetable growing areas of the north. On the coasts, you can often find seafood on the menu, such as crabs, crabs and all kinds of saltwater fish.

The culinary diversity of North America comes mainly from the pots of ethnic cuisines, which can be divided as follows:

Creole, Chinese or Thai, southern, Tex-Mex or Californian cuisine, the range of delicacies is inexhaustible. Not everywhere, but at least in some big cities like New York, Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver. Many fast food outlets, the fast restaurant chains and snack stations on the highway, are better than their reputation. In the east of the country, Wendy’s is praised for its solid chili con carne. In the west, the food branches of Denny’s (with the 24-hour motto “never closes” or “always open”) have established themselves and offer a reliable and inexpensive breakfast and lunch menu as well as salads and light dishes.
Meatless
The trend towards meatless food has now also reached North America. It is not only in the fine white table cloth restaurants that fruit and vegetables are being served more and more often. Even fast food outlets and truck stops are bringing the new trend to the table with salad bars, veggie (vegetable) burgers, veggie sandwiches, veggie fajitas.
Closed on Sundays
Since the serving of alcoholic beverages on Sundays is restricted by law in some southern states, prohibited altogether or only allowed on the basis of special licenses, many restaurants are closed on Sundays.
Etiquette
Before there is anything to eat in the restaurant, the guest usually has to undergo a small cultural entrance exam. Usually there is already a sign WAIT TO BE SEATED at the entrance, which means nothing other than that you should not rush straight to the next empty table, but wait for the receptionist(s) who assigns a table.

If other guests are already waiting, one of the most conspicuous Anglo-Saxon rituals comes into force: the patient queuing, the standing in line. If you don’t, you will be gently admonished: “You have to stand in line”. Something like this can easily happen, especially to Europeans (except British), because it is not always immediately clear that the smallest gathering of people is basically already a line. So when in doubt, it’s better to ask: “Excuse me, is this a line?” Americans love lines – in the inn, at the post office, at bank counters, box offices, at the reception in the hotel. They hate jostling and clumping. With good reason, because lines are easy on the nerves and save unnecessary friction.
Doggy Bag
In addition to the sumptuous breakfast, the lunch dishes in particular are varied, tasty and inexpensive. All portions, especially in the evening, are quite large. You are by no means looked at strangely if you share large portions or have the unmanaged rest (doggy bag) packed (Could you wrap this, please?).
Tips
Compared to Europe, people in North America eat dinner early. Especially in smaller towns, you can sit down at the table until 9 p.m. at the latest. Even in the cities, restaurants are often closed after 10 p.m.

For a picnic or to take food to your hotel room, it is advisable to buy a sufficiently spacious cooler for the trunk (from 20 liters) right at the beginning of the trip. There is plenty of ice cream in supermarkets and gas stations. (Tip: The cooler can also be used as heat protection for slide films in a waterproof bag).

If you already spend enough money on parking, tolls, entrance fees, taxes, tips, etc., you should take advantage of the “happy hour” (free snacks, freebies or munchies and drinks) offered in many bars and lounges, usually between 5 and 7 pm.

Young people are usually strictly controlled when visiting bars, discos and casinos (minimum age 21 years). Normally, the US driver’s licence is considered ID, identification. Since there are no identity cards in the USA, it can sometimes be difficult to prove that you are 21 years or older.

Most supermarkets are real treasure troves for snacks and snacks because they offer vegetables, fruit, sandwiches, pastries, etc. fresh, delicious and inexpensive – often at any time of the day or night. The shops of the gas stations are also not to be sneezed at as supply stations.

Non-smoking zones are common practice in the vast majority of restaurants and coffee shops. Disregarding the non-smoking rule is not a trivial offense. The USA has developed into a non-smoking country. Smoking is completely prohibited on all domestic flights. In California, smoking is no longer allowed in any restaurant, bar, office or public space!

US drinks are almost always overflowing with ice. Ice tea, ice water, coke or other soft drinks are always small ice cream bombs.

Americans are currently in an absolute coffee frenzy. Especially in the West, initiated by the Seattle, Washington-based coffee roasting company “Starbucks”, numerous fragrant coffee houses have sprung up in recent years, where espresso, cappuccino, café latte, etc. are offered alongside fresh baked goods and sandwiches. The facilities are mostly cozy and have become important social meeting places.
Restaurant recommendations:
Domenico ́s on the Wharf

The excellent dining restaurant can boast several awards for its cuisine and exquisite wine list. The speciality of the house is freshly prepared pasta and – how could it be otherwise with a harbour restaurant – seafood dishes.

Address:

50 Fisherman’s Wharf
93940 Monterey
Tel: 001-831-372-3665
Fax: 001-831-372-2073
Homepage: http://restauranteur.com/domenicos

Heidi ́s Restaurant
Families can enjoy breakfast or lunch in the child-friendly restaurant. The American-European dishes are good and inexpensive.
Address:
3485 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
96150 South Lake Tahoe
Tel: 001-530-544-8113

Jonesy ́s Famous Steak House
In the unpretentious Steak House, there are also good dishes with fish and chicken. Many locals come mainly because of the low prices. The window seats overlook the Napa Valley Airport.
Address:
2044 Airport Rd.
94558 Napa
Phone: 001-707-255-2003

Maccallum House Restaurant
Not only the guests of the Maccallum Inn meet in a cozy atmosphere in the hotel’s own restaurant. The cuisine is continental-oriented.
Address:
45020 Albion St.
95460 Mendocino
Tel: 001-707-937-0289
E-mail: unfo@maccallumhouse.com
Homepage: http://www.maccallumhouse.com

Manta Rey Restaurant
As in many places in California, the serving of alcoholic beverages at Manta Rey is limited to wine and beer. The fish and pasta dishes are freshly prepared.
Address:
9240 Castillo Dr. (El Rey Garden Inn)
93452 San Simeon
Tel: 001-805-924-1032

Musso & Frank Grill
In an old tradition, breakfast and American specialties have been served since 1919. If you want, you can sit at the same table as Ernest Hemingway once did.
Address:
6667 Hollywood Blvd.
CA 90028 Los Angeles, Hollywood
Tel: 001-323-467-7788

Spago
Gourmet chef Wolfgang Puck conjures up exquisite pizza and pasta variations for his guests. Due to its popularity among L.A.’s high society, a reservation is absolutely necessary.
Address:
8795 W. Sunset Blvd.
CA 90069 Los Angeles, West Hollywood
Tel: 001-310-652-4025

The Narrow Gauge Inn
Because of the friendly service and home-style cuisine, the hotel restaurant is very popular with both tourists and locals.
Address:
48571 Hwy. 41
93623 Fish Camp
Tel: 001-559-683-7720
Fax: 559-683-2139
Homepage: http://narrowgaugeinn.com

Big Sur
The coastal strip about 100 miles south of Monterrey is known as Big Sur. Here the coastal mountains fall directly into the Pacific. A breathtaking landscape of rocks and tiny beaches, hidden in small bays. Highway 1, which winds around the slopes of the mountains, surprises with new beauties around every bend.
Yosemite National Park
The magnificent Yosemite Valley is located about 150 miles east of San Francisco in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This fascinating valley is only 12 miles long and only about 1 mile wide, but has more than 2000 feet-high granite walls tumbling over the 9 waterfalls, including the 2400 feet high Yosemite Falls. An extraordinarily popular meeting place for tourists, hikers and mountaineers.
Sequoia National Park
These two nature parks are located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Less known than Yosemite and not as crowded, they are ideal for hiking and visiting California’s nature.
Lake Tahoe
Surrounded by dense forests, snow-capped slopes and mountain peaks, Lake Tahoe (1900 meters above sea level) is one of California’s most popular vacation destinations. In summer you can go motorboating or jet skiing, sunbathing, sailing, hiking, fishing and in winter you can go skiing. The lake’s incredible blue waters straddle the California and Nevada state borders. The best time to visit Lake Tahoe is from June to September, as the average daytime temperature at this time is 26°C and there are 27 cloudless days on average. May and October are also still months with pleasant temperatures (19° C).
Death Valley
About 150 miles east of Los Angeles, near the Nevada border, Death Valley features some of the most deserted scenery in the U.S. In this narrow and shallow basin in the middle of bare mountains, daytime temperatures climb to more than 140° F. The valley is almost devoid of any life. And yet, the rugged, colorful rock formations and the bright white salt lakes give the landscape a fascinating magic.
Joshua Tree National Park
East of Palm Springs, this park features the unusual flora and fauna of the Mojave Desert, including thousands of unusual-looking Joshua trees. This park is not very well known and little visited, except by serious mountaineers and campers.
San Diego
On the southern border of California, near the Mexican border, lies San Diego. Known for its extraordinarily pleasant climate and warm, tropical beaches. With significantly less traffic than its huge neighbor Los Angeles, this city offers a quieter atmosphere. San Diego has one of the best zoological gardens in the world. The distance to the Mexican border city of Tijuana is short.
California Wine Country – Das Weinland
As the largest wine producer in the USA, California has a reputation for exceptionally good wines. Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, about 50 miles north of San Francisco, are the most well-known growing areas. The central coast between Monterrey and Santa Barbara is almost as famous. In addition, there are a number of smaller and lesser-known cultivation areas scattered throughout the state. Many wineries can be visited free of charge and take part in wine tastings.

The city of Palm Springs, located in a desert valley 100 miles east of Los Angeles, has long been the winter hideaway of movie stars and wealthy Californians who are drawn here by the warmth and year-round sunshine. Numerous golf courses, exclusive shops and excellent restaurants are just right for the pampered public.

Palm Springs and its neighboring communities are all located on the Route 10 highway and the parallel thoroughfare known as Highway 111. It is also known as Palm Canyon Drive.

Years ago, Palm Springs was the weekend getaway for many famous Hollywood movie stars and movie stars. Even in the days of silent films, this was the place where the rich and famous wanted to escape the dirty air and bustle of Los Angeles. Many Hollywood personalities built elegant pompous mansions here in the desert of Palm Springs. Some of these fantastic villas are still there, reminding us of the great days of Hollywood. Many streets, boulevards and city buildings still bear the names of famous residents such as Frank Sinatra Way, Dinah Shore Way, Gene Autry Trail and the Bob Hope Cultural Centre.

Palm Springs was created from a small desert bath. All around there are added places such as Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and Indio. The trail off Route 111 is peppered with many elegant grand houses, lush green golf courses, and elegant shopping malls with fine designer stores as well as expensive restaurants. Palm Springs is known as the vacation spot for rich seniors.

There is a very wide range of accommodations in Palm Springs. You can find elegant holiday hotels that offer large rooms with all comforts. But there are also enough cheap hotels. You can even find a number of very inexpensive motels. The main attractions in Palm Springs are the weather, the golf courses, and the elegant resort hotels. Temperatures can be quite hot in summer and cool in winter, but on the whole, it’s very pleasant all year round. Rain is rare and the sun shines all year round from a cloudless blue sky. January to May are usually very pleasant months with fewer tourist flows.

Golf is played all year round and there are more than a hundred courses in the area. More than 4 million litres of water are used every day to irrigate the Golp pitches. Swimming pools and tennis courts are as numerous as the palm trees in this area.