Top 10 reasons to go to Cali

Top 10 Reasons to go to… : 

Top 10 Reasons to go to… By: Suzanne

Lets get the boring facts out of the way first….. : 

Lets get the boring facts out of the way first….. Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Try saying that three times fast. Wasn’t that guy in a movie?) Capital: Sacramento Population: 35,893,799 Statehood: September 9, 1850 - 31st state admitted Nickname: The Golden State (Rightly named so) Motto: Eureka (Means: I have found it) State Bird: California Valley Quail Flower: Golden Poppy Tree: California redwood State Song: I Love You, California

Geography : 

Geography The geography of California is a wonder on its own. The surface of the state could go as low as 282 feet below sea level (Badwater in Death Valley, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere) to as high as 14,495 feet (Mount Whitney, the highest point in the U.S. outside Alaska). Mountains cover most of the state’s surface 20% of which is covered by the Sierra Nevada, the longest mountain range in California. The state is also a host to three deserts, the Mojave, Colorado, and Death Valley. These, plus 1,264 miles of coastal area make California’s geography as diverse as it could be. 10

9 : 

9 Of the five major types of climate zones, four of these could be experienced in California: Mediterranean climate can be experienced along coastal California and parts of the interior valley. Much of the San Joaquin Valley and the fringes of the Mojave Desert have a Semi-arid or Steppe climate. A milder and somewhat cooler version exists along the narrow coastal strip from Los Angeles to San Diego. A somewhat unforgiving type is the Desert climate. This region accounts for the hottest temperature anywhere in the state, averaging over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in July. The highest temperature ever recorded in the United States occurred in Death Valley, reaching a high of 134 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913. Finally, the Alpine climate .It is characterized by short, cool summers, and vigorous winters. This region is the major source of California’s water supply. Climate

8 : 

8 The state of California has also been recognized as "the El Dorado State," or the land of the golden opportunities. Many of the people who choose to live in this state do so because of the stability of the state’s economy, which has the best economic status in the country. Since 2007, the gross state product (GSP) is about $1.812 trillion, the largest in the United States. California is responsible for 13 percent of the United States gross domestic product (GDP). As of 2006, California's GDP is larger than all but eight countries in the world. Economy You know you want it >>

Education : 

Education California offers a unique three-tier system of public postsecondary education: The preeminent research university system in the state is the University of California (UC) which employs more Nobel Prize laureates than any other institution in the world, and is considered one of the world's finest public university systems. There are ten general UC campuses, and a number of specialized campuses in the UC system. The California State University (CSU) system has over 400,000 students, making it the largest university system in the United States. It is intended to accept the top one-third (1/3) of high school students. The CSU schools are primarily intended for undergraduate education. The California Community Colleges system provides lower division courses. It is composed of 109 colleges, serving a student population of over 2.9 million. California is also home to such notable private universities such as Stanford University, the University of Southern California (USC), and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). California has hundreds of other private colleges and universities, including many religious and special-purpose institutions. Public secondary education consists of high schools that teach elective courses in trades, languages, and liberal arts with tracks for gifted, college-bound and industrial arts students. California's public educational system is supported by a unique constitutional amendment that requires 40 percent of state revenues to be spent on education. 7

Nature : 

Nature California is one of the richest and most diverse parts of the world and includes some of the most endangered environmental communities. California's large number of common species includes relict species which have died out elsewhere, such as the Catalina Ironwood. Many other plants originated through separation, whereby multiple species develop from a common ancestor to take advantage of diverse ecological conditions such as the California lilac. Many of California’s plants have become endangered. California is home to the most spectacular trees ever known to man: the tallest and largest living tree, the General Sherman, and wonderful drive-through redwood trees. It is home to 20 million acres of National Forest land. It has over 20 wildlife viewing areas. It has spectacles such as the Furnace Creek Inn, which boasts of a spring-fed swimming pool and the lowest grass golf course in the world (214 feet below sea level). 6

Diversity : 

Diversity It is a state that can be summed up in one word – Diverse. Diversity can be manifested in the people, tourist spots, climate, and topography. The people in California are a happy mixture of different ethnic backgrounds. Aside from your typical White Americans, there are the African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and Asians. A community of citizens with the same ethnic background is not difficult to find. This uncanny mixture of varying cultures makes travel to California as colorful and as memorable as can be. Because California has a population comprised of people from everywhere around the globe, the state is also famous for its grand Festivals such as the Chinese New Year Festival and the Cinco de Mayo, the Annual Indian Fair in San Diego, the Los Angeles African Marketplace and Cultural Faire, the French Festival in Santa Barbara, and the Japanese Cultural Bazaar in Sacramento. 5

Only if You’re 21 and Older… : 

Only if You’re 21 and Older… How many of the 405 wineries can you visit in a day? More than half of them offer free tastings with others charging from $1 to $5.50.  Napa and Sonoma are home to half the state's wineries while the Central Coast is gaining fast with 55  wineries and tasting rooms. Also found along the coast are micro breweries offering specialty beers. !Wines! I’ll steal the bottle later when he’s not looking.>> 4

Shopping : 

Shopping Shop 290 malls and districts such as the upscale Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica or South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. There's cool stuff at The Block in Orange or Irvine Spectrum, outlet shopping in Pismo Beach, Oxnard and a variety of other spots or enjoy the incredible antique Mecca's of Summerland, Orange and Carlsbad. Goodbye, Hard-earned cash.>> <<Hello, stuff I'll probably stop using in 4 months. 3

Tourist Spots : 

Tourist Spots Tourist spots abound in the state. Numerous theme parks like Disneyland, Lego Land, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags, and Magic Mountain are famous the world over. A journey through the state’s major cities would unveil modernity at its finest, but one could always take a trip to historic places like the Old Town of San Diego where rustic houses makes you feel like time stopped in the 19th century. The motion-picture studios of southern California; and Chinatown, in San Francisco are also good spots to be. Aghhh…I’m gonna Die!!! Oh well...WEEEEEE!!!>> 2

Hollywood : 

Hollywood California is home to the world’s most beautiful and successful people. The state is the home of Hollywood, breeding icons in sports, entertainment, and politics alike. It is home to Star Wars creator George Lucas, as well as tennis greats Lindsay Davenport, Venus and Serena Williams. Known as the Entertainment Capital of the world, Hollywood is home to the most famous nightclubs, hotels, attractions, and shopping! It has been dubbed as the most exciting and mythical city in the world, where millions of visitors flock every year to meet the stars, to become a star, or to simply gaze at the stars! Whether you are a tourist planning a trip or a local just looking for useful information, this section will navigate you through the best that Hollywood has to offer! Unless you’re willing to sign your life away to an agent….you'll never walk this carpet.^^ 1

Slide 13: 

In California, one could always find things to do and places to go. That is why California never fails to make it as one of the world’s premiere destination for travel and relaxation. With its many faces and facets, it is one of the best places to discover yourself, revive your soul, and enrich your life. Welcome to the Golden State. The End Okay.....you can stop looking now… Bye bye