The California poppy became the official state flower of California in 1903. California poppy leaves were used medicinally by Native Americans and the pollen was used cosmetically, while the seeds continue to be used in cooking. Tolerant of poor soil, it is often seen along the edges of roads and highways.

The environmentalist John Muir was born in Dunbar in 1838. His father was a religious zealot and before Muir emigrated to America he could recite the bible from memory. Known as the "Father of United States Conservation" his writings led to the creation of the Sequoia and Yosemite national parks and the national park movement in general. There are said to be more places named after John Muir in California than for any other person.

The California Poppy became the state flower in 1903.

With origins in the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, Cinco de Mayo is now an annual celebration of Mexican culture and heritage held primarily in the United States.

San Francisco (Spanish for "Saint Francis") was founded on June 29, 1776, when colonists from Spain established a fort at the Golden Gate and a mission named for St. Francis of Assisi a few miles away. The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought rapid growth, making it the largest city on the West Coast at the time.

Giant sequoias are the world's largest single trees, the largest living things by volume, and are among the oldest living things on earth. The oldest known giant sequoia, based on ring count, is 3,500 years old.

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The Bear Flag is the official flag of the State of California. The precursor of the flag was first flown during the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt and was also known as the Bear Flag.The term "California Republic" appeared on the flag the insurgents raised in Sonoma. It indicated their aspiration of forming a republican government for California. The flag featured an image of a grizzly bear and became known as the Bear Flag.