WHATS GREAT ABOUT
C ALIFORNIA?
ANITA YASUDA
Copyright 2015
by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
Content Consultant: Zevi Gutfreund, Assistant
Professor of History, Louisiana State University
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Main body text set in ITC Franklin Gothic Std
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Typeface provided by Adobe Systems.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
Data
Yasuda, Anita.
Whats great about California? / by
Anita Yasuda.
pages cm. (Our great states)
Includes index.
ISBN 9781467733496 (lib. bdg. :
alk. paper)
ISBN 9781467747066 (eBook)
1. CaliforniaJuvenile literature. I. Title.
F861.3.Y37 2015
979.4dc23 201304511
Manufactured in the United States of America
1 PC 7/15/14
CONTENTS
CALIFORNIA FACTS
This Is CALIFORNIA!
California has endless sunshine, warm days, and miles of coastline.
Each spring, fields sparkle with yellow poppies. No wonder Californias
nickname is the Golden State. California has miles of sandy beaches
along the Pacific Ocean. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of the
oldest seaside amusement parks in the United States. Can you hear
the screams from the spinning roller coaster or the music from the
antique carousel? California is known for having tons of fun outdoor
activities. Surf on the ocean. Or head for the mountains and strap on a
snowboard. California is also famous for movie stars and film studios.
The state has a lot to see and do. Read on to learn about ten great
places to visit in California.
Explore Californias beaches
and all the places in between.
Just turn the page to find
out all about the
GOLDEN STATE.
LOS ANGELES
Saber- toothed cats once lived in what is now Los
Angeles. They left their footprints behind in the
middle of the city. Go on a flashlight tour of the
La Brea Tar Pits. La Brea is a forty- thousand- year-
old oil field. It is now part of the Page Museum. It
has fossils of more than one million animals that
became trapped in the goo.
But dont stop there! Los Angeles has a lot more
to discover. Hop on a tour bus. Snap photos of
the Hollywood sign. Listen to musicians on lively
Olvera Street, the oldest area in Los Angeles.
Or look for your favorite stars name on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of TCL Chinese
Theatre. The Hollywood Walk of Fame honors
people in entertainment. It has more than two
thousand stars. Each star has a celebritys name
on it. Some stars even have celebrities footprints
or handprints.
At the Santa Monica Pier, ride the worlds only
solar- powered Ferris wheel. From here, head over
to Venice Beach. Check out the street performers.
Who knows? Maybe youll be part of the show!
THE ACADEMY AWARDS
In the early 1900s, Californias
frequent sunny days attracted
film studios. The film industry
created many jobs.
In 1929, one of
the biggest events
in entertainment
began. It is
now known as
the Academy
Awards. These
awards celebrate
everything about
the movies.
See for yourself the footprints of
animals trapped in the La Brea
Tar Pits over the centuries.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame
is more than 3.5 miles (5.6
kilometers) long.
DISNEYLAND
Spinning teacups, flying elephants, and a
roller coaster zooming through a mountain.
These are just some of the attractions
at Disneyland in Anaheim. It is the most
popular amusement park in the world.
Walt Disney was an animator and
screenwriter. One of his most famous
characters is Mickey Mouse. The first
Mickey Mouse cartoon came out in 1928.
People loved Mickey! On July 17, 1955,
Walt Disney opened his theme park. He
built the park on acres (64 hectares)
of former orange groves.
Fourteen million people visit Disneyland
each year. Watch a parade. Meet some
of the famous Disney characters. Enjoy a
jungle cruise or take a ride with Peter Pan
in a flying pirate ship. And dont miss the
fireworks above Sleeping Beautys Castle.
They happen almost every night. Special
guest Tinker Bell always makes a visit. So
put on your mouse ears and find out why
Disneyland is magical.
If youre an Alice in Wonderland fan,
youll love the Mad Tea Party ride.
Bronze statues of Walt
Disney and Mickey Mouse
greet visitors in front of
Cinderella Castle.
HEARST CASTLE
Presidents and movie stars have stayed at the
Hearst Castle overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It
is so close to the ocean that you can hear the
sound of the crashing waves. The castle is near
the town of San Simeon. That is halfway between
Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The castles former owner, William Randolph
Hearst, owned twenty- six newspapers. He
wanted to build a castle in the hills of California.
It took nearly thirty years to build. The castle was
never completely finished. Hearst had to stop
living there in 1947 because of health problems.
As you board the bus to the castle, be on the
lookout for cattle. They graze on grassland that is
part of Hearst Ranch below the castle. Once you
arrive at the castle, you will see some of the
rooms. Hearst filled the rooms with statues and