Although the first Europeans came to California from Spain in the 1700s, California didn’t become a territory until 1847 as a result of the Mexican-American War. Within months, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill, on the banks of the South Fork of the American River in Coloma. The finding of gold was really a matter of happenstance. Captain John Sutter had hired someone to build him a sawmill, and while using water from the American River, that builder, James W. Marshall, noticed flakes of metal in the water channel below the water mill and realized the flecks were gold. Apparently, Mr. Marshall was not very good at keeping secrets, because though he tried to keep it under cover, the news spread fairly quickly, and the California Gold Rush of 1849 was on. More than 80,000 people poured into the territory in the first year, and by 1850, they were coming from all over the world, including Europe, Australia, South America, and China. California was admitted into the Union, on the fast track, it would seem, in 1850 and has as its capital, the city of Sacramento. Had it not been for the Gold Rush, it would have taken 20 or even 30 years to achieve statehood. By 1852, California’s population had skyrocketed from 14,000 to 250,000, and in the decade of the 1850s, more than 28 million ounces of gold were mined. When the War Between the States broke out, California supported the Union by sending gold and supporting several combat units. In 1862, the California Column, a unit of Union volunteers, marched east across Arizona and New Mexico, some 900 miles, in order to expel the Confederates from those two territories, turning then to fighting hostile Indians in the region for the rest of the war. Agriculture has a firm hold in here, and these days, about half of the fruit produced in the entire country is grown in California.
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Regular Blogs
Accident & Injury News: Laws, Rights & Commentary
A legal blog that covers personal injury and accident topics including car accidents, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse. Published by personal injury lawyers Bisnar & Chase.
http://www.californiainjuryblog.com
A brewery in downtown Anaheim maintains this blog, about their revival of the famous Anaheim Beer, which was famous before Prohibition more than 90 years ago. It announces seasonal offerings, tasting room hours, and the history of this and other beers.
http://anaheimbrewery.wordpress.com/
Concerns itself with politics and government in Santa Barbara as well as the media and culture.
http://blogabarbara.blogspot.com/
Dedicated to providing daily news and reader submitted photography about cacti and succulents in California. Also contains a large section dedicated to national parks like Joshua Tree National Park, Grand Canyon, and Saguaro National Park.
http://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/
Writings from and about the endangered species in California: political conservatives.
http://www.californiaconservative.org/
The projects and programs of the Christian mission in Riverside, California are featured on its blog, including photographs of people and events.
http://riversidecaliforniamission.blogspot.com/
California Serious Injury Attorneys' Blog
Although there are numerous categories covered in this blog, some of the major ones include car or truck accidents, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful death.
http://www.cmslaw.com/blog
Covering law and media in Santa Barbara, crime news, and living on the southern California coast.
http://craigsmithsblog.blogspot.com/
Crossword Christian is a non-denominational church in Moreno Valley, California. Announcements and other topics related to programs and events sponsored by the church are presented.
http://www.crosswordchurch.org/blog/
Posts about life in Ventura and the surrounding area, with food, sports, entertainment and politics being the main issues.
http://etavta.blogspot.com/
Foodies: A Southern California Food Blog
Reviews restaurants in San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties and includes photographs of the premises as well as the entrees.
http://food.theplainjane.com/
Programs and events hosted by the library system in Fremont, California are published, along with other articles on a variety of topics.
http://fremontlibraries.wordpress.com/
New tenants, promotions and events at the Block at Pacific Commons in Fremont, California, a shopping mall, are highlighted here.
http://newfremontcalifornia.blogspot.com/
Keeps readers apprised of what is going on in the Goleta Valley, including news, upcoming events and business openings, and planning decisions.
http://goletaobserver.blogspot.com/
Attorneys blog about all manner of cases, including fraud, DUI, murder, and sexual assault, as well as smuggling and white collar crime.
http://www.danielgreenberglaw.com/blog/
Displays photographs of waves, beach scenes, animal life, and landscapes of Malibu, all taken by a journalist who lives a few yards from the western edge of Malibu’s Paradise Cove.
http://www.laobserved.com/malibu/
Delivers discussions about the politics, social life, and culture of Sherman Oaks, California.
http://shermanoaks.blogspot.com/
Provides blog entries about news items and cultural notes about California, a photoblog, and rants about various topics.
http://fcsuper.blogspot.com/
Orange County Bankruptcy Law Blog
California bankruptcy attorney hosts this weblog which carries posts about bankruptcy chapter 11, chapter 13, and chapter 7 as they pertain to Californians.
http://www.cpwalkerlaw.com/blog/
Orange County Business and Commercial Law Blog
The attorneys at the law firm of Boyd Contreras specialize in business and commercial litigation, bankruptcy, real estate, and contract disputes, which are the focus of its blog.
http://www.orangecountyattorneysatlaw.com/blog/
Orange County Personal Injury Law Blog
California news items are posted and commented on in this weblog, which belongs to an Orange County law firm.
http://www.cifarelliinjurylaw.com/blog/
Palm Springs Savant Rick Rockhill
Calling this blog a hobby and creative outlet, the blogger seeks to find the humor and lightheartedness of Palm Springs. Aside from his descriptions and photographs, many with celebrities, he also talks about his local radio show.
http://rickrockhill.blogspot.com/
An MBA student at Stanford Graduate School of Business writes about everything about his time in Palo Alto, beginning with his application and admission. He also writes about the anxiety involved, the school itself, and his advice for others contemplating applying.
http://paloaltoforawhile.blogspot.com/
Chronicles the effects of the collapse of the housing bubble on Long Beach from the point of view of someone who tried to convey the imminent collapse early on.
http://longbeachhousingblog.blogspot.com/
The focus of this weblog is the city of Berkeley, its local eateries, nightclubs, and other places to go as well as the social issues which abound there.
http://www.drummingnet.com/berkeley/index.html
Describes and reviews the best and worst places to eat in California.
http://pepsimonster.blogspot.com/
Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society
The local Audubon Society posts entries about birds, bird rescue missions, California bird festivals, and local birding, among other things which are related to bird-watching.
http://smbasblog.wordpress.com/
Contains information about the Santa Monica housing market and houses for sale, whether via foreclosure or otherwise, and other buildings. Also points out in painful detail the problems caused by foreclosures.
http://smdistress.blogspot.com/
Offers photographs and information about Malibu property for sale, foreclosures, and other Malibu details.
http://themaliburealestateblog.com/
Articles here are about the world of those born between 1965 and 1985 and shares items about such things as hula hoops, mullets, dial-up modems, and pop psychology.
http://www.snoozebuttongeneration.com/
The real estate company operates from its offices on Magnolia Avenue in Riverside, California. Its blog offers general information about real estate buying and selling, as well as on available properties.
http://www.westcoerealtors.com/blog/
A Berkeley photographer captures images of various fashion trends and statements worn by regular folks on the streets. Her goal was to prove that people in Berkeley are not “unkempt hippies.” She posts descriptions as well as where the models were spotted.
http://workitberk.blogspot.com/