California Facts
Nickname: The Golden State
Capital City: Sacramento
Statehood: September 9, 1850 – 31st
Area: 163,707 sq.mi. (423,999 sq.km.) – 3rd
Population: 38,332,521 – 1st (2013)
Counties: 58
National Parks: 8
National Monuments: 16
State Parks: 154
Bird: California Valley Quail
Flower: California Poppy
Tree: California Redwood
Highest Point: Mt. Whitney – 14,494 feet (4,421 m)
Lowest Point: Badwater Basin in Death Valley – 282 feet below sea level (-86 m)
Best Season: All year
Popular Locations: Yosemite NP, Death Valley NP, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP, Redwood NP, Joshua Tree NP, Big Sur, Lassen Volcanic NP, Pinnacles NP, Channel Islands NP, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Pacific Coast Highway