The California Heritage Cookbook remains a favorite gourmet tour of the entire state. California's colorful history combines the arid climate with the influence of the Spanish, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, French, and German cultures to shape a cuisine that stands among America's best. Inducted into the McIlhenny Hall of Fame, an award given for book sales that exceed 100,000 copies.
Since the first appearance of oranges at the Franciscan missions in the early 19th century, citrus agriculture has been an inextricable part of California's heritage. From the 1870s to the 1960s, oranges and lemons were dominant features of the Southern California landscape. The Washington navel orange, introduced by homesteader Eliza Tibbets at Riverside in the 1870s, precipitated the rise of a citrus belt stretching from Pasadena (in the San Gabriel Valley) to Redlands (in San Bernardino County). Valencia oranges dominated Orange County south of Los Angeles, while lemons thrived in coastal settlements such as Santa Paula. With the arrival of transcontinental railroads in the citrus heartland by the 1880s, Californians had access to markets across the United States. This was followed by the subsequent establishment of an impressive central organization in the form of the California Fruit Growers Exchange, and oranges became the state's most lucrative crop. Observers did not exaggerate when they dubbed the southern portion of the Golden State an orange empire.
This beautifully illustrated guidebook takes you on a tour of California's different geographical areas, each with its own character and exciting excursions, from the Golden State's main attractions to hidden gems in off-the-beaten path destinations. California is a vast territory that is unquestionably the most diversified in all of the United States. With so much to see and do, National Geographic Traveler: California is an essential tool for every visitor, providing itinerary ideas for every type of tourist―from beach-lovers to city-dwellers to road trippers. Offering ideas, advice, and suggestions from true Golden State connoisseurs, this book is filled with expert information that takes the guesswork out of planning your California vacation. Much of California's fascination lies in its informal, cosmopolitan lifestyle, but there is so much more to see and do beyond the busy city highways. With a variety of landscapes and attractions to choose from, you'll want to visit it all, including: California's beaches. There are so many, you can visit a different sandy shore every day for a month and still not see half of them. Museums, theme parks, and historical attractions, including an insider's guide to iconic destinations like Disneyland. The Colorado Desert, carved with sand dunes, and the Mojave Desert, punctuated by yucca treas. Luxury and sophistication in Palm Springs. Solitude and natural beauty in Death Valley. The states largest and oldest national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Park. The tallest trees on the planet and seldom-visited volcanic landscapes. And so much more! Discover legendary walking and driving tours, history, and modern culture, as well as excursions to exceptional places and suggestions from National Geographic photographers and travel experts in this one-stop resource to on of America's most iconic states. It is packed with all the information you need to plan your next grand adventure.
