California
California
California is the largest US state by population, and the third largest by area. The state truly offers something for everyone. Southern California is home to the worldwide entertainment hub of Hollywood and numerous beaches lined with surfers, sunbathers and those looking to see and be seen. The northern part of California offers the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the hills of San Francisco, the vineyards of Napa Valley, and the tech hub of Silicon Valley. Outside California's major cities are some of North America's most spectacular national parks, incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities, and peaceful northern forests including the highest mountain peak in the contiguous US, Mt. Whitney.
The California Gold Rush of the 1850s is still a symbol of California's modern economic style, a pioneering spirit that generates technology, entertainment and music movements that are followed all around the globe. Hardcore punk, hip-hop, country and heavy metal have all evolved in California. Furthermore, new genres of music, such as surf rock and third wave ska, have their origins in California.
During the late 1960s San Francisco and Hollywood emerged as the center for psychedelic rock and a haven for the counterculture class looking to “turn on, tune in, and drop out.” The Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco became the counterculture capital, home to bands like Jefferson Airplane, Santana and the Grateful Dead, which started the still vibrant music festival scene in California. The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 is perhaps the most famous music event in California’s history. The show launched the international careers of performers like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Otis Redding and Janis Joplin.
Music art and entertainment is still alive and well in California, from the West Coast rap and hip-hop pioneered by the likes of N.W.A., 2Pac and Snoop Dogg, to indie rock, hardcore, nu metal and electronica.
