California, Here We Come: A Quiz About The Golden State

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Last updated · 9 min play time

At some point, we've all caught ourselves "California dreamin' on such a winter's day". From the Hollywood Hills to San Francisco's Ghirardelli Square to the mountains of the Sierras, no place captures our imagination quite like the Golden State. It's our country's most populous state, and one of the most culturally diverse.

In this quiz, we'll find out how much you know about our 31st state, from the cities to the agriculture to the mountains and everything in between. Let's start dreamin'!


I'm a 3-time Emmy-winning game show producer, writer, director and published author. I dig traveling, watching hockey, photographing wildlife and exploring the cultural and social fabric of society.

California Quiz Questions

20 Questions · 1.1K Plays · No comments

Question 1

California is known for providing much of our nation's fresh produce. Which of the following did Lt. Governor Newsom officially make the state fruit in 2013?

  • A
    Orange
  • B
    Avocado
  • C
    Guava
  • D
    Strawberry

Question 2

“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco” is possibly the most famous quote about the City by the Bay. For years, to whom has the quote has been falsely attributed?

  • A
    Neil Simon
  • B
    Yogi Berra
  • C
    Mark Twain
  • D
    Dave Barry

Question 3

California has been the birthplace of so many of our country's innovations, including Apple computers and Levi's jeans. Which of these was also invented in the Golden State?

  • A
    Walkie-talkie
  • B
    Skateboard
  • C
    The compact disc
  • D
    Pantyhose

Question 4

California is home to the largest tree in the world, located within Sequoia National Park. 102 feet at the base and over 2700 years old, what is this tree's name?

  • A
    General Sherman
  • B
    General Custer
  • C
    General Lee
  • D
    General Grant

Question 5

What famous burger chain first opened in California in 1948, and stayed exclusively in the Golden State until their first out-of-state location opened in 1992 in Las Vegas?

  • A
    In-N-Out
  • B
    Carl's Jr.
  • C
    Fatburger
  • D
    Jack in the Box

Question 6

California's iconic flag depicts a grizzly bear named Monarch, captured in 1889. What famous Californian ordered the capture of this 1200-pound bear?

  • A
    Charles Crocker
  • B
    Leland Stanford
  • C
    William Randolph Hearst
  • D
    Collis Huntington

Question 7

Out of the 59 National Parks in the United States, California has 9 - or 15% - of them. Which of the following is NOT a National Park in the Golden State?

  • A
    Big Bend National Park
  • B
    Channel Islands National Park
  • C
    Joshua Tree National Park
  • D
    Kings Canyon National Park

Question 8

Let's start with a little bit of history. What year did California go from being a territory to an official free, non-slavery state of the Union?

  • A
    1830
  • B
    1850
  • C
    1870
  • D
    1880

Question 9

The Channel Islands are a series of eight islands off the coast of Southern California in the Pacific Ocean. Which of these is NOT one of the Channel islands?

  • A
    San Miguel
  • B
    Santa Cruz
  • C
    San Juan
  • D
    Santa Rosa

Question 10

Billed as the largest of its kind in the United States, what takes place annually at the Tehama County Fairgrounds in Red Bluff, California?

  • A
    Fireworks festival
  • B
    Scottish highland games
  • C
    Antique market
  • D
    Rodeo

Question 11

Before Sacramento became California's capital in 1879, the territory had many capitals, including Vallejo and San José. What city held the honor of being the capital for 75 years, from 1774 to 1849?

  • A
    Bakersfield
  • B
    San Diego
  • C
    Los Angeles
  • D
    Monterey

Question 12

California's known for having drought, but Los Angeles had its own NFL drought, going how many years without a pro football franchise?

  • A
    20 years
  • B
    30 years
  • C
    12 years
  • D
    10 years

Question 13

While staying on a houseboat, where in California was Otis Redding inspired to write the iconic song "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay"?

  • A
    Sausalito
  • B
    Oakland
  • C
    Santa Barbara
  • D
    Monterey

Question 14

Which of the following historic California arenas has hosted both the NBA Finals and the 1956 and 1964 Republican National Conventions?

  • A
    Pechanga Arena
  • B
    The Forum
  • C
    Oakland Arena
  • D
    Cow Palace

Question 15

California has 58 counties, varying in size from only 45 square miles to 20,000 square miles. Which of these cities is located in the largest county by area?

  • A
    Bakersfield
  • B
    Riverside
  • C
    Fresno
  • D
    San José

Question 16

In what California city can you be fined $500 for "annoying" a Monarch butterfly, an animal which has become synonymous with the coastal town?

  • A
    Crescent City
  • B
    Pismo Beach
  • C
    Half Moon Bay
  • D
    Pacific Grove

Question 17

Found in gemstone quality only in California, what mineral is named for the county in which it can be mined?

  • A
    Mendocinoite
  • B
    Mateoite
  • C
    Benitoite
  • D
    Cruzite

Question 18

California is a land of contrasts, as home to both the highest and lowest points in the lower 48 states. How far apart are the highest point - Mt. Whitney - and the lowest point - Bad Water in Death Valley?

  • A
    156 miles
  • B
    236 miles
  • C
    76 miles
  • D
    26 miles

Question 19

Of all the facts about California, perhaps the most obscure is how California got its name. Which of these is allegedly the source of the state's name?

  • A
    A fictional island
  • B
    A type of burrowing rodent
  • C
    A small red flower
  • D
    An explorer from Spain

Question 20

Known for her starring roles in box office hits of the 1950s, who became have become the first person to officially receive a (temporary) star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960?

  • A
    Natalie Wood
  • B
    Joanne Woodward
  • C
    Jane Russell
  • D
    Doris Day

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