California offers the most diverse climate anywhere in the United States. From towering snowcapped peaks to Painted Desert dunes, California has something for everybody when it comes to family adventures and making lifelong memories. The state park system in California is as diverse as the climate. The beautiful parks showcase the best of California’s resources and scenery. There are parks with mountainous terrain, desert ecosystems, fruitful valleys, endless beaches, and historic Redwoods.

Interesting Facts: California State Parks

• More of the world’s surface can be seen from Mount Diablo State Park than from anywhere else in the world, besides Mt. Kilimanjaro.
• The largest state park is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, at 600,000 acres.
• The smallest state park is Watts Towers of Simon Rodia State Historic Park, at .11 acres.
• Big Basins Redwood State Park is the oldest park, dating back to 1902.
• A Sequoia that is 370’ tall is the tallest in the world at Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
• The widest tree in the world is a 24’ wide Louis Agassiz at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Hearst San Simeon State Historic Monument

In 1919, a 30 year endeavor began which transformed a hilltop in California into an extraordinary mansion, surrounded by breathtaking gardens and pools. The world-famous Hearst Castle towers on a seaside cliff between San Francisco and Los Angeles. “La Casa Grande” is a 115 room estate amidst 8 acres of glorious gardens and several luxurious pools. Many famous visitors have visited this prestigious historic state monument. President Coolidge, Winston Churchill, Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, and many other well-known entertainers and politicians have stayed in the mansion. This state tourist attraction gets many visitors from all over the world and is a popular California monument.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

This old state park was adopted in the 1920’s and is a haven for old growth costal redwood trees. There are many activities available for nature-lovers here, such as: hiking, nature-watching, beach combing, and biking.

Prairie Creek, along with a few other State Parks, compose 45% of the original redwood population in California. Their beauty is astounding and the sheer size of these towering antiques makes these California State Parks true natural wonders.

The weather is often cool, wet, and blanketed with fog. This provides the perfect atmosphere for the dense forest flora. Many shrubs, ferns, mosses, and flowers bloom in the moist air of Prairie Creek. The fog shelters the many residents of the State Park, including: black bear, elk, deer, mountain lion, bobcat, and fox.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

The California gold rush was a historically significant part of American history. The discovery of gold in 1848 led to the largest influx of people to the West, ever. This State Park commemorates the location of the discovery site and celebrates the joy, inspiration, and hope experienced by the settlers who began their lives here.

This park’s exciting and historic atmosphere makes for a memorable vacation that the whole family will enjoy. Visitors can tour over 20 buildings, including mines, houses, schools, and stores. Tourists have fun panning for gold, and hiking through the woodlands of the park.

If you are planning a vacation to California, be sure to discover these and the dozens more State Parks, campsites, and monuments which tell the tales of the colorful history of The Golden State.

These are tough times in the United States and finding a job is more difficult than ever. California is a big state with a lot of diverse industries. Finding a job is much easier if you are skilled in multiple areas and are not fussy about the job. Some of the major industries in California include agriculture, tourism, retail, entertainment, electronics, mining, and logging. With such a wide range of jobs to choose from and such a large area to cover, utilizing the internet to help with job searches can be very convenient and save a lot of time.

There are lots of great reasons why using the internet to find a job beats the traditional methods of going door to door.

• Gas is expensive. By searching for jobs online, you won’t spend a dime on fuel.

• Some industries simply don’t have a door to knock on. Connecting with employers who are busy and unavailable is easier when they get notifications on their computers or phones.

• Applying for jobs in other geographical areas is easy and fast, online.

There are plenty of great online resources which are available to use. There is no need to go blindly into a job search when there are so many job sites and job blogs to help you get a job in California.

Job Blogs

Job blogs are usually written by groups of people who are interested in a specific field of work. Many times, job blogs contain information, job openings, and events hosted by certain organizations. Nurses, teachers, and unions usually have lots of job blogs. Some great job blogs to help you find employment in the California area include:

• USA Jobs Forever keeps job seekers connected to many different types of jobs and can be personalized to any part of the country or state.

• Travel Nurses is organized to help fill the severe shortage of traveling nurses, now and in the future.

• Green Collar Blog is dedicated to finding and filling positions throughout California. All types of green jobs can be found here in many different fields.

• Blog Writing Jobs is a site for writers to enjoy and hopefully, find work on!

• Environmental Job Blogs is a blog that talks about available jobs in the growing environmental industry in California.
  

Job Searches

There are dozens of online job searches which produce thousands of results in the field of expertise you are searching for. Some job searches produce results from all over the country, which can be narrowed all the way down to your desired zip code. Other online job searches are for the California region only. Some helpful job search websites include:

• Careers.org is a great website to find several educational resources and available job opportunities in the California area.

• Employment Guide helps to locate many jobs based on county. There are a lot of job openings in the Orange County area.

• CA.gov allows job seekers to find employment within the many government agencies throughout the California cities and towns.

• All Star Jobs is an enormous directory containing tons of jobs in California.

• Snag A Job makes it easy and fast to find open employment positions in every town in California. The website is simple to navigate and very organized.

• California Association for Nurse Practitionersis a whole website dedicated to the nurse practitioner profession and available jobs.

• California Travel is more than a job search site. This site organized a lot of information that will be useful if you are relocating to California for a new job.

• Nelson Jobs offers assistance to job seekers specifically in the California region. There are many categories to choose from.

• Job Journal has been helping people find employment for over 25 years. It’s a great way to find a job.

• Job Star Central is an online job search offered from California public libraries.

• EdJoin.org is a California based job search which helps job seekers to find employment openings in the education industry.

• Job-Hunt is a national database of jobs. Finding jobs in California is easy with this organized and popular website.

• Monster is a national registry which contains thousands of available job openings. It is one of the most popular job search databases in the country.

• Jobing.com is a great place for employers and employees to connect. There are hundreds of great jobs posted here for your consideration.

• Cal Jobs is an online job search resource to help unemployed Californians find work in their neighborhoods.

Since California is home to many great universities and businesses, it is only fitting that they would have an arsenal of mind-blowing sports teams to match! There are many college and professional sports teams throughout the great state of California. Many popular California cities are represented by prolific athletes and highly recognized professional sports teams. There are dozens of California universities that boast top-notch athletic departments which produce talented athletes every year. The revenue accumulated by athletic events is a significant contributor of the commerce of California. Many different types of sporting events are popular in California because of its year round sunshine and warmth. There are rarely any adverse weather conditions to hinder the athletes in this state. Here are some of the most beloved sports teams that reside in California.

Football Teams in the NFL

Oakland Raiders

This three-time world championship team resides in Oakland, California. They have been a major part of the NFL since 1960. Until 1994, this team was known as the Los Angeles Raiders.

San Francisco 49ers

This five-time world championship team resides in San Francisco, California. The49ers have been part of the NFL since 1950 and are one of the oldest and most beloved teams.

San Diego Chargers

This NFL team resides in San Diego, California and plays out of the Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers have been part of the NFL since 1960.

Basketball Teams in the NBA

Los Angeles Lakers

This eleven-time world championship team resides in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers originated in Detroit but came to reside in Los Angeles since 1960.

Hockey Teams in the NHL

Anaheim Ducks

This team won the world championship in 2007. The Ducks reside in Anaheim, California and play out of the Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks were established as an expansion team in 1993.

Los Angeles Kings

This popular hockey team resides in Los Angeles, California. Their home stadium is the Staples Center. The Los Angeles Kings were established as an expansion team in 1967.

San Jose Sharks

This NHL team is based in San Jose, California and play out of the HP Pavilion. The Sharks were established as an expansion team in 1991.

Baseball Teams in the MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers

This MLB team is based in Los Angeles, California and plays out of Dodgers Stadium. They relocated originally from Brooklyn in 1958. The Dodgers are five-time world champions.

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland A’s have been part of the MLB since 1901. The relocated from Kansas City in 1968 and are four-time world champions.

San Diego Padres

The Padres have been part of the MLB as an expansion team from 1969. They play out of PETCO Park.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants reside in San Francisco, California. They originally were created in New York in 1883 but have represented San Francisco since 1958. They currently play at AT&T Park and are the 2010 world champions.

California is undoubtedly one of the busiest states in the country when it comes to various types of commerce. The agricultural industry provides a thriving and lucrative income to the state and will continue to do so because of the arid climate and eternal sunshine. The electronics industry is abundant in places like Silicon Valley, where thousands of individuals work to provide the world with much needed electrical components. The wine country in Napa Valley provides over 17 million gallons of wine to the United States and abroad while promoting tourism and jobs to the area. The entertainment industry is more prolific in California than anywhere else in the world, supplying the leading movie studios, television networks, and music industries with boundless opportunity and potential for limitless economic growth. Finally, the influx of tourists is a substantial asset to the growth of California industries such as airports, shopping centers, resorts, and restaurants.

Behind all of these massive industries lies a state and local government network. Every major city or town in California has its own Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce is a central hub for local business and economic growth. The Chambers are much more than just centers for business transactions; they are welcoming centers, employment finders, and neighborhood planners, as well. Anything that goes on in a California community is usually linked to the local Chamber of Commerce in some fashion. These centralized buildings provide much needed communication between cities and governments and help to keep businesses growing and regulations in place and up to date. Furthermore, California Chamber of Commerce sites provide invaluable resources for people wishing to relocate to specific cities in California.

If you are an area business owner, curious resident who is looking for local activities, or a family wanting to relocate to a beautiful new city, check out your local Chamber of Commerce for great resources and advice. There are hundreds of local Chamber of Commerce buildings throughout California, but these are some of the most visited:

• Cal Chamber. This is the primary Chamber of Commerce in California. They are working hard to renew the state of California’s economy by creating jobs and reducing debt. The website provides many links for residents to see what is happening in local government, find employment opportunities, and keep abreast of area happenings.

• San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. This helpful local resource is a real asset to the city of San Francisco. Locals and visitors can easily plan their days with many interesting activities and sights to see. There are also, links for job finders and community businesses to reach their maximum potential.

• Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. The metropolis of Los Angeles is home to a diverse and bustling economy, filled with thousands of small businesses. These many varied industries provide the state with a lot of revenue, thanks to the busy tourism industry. Local restaurants, shopping boutiques, and museums benefit from the Chamber of Commerce, which provides valuable assets for job growth and regulation.

If a large university, teaming with diversity, competing Greek organizations, hordes of students, and enormous classes is not for you, looking for a small California college may suit your needs. There are many small public and private colleges in California to put on your radar if you are shopping for schools. Small colleges offer small class sizes, intimate student/teacher relationships, and an education that is tailored to your needs and wants.

Depending on what type of small college you are looking for, tuition and waiting lists may play a part in your decision. Some small 2 year schools offer great tuition packages and almost anybody who applies will be accepted. Other small private colleges can be very pricey and have a wait list for new entrants. Luckily, there are many small colleges to choose from in California so finding one that suits your needs shouldn’t be difficult.

Small California Public Colleges

• Cal State Monterey Bay. This diverse and affordable campus offers 8 graduate programs, 18 undergraduate programs, and teacher credentials. This college is a green campus and proudly serves many minority and underprivileged populations who would otherwise not be able to afford school. The classes offered here are top-notch and geared toward the future.

• Channel Islands California State University. This four year university is located in Camarillo, California. It is best known for its many majors centered on experiential and service related learning practices. The college’s main focus is on liberal arts, science, business, and teaching. There are also, many competitive and state-of-the-art Master’s Degree programs offered.

• University of California Merced. This four year college is proud of its research university status. There is a heavy emphasis on teaching, research, community service, and diversity throughout the campus. The university offers many undergraduate and graduate courses and serves a large population of diverse, multi-cultural students.

• San Diego State University. SDSU is the largest college campus in San Diego and the 3rd largest college campus in California. The students create a diverse palette in this school, ranging from Chinese transfer students to those who commute from Mexico, every day. There are many programs to choose from out of the 85 Bachelor’s Degree programs, 75 Master’s Degree programs, and 15 Doctoral Degrees.

Small California Private Colleges

• Whittier College. Whittier College is four years of personal growth and discovery. This private liberal arts college encourages students to speak out and question their surroundings. The college is located in a small town in Orange County and has an esteemed staff and wonderful curriculum. Both students and professors are always attending classes to obtain new knowledge.

• Occidental College. This private, 4 year college is always on the top of the list when it comes to best small colleges. Filled with unique programs and exceptional professors, this college has consistently produced competent and knowledgeable graduates. A major benefit of this college is the exceptionally small student body. There are only 2,102 students enrolled in this school which brings the average student-faculty ratio to 10:1.

• Mills College. This private college strives to create strong, free-thinkers. Through experimentation and service, Mills shapes it’s student body into educated, thoughtful individuals. Programs reflect the world today in terms of green technology and diversity. This campus was founded only 2 years after California became a state and was an all-girls school. Before all of the other prestigious universities even existed, Mills was educating the daughters of miners and farmers on the West Coast, giving the East Coast a run for its money. Over the years, girls of other faiths and ethnicities began to attend Mills and soon the college grew larger than many other schools. Along with its size, Mills reputation also grew. The college became the first women’s college on the West Coast, the first laboratory school in the west for teachers, the first women’s college with a computer science department, and the first women’s business school in the west.

• Scripps The Women’s College. Scripps College follows age-old tradition which almost falls under a shroud of secrecy. This esteemed private college runs deep with honor and commitment. Some of the many traditions include the honorary academic regalia specified by the degree program, candlelight dinners, afternoon tea, medieval dinner, may fete, and graffiti wall. This women’s college is prestigious and its graduates are regarded with respect and utmost consideration after graduation. The college is blessed with a stellar reputation which often helps graduates to find employment and respect.

California is a huge state with a steady influx of residents and tourists, public libraries are great places to congregate and relax. They are much more than just places to borrow books. Public libraries are located in hundreds of urban and rural locations in California. There is most likely a public library right in your neighborhood.

Many communities are struggling to keep their public libraries open in these difficult economic times. State and local governments need to have available funds to keep public libraries open and these resources are quickly running out in many California cities and towns. Public libraries are not the only businesses which rely on government funding; zoos, parks, pools, and roads all rely upon these funds.

There are millions of people in California who enjoy these types of community gathering places and try to unite to raise funds to keep them open. Keeping public libraries open is an important cause which needs to be taken very seriously. More and more information is accessed through the internet but public libraries inspire a sense of old-fashioned community and offer a safe place for people of all ages to have fun and learn.

More than Just a Building

Public libraries are extensions of the community. Libraries are much more than staunch old tombs filled with dusty old archives. These modern buildings are state-of-the-art refuges for people, young and old, resembling fancy book stores and cafes. Many California libraries are home to summer youth programs that give kids a place to spend time during the summer when school is not in session. Lots of public libraries host poetry nights, movie nights, plays, and workshops that are free to attend and open to the public.

Public Libraries in California

When people think of libraries they usually think of elaborate university libraries. Public libraries are different because they are located in cities all over the state. They are stocked with many different books, relating to all interests and age groups. Many of these libraries have several different departments, separated by comfortable furniture, rugs, fireplaces, and other furniture. Newspaper sections, fiction and non-fiction, children’s departments, and reference books are all neatly separated into easy to use shelves and cases.

All kinds of great things happen at local libraries. Many community artists hang their paintings on the walls and decorate the library with statues and weavings. Local writers and poets often share their work with the residents at libraries. Sometimes, libraries even have gift shops and a coffee shop for patrons to enjoy and purchase the artists’ works. Some of the public libraries in California include:

• County of Los Angeles Public Library. This library is a fantastic community resource. There are many valuable and fun offerings which are integrated into the site. Some of the invaluable offerings incorporated into this library system include:

  • Live Homework Help
  • Downloadable Music and Audio books
  • Access to the Summer Reading Program
  • Massive online reference and resource section
  • Events calendar

• Orange County Public Library. This is a hub for all of the public libraries within Orange County. There are bountiful resources here to benefit California residents. This valuable website allows for easy access to many community functions, events, and learning opportunities.

  • Interlibrary loans
  • Employment opportunities
  • E-Books
  • Children Services
  • Teen Services
  • Adult Services
  • Volunteer Opportunities

• Plumas County Library. This public library website is a quaint and reputable hub for many community activities. There are many useful links and ideas for spending time with the family listed on the pages. Libraries are wonderful centers for family interaction and the Plumas County Library is a great place for healthy family fun.

  • Community events and news
  • Tax forms
  • Legal Resources
  • Health Resources
  • Job Openings
  • Business Resources

• Kings County Library. This family oriented public library has plenty of fun, interactive links on their website. Being able to listen to audio books, play interactive games, contribute to the library blog, and find community activities makes the Kings County library a very special place to visit.

  • Children Services
  • Teen Services
  • Computer Lab
  • Reference Stations
  • Employment Opportunities

• Beverly Hills Public Library. This cultural library offers many wonderful and unique displays for patrons to enjoy. The website links to great library offerings which people of all ages can enjoy.

  • Children’s Library
  • Community Events
  • Exhibitions
  • Teens Section
  • Summer Reading Program

California has many online learning opportunities for students who cannot attend traditional students for one reason or another. There are many reasons why students may benefit from an online education.

• Mental or physical disabilities which make attending class difficult or impossible
• School districts which consistently rank below the national average
• Families that travel a lot and never settle in one district for too long
• Families that do not agree with curriculums being taught
• Kids who are easily distracted or influenced by other kids

These are all great reasons to seek an online education. Luckily, there are many reputable online schools in California that can provide an excellent K-12 education to students who are seeking these resources. Some of the popular online learning resources for K-12 learning in California include:

• California Virtual Academies. This program is a full-time, tuition-free public school option.
• Connections Academy. This program offers many curriculum choices as well as clubs like robotics and debate.
• Southern California Online Academy. This online school serves students that live in Riverside, San Bernadino, Orange, San Diego, and Imperial Counties. SCOA is completely free, takes and individualized learning approach, and a certified teaching staff.
• Choice 2000 Online Charter School. This alternative to public school offers students a choice of plans: Traditional school, Credit Recovery Program, Community College Concurrent Enrollment, or Early Graduation. These classes follow a similar schedule as traditional school and are not self-paced.
• Insight School of California. This online public school is diverse and tailored to fit the students’ interests and future goals.
• Pacific View Charter School. This home-school, independent study program is perfect for kids who study at their own pace and are goal oriented.

These great choices for home study are all widely popular throughout the California area. If you are in need of an online education, please take a look at the helpful and nurturing online schools.

Computers have never been more popular than they are right now. Because of the low cost of computers and broad range of internet providers, computers are highly available and found in nearly every home in America. Even if you do not have a computer in your home, there are many internet cafés and libraries which offer computer time for free.

Improving the environment is a major topic for every business and industry. “Going green” is an initiative not taken lightly by many corporations across the world. By combining the concepts of online learning and going green, people can conserve energy and reduce a lot of unnecessary waste and pollution in the environment.

Online Business Solutions

Many green initiatives have been put into motion to help businesses incorporate online learning programs into their agendas to aid in saving on resources. By utilizing e-learning, a company can reduce its footprint but still offer quality training programs. Many companies who frequently fly employees to other branches for training purposes can use 90% less energy and produce 85% fewer co2 emissions.

By using the internet for training purposes, companies can stop printing manuals and start using PowerPoint’s and other online learning resources. This can save money, time, and resources while making distribution easier and available to more employees with the click of a button.

Online learning requires little or no travel. Employers no longer have to use public transportation or lodging to hold training sessions. Now, employees can learn simply and quickly from the comfort of their own homes.

Some very popular business solutions for going green and communicating include:

• Online file sharing
• Wikis and other online knowledge bases
• Informative blogs and forums for sharing ideas
• Project management solutions
• Easy communication with online video conferences
• IM conferences

Online Educational Solutions

Attending a K-12 online learning program or an online university is a great way to contribute to the green initiative. Students will benefit from many convenient and economic savings:

• You don’t need a vehicle or gas to get to school
• You won’t need as many notebooks and school supplies or text books
• You won’t need as many clothes and you won’t need to use your washer and dryer as often
• No big school using a lot of resources for bussing and heating

Online education teaches many useful and fun programs to show kids in primary school how to be green.

• Using e-cards saves on paper
• Energy conservation
• How to reduce energy consumption
• Making solar ovens

Green initiatives may seem strange and new at first when incorporating them into your business, but soon you will realize the benefits that they bring to the areas of business and education. Employers and business owners will save money on utilities, materials, and other business expenses. Employees and students will benefit from using less fuel, less paper, and being able to study and work from home. Going green is a great benefit to everyone!

If you are a working student and are residing in the state of California, imagine how an online degree program can help boost your career. Several budget cuts have caused tuition fees in public universities in California to skyrocket. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, tuition for the University of California rose 32 percent in 2010 and enrollment was cut by 40,000 students. Online colleges are an enormous budget relief and a remarkable alternative that offers students flexible, affordable, and high-quality online degree programs.

Online Degree programs offered in various online colleges gives the working student a chance to be armed with quality education and graduate with a degree to boost his or her career. Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Bachelor in Education and various technical courses are but a few of the online degree programs offered in California’s online colleges.
Some of the most prominent online colleges are found in the more densely populated California cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco. Here is a short list of those leading online colleges.

The DeVry University in Los Angeles

DeVry University has set its purpose as to empower its students to achieve their educational and career goals. DeVry Online Colleges has established itself as global provider in online degree programs, as well as campus-based education. It is the parent organization of renowned names in the academe such as Becker Professional Education, Advanced Academics, Carrington College, Carrington College California, Chamberlain College of Nursing, DeVry Brasil, DeVry University, and Ross University Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. DeVry also offers online degree programs in business, healthcare and technology, serving students in secondary through postsecondary education as well as professionals in accounting and finance.

National University in San Diego

The second-largest private institution of higher education in California, and 12th largest in the United States, the National University of San Diego has dedicated itself to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible, challenging, and relevant to a diverse student population since 1971. Based in San Diego, California, National University offers a vast array of online degree programs that will help you earn your associate’s, bachelors or master’s degree or teaching credential. The National University in San Diego, California allows you to conveniently choose you online degree program from more than 30 convenient locations throughout the state of California. The National University also offers financial aid packages for its students.

San Jose State University

The San Jose State University’s online college has successfully innovated the use of the world-wide-web to promote superb teaching and adopt interest-filled student learning. San Jose State University’s eCampus envisions and promotes a pervasive learning environment where opportunities for acquiring and accessing knowledge as well as participating in a community of scholarship are ever present.

Golden Gate University in San Francisco

Golden Gate University’s Cyber Campus offers online degree programs that allow its pupils to earn full degrees and/or professional certificates, enhance their skills, or speed up the completion of degree programs without the hassle and expense of travelling to class.

Keywords: Online colleges, online degree programs