UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS. The Central Valley has become famous around the world as the home of California's giant agriculture industry; the fertile soil is also thought to have originated from the days when the valley was a sea floor. But the CVP ran into Depression-era financing difficulties. Attractions, historic sites, rivers, lakes and parks. Eventually, this misspelled version (which means “lard” in Spanish) became the official name. PERCENTAGE OF SURFACE AREA COVERED BY WATER: 4.7%. Major cities in this region of the state include Fresno, Modesto, Stockton and the state’s capital, Sacramento. These tribes spoke a number of different languages. Fresno is the largest city followed closely by the state capital, Sacramento. Filmed north of Bakersfield, California. These counties are: 1. In general, the desert areas with these traits are in the Mojave Desert and thus the … 4. 9. Most cases of Valley fever in California (over 65%) are reported in people who live in the Central Valley and Central Coast regions. Interesting Valley Facts: When water flows from a mountain, the steeper it is the faster the water flows, and the deeper the valley it is that is created. 1. When Europeans first arrived there were a number of Native American tribes in the area including the Chumash, Mohave, Yuma, Pomo, and Maidu. Family friendly activities The first modern landfill built in the U.S.—the Fresno Municipal Sanitary—was constructed in the Central Valley. The dance style commonly known as popping evolved in Fresno in the 1970s. This means that it has warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. We respect your privacy and promise to never sell or share your personal information with third parties. The Sacramento River, rising in … Reply, Embark on the best hikes in Monterey to discover magical forests, graceful waterfalls, and old-growth redwood groves....Read more, San Luis Obispo County is full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. The Central Valley is the unsung hero of the California wine industry, producing more than half of the State's grapes. Even though the majority of us correlate the Central Valley with farmland, it’s home to so much more than that. That was really cool. Central Valley, also called the Great Central Valley, valley, California, U.S. For most people, it's probably the lights and glamour of Hollywood, where famous people pose for photos and directors plan how to make the next blockbuster. Hello, foodies—welcome to the Central Valley, the Golden State’s agricultural center. The Central Valley aquifers supply 20 percent of the nation’s groundwater. This agricultural hub and rich reserve of natural resources occupy about 11 percent of the California landscape. The Sacramento Valley has a Mediterranean climate. Central Valley in California is a region that is commonly referred to as the Great Valley of California. The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers drain much of the valley before converging in a huge delta and flowing into San Francisco Bay; the delta is California's leading truck-farming and horticultural area. The Sierra Nevada mountains are on the east side of the valley. Native American Facts For Kids was written for young people learning about the Miwok tribe for school or home-schooling reports. Only 1 percent of the Central Valley’s original grasslands have remained intact since the Gold Rush, when explorers dug up the earth of. The valley floor is a flat, smooth land area covering about 42,000 square miles (108,779 square kilometers) in size, 450 miles (720 km) long, and 40 miles (64 km) wide.It covers 18 California counties. About 5.7 million people live in the Central Valley today. California's Central Valley Groundwater Study: A Powerful New Tool to Assess Water Resources in California's Central Valley. Even though the majority of us correlate the Central Valley with farmland, it’s home to so much more than that. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street. The city of Manteca was meant to be named Monteca, but the Central Pacific Railroad accidentally misprinted the word as Manteca. California is a U.S. state on the western coast of North America.Covering an area of 163,696 sq mi (423,970 km 2), California is among the most geographically diverse states.The Sierra Nevada, the fertile farmlands of the Central Valley, and the arid Mojave Desert of the south are some of the major geographic features of this U.S. state. 12. Though many of us may not realize the grave disparities that exist in our own communities, people struggle with hunger in every county and congressional district in California.They could be our neighbors, kids in our children's classes – the possibilities go on. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Central Valley, New York on Tripadvisor: See 4,008 traveler reviews and photos of Central Valley tourist attractions. 13. The CVP got its start in 1933 as a state funded project to manage flooding, store water and produce electricity. The Central Valley is a flat valley that dominates the interior of California. 8. Glenn 4. 7. You can imagine the mountain area looks like Japan’s Sakura atmosphere. Shasta 2. One of the largest freshwater deltas in the world is formed at the confluence of the Sacramento, San Joaquin, Mokelumne, and Cosumnes Rivers. The Central Valley aquifers supply 20 percent of the nation’s groundwater. Attempts to obtain federal grants and loans failed, and the state asked the federal government to take over. You can go from the desert to the mountains to the ocean in just a single car trip, … See what the weather in Central Valley (California, U.S.A.) is like during any month of the year. The San Joaquin Valley now has the worst air quality in California (and the highest asthma rates), and its cities are subject to the most stringent anti-pollution measures in the state. California's Central Valley is a large, flat valley that covers approximately 22,500 square miles at the heart of the state. The Valley is renowned for its extreme flatness, in contrast to the rugged hills that are typical of most of California's terrain. Category:Central Valley of California. Interesting Valley Facts: When water flows from a mountain, the steeper it is the faster the water flows, and the deeper the valley it is that is created. Discover the best of California. The northern Central Valley has a hot Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa); the more southerly parts in rainshadow zones are dry enough to be Mediterranean steppe (BShs, as around Fresno) or even low-latitude desert (BWh, as in areas around Bakersfield). 9. Fresno is situated approximately 350 km (220 mi) north of Los Angeles, 270 km (170 mi) south of the state capital, Sacramento, and 300 km (185 mi) southeast of San Francisco. You also agree to the Terms and Conditions and our use of your information as set forth in our Privacy Policy. Our family learned something interesting facts about the Central Valley. Some enclaves, such as Chico, are more generally liberal than the rest of the Valley, but the surrounding Butte County is typically conservative. Subsequently, dams and reservoirs were constructed for river regulation, navigational improvement and flood control [see also Central Valley Water T… Sutter 9. Learn Central Valley facts for kids. The Valley is a vast agricultural region drained by the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Because of its physical remoteness, the Valley is also home to many California Department of Corrections institutions. The Central Valley is a flat valley that dominates the interior of California.It is 40 to 60 miles (60 to 100 km) wide and stretches approximately 450 miles (720 km) from north-northwest to south-southeast, inland from and parallel to the Pacific Ocean coast. When you think of California, what comes to mind? The continuous expansion of farmlands has endangered many species living in the Central Valley, including the San Joaquin kit fox and the blunt-nosed lizard. Merced 15. Major cities in the Central Valley include Redding, Chico, Sacramento (California state capital and the Valley's largest metropolitan area), Stockton, Fresno (largest city proper in the Valley) and Bakersfield. 2. The Central Valley is heaven for almond lovers—almonds are the top crop in Fresno County and the second-largest in the state—and is proudly known as the world’s almond capital. weird facts about California include lots of fun inventions. The climate of the Sacramento Valley (north Central Valley) and San Joaquin Valley are very different. With numerous fun things to do in the Central Valley—including river rafting excursions, escaping to coveted campsites, or spending a weekend in Sacramento—what will you choose first? Only 1 percent of the Central Valley’s original grasslands have remained intact since the Gold Rush, when explorers dug up the earth of California’s Gold Country in a vain attempt to become wealthy. Jump to: navigation, search. The Central Valley (also called the Great Central Valley) is a very large valley in the middle of California, in the United States.About 42,000 square miles (108,779 square kilometers) in size, it is about the size of the state of Tennessee.It consists of two connected, differently named valleys, the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. Fun Facts: -6.5 million people live in the Central Valley. Embark on the best hikes in Monterey to discover magical forests, graceful waterfalls, and old-growth redwood groves. Interesting Facts for Kids 9:-California High DesertIn California, the desert areas that are below 1219.2 meters (4,000 feet) and above 609.9 meters (2,000 feet) are called high desert. 10. Categories: Geologic provinces of California | California valleys, Photos of the Central Valley - Terra Galleria, http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/California_Central_Valley. Gas stations can be 50 miles apart. Most of it is Mediterranean steppe, which is similar to Mediterranean except that it is warmer and drier. California is the largest state in the U.S. by population and the third-largest by size, meaning that there's a ton of different areas. The Pomo (POH-moh) lived along the northern coast and built homes using slabs of redwood tree bark. The Central Valley, California Activities. The map below shows the rates of reported Valley fever cases by county in California, with darker shaded counties having higher rates than lighter shaded While it opened with 40 animals, it now houses more than 140 types of native, exotic, and endangered species. Find the best activities and attractions in The Central Valley for your trip. Extending from Shasta county in the north to Kern county in the south, it covers about 18,000 square miles (47,000 square km) and parallels the Pacific coast for about 450 miles (725 km). Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA. Stay up-to-date on California's top destinations and experiences, and be the first to hear about special California.com giveaways and events. Summer daytime temperatures approach 100 °F (38 °C), and common heat waves migh… , the Central Valley is more famous for agricultural inventions such as the Fresno Scraper, which is one of the prototypes for the modern bulldozers. Get the facts about hunger in California. diagnosed in people living in counties throughout California. This was the biggest bloom in a decade, triggered by several heavy fall storms. CAPITAL: Sacremento. -There are trees that are 160 million years old in the valley region. You understand that your consent is not a condition of purchase. But it's not just Stockton's location that makes it a good fit for day-trippers in northern California. 11. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. It is completely surrounded by mountainous terrain on all sides. Before you explore the region, here are some little-known facts about the Central Valley. AREA: 18,000 square miles (47,000 km2). Central Valley farmers grow around 250 different crops, making an estimated $17 billion of combined income per year. Kern -from no… We encourage students and teachers to visit our main Miwok website for in-depth information about the tribe, but here are our answers to the questions we are most often asked by children, with Miwok pictures and links we believe are suitable for all ages. Here are the ones you shouldn't …...Read more, Whether you want to live by the coast or amongst the redwoods, you can find what you're looking for—within your …...Read more, Whether you seek sandy shores or rugged coastline, these breathtaking California state beaches offer something for every type of beachgoer....Read more, Join Our VIP List For interesting facts about California. The Central Valley is home to numerous population centers, such as Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton and … While weird facts about California include lots of fun inventions, the Central Valley is more famous for agricultural inventions such as the Fresno Scraper, which is one of the prototypes for the modern bulldozers. The Valley provides some of the most important bird habitat in North America, hosting one of the largest concentrations of migratory birds in the world during the fall and winter. Occupying a central position in California, it is bounded by the Cascade Range to the north, the Sierra Nevada to the east, the Tehachapi Mountains to the south, and the Coast Ranges and San Francisco Bay to the west. San Luis Obispo County is full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Culturally and politically, the Central Valley is very different from the rest of California. The Yokuts were traditionally divided into tribelets, perhaps as many as 50, each having a dialect, territory, and name of its own. 16. We respect your privacy and promise to never sell or share your personal information with third parties. Sacramento 7. Bounded by the Cascade Range to the north, the Sierra Nevada to the east, the Tehachapi Mountains to the south, and the Coast Range and San Francisco Bay to the west, this valley is a vast agricultural region drained by the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. The Sierra Nevada is a wall of mountains in the east-central part of the state. Almonds are the second-largest crop in California, and the majority of them are grown in the Central Valley. Some people also worry that the rapidly expanding urban sprawl will completely displace agriculture (as happened in the Santa Clara and San Fernando Valleys). The area is further subdivided into four regions: North Sacramento Valley (Shasta, Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa), Sacramento Metro (Sacramento, El Dorado, Sutter, Yuba, Yolo, Placer), North San Joaquin (San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced), and South San Joaquin (Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare). One of our favorite areas to visit is the California Central Coast. The area is typical of the Central Valley of California with warm summers and mild winters. The San Joaquin Valley is much hotter and drier. , four are produced in the Central Valley. The mountain-dwelling Miwok (MEE-wuk) made cone-shaped bark houses, and … Central Valley, great trough of central Calif., c.450 mi (720 km) long and c.50 mi (80 km) wide, between the Sierra Nevada and the Coast Ranges. Sacramento is California’s sixth state capital. This freshwater tidal estuary also irrigates millions of acres of California farms. Speaking of tule, tule elk are native to California, with the majority of the herds living in the Central Valley. Since 1980, the Central Valley's population has nearly doubled to 3.8 million people. It covers approximately 18,000 square miles (47,000 km 2), about 11% of California's total land area (or about the size of the … 18. Ranging in width from 30 to 60 miles (78 to 155 kilometers), the Central Valley is divided into two smaller valleys: the Sacramento Valley in the north and San Joaquin Valley in the south. Tulare 19. In Madera County alone, which is roughly just 12 percent of the Central Valley area, there are currently over 1,500 farms and ranches. While it opened with 40 animals, it now houses more than 140 types of native, exotic, and endangered species. weekend in Sacramento—what will you choose first? Also known as the Great Central Valley, the Central Valley is a flat, oval cradle between the Sierra Nevada on the east and the Coast Ranges on the west. The largest desert in the state, the Mojave, is in the southeast. Modern, mechanized, automated and irrigated farming in the United States. was built in 1927 and is still a pretty popular choice for a family weekend outing. During the 19th and 20th centuries, African Americans,  Assyrians, Armenians, Basques, Béarnais, Californios, Chinese, Croatians, Hmong, Italians, Japanese, Mexicans, Mien, Norwegians, Okies, Portuguese, Russian Molokans, Sikhs, Swedes, and Volga Germans came here to live a better life in these farmlands. Tehama 3. The Sacramento River, rising in the Klamath Mountains, drains the upper valley. Yuba 10. The Best Hikes in Monterey to Trek Year-Round, 9 Hidden Gems in San Luis Obispo You Need to Know About, The Most Affordable Places to Live in Northern California. The city of Sacramento is also more liberal than the Valley norm, but its surrounding suburbs, particularly in Placer and El Dorado Counties, are conservative. This valley is a well-known structural depression in the world and covers 20,000 square miles. The northern area (north of the Mokelumne River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta) is called the Sacramento Valley; the southern area is called the San Joaquin Valley. California Central Valley things to do and see. Santa … 1.2 San Joaquin Valley. Here are some things to do in the central coast with kids (perfectly doable too without any kids in tow). Throughout its history, the San Joaquin Valley — the vast middle of California, home to 4.3 million residents and the greatest agricultural bounty on earth — has defied quick or easy fixes. The water flowing from the mountain to create the valley is from rain, snow, and melting ice. The Central Valley stands out with its multinational and multicultural history. Central Valley weather & climate: all about temperatures, precipitation, sunshine, snow, heat and more Davos weather information. KidzSearch Safe Wikipedia for Kids. Get the facts about hunger in California. The map below shows the rates of reported Valley fever cases by county in California, with darker shaded counties having higher rates than lighter shaded counties. Kings 18. This US States learning video for kids explores California! Does your business rank among the best in California? [11] Death Valley’s very rare ‘super bloom’ of 2016. The water flowing from the mountain to create the valley is from rain, snow, and melting ice. This section of the Central Valley is said to have the worst air quality in California. Thanks for Signing Up. 5. While Hollywood is perhaps the most popular part of California, it's far from the only part. 2. Central Valley Project Facts and Figures In a normal year the CVP delivers about 7 million acre-feet of water for agricultural, urban, and wildlife use. The famous “Tule Fog” that covers the Central Valley from late November to March is named after the tule grass wetlands (also known as tulares). Bakersfield, Stockton, and Modesto are the other large cities in the region. Unfortunately, these cities (along with Sacramento) have been confronted by big city problems including violent crime, drug trafficking, organized crime, traffic congestion, and air pollution. These mountains are very tall and steep. The Sacramento Zoo was built in 1927 and is still a pretty popular choice for a family weekend outing. Madera 16. Central Valley in California is a region that is commonly referred to as the Great Valley of California. Fresno 17. The Central Valley, also known as the Great Valley of California, covers about 20,000 square miles and is one of the more notable structural depressions in the world. Stanislaus 14. Butte 5. Woodward Park - Fresno, California. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. POPULATION: 6.5 million. It is 40 to 60 miles (60 to 100 km) wide and stretches approximately 450 miles (720 km) from north-northwest to south-southeast, inland from and parallel to the Pacific Ocean coast. 19. Competition for water resources is growing throughout California, particularly in the Central Valley. This water carves away at the mountain and the earth below for millions of years to create valleys. In the mid of 20 th century, the Santa Clara Valley (which occupies a large portion of now Silicon Valley) was filled with lustrous and inviting cherry blossoms in spring season, therefore people started calling it as the “Valley of the Heart’s Delight”. Complete California Facts For Kids that will help you in learning all about California. It is about 450 miles (720 kilometers) long and averages 40 miles (65 kilometers) in width. The Central Valley Project was formed in 1935 to redistribute and store water for agricultural and municipal purposes with dams and canals. Learn California information about its name, nicknames, regions, geography, climate, history, statistics, culture, food, state symbols, economy, state government and many interesting california facts for kids. Central Valley is split up into two parts: Sacramento Valley in the north and San Joaquin Valley. © 2020 California.com All Rights Reserved. Many people from the San Francisco Bay Area have moved out to more rural areas in search of affordable housing, clogging the roads between their Valley homes and their Bay Area jobs. The Coastal California Region (Region 25*) extends from Bodega Bay south to northern Mexico and includes the important San Francisco and San Diego Bays.The Coast Mountain Range is also considered in this region as is the Central Valley and the Salton Sea. This is the stretch of coastal land between Los Angeles and San Francisco from the southern county of Ventura to the northern area of Monterey. They were often separated by geography such as mountain ranges and desserts. 6. 14. What does it mean to be a California.com Recommended Business? Of the five best California olive oils, four are produced in the Central Valley. Though many of us may not realize the grave disparities that exist in our own communities, people struggle with hunger in every county and congressional district in California.They could be our neighbors, kids in our children's classes – the possibilities go on. Most cases of Valley fever in California (over 65%) are reported in people who live in the Central Valley and Central Coast regions. It is thought to have originated as the floor of an inland sea, when sea levels were much higher than they are today. Stay up-to-date on California's top destinations and experiences, and be the first to hear about special California.com giveaways and events. -90% of the world's almonds are grown in California's valley region. Yokuts, also called Mariposan, North American Indians speaking a Penutian language and who historically inhabited the San Joaquin Valley and the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada south of the Fresno River in what is now California, U.S. Lots of rivers and streams flow off the Sierra Nevada. Here are the ones you shouldn't …, Whether you want to live by the coast or amongst the redwoods, you can find what you're looking for—within your …. Today, California is the most populous state in the U.S. For reference, California's population is over … While weird facts about California include lots of fun inventions, the Central Valley is more famous for agricultural inventions such as the Fresno Scraper, which is one of the prototypes for the modern bulldozers. GEOGRAPHY: The Central Valley is a lowland region that extends through central California from the Cascade Mountains in the north to the Tehachapi Mountains in the south.Its 450-mile-long stretch is bounded by the Pacific Coast Range … Central Valley is split up into two parts: Sacramento Valley in the north and San Joaquin Valley. This valley is a well-known structural depression in the world and covers 20,000 square miles. The valley runs broadly parallel to the Pacific coast, is 450 miles long and ranges between 45 and 60 miles wide. Occupying a central position in California, it is bounded by the Cascade Range to the north, the Sierra Nevada to the east, the Tehachapi Mountains to the south, and the Coast Ranges and San Francisco Bay to the west. The Sacramento and San Joaquin River flow through the northern and southern halves of the valley, respectively. 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