Californian Culture
California's nickname as the Golden State stems from its history as a gold mining area. Many settlers came to California in the hopes of striking it rich. The primary currency used is the dollar, and the main language spoken is English. However, Spanish is still commonly used and is the second most common language in the state. The overall culture of California is greatly influenced by the large immigrant population. Its overall culture is closely tied to the culture of America, but it is generally more liberal than the rest of the nation, and is often on the forefront of environmental conservation. The state has been portrayed as a sort of paradise, where everyone spends their time on the beach, enjoying life. Hollywood, the movie-making center of the United States has promoted this image as well. There are no strict customs that have to be followed while visiting the state.
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Californian CUISINE
California Fusion StyleCalifornia features a wide range of cultures, from just south of the border, to across the Atlantic. This diverse mixing of cultures has led to the popularization of fusion cuisine, cuisine that combines a different cooking styles and ingredients from different cultures to make new tastes. This style of cuisine is seen as distinctly Californian, as it was first popularized in California. The combination of fusion style and the fresh, natural produce available in California, the style of food has become known as California Fusion.
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california fast foodBecause of the reliance of cars in Southern California for transport, fast food and quick drive-through restaurants have become part of the Californian culture. McDonalds, Jack-in-the Box, and In-n-Out are just three fast food companies/businesses that were founded in California.
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California WineSince 1976, when wine from Napa Valley, California beat out more popular French wines in a blind tasting competition in Paris, France, California has become an increasingly prominent producer of wine. It is now currently the fourth largest producer of wine. Going wine tasting has become a popular pastime for Californians, especially when in the Napa Valley region.
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