"Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect." `` Samuel Johnson, Britsh critic, poet, lexicographer (1709-1784)
An exciting and entertaining new book, CALIFORNIA TRAVELERS' TRIVIA, by author and travel writer Bob Carter, is scheduled for publication by Falcon Publishing, Inc. in early 2001.
The book's informative and fun-filled text includes California fabulous firsts, legendary legends, one-of-a-kind curiosities, and tantalizing trivia.
This website includes text from the book in addition to newly discovered and/or contributed items of interest to the traveling trivia buff.
The author seeks out new items for consideration and possible inclusion in various print and electronic media publications. If you have a contribution, please email it to travelbits@aol.com.
DISCLAIMER: Things change. This website is for entertainment purposes only. Although we strive for accuracy, information provided by individual contributors is not quaranteed.
THE FOLLOWING FEW TIDBITS ARE DESIGNED TO PIQUE YOUR INTEREST. Items are changed as time and contributions permit. Come back often. The most recent contributions are always at the top of the list.
Desert Hot Springs is a desert community surrounded by vast expanses of open space. The sense of isolation was captured in Joseph Wambaugh's book "The Secrets of Harry Bright." The book was published in 1985 and reissued in 1991. By reviewers it's considered one of the author's best novels.
The Palm Springs American Legion Post dining room permanantly maintains a table for one. It is set for dinner and no one is allowed to use the table. It is being maintains for a Missiing in Action or Prisoner of War serviceman or woman when he or she returns home.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the largest vertical cable rise in the United States and the second largest in the world.
History shows until Walt Disney chose to build his theme park in an Anaheim orange grove, Palm Springs was a number one contender for the site of "The Happiest Place on Earth." Disney owned two residences and spent much of his time planning the original Disneyland at Palm Springs' exclusive Smoke Tree Ranch.
Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the country. They eat three pounds more turkey than the average U.S. person.
Over 200 years ago, winemaking made its debut in California. Although many people thought it began in the vineyards of Napa Valley, the beginning of winemaking actually began in San Juan Capistrano.
Easily viewed from the 134 freeway in Eagle Rock, the natural phenomenon which gave the neighborhood its name may be seen. A huge landmark hill features a natural outcropping resembling a soaring eagle when the sun is in the right position.
Since its opening in 1937 the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco has had more than 1,200 people plunge 220 feet to their deaths from the famous span.
Fort Tejon, south of Bakersfield, was named for the nearby Tejon Pass. Spanish explorer Pedro Fages named the pass after seeing a badger (called a tejon in Spanish) in the area.
Shirley Temple's mom insisted the curls on the tiny Hollywood film star always numbered 56.
Located five miles east of Danville majestic Mount Diablo State Park (with binoculars in hand) provides a view of 35 of California's 58 counties.
Built by Edward Turner Bale in the mid-1800s the restored water-powered grist mill is powered by a waterwheel with water divered from the nearby Mill Creek.
California's Mt. Whitney measures as the highest peak in the lower 48 states. It's most famous climb is Mount Whitney Trail to the 14,495-foot summit. Wilderness permits are required.
In 1925 a giant sequoia located in California's Kings Canyon National Park was named the nation's national Christmas tree. The tree is over 300 feet in height.
More turkeys are raised in California than in any other state in the U.S.
Pacific Park, on the venerable Santa Monica Pier, re-creates the amusement parks once dotting the ocean areas along the Pacific Coast. Featured are 11 amusement rides including the 1910-vintage hand-carved merry-go-round appearing in the movie "The Sting."
Alpine County is the eighth smallest of California's 58 counties. It has no high school, ATMs, dentists, banks, or traffic lights.
Fallbrook is known as the Avocado Capital of the World and hosts an annual Avocado Festival. More avocados are grown in the region than any other county in the nation.
In the late 1850s, Kennedy Mine, located in Jackson, served as one of the richest gold mines in the world and the deepest mine in North America.
An animal called the riparian brush rabbit calls Caswell Memorial State Park (near Manteca) its home. Endemic only to the state's park system, the critter lives in approximatley 255 acres stretching along the area's once-vast hardwood forest.
In Pacific Grove there is a law on the books establishing a $500 fine for molesting butterflies.
The largest three-day rodeo in the United States is held on the Tehama County Fairgrounds in Red Bluff.
Demonstrations on making toothpaste from orange by-products were popular attractions at the Los Angeles County fair in 1922. The fair is held in Pomona.
Located in Sacramento, the Californnia State Railroad Museum is the largest museum of its kind in North America.
Several celebrities are buried at Hillside Cemetery in Culver City. Included gravesites are those of Al Jolson, George Jessel, Eddie Canter, Jack Benny, and Percy Faith.
DON'T FORGET TO STAY CURIOUS AND TO SEND IN A CONTRIBUTION. THE MORE THE MERRIER!
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Index to Bob Carter's travel websites.
160,000 Trivia Questions Online. Could there be any more fun online?
