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The idyllic combination of warm sun, white sand beaches, and the blue Pacific Ocean is the most prevalent image that comes to mind when most people are asked to describe California. From young, live-on-the-fly surfers, to established, well-to-do movie stars, California’s southern beaches offer excitement, relaxation, and, more than anything, a retreat from often-hectic life in a very fast-paced world.

The Hollywood film industry has done more than any direct advertising campaign to promote the Southern California image. Frolicking beach movies of the 1950s and ‘60s, such as Beach Blanket Bingo and continuing with television shows like Bay Watch, have encouraged the pursuit, or at least imitation, of the idealistic Southern California lifestyle throughout the country and around much of the world.

Beyond the surfboards, sunscreen, and microbathing suits, there is a world of nature that still exists and flourishes along the beaches and in the mountains that rise, in some areas, straight up from the waves pounding the shoreline. In many areas, coyotes, bobcats, and deer live only a few hundred feet away from shopping centers and crowded freeways. Miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails draw millions of recreationists each year to these wildlife islands.

Southern California also saw some of the state’s earliest history, with Spain establishing the first Franciscan mission in San Diego in 1769, several years before the original 13 states had formed their union on the opposite side of the continent. From the earliest years, and especially from the nineteenth century onward, land speculation, job opportunities, and mild weather have drawn millions of people to Southern California. This constant influx of new arrivals has created vibrant cities, incredible wealth, and a unique cultural blend that continues to lead the nation in popular trends. The growth and wealth has also resulted in the creation of some of the world’s finest museums, restaurants, hotels, and other indicators of sophistication and refinement.