Travel guide California

California is the cradle of the hippie counterculture. In search of new values, a whole generation rejected materialism, power struggles and the traditions of previous societies. It was in San Francisco that the flower children began to manifest their desire for peace, notably during the Summer of Love in 1967.

The imposing white letters that stand out from the hills of Los Angeles are known the world over: here, the visitor enters the land of cinema. From the Walk of Fame to the studios open to the public and the historic Art Deco theaters, the city is steeped in this sometimes heavy heritage, synonymous with clichés that are too simplistic.

This term, which is synonymous with "casual " or "cool ", is a good summary of the attitude adopted by most Californians, especially those in the South. It applies to dress code as well as to conduct and social interaction. More than just a word, it reveals a state of mind for which Californians are known in the rest of the country.

The Golden State has been populated by successive waves of immigration: today, its population is predominantly Latino, at 39 per cent - compared to 35 per cent white. While managing racial tensions remains one of the challenges facing the federal government, ethnic diversity is a tremendous engine for development.

The American West is full of protected areas that have become models of organization and preservation of nature. If the first national park in the world was created in Wyoming, with Yellowstone National Park, California now has six of the most important, compared to five for Utah, three for Arizona and one for Nevada.

The country applies a virulent anti-smoking policy. Bans abound: in addition to the ban on smoking in most restaurants, bars and casinos, some cities also prohibit smoking in parks, on beaches and at bus stops. In total, 12.5% of Americans smoke compared to 24% of French people.

In the kingdom of the car, the road trip takes on its full meaning. Pacific coast, beach towns, vineyards, deserts, forests, mountains, lakes... : with its vast expanses and its great diversity of landscapes, the American West is best explored when you are in a vehicle. Here the time spent on the road is an integral part of the experience.

An evocative myth, it is the founding event of California, demographically, economically and culturally. In less than 7 years, the discovery of a vein of gold in January 1848 at about 80 km east of the current Sacramento attracted 300 000 people from all the United States, China, Europe, Australia and South America.

The region is frequently plagued by long periods of drought. Thus, water scarcity is a recurring problem in California, amplified more each year by climate change. Other consequences include devastating wildfires, unusual heat waves and the drying up of large lakes, such as Great Salt Lake in Utah.

Along with the pine, it is the tree most commonly found in California. There are two kinds: the coastal one - Sequoia sempervirens - and the mountain one - Sequoiadendron giganteum. Called "redwood " by the locals, the former is a relatively thin but giant tree, among the tallest in the world. A unique heritage, carefully preserved.

Built in 1926 to connect Chicago to Los Angeles, this legendary highway crosses Arizona for 645 km and California for 507 km. Although it officially disappeared from the U.S. highway system in 1985, many signs continue to indicate it, while it is lined with restaurants and motels in certain populated areas.

The Great West is home to several prestigious universities, among which Stanford - in California, south of San Francisco - stands out as a true incubator for Nobel Prize winners. In addition, the many campuses that populate the region energize the cities with museums, research sites and rich and varied cultural events.