Northern Central Valley

Redding is the northernmost city in California's Central Valley. The Central Valley is one of the largest food producing areas in the world. It's fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat feed America for 100 days a year!

The Central Valley stetches from the Cascades to the Tehachapi Mountains. (The Tehachapi's are considered the geological boundary between Northern & Southern California.)

From Redding, I headed south through farm and prairie lands to the town of Red Bluff.  There, just outside of town, is William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park. This small state park is an ideal place to learn about nineteenth century American emigrants who headed West in search of prosperity. Many crossed deserts and mountains in search of gold; some striking it rich...still many more settled for the simple lives of farmers and ranchers.

It was this influx of people--along with newfound riches in gold, food, and an abundance of raw materials (such as timber)--that fueled the growth of cities like San Francisco & Sacramento. In fact, California grew so prosperous, so quickly, that the U.S. Congress voted it into statehood without even first proclaming it a territory.

Hence the Roman goddess Minerva on the California State Seal: Minerva sprang forth from the head of Jupiter fully grown and armored; likewise California sprang into statehood without first having been a territory.