50 California Trivia Questions and Answers

California is a state full of fascinating history, diverse landscapes, and inspiring people. How much do you know about the Golden State?

Test your knowledge with these California trivia questions and answers about California. From famous landmarks to natural wonders, Hollywood to Silicon Valley, see how well you know the facts about California.

For more quizzes, see our trivia quiz sitemap.

California Geography Trivia

1. What is the highest point in California?
2. What is the lowest point in California?
3. What mountain range runs along the eastern border of California?
4. What large island is located off the coast of Southern California?
5. What desert covers much of inland Southern California?
6. What bay forms a natural harbor next to the city of San Francisco?
7. What mountain pass did many Forty-Niners use to get to the California gold fields?
8. What national park in California features giant sequoia trees?

California History Trivia

9. What Native American group lived in what is now California for thousands of years before Europeans arrived?
10. What country claimed California before it became part of the United States?
11. When did California officially become a state?
12. What event in 1848 kicked off the California Gold Rush?
13. What was the name of the first Spanish mission founded in California in 1769?
14. What route did early Spanish settlers take to colonize Alta California?
15. Who is considered the founder of Los Angeles?
16. What was San Francisco's nickname during the Gold Rush era?

California Culture & Entertainment Trivia

17. What Hollywood movie studio opened in 1927 and gave tours to the public?
18. Which theme park opened in 1955 with rides like the Jungle Cruise and King Arthur Carousel?
19. What is the name of the iconic sign overlooking Los Angeles that spells out the name of the city?
20. Which annual awards show honoring excellence in film started in 1929?
21. Which beach city is home to Muscle Beach and was central to California's surf culture?
22. What outdoor music festival held in 1969 featured legendary acts like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin?
23. What amusement park opened in 1940 and pioneered attractions like log rides and roller coasters?
24. Which city's Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia and home to the annual Chinese New Year festival?

California Innovation Trivia

25. What university did Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak attend before starting Apple?
26. What Silicon Valley company started as a search engine in 1998 before expanding into other services?
27. What company was started by Larry Page and Sergey Brin and has become synonymous with online search?
28. The first video uploaded to what site, founded in 2005, showed one of the co-founders at the San Diego zoo?
29. What electric car company produces models like the Model S and Model 3?
30. What ridesharing company, founded in 2009, uses an app to connect drivers with passengers?
31. What solar energy company, founded in 2006, pioneered affordable home solar panel systems?
32. What social media company, founded in 2004, pioneered the "like" button and news feed?

California Sports Trivia

33. What MLB baseball team has played in LA since moving from Brooklyn in 1958?
34. What NFL football team has played in San Francisco since 1946?
35. What NBA basketball team has played in Oakland and San Francisco since 1962?
36. What NHL hockey team played in LA and Oakland before moving to San Jose in 1991?
37. What NFL team used to play in San Diego before moving to LA in 2017?
38. What MLB team used to play in Brooklyn before moving to LA in 1958?
39. What college football rivalry features the Stanford Cardinal and the UC Berkeley Golden Bears?
40. What NFL team has played in LA since moving from St. Louis in 2016?

California Food & Agriculture Trivia

41. What fast food chain specializing in hamburgers and milkshakes opened its first location in California in 1948?
42. What agricultural region produces over 80% of the world's almonds?
43. What citrus fruit was originally named the "California orange" when it was found in Southern California in the 1870s?
44. What variety of grape, used for wine production, accounts for over 90% of California's total grape harvest?
45. What bay area chef pioneered California cuisine using fresh, seasonal ingredients in the 1970s?
46. What restaurant chain serving Mexican-inspired fast food opened its first location in Downey in 1962?
47. What berry harvest occurs in coastal California in July and draws crowds for picking?
48. What city holds an annual Gilroy Garlic Festival celebrating local garlic growers?

California Wildlife & Ecology Trivia

49. What is California's state animal?
50. What is California's state flower?

Answers

1. Mount Whitney
2. Badwater Basin in Death Valley
3. Sierra Nevada Mountains
4. Santa Catalina Island
5. Mojave Desert
6. San Francisco Bay
7. Donner Pass
8. Sequoia National Park
9. Native American tribes like the Chumash, Ohlone, and Miwok
10. Mexico
11. 1850
12. The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma
13. Mission San Diego de Alcalá
14. El Camino Real/The California Mission Trail
15. Felipe de Neve
16. Baghdad-by-the-Bay
17. Warner Bros. Studios
18. Disneyland
19. The Hollywood Sign
20. The Academy Awards/Oscars
21. Santa Monica
22. Woodstock West/Altamont Free Concert
23. Knott's Berry Farm
24. San Francisco
25. University of California, Berkeley
26. Google
27. Google
28. YouTube
29. Tesla
30. Uber
31. SolarCity/Tesla Energy
32. Facebook
33. Los Angeles Dodgers
34. San Francisco 49ers
35. Golden State Warriors
36. San Jose Sharks
37. Los Angeles Chargers
38. Los Angeles Dodgers
39. Big Game/The Axe
40. Los Angeles Rams
41. In-N-Out Burger
42. Central Valley
43. Naval orange
44. Cabernet Sauvignon
45. Alice Waters
46. Taco Bell
47. Strawberries
48. Gilroy
49. California grizzly bear
50. California poppy

Conclusion on California Trivia Quiz

California is a treasure trove of history, natural wonders, cultural landmarks, and technological innovations. With its captivating geography, iconic landmarks, and rich cultural heritage, it's no wonder that California has a special place in the hearts of many. Whether you're a California native or a curious explorer, these trivia questions and answers offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of the Golden State. So, test your knowledge, learn something new, and let the allure of California continue to inspire and captivate you.