California Dream

California exists as an idea in the minds of the people of this country, whether they're aware of it or not. The idea of that mythical place all the way to the west is archetypal in the history of the U.S., at least in the past couple of centuries. There's something thrilling about a place where one can go to completely start over and try something new. The illusory magic of the Gold Rush is replaced now by the illusion of a chance at fame in Hollywood, and both are as potent as any myth can be. Life out here has been extremely difficult, however, or at least as difficult as anywhere else. It doesn't help the myth, however, that some of the cities have the most magnificent weather in the world, along with stunning beaches, and immaculate forests.



It's real history, the one that exists beneath the surface of the glamor and the mystique, is just as interesting as any myth, and it's due to the work of people like Paul Espinosa to expose some of the real stories. He's a filmmaker based in San Diego, and was part of the project to work on the PBS series, California and the American Dream. This series brought to life some of the more elemental portions of Califonia's history, and the light shed does not at all detract from the appeal of the state, but in fact increases it by leaps and bounds.



There are many artists and scholars who have been working to explore the contributions of the Native people, as well as the Latino communities, and Asian immigrants, in shaping California over the years, and the stories are still unfolding. It's exciting to live in interesting times, and it's also very complicated, because these histories are deeply entwined with the history of the formation of countries and cultures. From these perspectives, we get a larger picture of California. There is still the same potential for building a life and rebuilding identities here, and it takes connections to the deep history of a place to truly start to get a sense of the possible. There are deep roots here, and the roots run through the entire country, so that it's possible for anyone to still find a way to connect, and touch the force of the center of the real California.



Visit bestcaliforniahotels.com for places to stay on your next trip to California.