12 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Northern California

They say the closer we get to something the harder it is to see. Northern California is famous for a lot of things: redwood trees, our breezy ocean coastline, the Golden Gate Bridge. But there are dozens of things you may not know about this gorgeous part of our state. We promise you'll be amazed at a few of these!

1. Mt. Whitney

At an amazingly awesome 14,494 feet, Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous US. Did you know that?

2. The California Grizzly

Did you know our state flag's grizzly bear is based on a real live bear? Yep. Newspaper magnate Randolph Hearst hired a reporter who captured Monarch, a 1200-pound grizzly bear, in 1899. (A real grizzly hasn't been spotted in Northern California since 1924!) Monarch was the main attraction in San Francisco at The Golden Gate Park until his death in 1911.

3. Our State Flag and Lincoln

Did you know our state flag was designed by William Todd? That would be the nephew of Mary Todd Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln. Nepotism or a gifted artist? You decide.

4. Alpine County

You can find this county right beneath Tahoe. It's the eighth smallest in the state. This one has no ATMs, no dentists, and no streetlights.

5. San Francisco Bay

This may surprise you: the San Francisco Bay is the world's largest land-locked harbor.

6. Kennedy Mine, Jackson

Gold mines were quite the thing in the late 1850s. The Kennedy mine was the richest and deepest in North America.

7. Oldest trees?

Inyo National Park hosts assisted living for elderly trees. Methuselah, an ancient bristlecone pine, is the oldest known single (non-clonal) organism alive today. It is an incredible 4,847 years old.

8. Riparian Brush Rabbit

Ever heard of the riparian brush rabbit? It's a pretty rare bunny that only calls the Caswell park and its 266 acres home.

9. Sacramento Train Museum

If you love trains, then you need to stop by. This is the largest train station museum of its kind in all of the US.

10. Bald Eagles

Did you know that the Klamath Wldlife Refuge has more bald eagles that winter there than anywhere else in the USA? Pretty cool, right!?

11 Red Bluff Rodeo

Are you a little bit country? Then you need to know this little-known fact: Tehema County has the largest three-day rodeo in the whole country. Take that, southern states!

12. Monarch Butterflies, Pacific Grove

Lucky for the Monarch butterflies that call Pacific Grove home, this lovely city has a law on the books that calls for no molestation of these flying fairies. We'd love to meet the officer who enforces this one.

What's something you know about Northern California that we probably don't? Make sure to share it in the comments below!