CALIFORNIA: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

HEADNOTE

THE EASY ACCESS TO NATURAL WONDERS, THE UNPARALLELED QUALITY OF ITS EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND ITS DIVERSE RESIDENTS MAKE CALIFORNIA A DESIRABLE LOCATION.

It's been called the Promised Land. The Golden State. Ever since the Gold Rush days, Americans,

as well as people from around the world, have been drawn to California's breathtaking natural beauty and bountiful natural resources. Today it is respected as a cutting-edge technological leader and the fifth-largest economy in the world. And California is still a land of opportunity, attracting millions of people who have a streak of independence, a splash of free spirit, and an entrepreneurial spark.

California is also a land of contrasts. With its long stretches of Pacific coastline, fertile valleys, and rugged mountain ranges, its mix of small town America and world-famous cities, and its multicultural diversity, California offers something for just about everyone which is why in 2002 and 2003 it was ranked in Harris polls as the most desirable state in which to live.

A FEW BASICS

California is the third-largest U.S. state in land area. With a population of more than 35 million, California is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world. It's also one of the youngest - its citizens have a median age of 32 and the vitality to match.

It's not unusual to hear many languages being spoken on the city streets. Downtown districts offer an incredible array of ethnic restaurants. In fact, the state's ethnic diversity is celebrated by festivals throughout the year, such as the annual Chinese New Year Festival and Parade in San Francisco. MexicanAmericans celebrate Cinco de Mayo in early May, with some of the biggest fiestas held in Los Angeles and San Jose. Native-American culture is honored at the Annual Indian Fair in San Diego. Los Angeles is famous for its African Marketplace and Cultural Faire, which celebrates African culture around the world. Other events are Sacramento's Japanese Cultural Bazaar and the French Festival in Santa Barbara.

IMAGE PHOTOGRAPH1

In the business world, California is the country's top-producing high-tech state. Almost one million well-paid workers are employed in high-tech sectors. California's per capita personal income in 2000 was $32,334, the ninth-highest in the country. The concentration of high-tech industry attracts billions of research dollars into the state's economy every year, which generates more work for businesses that support high tech. Additional jobs are being created as California's exports of high tech goods and services continue to lead the nation.

In Money magazine's recent rankings of the country's most desirable cities, of those Western cities with a population of 100,000 or more, eight of the top 13 were in California - among them Anaheim, Santa Rosa, Irvine, Orange, Santa Clarita, and Thousand Oaks. In the "under 100,000" category, 13 of the top 18 Western cities were Californian, such as Livermore, Diamond Bar, Danville, and Tustin. Money analyzed demographic factors that were similar to those shared by its typical readers - college-educated professionals with above-average median incomes. The publication only considered cities with median incomes that exceeded $50,000, that were within 60 miles of a major city, and that had below-average unemployment rates.

EDUCATION

An essential factor in any quality-of-life ranking is the public and postsecondary education system. Without high-quality schools, economic growth and job opportunities stagnate, and the most talented students leave the area. California's public education system is one of the best in the country. Its high salaries for teachers (ranked first in the nation with an average salary of $54,348 in 2002-2003) attract highly qualified educators to the state.

In 2002-2003 California's Academic Performance Index growth report showed that 90 percent of California's public schools improved their scores and that 78 percent achieved their academic performance targets - an impressive 26point gain over 2002.

"We have had steady and substantial gains over the last four year's,." says state superintendent of public instruction Jack O'Connell. "These tests are aligned to rigorous state-adopted academic content standards that are considered the toughest in the nation. I'm very proud of our entire education community and am encouraged by the outstanding academic progress our schools are making."

IMAGE PHOTOGRAPH2

California is famous for having some of the most prestigious universities in the world. Nearly 2.5 million students are enrolled in 250 colleges and universities in the state - about 160,000 students graduate every year and contribute their new skills to an already highly accomplished work force.

Founded in 1968, the University of California is considered one the best public university systems in the world. More than 174,000 students are enrolled at its 10 campuses, where groundbreaking research in high technology, biotechnol-ogy, medicine, and agriculture is conducted by its internationally recognized faculty. Three national laboratories also operate within the UC system.

Another educational leader is California State University, the largest uni versity in the country with 409,000 students on 23 campuses. San Diego State University, Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology, the University of Southern California, San Jose State University, Humboldt State University, and Loyola Law School are other prominent institutions.

IN THE WILD

California has the sort of climate that makes interacting with nature a year-round affair. Some of the most stunning natural vistas in the world are found in California's 28 national parks, 260 state parks, and 129 pristine wilderness areas, as well as along its 1,264 miles of coastline.

Northern California is home to deep, clear lakes and old-growth forests. Some of the largest trees in the world - ancient redwoods - grow in majestic splendor here, Mt. Whitney in Sequoia National Park is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14,495 feet. The nation's low est point - 282 feet below sea level - is also in California, in Death Valley. Active volcanoes and steaming hot springs can be found in the Cascade Mountains. And although it's famous for its warm and sunny climate, California also has world-famous skiing in its higher elevations.

The central part of California has a variety of landscapes, including sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Yosemite and Death Valley national parks. There is an abundance of vineyards, artisan communities, and resorts, all of which cater to a more relaxed lifestyle.

Top-10 California National Park Facilities

* Golden Gate National Recreation Area

* San Francisco Maritime Museum

* Yosemite National Park

* Death Valley National Park

* Point Reyes National Seashore

* Joshua Tree National Park

* Cabrillo National Monument

* Sequoia National Park

* Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreational Area

* Channel Islands National Park

Southern California is known for its desert climate and year-round sun-shine. Bristlecone pine trees, the oldest living organisms on earth, thrive here. San Diego's Imperial Valley has easy access to the Pacific Ocean, as well as the mountains, desert, and the delights of neighboring Mexico, all within a two-hour drive.

Although California has a slightly higher cost of living than the nation-al average, and some economic concerns that are being addressed by the new administration, it is by far the most culturally dynamic state in the country and always on the leading edge of business, technology, and the arts - after all, Californians prefer to set the trends, not just follow them.

Poway blends a variety of retail commerce, technology, and educa-tion with exceptional municipal and trans-portation services. It is home to an award-win-ning school district and the lowest crime rate in the county. The City of Poway's Economic Development Depart-ment is here to support the local culture, com-munity, and people with their successful future.

City of Poway

IMAGE TABLE3

Request # CALIFORNIA SPONSORS

SIDEBAR

Hesperia, located in a superior Southern California region, outside the South Coast AQMD, but only 90 miles from Los Angeles, makes an ideal location for distribution, industrial, and manufacturing operations. Cost-effective land prices and Hesperia's strategic location, combined with an abundant work force and wages lower than in other Southern California areas, make for reduced startup and operating costs. These are hardto-beat incentives for any organization locating a new or expanding business in the city of Hesperia.

Hesperia

258 days of sunshine each year. 42 miles of coastline. 32nd largest economy in the world. 12th in Forbes' "Best Places for Business and Career." 2nd most diversified high-tech economy in the United States (Milken Institute). 25 percent of Orange County jobs are high tech. 74 percent of residents rate Orange County's economy as excellent or good. 81 percent of Orange County residents rate our local beaches, parks, and other recreational facilities good to excellent. 90 percent of residents rate Orange County's quality of life as high.

Orange

County

SIDEBAR

Yuba County's Plumas Lake and East Linda Specific Plan areas are showing unprecedented residential growth as well as increasing demand for commercial and industrial development in 2004. The Yuba-Sutter Enterprise Zone is the largest in California and offers significant tax credits and employee hiring incentives. Yuba County presents a friendly and affordable environment for business expansion opportunities.

Yuba

County

Southern California's Inland Empire is the fastest-growing region in the nation. Why? Our superb infrastructure, consisting of airports and our surface transportation, freeways, and rail, which comfortably transports product components, finished goods, and people, within and outside of the area. Available land has allowed continuous residential and industrial development; enough that the Inland Empire has seen the construction of over 200 million square feet of industrial space and has captured 48 percent of the new-home market in Southern California. Our office market is doing just as well: in 2003 the region had the 2nd lowest vacancy rate nationally and the 3rd highest absorption rate national- ly. By 2020 this region will add some 1.58 mil lion people - outgrowing all but five states during that time period.

The Inland

Empire

SOME OF THE MOST STUNNING natural vistas in the world are found in California's 28 national parks, 260 state and 129 pristine wilderness areas, as well as along its 1,264 of coastline.