Franciscan friars, Yankee pioneers, hopeful gold miners, and of course Native Americans, all settled California, and named the towns they founded and the geographical features they encountered. These place names tell the story of early California and the subsequent history of our state. We will consider the history of local place names and then discuss the names of the larger cities and physical features that are found in modern California. Class members who wish to learn more about the names of specific cities and areas will be encouraged to participate in the discussions.