This site features lesson plans for several of John Steinbeck's books. Not surprisingly, most resources relate to "The Grapes of Wrath."

The Library of Congress makes available these eyewitness accounts of California's history from 1849 to 1900.

A rich site on the California gold rush, 1848-1858. An online exhibit traces the gold rush using primary sources, a teacher page gives lesson plans from 4-12 and a kid's page offers further online adventures. Takes a long time to load.

Table of Contents of an easy-to-understand history of California ranging from the first peoples to the turn of the century and covers the topics of the Missions, the discovery of gold, the towns and the cities.