10th Anniversary

Historical marker location:

240 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, California

( Marker is on South Pine Avenue, on the left when traveling south.)

The state's name is derived from a novel called "Las Sergas de Esplandián," which was published in 1510. The book, written by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo, tells the story of a mythical island called California that is ruled by Queen Calafia and is said to be filled with gold and precious stones.