In addition to the architecture of California missions and other colonial buildings, there are many more architectural reminiscences of the Spanish period, especially in Southern California, where white stucco, red tile, curved arches, arched storefronts, balconies, or even bell towers are incorporated into modern building styles in what is called Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, an architectural and stylistic movement in the United States that took place in the early 20th century.
While Spanish architectural styles are appearing in the state, northern California cities are more notably distinguished by the historic Victorian architecture for which San Francisco is famous, but which dominates the central historic districts of most Northern California cities. The cities of Eureka and Ferndale, in Humboldt County, are particularly noteworthy for their well-preserved Victorian building stock.
Today’s architecture in California is a blend of many other cultural influences that have led to innovative modernist styles that have shaped many other interesting and unusual building types.
California is home to Hollywood (Los Angeles County), which is the center of the American film industry, giving rise to fashion-forward movies and stereotypical lifestyles such as surfer beach dwellers.
Hollywood has had a profound impact on culture around the world since the early 20th century. During the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood, which lasted from the end of the silent era in American cinema in the late 1920s to the late 1950s, thousands of films were released from Hollywood studios. Attempts to manufacture a performance on the movie screen have basically shaped American cinema ever since. Spectacular epics that utilized new widescreen processes have become increasingly popular since the 1950s.
Today, despite fierce competition from other countries and even other states within the United States, California still leads the industry, and its productions are shown around the world, influencing the perception of fiction and even reality for millions of people from all parts of the globe.
The guitar was the instrument of choice for the Mexican state of Alta California, and the collection features two composers for the instrument. Manuel J. Ferrer’s compositions were collected in a 144-page book titled Compositions and Arrangements for the Guitar, published in San Francisco in 1882 and then republished in Boston by Oliver Deatson in 1915. Many of his works appear in sheet music collections. An additional California artist, named Luis T. Romero, is represented by his 1889 orchestration for guitar of La Paloma, performed by Pandeyer.
In 1898, a collection titled “Characteristic Songs of Spanish Californians” was published as Cañones del Pais de California in Santa Barbara.
California is the birthplace of a number of world-famous musical genres, including:
- Third Wave Ska with bands such as Reel Big Fish, Suburban Rhythm, Sublime and No Doubt.
- West Coast hip-hop, such as Tupac Shakur, Cypress Hill, Ice Cube, N.W.A.
- Jazz on the West Coast
- Blues on the west coast
- Gangsta Funk, e.g. Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre Tarsha Metal Bay, e.g. Metallica, Exodus
- Alternative rock/no metal, e.g. Korn, Linkin Park, P.O.D.
- Stone Stoner, e.g. Son, Cus
Other famous artists from California from genres that do not originate from the state include:
- Heavy Metal: Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, Megadeth, Slayer
- Punk: “Dead Kennedys, Circle, Green Day
- Latin rock: Santana, Richie Valens
- Soft rock, e.g. Carpenters