California QuickInfo Est. Pop.: 34,607,373 Capital: Sacramento Statehood: 1850 Nickname: Golden State Motto: Eureka! Official Website Corporations Census Info Fun California Factoid On Catalina Island in 1926, American author Zane Grey built a pueblo-style home on the hillside overlooking Avalon Bay. He spent much of his later life in Avalon. The home is now a hotel.