{"id":2423,"date":"2024-12-20T15:24:08","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T23:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/?p=2423"},"modified":"2025-01-08T15:18:38","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T23:18:38","slug":"california-dreaming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/","title":{"rendered":"California Dreaming"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n
\n \n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n \n
\n \n
\n\n \n (Photograph: Hugh Holland.)\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n \n \n
\n\n \n

California Dreaming<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n By<\/span>Margaret Crable<\/a><\/strong>\n \n December 20, 2024<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n
\n \n \n Share\n <\/span>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Copy Link<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Facebook<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n \n\n<\/svg>\n\n <\/span>\n X<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n LinkedIn<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Bluesky<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Email<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n \n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n \n
\n\n \n

To define the California Dream,<\/strong> USC University Professor Kevin Starr<\/a> spent four decades writing eight books \u2014 a testament to the enormity and complexity of the task. Starr himself reportedly dubbed the project \u201cfoolhardy,\u201d although the resulting series, Americans and the Californian Dream<\/em><\/a>,<\/em> is regarded as a masterful portrayal of the state\u2019s soul, cementing his legacy as one of California\u2019s foremost historians and revered public intellectuals.<\/p>\n

Defining California may seem an impossible task, given the state\u2019s immense size, from the sprawling deserts to the lush redwoods, its rich history, vibrant culture and remarkable diversity.<\/p>\n

And yet, when we hear the phrase \u201cCalifornia Dream,\u201d we instinctively grasp its meaning. Like a song whose lyrics escape us but whose shimmering chords remain infinitely memorable, perhaps the best way to define California\u2019s magic is to understand the animating notes \u2014 its dominating principles \u2014 that harmonize to create the siren call of the Golden State.<\/p>\n

Land of the Free<\/h2>\n

One such defining principle is undoubtedly freedom, most vividly symbolized by California\u2019s love affair with the personal vehicle. Cruising down Pacific Coast Highway, ideally in the style of Richard Gere<\/a> behind the wheel of a black Mercedes-Benz 450SL in American Gigolo<\/em>, embodies the essence of California cool.<\/p>\n

This obsession with freedom on wheels is more than cultural, it\u2019s woven into the state\u2019s infrastructure. In 1953, downtown Los Angeles became home to the world\u2019s first freeway interchange, where four highways intersect in an audacious design that lets drivers change direction without slowing down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis ambitious structure exemplified the utopian ideal of freeways \u2014 the vision that one could drive through cities without ever stopping,\u201d says Philip Ethington<\/a>, professor of history<\/a>, political science<\/a> and spatial sciences<\/a>.<\/p>\n

California\u2019s car-friendly infrastructure owes much to private citizens, many of whom sought to wrest monopolized control of transit and commerce from the then immensely powerful Southern Pacific Railroad company in the 1920s.<\/p>\n

Angelenos united to form what Ethington dubs \u201cthe mothership of car culture,\u201d referring to the Automobile Club of Southern California, known more generally as AAA, the American Automobile Association. The group lobbied aggressively for paved roads, traffic lights and scenic highways on behalf of its members, ultimately leading to the creation of iconic routes such as Mulholland Drive, which became synonymous with the freedom and allure of L.A.<\/p>\n

Their efforts laid the foundation for a uniquely Californian brand of freedom that \u2014 aided by its immortalization in film and music \u2014 captivated the world. The Beach Boys fused surfing and cruising to pay homage to a \u201cT-Bird,\u201d a \u201cLittle Deuce Coupe\u201d and a \u201cfour-speed, dual-quad, Posi-Traction 409.\u201d Meanwhile, personalized lowriders that emerged from L.A.\u2019s Chicano culture of the 1970s came to symbolize California\u2019s brand of individualism, showcased in countless movies and music videos.<\/p>\n

California\u2019s spirit of freedom radiates through its signature leisure pursuits, including surfing on sunlit waves, \u201ccatching air\u201d on skateboards and free-climbing on dramatic rock faces.<\/p>\n

Of course, Californians also enjoy more relaxed leisure activities, such as splashing around in swimming pools \u2014 a quintessential pastime of the Golden State. A flight over Southern California reveals thousands of bright blue backyard oases, glittering amidst the urban landscape. It\u2019s the sight of these pools that inspired artist David Hockney in the 1960s and \u201970s to create his iconic series of pool paintings<\/a>, now celebrated as symbols of California leisure.<\/p>\n

Today, swimming pools offer an escape from the digital world \u2014 a peaceful sanctuary from constant electronic communication. \u201cWhen you\u2019re in the pool you can\u2019t really use your phone. So, you\u2019re on a floatie, you\u2019ve got your book and your drink, and you finally can\u2019t be reached,\u201d says Natalia Molina<\/a>, Distinguished Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity<\/a> and Dean\u2019s Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity. This sense of detachment makes pools a perfect symbol of California leisure \u2014 relaxed, sunny and untethered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n \n
\n <\/svg>\n \n
\n\n \n

\u2018A better life for ordinary people.\u2019 That, I think, sums up the top three values motivating migration to California: life, the improvement of life, the ability of ordinary people to achieve such improvement for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n \n
\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n Surfing, Skateboarding and Technology Converge in California\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Links between technological innovations in three of the Golden State\u2019s quintessential sports \u2014 surfing, swimming and skateboarding \u2014 helped cement California\u2019s impact on global culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n

\n\n \n \n \n\n Read More \n <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n \n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Going for Gold<\/h2>\n

The backyard pool is also a hallmark of the enviable California suburban lifestyle, immortalized in popular TV shows such as The Brady Bunch<\/em> and The O.C<\/em>. This rosy version of suburbia emerged alongside booming industries such as aerospace, manufacturing and Hollywood, drawing millions to the region in search of a middle-class existence \u2014 or, preferably, a lifestyle that ranked a rung or two higher on the socioeconomic ladder.<\/p>\n

Starr, who died in 2017, encapsulated this sentiment in the magazine Boom California<\/em><\/a> in January of that year. \u201cI frequently use the phrase \u2018a better life for ordinary people.\u2019 That, I think, sums up the top three values motivating migration to California: life, the improvement of life, the ability of ordinary people to achieve such improvement for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

For some, the pathway to upward mobility starts at street corners and in parking lots. There, a distinctly Californian spirit of DIY entrepreneurship can be seen at work in pop-up tents and trucks, as intrepid \u201ctaqueros\u201d serve up tacos, burritos and other fare.<\/p>\n

These small businesses have become beloved fixtures in California\u2019s renowned food scene, bolstered by fresh ingredients from the state\u2019s abundant agricultural industry \u2014 the most productive in the nation.<\/p>\n

Many food trucks and stands are operated by immigrants, who often arrive with limited job opportunities. This type of work represents more than a job, says Molina. It allows people to take greater control of their lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it\u2019s a very difficult job; you see taqueros unpacking and packing their stands every single day on the sidewalk,\u201d she says. \u201cBut through their food, they engage with the public, sharing the richness of their culture and where they come from. In the process, they communicate a fuller sense of who they are as people, not just as workers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Star is Born<\/h2>\n

This quintessentially Californian pursuit of autonomy and personal freedom extends to those chasing more glamourous dreams. Afterall, this is the birthplace of Hollywood, which practically invented the concept of celebrity. California\u2019s role as America\u2019s grand stage dates back more than a century, says Distinguished Professor Steven Ross<\/a>, Dean\u2019s Professor of History.<\/p>\n

When World War I broke out in 1914, European film production ground to a halt, adding to the growing demand for American movies, says Ross, Myron and Marian Casden Director of the Casden Institute for the Study of Jewish Role in American Life<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe movie industry suddenly had access to a potentially unlimited market and only needed to expand its output. Executives sought a location where they could make movies pretty much year-round, unlike the East Coast, which offered just 180 days a year of suitable weather.\u201d<\/p>\n

Southern California\u2019s sunny climate fit the bill, as did its cheap land, sparse labor unions and diverse natural landscapes. \u201cThe region boasted every type of potential scenery imaginable: city, desert, mountains,\u201d Ross says. \u201cIt was the perfect setting to launch an industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hollywood has survived revolutions in technology, shifting consumer tastes, and rising costs, demonstrating its enduring strength even as many productions relocated to less costly locales.<\/p>\n

The young \u2014 and not-so-young \u2014 still arrive daily, hoping to \u201cget discovered,\u201d despite enduringly slim chances. This dogged resilience against overwhelming odds \u2014 even in the face of dashed dreams \u2014 may be the final, defining element of California\u2019s spirit.<\/p>\n

Peter Westwick<\/a>, professor of the practice of Thematic Option<\/a> and history, illustrates this tenacity by invoking the words of William Brewer, a 19th-century scientist who traveled extensively across the state with the California Geological Survey. Westwick notes that in early 1862, Brewer observed, \u201cNo people can so stand calamity as this people. They are used to it. Everyone is familiar with the history of fortunes quickly made and as quickly lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

California\u2019s spirit is one of boundless optimism, where dreams of freedom, fortune, and reinvention continue to inspire new generations. From its endless freeways symbolizing personal liberation to the creativity of Hollywood and the resilience of aspirational newcomers, the state remains a beacon of possibility.<\/p>\n

Even in the face of challenges, Californians persist, embodying the enduring belief that with grit and vision, a better future is always within reach. It is this unshakable pursuit of the California Dream that defines the Golden State, ensuring its story continues to inspire future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n \n
\n
\n\n \n
\n\n \n

\n USC Dornsife Magazine\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Fall 2024 \/ Winter 2025<\/h2>\n

California<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
\n\n \n \n \n\n Back to Issue \n <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":2427,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCalifornia Dreaming<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Defining the Golden State may seem an impossible task, yet when we hear the phrase \u201cCalifornia Dream,\u201d we instinctively grasp its meaning.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"California Dreaming\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Defining the Golden State may seem an impossible task, yet when we hear the phrase \u201cCalifornia Dream,\u201d we instinctively grasp its meaning.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"USC Dornsife Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-20T23:24:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-08T23:18:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage-1024x589.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"589\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Michael Liu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Michael Liu\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447\"},\"headline\":\"California Dreaming\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-20T23:24:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-08T23:18:38+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/\"},\"wordCount\":2,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Article\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/\",\"name\":\"California Dreaming\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-20T23:24:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-08T23:18:38+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447\"},\"description\":\"Defining the Golden State may seem an impossible task, yet when we hear the phrase \u201cCalifornia Dream,\u201d we instinctively grasp its meaning.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage.png\",\"width\":2000,\"height\":1150,\"caption\":\"A skateboarder glides smoothly along a concrete skate bowl under bright sunlight.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"California Dreaming\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/\",\"name\":\"USC Dornsife Magazine\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447\",\"name\":\"Michael Liu\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Michael Liu\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/author\/liumk\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"California Dreaming","description":"Defining the Golden State may seem an impossible task, yet when we hear the phrase \u201cCalifornia Dream,\u201d we instinctively grasp its meaning.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"California Dreaming","og_description":"Defining the Golden State may seem an impossible task, yet when we hear the phrase \u201cCalifornia Dream,\u201d we instinctively grasp its meaning.","og_url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/","og_site_name":"USC Dornsife Magazine","article_published_time":"2024-12-20T23:24:08+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-01-08T23:18:38+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":589,"url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage-1024x589.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Michael Liu","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/"},"author":{"name":"Michael Liu","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447"},"headline":"California Dreaming","datePublished":"2024-12-20T23:24:08+00:00","dateModified":"2025-01-08T23:18:38+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/"},"wordCount":2,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage.png","articleSection":["Article"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/","name":"California Dreaming","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage.png","datePublished":"2024-12-20T23:24:08+00:00","dateModified":"2025-01-08T23:18:38+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447"},"description":"Defining the Golden State may seem an impossible task, yet when we hear the phrase \u201cCalifornia Dream,\u201d we instinctively grasp its meaning.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/LandingPage.png","width":2000,"height":1150,"caption":"A skateboarder glides smoothly along a concrete skate bowl under bright sunlight."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/california-dreaming\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"California Dreaming"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/","name":"USC Dornsife Magazine","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447","name":"Michael Liu","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Michael Liu"},"url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/author\/liumk\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2423"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2910,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423\/revisions\/2910"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2423"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}