California is a state that is most often under-looked in terms of culture.However, California has one of the richest legacies that has been documented by many writers. Since many of these writers are not well-known, California too has not gained the fame it deserves. California Legacy Project is a digital initiative started by Santa Clara University staff and students that aims to shed light on California’s rich heritage through a series of radio podcasts.These podcasts are available to the general California public through the California Legacy Project’s website or by listening on the radio. These podcasts consist of readings from a selection of California’s native writers.

One of California’s, and arguably America’s, most famous writers is John Steinbeck, who is most known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Grapes of Wrath. A few of his quotes depicting California’s natural life are available on the California Legacy project website. One of the readings I listened to was a segment from one of his novels, Cannery Row, which depicted a scene from California’s ocean life. Another podcast I listened to was a passage from Grapes of Wrath, describing the valleys of California. Just from listening to these two passages, you can tell the beauty and the diversity that California exhibits just in its landscape.  From the beauty of the ocean’s dark blue waters to the grace of soft, rolling valleys, California is definitely a special place to be. As a California native, I often take these things for granted. Thank you, California Legacy Project, for reminding me of the California that seems to be forgotten.