California Free Flowing Fountains

Fountains in California clockwise from bottom left: Ontario City Hall, Neptune fountain Rancho Palos Verdes, Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, Third Street Promenade Santa Monica, La Lune art fountain Brea, Sunken Gardens in Atascadero, Balboa Park San Diego, San Miguel Mission, Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco, Star Wars Yoda in San Anselmo, Adamson House in Malibu, Getty Villa fountains in Pacific Palisades.

From a city named "Fountain Valley" to the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles, Fountain Square in Citrus Heights or Fountain Plaza in Tiburon, fountains and things called fountain are in practically every city and everywhere you look! Californians have a love affair with fountains. Water's cascading, trickling or splashing sounds remind some of the Pacific Ocean. To others its a placid lake. Maybe you find solace during studies on the USC campus where there are over 20 fountains, or perhaps you're invigorated to shop when you stroll by the fountains at outdoor malls such as Irvine Spectrum, Westlake Village - The Promenade, Newport Beach Pop Jet Fountain at Fashion Island, Town Center Fountain in Santa Clarita, and many of California's favorite shopping malls.

Fountains initially were designed for functionality when the Sumerian culture used them for distribution of water from springs and natural sources. As societies began to express life through art, fountains became more symbolic, and have continued today to provide inspiration, entertainment and even a cooling effect on hot summer days. Here are just a few fountains you may see during your travels:

• California mission fountains at Santa Barbara, San Miguel, San Juan Capistrano, Carmel and San Luis Rey
• Public art fountains - Palace of Fine Arts - Legion of Honor in San Francisco
• Fanfare at San Pedro (fashioned after Bellagio in Las Vegas)
• Civic fountains at San Jose City Hall, Los Angeles City Hall, Rancho Palos Verdes, Temecula City Hall and Fountain Valley
• Hearst Castle fountains
• The Getty Center and Getty Villa Fountains in L.A., Malibu
• Yerba Buena Gardens Martin Luther King Fountain in San Francisco
• Winchester Mystery House Fountain in San Jose
• Plaza de Cesar Chavez in front of the Fairmont Hotel, San Jose
• Filoli Garden Fountains in Woodside
• Brea Mall Fountain with La Lune Sculpture
• Star Wars Fountain in San Anselmo
• South Bay L.A. Fanfare fountain