SeeCalifornia.com

California isn’t the leading orange growing state, but we do love oranges. A new gold rush of sorts began in 1873 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent two small navel orange trees to Riverside resident Eliza Tibbets. Those trees, growing in near perfect soil and weather conditions, produced an especially sweet and flavorful fruit. Word of this far superior orange quickly spread, and a great agricultural industry was born. You can learn about the history of oranges in California at the California Citrus State Historic Park  (seen in photo.) Location: 400 Dufferin Avenue, Riverside, Ca. Open throughout the year Friday to Monday, you can call for hours (951) 780-6222 or visit parks.ca.gov .

Californians and Americans prefer eating oranges over any other citrus fruit, hands down. Citrus originated in Southeast Asia and is characterized by fragrant flowers and edible juicy fruit.

• Florida is the largest producer of oranges, accounting for 69 percent of total U.S. production
• California is top tangerine producer at  67 percent of production.
• Top county of orange production in California is Tulare County
• Tulare County produces over half the oranges grown in California
• Oranges and orange products rank around 7th in crop value of all crops in California

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