xx vintage photos of California during its heyday

vintage palm springs

Palm Springs was a popular destination in the '70s.
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Los Angeles experienced a housing boom in the '60s, bringing more people to the Golden State.

Housing development in Los Angeles in 1954.
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During the '60s, Los Angeles built 76% more than houses than the previous decade, upping the number of homes to 232,379.

At the same fourth dimension, the hippie movement was sweeping beyond the nation, especially in California.

Hippies at a music festival in California.
Robert Altman / Getty

As a reaction to the Vietnam State of war, hippies were known for their free love and creativity. They often expressed this beloved and openness at music festivals, similar this ane at Lake Amador in California in 1969.

The hippies actually referred to themselves as "freaks" or "honey children."

Hippies in 1960s.
Robert Altman / Getty

These so-called "freaks" loved to accept drugs, preferably LSD, and often gathered together to listen to music. Here, a group of hippies enjoys one such jam session at Mt. Tamalpais near San Francisco.

In California, the eye of the hippie movement was San Francisco.

Hippies in San Francisco.
Robert Altman/ Getty

Although the movement reached every corner of the nation, it was mainly popular in San Francisco and New York.

Mode and fashion changed dramatically too.

Hippies in the 1970s.
David Reed/ Getty

All over California during the '60s and '70s you could come across hair growing well past the societal norms. For many, long pilus and even longer beards were a symbol of rebellion and protest against the Vietnam War.

Another cornerstone for the hippie motility in California was free love, which started the sexual revolution.

Hippies in 1967.
Michael Ochs Athenaeum/ Getty

During this time menstruation, youths rejected their parent's beliefs in sex and marriage. They shifted their views on the subjects and became more than sexually free and more interested in costless love.

It was also a time of protest and political activism.

Blackness Panthers in 1969.
Robert Altman/ Getty

It wasn't all drugs and music. The '60s and '70s in California too saw a rise in political activism, especially amidst the younger demographic. While many protested the Vietnam War, others argued for ceremonious rights, like the Black Panther Party seen here in 1969.

The hippie movement as well ushered in the importance of acceptance, especially racial integration.

Leapwood Elementary School in 1970.
Ralph Crane/ Getty

During the '60s and '70s, much of the nation debated the issue of busing students farther abroad to prioritize integrating schools. However, some schools did not accept whatever issues with integration and even celebrated information technology, like Leapwood Uncomplicated School in Los Angeles.

This fully integrated school in California became a model for schools across the country.

Leapwood Simple School in 1970.
Ralph Cane/ Getty

Leapwood Simple School was equally balanced among white kids, black kids, Hispanic kids, and Asian-American kids.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the movie industry was experiencing a creative renaissance.

Hollywood in 1970s.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty

The '60s dealt a difficult financial blow to Hollywood, only the '70s marked a meaning artistic pinnacle for the movie industry.

Movies similar "Jaws," "Halloween," and "Star Wars" all helped bring Hollywood into a new Golden Historic period.

Hollywood sign in 1970s.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty

"Jaws" was shot on a measly budget only made more than than $100 million. The aforementioned could be said for "Star Wars."

Outside of the hippie movement and pic industry, people likewise enjoyed the natural wonders and famous attractions inside the country.

Embankment in California in 1970.
Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty

California has always been well known for its legendary beaches because its coastline is 840 miles long and has more than 420 public beaches.

Some families fifty-fifty chose to experience the Golden Land by van.

Vacation van in 1970s.
Ralph Cane/ Getty

From San Diego to San Francisco, there were a number of attractions that people loved to visit during the '60s and '70s.

Similarly, Joshua Tree National Park has always been a California favorite.

Vintage auto in Joshua Tree National Park.
Robert Alexander/ Getty

Joshua Tree was frequented in the '60s and '70s equally an adventurous destination to experience the rocky landscape of the Mojave Desert.

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