You'll always have to go beyond what you learned in school about history of any area or country.

California history is taught in the 4th grade. In high school there's a CA government class. No one remembers what they were taught in school anyway. Bet the kids can't tell you why there's something named for Fremont anywhere you go in CA. Etc.

No history class can teach everything about a region. Compare and contrast: The patroon system in NY and the ranchos in CA. My mom made CA and L.A. history a hobby of hers.

Nancy