It is shocking how big California’s Central Valley really is. (Image credit: ratkabratka)

[u/G_Marius_the_jabroni]

I knew it was kind of big, but damn, it really is massive. Most maps I see I kind of glance over it not paying much attention to it. I always thought it was like a 50-75 mile long by 10-15 miles wide valley, but that thing is freaking 450 miles (720 km) in length x 40-60 miles (64-97 km) wide & covers approximately 18,000 sq miles (47,000 sq km). And that beautiful black alluvial soil underneath the land as a result of all the nutrients flowing down from the Sierras, combined with a hot climate ideal for year-round agriculture??? What a jackpot geographical feature.

[u/jankenpoo]

No kidding. This summer was like 5 weeks over 100 and a couple weeks around 115!

[u/Psychological-Dot-83 → u/jankenpoo]

But the rivers are so great to swim in whe it's hot. I miss swimming in the American and Sacramento river during the summer.

[u/jankenpoo → u/Psychological-Dot-83]

Honestly that was the only way we survived! We went to Natomas with our paddleboards every day it was 110+! The cold water was amazing