The SoCal Story

The History Buff
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The SoCal Story uncovers the history hiding beneath the sunshine. From Native California and Spanish settlement to Hollywood, immigration, freeways, and the California dream, each episode explores the people and events that transformed Southern California into one of the most fascinating places on earth. The past shaped paradise—and this is its story.

Episodes

  1. Sep 22

    Episode 4: California History Overview - 4

    Fourth episode in a series of 6 episodes covering the history of California broadly. After this introductory series, we will move on to a short (likely 2-episode) series entitled "What is Southern California," and then we'll fully cover the history of San Diego. From there we will present the rest of Southern California's most important people, places and events. CHAPTERS: Episode Intro (0:00) Western Expansion (0:39) Polk Goes to War (09:03) Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (18:15) The Gold Rush (25:17) Outro (31:41) SOURCES: John Mack Faragher, California: An American History (Yale University Press, 2022) Michael Hiltzik, Golden State: The Making of California (Mariner Books, 2025) Andrew Rolle, California: A History, 5th ed. (Harlan Davidson, 1998) Kevin Starr, California: A History (Modern Library, 2007) MUSIC: American Legion / Pacific Winds / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  2. Sep 14

    Episode 3: California History Overview - 3

    Third episode in a series of 6 episodes covering the history of California broadly. After this introductory series, we will move on to a short (likely 2-episode) series entitled "What is Southern California," and then we'll fully cover the history of San Diego. From there we will present the rest of Southern California's most important people, places and events. CHAPTERS: Episode Intro (0:00) Spanish Return to Alta California (0:44) Mission California: Resistance (06:28) Mission California: Survival (13:49) Mexican California (24:39) Outro (34:21) SOURCES: John Mack Faragher, California: An American History (Yale University Press, 2022) Michael Hiltzik, Golden State: The Making of California (Mariner Books, 2025) Andrew Rolle, California: A History, 5th ed. (Harlan Davidson, 1998) Kevin Starr, California: A History (Modern Library, 2007) MUSIC: American Legion / Pacific Winds / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  3. Sep 7

    Episode 2: California History Overview - 2

    Second episode in a series of 6 episodes covering the history of California broadly. After this introductory series, we will move on to San Diego, and from there we will cover the rest of Southern California's most important people, places and events. CHAPTERS: Episode Intro (0:00) Native California (0:52) Queen Calafia (13:56) Alta California (19:20) Outro (29:02) SOURCES: John Mack Faragher, California: An American History (Yale University Press, 2022) Michael Hiltzik, Golden State: The Making of California (Mariner Books, 2025) Andrew Rolle, California: A History, 5th ed. (Harlan Davidson, 1998) Kevin Starr, California: A History (Modern Library, 2007) MUSIC: American Legion / Pacific Winds / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  4. Trailer

    The SoCal Story (TRAILER)

    Trailer for The SoCal Story, tracing the history of Southern California, and its most important people, places and events. MUSIC: American Legion / Pacific Winds / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  5. Sep 1

    Episode 1: California History Overview - 1

    We begin The SoCal Story with a series of 6 episodes covering the history of California broadly. After this introductory series, we will move on to San Diego, and from there we will cover the rest of Southern California's most important people, places and events. CHAPTERS: Intro to The SoCal Story (0:00) The Land (2:58) Diversity (10:11) Little Countries (18:43) Outro (27:29) SOURCES: John Mack Faragher, California: An American History (Yale University Press, 2022) Michael Hiltzik, Golden State: The Making of California (Mariner Books, 2025) Andrew Rolle, California: A History, 5th ed. (Harlan Davidson, 1998) Kevin Starr, California: A History (Modern Library, 2007) MUSIC: American Legion / Pacific Winds / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  • 1 Trailer
    4 Episodes

Trailer

About

The SoCal Story uncovers the history hiding beneath the sunshine. From Native California and Spanish settlement to Hollywood, immigration, freeways, and the California dream, each episode explores the people and events that transformed Southern California into one of the most fascinating places on earth. The past shaped paradise—and this is its story.

Information

  • Creator
    The History Buff
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The History Buff
  • Show Website
    The SoCal Story