Water shapes much of California's geography, ecology, and ongoing political landscape.
* **Coastline:** The state boasts over 800 miles of stunning Pacific Ocean coastline. * **Lakes:** Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, renowned for its clarity. Other major bodies include Shasta Lake (a critical reservoir) and the unique, saline Salton Sea. * **Rivers:** The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers form the vital Central Valley watershed, flowing into the San Francisco Bay Delta. The Colorado River forms the state's southeastern border and is a crucial water source for Southern California. * **Waterfalls:** Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America, while McWay Falls in Big Sur is famous for dropping directly onto a pristine coastal beach.