The 31st state of the United States was the first state bordering the Pacific Ocean. Which state was this?

The Golden State's rapid journey to statehood cemented America's status as a continental nation. After being ceded by Mexico in 1848 following the Mexican-American War, the territory experienced an unprecedented population boom fueled by the Gold Rush. This massive influx of settlers, known as "forty-niners," created an urgent need for established civil government, bypassing the usual territorial phase and fast-tracking its application for admission into the Union.

Its entry on September 9, 1850, was a pivotal moment in U.S. history. As part of the landmark Compromise of 1850, it was admitted as a free state, a decision that intensified the national debate over slavery. By becoming the 31st state, it officially extended the nation's border to the Pacific, fulfilling the vision of "Manifest Destiny." The other future Pacific states, Oregon and Washington, would not achieve statehood until 1859 and 1889, respectively, securing California's place as the first American state on the West Coast.