1858
- The first San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade is held in Chinatown, combining elements of the Chinese Lantern Festival with a typical American parade (contemporary parade dragon pictured)
- The William Hood House is built in Sonoma County, using bricks made on the property
- The Medical Department of the University of the Pacific, the first medical school on the West Coast, is founded in Santa Clara
- Bolinas School opens in Marin County