Courtesy of Marcus Teply

Venice Becomes Silicon Beach

Google's job recruiting webpage for its L.A. office reads, "Who needs Silicon Valley when you can have Silicon Beach?" The company opened an office in Los Angeles' Venice Beach last year, leading a wave of tech and media companies setting up shop there. But as the tech boom grows, some longtime residents are wondering if Silicon Beach will wipe out the rough edges that they say make Venice unique.Reporter: Valerie Hamilton

Tracy Hebden/Getty Images

California Report Music Critics Go Under the Radar

Throughout the year our music critics offer up their take on notable new releases from California bands and musicians -- and inevitably they only scratch the surface. So much great music, so little time. So we've invited them in to chat about the year in music.

Mike Baird/Flickr

Listening in on California Accents

Recently we aired a story about a team of Stanford University researchers who set out to define the California accent. We teamed up with our colleagues at KPCC in Los Angeles and asked our listeners to describe how we talk here in the Golden State. And more than 70 of you called up to share your thoughts.

• More: Stanford Researchers Try to Define the California Accent

Joseph Robinson/Courtesy Al Young

Al Young's Poem of the Month Says Goodbye to 2012

About a year ago, California's former Poet Laureate, Al Young, came to us with an idea that he write an original poem for The California Report each month of 2012. Well, we took him up on that and over the past year he's provided memorable verses, weaving in unique California names and places with state history, references to the seasons and personal reflections. He joins us to talk about the project and read his final piece for 2012.

• More: Al Young's One Poem a Month

Courtesy of Charles Phoenix

Celebrating the Holidays With Retro Maven Charles Phoenix

'Tis the season for holiday parties -- and everyone's got their own celebration style -- from old-school traditional to kooky and quirky. If you're looking for unusual food or vintage family fun this season, Charles Phoenix is your man. The L.A.-based historian and humorist is author of the new book "Americana the Beautiful," and he is THE go-to guy for all things retro.Reporter: Colin Berry

• More: Charles Phoenix, Showman, Author, Humorist, Ambassador of Americana!