California, Berkshire
California is a village in the north of the civil parish of Finchampstead in the English county of Berkshire. It is situated approximately 1.9 mi (3.1 km) south of Wokingham.
California is named after an old brickworks. There are local shops, restaurants, a chemist, post office and petrol station, school and doctor's surgery at California Crossroads. However, the place is best known for its country park, centred on Longmoor Lake. It was once a famous holiday camp, complete with glass-floored pavilion and speedway racetrack. The track was known as Longmoor before the Second World War and was used for training. After the Second World War the track was home for the team known as California Poppies which raced in the Southern Area League. Annual reunions are now staged at the site of the track.
In April 2010, the new FBC Centre was opened in Gorse Ride North. The centre was built by Finchampstead Baptist Church in partnership with Wokingham Borough Council and Finchampstead Parish Council. The centre provides a cafe, sports hall and conference rooms for community use and is used by an increasing number of community groups.
