This collection investigates the multifaceted identity of California by documenting a single day in the life of the state through the lenses of 100 world-class photojournalists. The project, led by Rick Smolan and David C. Cohen, utilizes a massive collaborative effort to capture the cultural, geographical, and social diversity of the region on April 29, 1988. By deploying photographers across various landscapes—from urban centers to remote wilderness—the book presents a comprehensive visual archive that serves as a snapshot of late-20th-century American life.

The work is regarded as a significant example of the 'day in the life' photographic genre, noted for its breadth and technical execution. The framing suggests a comprehensive, albeit curated, historical document that captures the specific zeitgeist of California in the late 1980s.