The almond was brought to California in the 1700s by Spanish Padres who settled the Mission at Santa Barbara. The industry started in California due to development of superior cultivars in the late 1800s. From then until about 1960, the industry grew at a moderate pace, but acreage and production have increased several-fold since then, making California the world leader in almond production. Nowadays, the almond is the most widely planted tree crop in the state.
