‘California Dreaming’ by Charles Wright, written in 1983, is a poem about Wright’s departure from Laguna Beach, CA, where he lived for six years. In ‘California Dreaming,’ the poet-speaker describes how Californians are similar to another evolution of people from the East.
Light and the sun are the main symbols and themes in 'California Dreaming.' Wright uses the sun's daily departure from the Eastern to western horizons to compare California to the Southeastern USA, where Wright grew up. The light transforms many times throughout the poem, carrying connotations of religion, rebirth, understanding, knowledge, and awakening.