From a thoughtful interview posted on the wonderful Earth and Sky site, a look at California rivers yesterday and today with Prof. Jeff Mount of UC Davis.
At one point he mentions that when Congress gave the "wild and scenic river" designation to a dozen or so California rivers, "they got half of it right — they're scenic!"
http://www.earthsky.org/media/swf/player.swf
http://www.earthsky.org/media/swf/player.swf
Image below is a digital elevation model/map of central California. The large lower river is the San Joaquin.
Yes, California has great rivers, though you wouldn't know it from the way we've treated them.
Kit Stolz 