California Impressionism was an important art movement in the 1910-1930's where southern California artists built upon the French Impressionism of the 1880-1890's but with a distinctive California flair. This movement died off with the Great Depression, World Wars and the Abstract Expressionism movement.
Over the last 10-20 years there has been a resurgence of interest in the California Impressionism movement.
A good article in Art and Antiques has more on this movement and the growing collector base and auction house interest in this work.
Armin Hansen, Jewels of the Sea