Trend data on college-going rates in California during 1974-1984 are examined. Consideration is given to statewide high school graduation and college-going trends, and participation rates for the University of California, California State University, California community colleges, and independent colleges and universities. Data are also provided on differences in enrollment rates by sector for 51 California counties for 1974-1984, and sex and ethnic differences in participation rates for each sector by county. Findings include: in Fall 1984, almost 5,700 fewer first-time freshmen from California high schools enrolled in the state's colleges and universities compared with the previous term; the University of California rate of enrolling first-time freshmen from California high schools increased from 7.0% for fall 1983 to 7.5% for fall 1984; California State University's rate for first-time freshmen remained at 8.9%; the statewide enrollment rate for the community colleges fell to 36.3% from fall 1984, a drop of 1.6 percentage points from the previous fall term; and the enrollment of women high school graduates as freshmen in each sector was higher than that of men. Enrollments for six ethnic groups (Asian, Filipino, Hispanic, Black, American Indian, White) are reported. (SW)